How to write Personal Narrative

Three things must happen for a "story" to become a
"personal narrative"

Three Parts to Narrative:

• A detailed, true story about YOU
• A universal "Theme" - This answers the question "so what?"
• Show. Don't tell.

First

This is Elisha.

What is Elisha's narrative?

Do This

Choose the one that fits the three criteria.
Choose the one that you want to tell.

Second

HOW MUCH SHOULD I WRITE?

Is This about right?

How about that?

Why do I have to write sooooo much?

To Figure Out:

• What your story is
• What the "so what" is
• And to "get rolling"

BE QUIET!!!!!!

Do This

Show.

"I'm Aniah. I am happy because my family adopted a dog. Her name is Jessie and she is so cute!"

This does not show us Jessie. it is "telling."

SHOW.

Petco was packed that Saturday. People scribbled their names on forms. Dogs barked inside their little corrals and peed on the floor. The volunteers ran around, picking up one dog after another and handing them into the arms of smiling couples and kids.

Dad told us to take a good look and don't just pick the first one we see. They were ALL cute, crawling over each other and standing on their hind legs for an ear scratch.

I reached in to say hello to a medium,
short-haired, black-and-white dog with velvety ears.
Her whole body shivered, but she sniffed my hand.
I scratched her chin and she turned her head to began to lick my fingers.
It tickled so much it surprised me. I laughed.
She licked even harder with her gritty cold tongue,
then looked up at me with her brown eyes.
I was in love.

Do This

"So What"

Bad news.

No one cares much about your dog story.

This is true. Unless...

It Matters