Exploring Creative Nonfiction and Personal Narrative

1. English I classes will examine the genre of creative nonfiction and personal narrative through readings, discussions, and writing assignments. Exploring Creative Nonfiction andPersonal Narrative

2. "Solution to Saturday's Puzzle" from When you are Engulfed in Flames, by David Sedaris "My Father's Life," by Raymond Carvers Black Elk Speaks excerpt I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings excerpt, by Maya Angelou Mississippi Solo excerpt, by Eddy L. Harris “Thinking Like a Mountain,” excerpt from A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold MAIN READINGS

3. COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS English Language Arts: Reading and Interpreting Text Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose. READING text

4. COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS English Language Arts: Speaking and Listening “Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.” “Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.” Discussions related to readings

5. COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS English Language Arts: Reading and Interpreting Text Write narratives to develop real experiences using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured sequences. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. Writing narrative text

6. What is Creative Nonfiction? “‘Creative nonfiction’ precisely describes what the form is all about. The word ‘creative’ refers simply to the use of literary craft in presenting nonfiction—that is, factually accurate prose about real people and events—in a compelling, vivid manner. To put it another way, creative nonfiction writers do not make things up; they make ideas and information that already exist more interesting and, often, more accessible.” – Lee Gutkind (editor of Creative Nonfiction Journal) In your opinion, what makes writing interesting? What makes writing accessible? CREATIVE NONFICTION

7. Personal narrative is a form of writing in which a writer relates a specific experience, event, relationship, or incident through descriptive detail. The narrative often includes the author’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions through a candid and authentic tone. A narrative is a story that is usually told in chronological order (the order in which the events happen, from beginning to end). Personal narrative

8. Tone is a literary term that refers to an attitude that the author has toward the topic (i.e., dark, comic, light, witty, etc.). Careful word choice can determine the tone of a story. If a story uses words like “dark” and “fearful” a lot, the tone will be much different from a story that uses “carefree,” “sunny,” and “happy.” Reflect on a time in your life when you felt overwhelmed by your circumstances. Describe the situation with as much detail as possible. Pay attention to the TONE in which you write; try to project the emotions you felt through your writing. Help your reader to feel your sense of anxiety. Tone

9. Read "Solution to Saturday's Puzzle" from When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. Considering the definition of creative nonfiction we discussed in class, what characteristics of creative nonfiction are evident to you in this piece? Cite specific examples of tone, point of view, etc. Be sure to use direct quotes to support your answer. Solution to Saturday’s puzzle (davidsedaris)

10. The five senses are taste, touch, smell, sight, and sound. How might they enhance a story? What language do you use to describe things that appeal to the senses? Choose a prompt from the italicized scenarios below and make a list of all the sensory details that might be associated with the situation. [Scenarios: first day of school; scared for my life; best vacation; favorite meal; losing my first tooth; the time I was in the hospital for…; favorite holiday; my ___ birthday party; the most awkward moment; embarrassed by my parents; etc.] Taking the list of sensory details, create a narrative that describes the scenario more fully, using some or all of the details you have listed. Sensory details

11. Imagery is the formation of mental images or pictures prompted by the descriptive writing in a narrative. In the creative nonfiction works we have read, what images stick out in your mind? Go back and look through our readings and find specific examples. Share them with the class once you have found them. Listening to these passages being read aloud, what makes the image transfer from words on the page to a picture in your mind? How do the composition of the sentence, the word choice, and the details work together to create an image? How can you do that with your own writing? Describe your room at home. Create a mental picture of the room for your reader by including details about every surface (carpet, walls, etc.), colors, and objects in the room. imagery

12. In "My Father's Life,” when Raymond Carver tells his father he is going to become a writer, his father gives him advice: "Write about stuff you know. Write about some of those fishing trips we took." By writing the story "My Father's Life," how is Carver taking his father's advice, even though he never wrote about fishing? Why do you think writing about what you know is important? “my father’s life,” by raymond carver

13. Use quotation marks to indicate words and phrases that are spoken by characters. Make sure the reader knows who is speaking. In a narrative, vary the placement of the speech tags. Always start a new paragraph when changing speakers. (For an example of how a conversation should look, go to the next slide.) Writing dialogue

14. “When we get there you will need to put your shoes on,” the mother instructed. “But, Mom!” Charlie retorted. “I don’t want to wear my shoes! Can’t I just go barefoot?” “They won’t let you come in with me unless you have your shoes on,” she responded. “Do you want me to leave you in the car?” “No, I don’t want to stay in the car.” Consider a time when you were in conflict with someone else (a parent, friend, etc.). Try to put yourself back into that moment and describe for your reader what took place. Be sure to use dialogue (following the rules we have just discussed) in your narrative. Dialogue (continued)

15. Capture your readers’ attention and get them right into the action. Starting a story with action is a great way to engage your readers and capture their imaginations. Action at the beginning of a narrative will help them get into the story as soon as they begin reading. TWO EXAMPLES: Relatively boring start to a narrative: One rainy day I went to the mall. Much better start: I splashed across the parking lot, yanked open the tall glass door and, dripping wet, stepped into the mall. PRACTICE: Put Kate (main character) at the zoo (setting) doing something (action). Active beginnings

16. The Goal: to convey personal experiences in a convincing way to readers that persuades them of the significance of a particular event. Deciding what to write about: Brainstorm a list of five or more significant events or experiences in your life. Make a list of the characters or players in each of these vignettes. Identify the setting or settings. Think of an active beginning. Be conscious of tone. Include dialogue, sensory detail, and imagery. Writing a good narrative