Personal Narrative Writing Prompt:
Write a personal narrative in which you describe for a specific audience a meaningful experience in your life. Make sure to narrate the events of the experience to reflect on its significance.
Planning/Prewriting:
|
Drafting:
|
Revising:
Ask Yourself:
|
Tips:
Underline each detail that is essential for the reader's understanding of the experience. |
Add events as necessary to make the experience clear for your audience. Delete extra events and irrelevant details that are not underlined.
|
2. Does the narrative follow a well-structured sequence of events?
|
Number the events in the order in which they occur.
|
Rearrange events so that they build on one another in a smooth progression.
|
3. Does the pacing keep the action moving?
|
Place an X next to details or events that slow down the narrative. Draw a star where the action moves too quickly.
|
Revise or remove details that slow down the pace. Add details where the action jumps too quickly ahead.
|
4. Is sensory language used to describe characters and setting?
|
Draw an arrow next to each sensory detail.
|
Add sensory language. Include details that appeal to a variety of senses.
|
5. Do the people speak through dialogue?
|
Bracket examples of dialogue.
|
Add dialogue where possible to engage readers, reveal character traits, or show the conflict.
|
6. Is the significance of the experience revealed through thoughts and feelings?
|
Highlight statements that describe thoughts or feelings.
|
Add specific thoughts and feelings that make clear to your audience why this experience is important to you.
|