Narrative Writing Techniques

Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to practice using narrative writing techniques (description, dialogue, showing vs. telling, etc.) to tell a story, to engage in the writing process, and to participate as a member of an active writing community. This paper should be 500-700 words (about 1.5-2 pages long).

Task:
To complete this assignment, you should:

1. Choose a Meaningful Experience: Select a unique event from your life that has a lesson or meaning (that you are willing to share with others). Avoid common experiences like getting a driver’s license or having a baby; instead, pick something distinct and significant to you.
2. Narrow Your Focus: If your experience spans several days (like a vacation), focus in on a specific moment that represents the larger event. For instance, if you choose a trip to Paris, focus on a memorable experience like visiting the Eiffel Tower rather than the entire trip.
3. Plan Your Narrative: Use prewriting strategies like brainstorming or outlining to organize your thoughts. Some of these planning materials will be collected separately for Prewriting assignments.
4. Format Your Document: Open a Word document and set it up in MLA format (see MLA formatting instructions at the end of this document).
5. Write Your Story: Compose a 1.5 to 2-page narrative that vividly describes your experience. Include sensory details and emotions to immerse your readers in the event. Ensure your thesis statement clearly conveys the lesson learned.
6. Revise and Submit: Review your paper for clarity, grammar, and overall coherence. Edit as necessary before submitting the final version according to the class instructions.