“Narrative/Descriptive” paper

The Textbook of this couse paper is: Strategies for Successful Writing: A Rhetoric, Research Guide, Reader and Handbook. James A. Reinking and Robert Von Der Osten. Pearson. The Narrative Writing 1. Select the event you want to tell a story about. Begin with a thesis statement that gives the reader the purpose of the narrative. For example: My year studying abroad in Paris was an adventure that taught me not only skills in a foreign language but also a new respect for people with cultural values different from my own. 2. Decide which point of view you will use. 1st or 3rd? If you are writing to a friend, 1st may be better, being more informal… If you are writing to address a wider audience, the third may be more effective. For example: FIRST PERSON PT. OF VIEW: I saw a man hanged, and the experience changed my views on capital punishment. THIRD PERSON PT. OF VIEW: Spending a day at a Planned Parenthood clinic would help opponents of abortion understand the other side’s fervent commitment to choice. 3. Plan the scope of the piece. How much time will events cover? 4. Plan to include dialogue. Full dialogue or fragmented conversations. 5. Make a list of transitions to help you move your narrative along. For example: after that, a few hours later, by the time the day ended. 6. Plan the arrangement of events. 7. Begin your rough draft. ***** Narration contains all of the following elements:***** PURPOSE ACTION CONFLICT POINT OF VIEW 1ST AND 3RD KEY EVENTS DIALOGUE ETHICAL ISSUES (SOMETIMES) FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THESE TERMS. BE PREPARED TO OUTLINE USING THESE TERMS FOR YOUR FINAL NARRATIVE PAPER. How To Write Descriptive Papers: 1. Select a topic and begin to write a thesis statement, keeping in mind that you will want to give the reader information about what you are describing and what angle you are taking on the topic. For Example: For a first-time tourist in New York City, the subway trains can seem confusing and threatening, but the long-time resident finds the train system a clever, speedy network for traveling around the city. 2. Collect a list of sensory words… For Example: subway trains (noisy, crowded, etc.), graffiti, advertising signs, and smells throughout the city. 3. Use the five senses: SOUND SMELLS FEELINGS/TEXTURES TASTES SIGHTS 4. Plan a dominant impression and an order for arranging the details. 5. Express a purpose for the description, 6. Identify the audience. Who will read this essay?