English I classes will examine the genre of
creative nonfiction and personal narrative
through readings, discussions, and writing
assignments.
"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
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.
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.”
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.
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?
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.)
“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.
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).
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.