Haunted House Narrative Honors
Directions: Write a narrative about a haunted house. You will use a graphic
organizer and a plot graph to plan your writing carefully.
Step 1: Fill in the 4 bubble maps.
 The first bubble map is about the setting
o Give descriptive details about when and where the story is taking place (time of
day, haunted house, surroundings…)
 The next two bubble maps are the 2 main characters
o They should have interesting character traits
o Some positive character traits (intelligent, physically strong, …)
o A contrasting character trait (weak-minded, a pushover…)
 The fourth bubble map is the villain
o Villains can have positive character traits too
 They could be intelligent, thoughtful, misunderstood…
Step 2: Using the bubble maps fill in a plot graph for your story.
 Start with the problem of the story
o Examples: 2 kids are going to a party and it is held in a crazy haunted house, or
2 kids are trick or treating and they go to the wrong house
 Fill in the climax of the story
o Decide what the most exciting part of the story will be
 Fill in the resolution of the story
o Decide how you want the story to end
o Examples: Happily ever after, everybody dies, it was all a joke
 Fill in the three events that take you from the problem to the climax
o Add the main events without adding too much detail
o Make sure the progression from the problem to the climax and resolution
makes sense
Step 3: Write a rough draft of your story. Use the bubble maps to help with detail, and
follow your plan set up in the plot graph.
 Use pencil, skip lines
 Do not use contractions such as can’t or don’t & do not use dialogue.
 No excuse words are spelled correctly
 All numbers zero to ten must be written in words at all times, unless they are used in
times or dates.
 Indent each new paragraph.
 In your writing you will include wordskills words. Choose five words from this list
and highlight them in your writing.
inseparable
magnificent
safeguard
abnormal
desperate
determinant
repulsive
suspense
untimely
vital
massive
specialist
tranquilize
veterinarian
quest
 Introduction paragraph:
o Introduction will include the main setting and the problem, and the main
characters are introduced
o Attention grabber – Start by describing the setting using descriptive and
interesting word choices.
o Continue this paragraph explaining the setting (time of day, location), the
characters, and the basic situation or problem.
 Example: __(Spooky)____ and _____(foreboding)_____, the haunted house
______(stood on a hill apart from the other houses)____________________.
 Body Paragraphs:
o Paragraph 2 will include the first two events
o Paragraph 3 will include the third event and the climax
o To make the writing more interesting, try starting a few sentences with a
prepositional phrase. If you can start with two prepositional phrases that would
be even better.
 Example: In the dreary house behind the crooked door, (be sure you have
a comma after your two prepositional phrases).
o Tell the events and climax in chronological order. Use lots of descriptive
words.
 Conclusion Paragraph:
o Paragraph 4 will include the resolution of the story
o Tie up any loose ends of the story as you finish the story
Step 4: Editing & Revising
 Check that you met the requirements in step 3
 Check word choice is interesting and adds to your writing
 Make sure your story is smooth in the transitions between events and that it tells a
clear story from the problem through the resolution.
Step 5: Final Draft
 Final Draft is due Thursday, October 31, 2013
 Typed: Any readable font, the size equivalent to 14 point Times New Roman
 Heading in top right corner, and put your interesting and creative story title in
quotes