© Emond Montgomery Publications Limited
English, Gr. 9
Stories – Personal Narrative
Writing a Humorous Personal Narrative
STEP ONE
Someone once said, “Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else.” For this
reason embarrassing moments often make good subjects for humorous narratives.
BRAINSTORM at least four embarrassing moments in your own life.
If you can’t think of any make some up.
Embarrassing moments in my life
STEP TWO
Choose one of your ideas that you wouldn’t mind sharing with others and your teacher.
In a sentence or two explain why it was so embarrassing.
Moment chosen:
STEP THREE
Write down some details about the
moment. Make them up if you can’t recall.
Where?
Explain your thoughts when
it happened?
People involved
My
embarrassing
moment
Explain how you felt
when it happened?
Comments people
made
Why?
When?
© Emond Montgomery Publications Limited
STEP FOUR
Write down the time order of things that happened in point form notes.
FIRST
SECOND
THIRD
FOURTH
STEP FIVE
Now, using STEP FOUR begin writing the rough draft of the narrative on lined paper. Write in
complete sentences and paragraphs. Use details from STEP TWO and THREE along the way to
make your story more interesting.
Your final draft should be about ONE to TWO pages double-spaced in length.
© Emond Montgomery Publications Limited
English, Gr. 9
Stories – Humorous Personal Narrative
Name:
Personal Narrative
Use this to understand Hand-in
this
with your final draft
example
Almost,
Yes
Narrative is on an entertaining subject
Thinking/Inquiry
Begins in a way that gets the reader’s attention
Application
Details are in the time order of how they happened
Application
Focuses on a single event
Application
Told from a first person point of view (uses “I” and “me”)
Application
There is humour created by understatement (low-key
description) or by exaggeration (overblown description)
Communication
Final draft of narrative is neatly written (or typed), and fills one
to two pages double-spaced
Communication
There are few flaws in spelling, grammar, or punctuation
Communication
The assignment sheet is filled in completely, and a rough draft
is provided
Application
but needs
improvement
No