Autobiographical Writing
(Personal Narrative)
Open up your Writing Notebooks and
think about a time when…..
-you were excited
-you were nervous
-you were scared
What is a Personal
Narrative?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1V
ZwULQ9UE
A personal narrative is when you write about
yourself and specific experiences that you have
encountered.
Autobiographical
Writing
Autobiographical Writing Handout
Review Page 1
Autobiographical
Writing
Autobiographical Writing Sample
http://eolit.hrw.com/hlla/writersmodel/p
df/W_S0801.pdf?WebLogicSession=
Qhzx0UpELNmxostoouz8PtunTC728
2b88xxi4HL8wyc3K7pzFgng|1905610
0342224463/167838195/6/6000/6
http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/writing/sampl
e_p.htm
Autobiographical
Writing
 Autobiographical Writing Handout
 Review Page 2 and 3
 Format:
 Heading (typed, if you type your final draft)
 Title
 Typed or Handwritten (blue or black ink if hand
written)
 DOUBLE SPACE!!!
Pre-Write
 Choose an event to write about!
 Think about the elements of PLOT:
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Conflict
Rising action
Climax
Falling action
Resolution
2nd Day - Rough Draft
INTRODUCTION (1st/2nd
paragraph):
1. Attention-grabbing hook - The hook is the very first
sentence in the essay, and a good one creates a lasting
impression with the reader! (3 – 5 sentences)
2. Exposition:
 Give background information
 Introduce the conflict, setting, and characters (set the
scene)
 Thoughts and feelings
 7 sentences
Types/Samples of
Hooks
 Types of hooks:
 Quote – it can be a direct quote from a book, TV show,
movie, a famous person, or you!
 Onomatopoeia – a word that makes sounds. Could be
animal sounds or car sounds (i.e. Bang! Woof!).
 Poem – use a poem from a famous author or make
your own.
 Song – Use a line or two from your favorite
song…make sure it relates to your essay!
 Interjection – express emotions (i.e. Aha! Stop! Help!
Wow!)
 Dialogue – 2 or more people talking
Sample Introduction
Conquering Your Fears
Everyone, well almost everyone, I’ve ever known has thought of
their years in elementary school as their favorites. I, on the other hand, do
not feel so fondly about elementary school, especially third grade. That was
a year I will never forget. I was only eight, but I remember it like yesterday.
I was sitting in the doctor’s office when they gave my parents and
me the shocking news. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but your daughter’s
condition is getting worse. The only way to fix it is by surgery.” Those
words ripped into me like a serrated knife into a crisp, cold apple. It was a
horrible sinking feeling that seemed to possess my whole body—a feeling
so terrifying that even the bravest person alive could not possibly endure it.
I knew I had been “sick,” and I knew it had been serious, but never, even in
my nightmares, did I think of surgery. You see, I was born with a condition
that affects your kidneys; it is called bilateral reflux. The only way I would
live was to have reconstructive surgery.
Your Turn
Please take 10 – 15 minutes to
write your Introduction and
Exposition – the beginning of your
narrative.
Middle of Narrative
Rising Action – building suspense
Use of dialogue
Climax – the most interesting point
in the story
**Remember to include DETAILS and
your THOUGHTS/FEELINGS!
**MUST be 7 sentences!!!
Sample Middle
The next thing I remember, it was seven o’clock in the morning and I was
at the hospital. I met with the doctors; rather, the doctors met with me. Everyone tried
to comfort me, but nothing helped. As far as I was concerned—and I was concerned!—
I’d be a nervous wreck for the rest of my life; that was, if I had a “rest of my life.” It was
now time for surgery. They sent a surgical nurse down to my room with a gurney.
Being the scared little girl that I was, I thought the moment I got up on it, they would
hurt me. So I decided that my teddy bear, Rainbow, and I would follow along behind it,
very defiantly, with my parents. When the doctors saw me walk in, they started to
laugh, and I realized that everyone else who had seen me probably had laughed too.
What was comic relief to them was no comedy at all to me. So I simply put my nose
into the air and kept walking. The nurse prepped me and had me lie down on the
operating table. The doctor asked me what “flavor” of anesthesia I wanted; I thought for
a while and answered, “Strawberry.” He then asked me to count backward from one
hundred as he lifted the mask over my face. I woke up a few hours later, feeling woozy
and very sore. I saw my parents and drifted back to sleep.
Your Turn
Please take 10 – 15 minutes to
write the middle of your narrative.
End of
Narrative/Conclusion
Falling Action – suspense eases
Resolution – reveal the outcome
Significance of the experience
**MUST be 7 sentences!!!
Sample Conclusion
I remained at the hospital for one more week. It was
not the best time I ever had, but it wasn’t the worst either.
The highlight of my recovery was a special visit from two of
my favorite cartoon characters. That was wonderful. My
experience has taught me a lot. I discovered that, in order to
reach the top, you must learn to climb the mountain and, in
order to conquer your fears, you must face them first. In a
way I am thankful for my surgery, because I conquered a lot
of my fears. I’m not telling you to go out and have surgery,
but if you do, it’s probably not going to be as bad as you
expect it to be.
Your Turn
Please take 10 – 15 minutes to
write you’re the end of your
narrative/conclusion.