Narrative Techniques in Writing
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Questions and Answers

What is the main effect of using the adjective 'vast' instead of 'big' to describe the veranda?

  • It makes the reader imagine a small veranda.
  • It makes the reader feel like they are on the veranda.
  • It gives the reader the idea that the veranda is exceptionally large and perhaps also elegant. (correct)
  • It gives the reader a sense of the veranda being old.

    • What is the purpose of using strong verbs in writing?

  • To keep the reader engaged and help them understand exactly what the author is trying to convey. (correct)
  • To make the writing more boring
  • To confuse the reader
  • To make the writing more difficult to understand

    • What does the reflection section of a personal narrative essay examine?

  • The impacts that the experiences had on their lives or understanding of the world (correct)
  • The author's daily routine
  • The author's favorite hobbies
  • The author's favorite foods

    • What is the main difference between the verbs 'broke' and 'shattered'?

    <p>The verb 'broke' is less specific, while 'shattered' is more specific and vivid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the tone of Todd Reschke's reflection section in his personal narrative essay?

    <p>Inspiring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main point of including reflection in a personal narrative essay?

    <p>To share the author's insights and explore their feelings about the story</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of using the verb 'shattered' instead of 'broke' in a sentence?

    <p>It makes the sentence more vivid and engaging</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of selecting the perfect adjective in writing?

    <p>To create a specific image or connotation in the reader's mind</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between a strong verb and a weak verb?

    <p>A strong verb is more specific and vivid, while a weak verb is less specific.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main point of Todd Reschke's personal narrative essay?

    <p>To explore the impact of a bike ride on his life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of adjectives in writing?

    <p>To create vivid images in the reader's mind</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of using a strong, specific verb in writing?

    <p>The reader is engaged and understands the author's message more clearly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author accomplish by including reflection in a personal narrative essay?

    <p>The author examines the impacts of their experiences on their life</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the reflection section in a personal narrative essay?

    <p>To explore the author's feelings and insights about the experience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author of 'Taking on Mountains' compare to the bike ride up the bluff?

    <p>Their decision to return to college</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of using a strong, specific verb in a sentence?

    <p>The sentence conveys a stronger sense of action and emotion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author imply by saying that 'having a little determination can conquer mountains in life'?

    <p>That a small amount of determination can lead to significant accomplishments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea of the quote 'It's uphill and into the wind for awhile, but the view is great once you crest the hill'?

    <p>That challenges in life require perseverance and determination</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of selecting the perfect adjective in writing?

    <p>To create a vivid image in the reader's mind</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the author of 'Taking on Mountains' learn from their experience bike riding up the bluff?

    <p>That they can approach challenges with determination and perseverance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Narrative Techniques

    • A narrative is another word for a story, and narrative techniques are elements used to build a story.
    • Examples of narrative techniques include dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection.
    • Good narrative topics include a life-changing event, a hobby, or an influential person.

    Techniques of a Narrative: Dialogue

    • Narrative dialogue includes the words spoken by characters aloud or internally.
    • Authors use dialogue to advance character development, move the plot forward, and engage the reader.
    • Dialogue can be direct, indirect, external, or internal.
    • Direct dialogue includes the exact words spoken by characters, and is usually set apart with quotation marks.
    • Indirect dialogue summarizes what was said without including the exact words.
    • External dialogue is spoken aloud to another character, while internal dialogue is a character's thoughts or observations.
    • Dialogue can serve different functions in a story, such as providing insight into characters' personalities or moving the plot forward.

    Techniques of a Narrative: Pacing

    • Pacing refers to the speed at which events unfold in a story.
    • Authors can control the pace of a story by using dialogue, description, and other techniques.
    • Including more dialogue can speed up the pace, while including more description can slow it down.
    • A good balance between dialogue and description is key to keeping the reader engaged.

    Techniques of a Narrative: Description

    • Description is a narrative technique that provides important information to the reader.
    • Authors should use concrete and specific nouns to create vivid descriptions.
    • Carefully selected adjectives can add depth and emotion to descriptions.
    • Strong verbs can help convey action and emotion in a description.
    • Descriptive sections can be slower than dialogue, but they help create an ebb and flow that keeps readers engaged.

    Techniques of a Narrative: Reflection

    • In a personal narrative essay, reflection is an important element that examines the impacts of the experiences on the author's life or understanding of the world.
    • Reflection provides insight into the author's feelings and thoughts about the story.
    • One experience can significantly change the way a person sees themselves or the world.
    • Reflection helps the author (and reader) understand the significance of the story and its lasting impact.

    Writing Dialogue in a Narrative

    • To write effective dialogue, it's essential to understand terms like dialogue, attribute, punctuation, and quotation marks.
    • Use commas to separate dialogue and attribution, and include punctuation marks like exclamation points or question marks when necessary.
    • Capitalize the beginning of the dialogue and any proper nouns or titles.
    • Move to a new line and indent to show the reader that a new person is speaking.
    • Use an attribute to describe the speaker, but avoid unnecessary repetition.

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    Description

    Learn about the different techniques used in narrative writing, including dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection. Understand how to effectively use these techniques to build a engaging story and convey meaning to the reader.

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