Writing Workshop: Narrative Writing Answers

Look at the brainstorming web. A brainstorming web can be an important tool in narrative writing because

Sasha just read a writing prompt, and she is not sure what to write about. In order to write a strong essay, Sasha should first

Read the sentences.Sentence 1: We were inseparable.Sentence 2: So when Karim’s parents told us that they were moving across the country, we didn’t believe it, and we didn’t know how our friendship would survive.Sentence 3: Karim, Johan, and I had been best friends since the seventh grade.Sentence 4: Sometimes we’d spend entire weekends reading comic books and playing basketball.What is the most logical way to sequence these sentences to create a logical narrative?

Read the sentences. Sentence 1: The first time I performed a solo, my stomach was in knots.Sentence 2: Despite my nerves, I was able to do it. Sentence 3: My part certainly wasn’t perfect and may have been a little screechy, but I was proud of myself nonetheless. Sentence 4: I could barely breathe, and I wasn’t sure a sound would come out when I opened my mouth to sing. What is the most logical way to sequence these sentences to create a logical narrative?

Read the introduction to Cora’s personal narrative, “Apple Picking.”Have you ever [WOL] homemade apple pie? I have, and it was the most delicious piece of food I ever tasted. Last summer, I [WOL] an orchard with my cousins.Fill in the blanks in order.

Read the introduction to Mila’s personal narrative, “True Lessons.” “Smile, Mila! Smile!” When my little sister was almost three years old, she would ___ this every day when I ___ in the door from school. Fill in the blanks in order. repeated . . . walk repeat . . . walked repeated . . . walked repeat . . . walk

Read the introduction to Jorge’s personal narrative, “Goodbye, My Friend.” When I was in eighth grade, my best friend’s parents told us that their family was moving away at the end of the school year. When that time finally ___, I decided to ___ her a proper sendoff: a huge surprise party! I just ___ her to know how much all of her friends would miss her. I invited everyone in my grade and made them promise not to tell Rebekah. Fill in the blanks in order.

Read the introduction to Joel’s personal narrative, “The Jazz Band.” I ___ for the school jazz band my freshman year, my sophomore year, and my junior year. I didn’t make it until I was a senior. That’s four tryouts! I ___ four nerve-racking tryouts, but it was worth it. Fill in the blanks in order.

Read the sentences.Sentence 1: What a peaceful morning, I thought to myself.Sentence 2: I opened my eyes, lay still for a moment, and listened to the sounds of the forest.Sentence 3: At that very moment, I heard Joaquin frantically scream, “Enzo, come quick! Look!”Sentence 4: The rustling tree branches sounded like hushed whispers, and I wondered what they were saying.What is the most logical way to sequence these sentences to create a logical narrative?

Read the quotation from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.When first I took up my abode in the woods, that is, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, 1845, my house was not finished for winter, but was merely a defence against the rain, without plastering or chimney, the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night. The upright white hewn studs and freshly planed door and window casings gave it a clean and airy look, especially in the morning, when its timbers were saturated with dew.Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?

Read the introduction to Cole’s personal narrative, “Too Cool for School?”On my first day at Crestwood High School, I was [WOL] that no one would like me. I had just moved to town, and it seemed to me that my classmates had known each other for years. I hated being the new kid. I walked down the hall with my head down and my shoulders hunched. I sat by myself at lunch, despite several invitations.After about three weeks, things [WOL]. At lunch one day, a boy approached my table and sat down. He asked, “Why don’t you like us? Why don’t you want to hang out with us?” I couldn’t believe it! I had thought that they didn’t want to spend time with me.The boy’s name was Craig, and he insisted that I come sit with him and his friends. I haven’t sat alone since, and now when I [WOL] down the hall, I keep my head up and I smile.Fill in the blanks in order.

Read the paragraph from Carmen’s personal narrative, “At Bat.”“Carmen Martinez, number 42.” I took a deep breath as my name rumbled through the loudspeaker. I was so nervous! With each step from the on-deck circle to the batter’s box, I thought my knees would give out and I would collapse. My stomach was in knots.One chance. I had one chance to help my team win this game so we could go to the state semifinals. I could hear the crowd cheering for me. “You got this!” they screamed. “You can do this!” I hoped I could.Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?

Read the introduction to Mila’s personal narrative, “True Lessons.”“Smile, Mila! Smile!” When my little sister was almost three years old, she would [WOL] this every day when I [WOL] in the door from school.Fill in the blanks in order.

Read the introduction to Maria’s personal narrative, “Teaching Saturday School.” On Saturday mornings, I ___ Arabic to the children who attend my mosque. I wake up at eight o’clock and prepare my lesson as I eat breakfast. It’s hard work, but the look on my students’ faces when they ___ a new word is priceless. Fill in the blanks in order.

Read the quotation from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.Some of my pleasantest hours were during the long rain-storms in the spring or fall, which confined me to the house for the afternoon as well as the forenoon, soothed by their ceaseless roar and pelting; when an early twilight ushered in a long evening in which many thoughts had time to take root and unfold themselves. In those driving northeast rains which tried the village houses so, when the maids stood ready with mop and pail in front entries to keep the deluge out, I sat behind my door in my little house, which was all entry, and thoroughly enjoyed its protection.Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?

Read the first two sentences of Mina’s personal narrative, “My First Tryout.”When I was in ninth grade, I [WOL] out for the lacrosse team, even though I had never played before. My older sister had been a star goalie when she was my age, and I [WOL] to follow in her footsteps. Fill in the blanks in order.

Read the quotation from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.Once it chanced that I stood in the very abutment of a rainbow’s arch, which filled the lower stratum of the atmosphere, tinging the grass and leaves around, and dazzling me as if I looked through colored crystal. It was a lake of rainbow light, in which, for a short while, I lived like a dolphin. If it had lasted longer it might have tinged my employments and life.Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?