Writing a Personal Narrative

Personal NarrativeA story about an

experience in your own life.

It is not fictional, and it is not an autobiography

(a story about your entire life)!

Point of ViewPersonal narratives use first person point of view. “I”, “me”, and “we” are OK. Generally, the narrator should not address the reader by saying “you” in your narrative.

“I”

Point of View:1st Person:

“I never thought that owning a dog would be so challenging. When I brought Fluffy home for

the first time, she destroyed my favorite

pair of shoes within five minutes. After I found the damage, I locked

Fluffy in her crate.”

3rd Person:“Amber used to think that owning a dog would be

easy, but when she brought Fluffy home for

the first time, she discovered she was

wrong. Fluffy had destroyed her favorite pair

of shoes. When amber saw them, she locked

Fluffy in her crate.”

Narrative ElementsThere are 5 main elements that are found in all narratives:

1. Character 2. Setting 3. Conflict 4. Plot 5. Theme

These are the main

“ingredients” in a story.

Narrative ElementsThere are 5 main elements that are found in all narratives:

1. Character 2. Setting 3. Conflict 4. Plot 5. Theme

Where does your story take place?

What are you struggling to do in your story?

What events happen?

That’s you!

What is the lesson, purpose, point, or message of the story?

ConflictWhen two things are in opposition.

A “clash” between two forces.

When two things are in opposition. A “clash” between two forces.

Every story worth reading has a conflict.

If there is no conflict, there isno tension in the story.

Conflict

Types of Conflict:

External Conflict:A character struggles

against an outside force:

Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society

Internal Conflict:A character struggles

to understand opposing ideas or

feelings within himself:

Man vs. Self

Man vs. SelfYou struggle to be kind to your ex-boyfriend even though he is very jealous.

You struggle to understand your identity when you are half Chinese and half American.

You struggle to end your addiction to video games.

Man vs. ManYou struggle against your best friend because you fell in love with the same person.

You struggle against a mean teacher that always gives you detention.

You struggle against your father who wants you to become a doctor, but you want to be a director.

Man vs. NatureYou are attacked by bears while on a camping trip, and struggle to escape.

Your family struggles to survive during a hurricane.

A drought kills all of the crops, and you must try to survive without food.

Man vs. SocietyYou struggle to find acceptance in a society that discourages your clothing choices.

You struggle to change a harmful or oppressive law.

You struggle because everyone expects you to attend Hagwon, but you would rather take surfing lessons.

OutlineBeginning

• What is the problem? Middle

• How does the character try to solve the problem?

End• Is the problem resolved? How? • Reflect: why was this event important

or meaningful in the life of the character?

OutlineBeginning

• What is the problem? Middle

• How does the character try to solve the problem?

End• Is the problem resolved? How? • Reflect: why was this event important

or meaningful in the life of the character?

Call to Adventure

Trials

Ordeal

Boon