Comp 101 Assignment Sheet

Essay V: Narrative

Assignment: Write vividy about memories includes all the skills of observing, but it adds the techniques described below. Not all writing about memories uses all 5 techniques, but often one or two of them will transform a lifeless or boring account into an effective narrative.

Length: 500-750 words
Topic Choices
1. Write a short story from your point of view (first person point of view). You can be narrator only or both narrator and one of the characters. Include at least two main, well-developed characters, dialogue, and descriptive details. Your narrative must make some kind of a point, such as a coming of age theme... Be careful not to get caught up in the introduction and leave little room for the story itself. This could be more of a chapter, but it must have a clear beginning and end.
2. Narrative often involves a turning point--a point where a character changes in some fundamental way. Such a change can be caused by almost anything. Whether the cause is something big or small, it seems significant within the narrative. Write about a turning point in your life.

3. You are probably familiar with Murphy's Law--Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. We often use different versions of it to account for things that repeatedly go wrong or for things that seem perverse. Consider the following variations of Murphy's Law. Think of several incidents that show Murphy's Law in action in your life. Organize all into a narrative.
Variations of Murphy's Law: Bread always falls jelly side down / Left to themselves, all things go from bad to worse / Nature always sides with the hidden flaw / If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something / If there is a possibility that several things will go wrong, the one that goes wrong first will be the one that will do the most damage

4. Your own idea. Be sure to discuss it with Mrs. Kennedy BEFORE beginning the narrative.

Narrative Techniques
Use detailed observation of people, places, and events. Writing vividly about memories requires many of the skills of careful observation. Give actual dialogue where appropriate (at least two characters and an insertion of dialogue).
Create specific scenes set in time and space. Show your reader the actual events; don't just tell about events. Narrate specific incidents as they actually happen. Avoid monotonously summarizing events or presenting just the conclusions (for instance, "those experiences really changes my life").
Note changes,contrasts, or conflicts. Changes in people or places, contrasts between two different memories or between memories of expectations and the reality or conflicts between people or ideas will often lead to the main or importance of a remembered person, place, or event.
Make connections between past events, people, or places & the present. The main idea of a narrative often grows out of the changes & conflicts or arises from connections you make between past & present.

Discover and focus on a main idea. A remembering essay is not a random narrative of the writer's favorite memories. A narrative should have a clear main point, focus on a main idea, or make a discovery. The essay should clearly show why the memories are important.