Writing Narratives

This week, we looked at how to write narrative openings that both capture your reader's attention, and reveal the information that beginnings are designed to reveal. We read beginnings from novels, and evaluated them based on criteria we generated as a class. Then, students were asked to try writing an opening, using the following prompt: The mistakes we make can help shape who we are. I gave out a handout with some suggestions for how to begin your stories. Finally, students submitted a narrative opening at the end of class. Then, we looked at how writers use dialogue to develop characters and advance plot. I gave students information on how to properly structure and punctuate dialogue, and students then practiced writing a dialogue using proper mechanics, but also revealing plot, conflict and character. If you were away either Tuesday or Thursday this week, you can find the handouts from class here on the blog.