Name: Period: Date: Assign #: 23 Narrative Essay: Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Goals Directions: Read the following prompt carefully and RUTO it below. For centuries, story telling has been the definitive means of passing down knowledge and information from generation to generation. This tradition has been seen in all cultures and prevails in various forms even today. You have read several stories recounting the trials and tribulations of diverse In the short stories, The Pit and the Pendulum and The Most Dangerous Game, the protagonists face obstacles and tribulations but never give up fighting for their survival. In your own future, you will encounter and have to overcome obstacles to achieve your goals. Write a narrative essay about how you will achieve a specific goal that you have for your future. Your story should include all of the elements of a narrative and thoroughly illustrate how the future you will overcome obstacles to achieve this goal. Describe the journey so vividly that your readers will feel that they were right there with the future you. Read the prompt. Underline ALL the important parts of the prompt. Answer your question. Your answer to this question will become your thesis. Write your thesis here: Turn the MAIN sentences into a question. Write the question here: Timeline/Due Dates: The following lists the important due dates for this essay. Be sure to follow them so you will not fall behind. Not meeting any of the following deadlines will result in being added to the homework tracker: Sept 11 In Class: RUTO Prompt (pg. 1) Exemplar Essay Analysis 14/15 DUE: Brainstorming Activity (pg. 3) In Class: Pre- Writing (pgs. 4-5) Writer s Workshop 21/22 DUE: Final Draft (with completed essay packet) In Class: UNIT 1 EXAM 16 DUE: First Draft In Class: Peer Review 17/18 DUE: First Draft with Revisions In Class: Writer s Workshop Final Draft Format Requirements: Typed, 12 pt., double- spaced Times New Roman or Cambria 3+ pages (sides) MLA Heading (No Cover page) Creative Title Page numbers 1
Narrative Rubric Standard 4.0-3.4 2.7-3.3 2.0-2.6 1.0-1.9 Obstacles and Characters W 3.0a: Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation and introducing a narrator and/or characters Dialogue, etc., W 3.0b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, Has thoroughlydeveloped realistic obstacles and characters including both protagonist(s) and antagonist(s) Effectively and frequently uses dialogue and other narrative techniques to develop experiences, Has adequately developed realistic obstacles and characters including both protagonist(s) and antagonist(s) Adequately and often uses dialogue and other narrative techniques to develop experiences, Has somewhat developed obstacles that may or may not be realistic and has somewhat developed characters but might be missing an antagonist(s) Ineffectively or rarely uses dialogue and other narrative techniques to develop experiences, Does not include realistic obstacles and does not develop Characters might be missing completely. Does not use dialogue or other narrative techniques to develop experiences, events, and/or Plot Cohesion W 3.0c: Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole. Relates a comprehensive and coherent series of events throughout entire narrative. Relates a comprehensive and coherent series of events throughout most of narrative Relates a comprehensive and coherent series of events throughout some of narrative Events do not seem to connect or be part of a whole. Imagery W3.0d: Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or Effectively and frequently uses sensory details to vividly develop setting, plot, and Adequately and often uses sensory details to vividly develop setting, plot, and Ineffectively or rarely uses sensory details to develop setting, plot, and Does not use sensory details to develop setting, plot, and Conclusion W 3.0e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. Revising, Editing, and Conventions W 5.0: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting focusing on addressing what is most significant; Cluster Language A: Conventions of Standard English Provides an insightful or inspiring conclusion that shows the protagonist achieving their goal after overcoming the obstacles. Demonstrates a strong command of conventions of English such as spelling and grammar with very few or no mistakes. Consistently uses the same verb tense. Provides an adequate conclusion that shows the protagonists achieving their goal after overcoming obstacles. Demonstrates an adequate command of conventions of English such as spelling and grammar with a few mistakes. Consistently uses the same verb tense. Provides an ineffective conclusion or conclusion does not show the protagonist achieving their goal after overcoming obstacles. Demonstrates an inadequate command of conventions of English such as spelling and grammar with frequent mistakes. May not consistently use the same verb tense Overall Narrative W 4.0: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Average score of above standards) Formatting Requirements WC1.1 Follows written format specifications for assignments without being reminded. Meets all 6 format Meets 4-5 format Meets 3 format Does not provide a conclusion or conclusion does not relate to the rest of the narrative. Does not demonstrate a command of conventions of English such as spelling and grammar. Has many mistakes throughout. Does not consistently use the same verb tense. Meets 2 or less format 2
Brainstorming: Step 1: It is now time to begin brainstorming your own original narrative. Follow each step below to get your ideas flowing: 1) Make a list of potential, attainable future goals you have: Examples: attending a university, travelling to another country, accomplishing a physical feat, attaining your dream career, excelling in a hobby, etc. 2) Select a goal from your list that is meaningful to you and that you know will be challenging to achieve. 3) Reflect on the goal that you have chosen: What does it look like to achieve it? How would people know you had achieved it? What steps have to be taken to achieve this goal? What are challenging aspects of achieving this goal? What effect would it have on you, other people like friends and family, and/or society if you achieve it? 4) Ask yourself, what if? Imagine and brainstorm all of the possibilities... Step 2: The future you. Use the following to guide you in your writing and development of your protagonist Ø What are some of your traits or characteristics that are strengths? Ø What are some of your traits or characteristics that are weaknesses? (Flaws, faults, etc.) Ø What traits or characteristics are necessary to achieve your goal? 3
Prewriting: Step 3: Answer the following questions to begin drafting the background of your story: 1) Purpose: Why do you have this goal? What obstacles will you have to overcome? 2) Theme: What message or universal truth will be developed throughout your narrative? 3) Additional Characters: Briefly name and describe your main character, you in the future (protagonist). Include specific character traits (physical characteristics, personality traits). Who else will be a part of your story that either contributes to the obstacles or helps you to overcome them? (e.g. family, friends, employers, rivals, etc.) 4) Give details about the setting of your story. Remember that setting includes not only time and place, but also environmental details and circumstances. 4
Step 4: Fill out the following plot chart to begin drafting your story. Plot Structure Exposition (Who? Where? Wants What?) Introduce the main character (you) Establish the setting Decide what the character wants (your goal) Conflict (But?) Decide on the problem(s) that is keeping the character from achieving the goal List Details of Your Story Rising Action (So?) Create events in your story that show the main character trying to overcome the conflicts Climax (So?) Create an event or happening in your story that is a turning point and lets the reader know the main conflict/problem will be solved. Falling Action (Then?) Write about what happens because the main conflict is dealt with. Have the character achieve their goal. Resolution/ (Finally?) Write an ending that gives the reader a sense of completeness; that everything is going to be okay. 5
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