PERSONAL NARRATIVE INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHS Day 1 Hook and

PERSONAL NARRATIVE: INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHS Day 1: Hook and Theme

Intro Paragraph • Hook: Author uses an engaging hook, pulling the reader into the story. • Theme: Author previews theme to engage the reader. • Sensory Details: Author uses sensory details, figurative language, and descriptive details to engage the reader. • Exposition: Establish characters and setting.

Onomatopoeia Beep! I look at my alarm clock. It was 7 am! Time to get up! • An onomatopoeia is when a word describes a sound actually mimics the sound of the object or action it refers to when spoken. • “Pow” “Boom” “Buzz” “Hoot”

Interesting Fact Today, I am officially 2, 922 days old. That means I am exactly 8 years old! • This could be an interesting fact about you OR it could be a statistic about a topic in your story. • For example, if your story has a major problem with bees, your statistic could be “ 1 in 3 people get stung by a bee during spring”

Description I peeked out the window at the hot morning sunshine beating down on our empty driveway. Soon it would be filled with cars arriving to my birthday pool party! • Try to use your senses to describe the setting of your story.

Dialogue “Quick, hit the floor”, my dad yelled. “Whatever you do, don’t look up!” my other added as I dropped to the floor and slid myself under my bed. It was a terrifying night for my family when we discovered a bat in our house” • Dialogue is when 2 or more people are talking to each other. • You only want to start with dialogue if it is MEANINGFUL to your story.

Action I threw on my favorite red dress and scrambled down the stairs as fast as I could. It was my birthday and I couldn’t wait for the day to begin. • Start your story by using an exciting moment from this day. • It should be action-filled but not the “climax”.

Theme • Remember, theme is a statement NOT one word. • It is the lesson learned throughout the story that can be applied to other stories. • It does NOT have plot points or character

PERSONAL NARRATIVE: INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHS Day 2: Sensory Details and Exposition

Sensory Details • Author uses sensory details, figurative language and descriptive details to engage the reader. • Flip to page 14 in your folder.

5 Senses The tiny red ant climbed up the broken twig. • 5 Senses: Uses some of the senses to describe a moment. • The tree bark was rough against her skin. The clouds were edged with pink and gold. The birds were chirping so loud her ears rang.

Simile He is as quiet as a church mouse. We are like two peas in a pod. • Simile: Compares two things using “like” or “as” • Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.

Metaphor He’s a walking encyclopedia. • Metaphor: Compares two things without using “like” or “as”. • The snow was a white blanket.

Hyperbole My backpack weighs 5 tons! • Hyperbole: An exaggerated statement. • All day long I worked my fingers to the bone so that I would be able to go out later that night with friends.

Personification The slices of bread jumped out of the toaster and scared me. • Personification: Gives non-human things human qualities or characteristics. • The lightning danced

Descriptive Details: Uses vivid adjectives. • Trisha stirred the gigantic stock pot of stew, watching as flashes of bright orange carrot and stark white potato danced

Now You Try! • Spend a few minutes trying out the different sensory details that you could use in your introduction paragraph. • You must use at least 1 in your intro, but many more should be included throughout your story!

Exposition • Establish characters and setting. • Who will be introduced? • What is the setting like in your story? Make sure this is included in your introduction paragraph!

PERSONAL NARRATIVE: INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHS Day 3: Introduction Paragraph

Introduction Paragraph • You have the period to work on putting everything from the introduction work we have done over the last few days into an introduction paragraph. • You will find the rubric and space to work on pages 16 and 17.