Hand in narrative in hand written form or typed. Just do it. You are working from memory and trusting yourself.
Goal: Learning to Revise
We will draft out a personal narrative and then revise each paragraph using the writing techniques from expert writers
Draft of Personal Narrative:
Select a memory that you carry with you for its meaning. You may not really understand why it is meaningful to you, yet its significance seems almost obvious. It may be a family story, a neighborhood event, a tale from your country or a story your family told you. It could also be about song which has lyrics that are meaning to you.
In paragraph one, use the writing techniques in the first paragraph of “The Discus Thrower” to introduce yourself to your audience. Name yourself the way the doctor names himself a “spy.” In this story he seems to be taking on the role of spy. What role do you take in your narrative? Next, ask yourself a hard question about the role you have assumed. Finally, give yourself a concrete space from which you are observing the event. The doctor is looking into doorways. All these techniques are used in the first paragraph of the narrative!
In paragraph two, “get over yourself” and describe the person who is significant to the event. By creating both a subjective and objective position in the essay, you are creating aesthetic distance. This aesthetic distance is necessary to open a space for reflection. It is in this space that we begin to make the connections that deepen our thinking processes. Notice how Seltzer is specific in his descriptions. No stereotypes or clichés!! U
In paragraph three, describe an action, put your person in motion. Notice how Seltzer breaks the action down into four to five moves and describes each move carefully. What do we learn about the patient by seeing action in terms of sequences of moves?
In paragraph four, name the two sides or perspectives on the memory. For instance, think about your feelings and how two emotions may be in conflict. Name them: jealousy and envy, family values and personal ambition, artificial looks and natural looks, sweet gestures and honest gestures. In the next two sentences describe what you mean by the first abstract term and in the last two sentences describe what you mean by the other term.
In paragraph six, give your tentative resolution of the conflict. It may not be final or even resolved but, in your own way, state how you make sense of this memory now. Five years from now you may feel differently.
