Page 88 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade8_Flipbook

Prewriting
1. Revisit the brainstorming you did in Activity 1 in which you listed topics you might write about. Add any new ideas for topics. Choose one topic for your narrative. Work with your partner to choose a story for each of you to write. Partners should use the reporter’s questions to help one another fill in the details of his or her story.
2. On paper, jot down a brief description of the characters and events involved in your story. Brainstorm sensory images and dialogue (direct and indirect) to make the setting and scenes seem vivid to your reader.
3. On another paper, make a graphic organizer like the one below and use it to plan the structure of your narrative, identifying details to add to the beginning, middle, and end of the narrative. Recall as many details of the experience as you can.
Drafting
4. Use Pausch’s sample and your class-constructed model to help you draft an opening that engages your reader.
5. With your partner, participate in sharing and responding to refine your opening. Feedback should concentrate on:
• What the opening does well (“I like the way you describe the classroom.
Keep that up!”)
• What questions seem unanswered so far (“I’m wondering how you felt
when the teacher sent you out in the hall.”)
• Ideas that you have for how your peer could improve the essay. (“Could
you add some direct quotes for the scene with the principal instead of just telling me that he warned you?”)
6. Use your prewriting and partner feedback to help you draft the middle section of your nonfiction narrative, describing the events in a logical order. Remember to describe how you felt at key moments. Consider where you might add moments of reflection on things you would later understand or learn. Refer to the Scoring Guide for this writing task to help you understand where to focus your attention and efforts.
7. Participate in sharing and responding to refine your telling of the incident. Make sure that your partner’s feelings about the events are clear, and that the events happen in an order that makes sense. Be sure to take notes when you receive feedback from your partner.
Beginning
Middle
Sets up the characters, setting, Explains a problem or challenge, Solves the problem, meets the and situation details main events challenge, learns a lesson
Writing Workshop 7 • Narrative Nonfiction 9
End
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