Narrative Writing
A Story For Children
Today, you will begin writing a story about an imaginary character that is very curious.
Your story must have a plot (exposition, conflict, complications, climax and resolution).
Your story must employ dialogue.
You must include details to make your story interesting to young children.
Your story should be approximately 3 pages type-written and double spaced.
Before you begin writing, you must complete the dialogue exercises(pg.3) at the bottom of this page and the pre-writing plot diagram(“Identify plot” in the share folder).
When proofreading your narrative essay, please check for the following grammatical conventions:
Every time there is a new speaker, you have indented to create a new paragraph.
All quotes are “hugging” the text and punctuation marks.
There is always a punctuation mark (.,!?) prior to ending a quote.
Your tense is consistent. Your story happened in the past.
Dialogue Assistant
When utilizing dialogue in your writing, remember to use varied and creative words to create interesting images in your reader’s mind.
For example, the word said is overused and non-descriptive. Look at the difference between these two phrases:
“Please help us! We’re drowning,” they said.
“Please help us! We’re drowning,” the passengers cried as they bobbed helplessly in the water.
Below are some words that you can use instead of said:
Replied / Responded / Answered / Cried / YelpedYelled / Whispered / Crooned / Fired back / Interrupted
Interjected / Screamed / Howled / Added / Called
Seethed / Cackled / Laughed / Sang / Pointed out
Whimpered / Moaned / Whined / Giggled / Barked
Also, you should add adverbs to increase sentence interest:
Briskly / Longingly / Caustically / Flippantly / HarshlyIndifferently / Brusquely / Hurtfully / Sarcastically / Cryptically
Purposefully / Quietly / Obnoxiously / Casually / Convincingly
Indignantly / Solemnly / Agreeably / Patiently / Suspiciously
Viciously / Sheepishly / Frankly / Sharply / Slowly
Here are some of those words in use.
“I know you are, but what am I?” my little brother countered obnoxiously.
“Hey, I have an idea,” Pat interjected. “Let’s go camping this weekend!”
“And another thing,” Mike added, “I’m not going to take you with me if you can’t stop sticking macaroni up your nose.”
His little brother answered indignantly, “Oh, like you’ve never done it!”
“I’m sorry your favorite show has been cancelled,” Brie said solemnly, “but cheer up,” she added brightly, “it’s almost summer vacation.”
Rules for Dialogue Writing/Direct Dialogue
1. Put quotes around the person's exact words. If the person's exact words are split or interrupted, quotes must be put around both sets of words.
Example:"I am the one," John said, "who is in charge."
2. Capitalize the first word of the quote (if it starts a sentence), and separate the quote from the rest of the sentence with a comma, or if needed, a question mark or an exclamation point.
Example:John said, "Let's go."
"Are you hungry?" asked Mary.
3. All punctuation goes before the quotes unless a question is asked outside of the quotes.
Example:Who said, "Give me liberty, or give me death"?
4. When writing dialogue, every time there is a new speaker you must start a new line. Each new line should be indented.
5. Be sure there is no space between the quotation marks and the words being quoted.
6. Remember, when you read direct quotes, it should sound as if someone is talking; it should sound like a regular conversation.
Dialogue Writing Name
Carefully punctuate the following sentences. Firstput quotes around all of the exact words of the speaker. Next, put in commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points where needed. Be sure to use proper spacing. Type your name at the top of the page.
1.Are you interested he asked in replacing that wornout muffler
2.Bobbi replied I don't have to take him with me, do I
3.You are one of the boys the teacher said who is in danger of failing the class
4.I think it's time I said to forget about appearances and get down to work
5.Will we have to redo this part of the work Tim asked
6.There are times Jan admitted that I wonder why I am here
7.George said America deserves better treatment than this
8.I opened the door and walked out into the night just in time to hear someone scream Help
9.Well, my opinion on this matter Ken said is not really all that important
10.Do you think asked Eddie that I have a chance in tomorrow's race
11.We need all the help we can get for this campaign Mr. Todd said
12.Rob turned to me and whispered What is the name of the boy in white slacks
13.Does your hair she asked have a funny smell today
14.I read this book when I was in sixth grade Myra said and smiled proudly
15.When I buy a car Cindy said I will buy it with my own money, not yours
16.The moon Valerie said is so beautiful tonight that I hate to go inside
17.When I saw her I said wow because she was so pretty
18. Is she here I asked
19. Paul wondered is this the right thing
20.What she said with surprise
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