Haunted House Narrative Honors

Directions: Write a narrative about a haunted house. You will use a graphic organizer and a plot graph to plan your writing carefully.

Step 1: Fill in the 4 bubble maps.

  • The first bubble map is about the setting
  • Give descriptive details about when and where the story is taking place (time of day, haunted house, surroundings…)
  • The next two bubble maps are the 2 main characters
  • They should have interesting character traits
  • Some positive character traits (intelligent, physically strong, …)
  • A contrasting character trait (weak-minded, a pushover…)
  • The fourth bubble map is the villain
  • Villains can have positive character traits too
  • They could be intelligent, thoughtful, misunderstood…

Step 2: Using the bubble maps fill in a plot graph for your story.

  • Start with the problem of the story
  • Examples: 2 kids are going to a party and it is held in a crazy haunted house, or 2 kids are trick or treating and they go to the wrong house
  • Fill in the climax of the story
  • Decide what the most exciting part of the story will be
  • Fill in the resolution of the story
  • Decide how you want the story to end
  • Examples: Happily ever after, everybody dies, it was all a joke
  • Fill in the three events that take you from the problem to the climax
  • Add the main events without adding too much detail
  • Make sure the progression from the problem to the climax and resolution makes sense

Step 3: Write a rough draft of your story. Use the bubble maps to help with detail, and follow your plan set up in the plot graph.

  • Use pencil, skip lines
  • Do not use contractions such as can’t or don’t & do not use dialogue.
  • No excuse words are spelled correctly
  • All numbers zero to ten must be written in words at all times, unless they are used in times or dates.
  • Indent each new paragraph.
  • In your writing you will include wordskills words. Choose five words from this list and highlight them in your writing.

inseparablemagnificentsafeguardabnormaldesperate

determinantrepulsivesuspenseuntimelyvital

massivespecialisttranquilizeveterinarianquest

  • Introduction paragraph:
  • Introduction will include the main setting and the problem, and the main characters are introduced
  • Attention grabber – Start by describing the setting using descriptive and interesting word choices.
  • Continue this paragraph explaining the setting (time of day, location), the characters, and the basic situation or problem.
  • Example: __(Spooky)____ and _____(foreboding)_____, the haunted house ______(stood on a hill apart from the other houses)______.
  • Body Paragraphs:
  • Paragraph 2 will include the first two events
  • Paragraph 3 will include the third event and the climax
  • To make the writing more interesting, try startinga few sentences with a prepositional phrase. If you can start with two prepositional phrases that would be even better.
  • Example: In the dreary housebehind the crooked door, (be sure you have a comma after your two prepositional phrases).
  • Tell the events and climax in chronological order. Use lots of descriptive words.
  • Conclusion Paragraph:
  • Paragraph 4 will include the resolution of the story
  • Tie up any loose ends of the story as you finish the story

Step 4: Editing & Revising

  • Check that you met the requirements in step 3
  • Check word choice is interesting and adds to your writing
  • Make sure your story is smooth in the transitions between events and that it tells a clear story from the problem through the resolution.

Step 5: Final Draft

  • Final Draft is due Thursday, October 31, 2013
  • Typed: Any readable font, the size equivalent to 14 point Times New Roman
  • Heading in top right corner, and put your interesting andcreative story title in quotes