Showing posts with label personal narrative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal narrative. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Time Travel
What is the main reason authors should use flash backs and flash forwards? Can you think of some examples of this technique in books you have read? How about in your own writing? Before you comment on this post, take some time to find a great example to share in your comment. Please do not share an example that I have already shared in class. Look at your own writing, look in your library books, or look in books around the room. As you consider your example, think to yourself does this flash back or flash forward really help to create a strong emotional connection?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Internal Stories
Our class has been talking about internal and external stories - and how great personal narratives have a bit of both. In this excerpt from Sandra Cisneros' story, Papa Who Wakes Up Tired In The Dark, which parts of the story are internal, and which are external?
Your abuelito is dead, Papa says early one morning in my room. Esta muerto, and then as if he just heard the news himself, crumples like a coat and cries, my brave papa cries. I have never seen my Papa cry and don't know what to do.
I know he will have to go away, that he will take a plane to Mexico, all the uncles and aunts will be there, and they will have a black and white photo taken in front of the tomb with flowers shaped like spears in a white vase because this is how they send the dead away in that country.
Because I am the oldest, my father has told me first, and now it is my turn to tell the others. I will have to explain why we can't play. I will have to tell them to be quiet today.
My Papa, his thick hands and thick shoes, who wakes up tired in the dark, who combs his hair with water, drinks his coffee, and is gone before we wake, today is sitting on my bed.
And I think if my own Papa died what would I do. I hold my Papa in my arms. I hold and hold and hold him.
Again, I ask: What parts of the story are internal, and what parts of the story are external? Please comment with your answers. Make sure to explain your thinking and use more than one sentence. Thanks!
~ Mr. Moore
Your abuelito is dead, Papa says early one morning in my room. Esta muerto, and then as if he just heard the news himself, crumples like a coat and cries, my brave papa cries. I have never seen my Papa cry and don't know what to do.
I know he will have to go away, that he will take a plane to Mexico, all the uncles and aunts will be there, and they will have a black and white photo taken in front of the tomb with flowers shaped like spears in a white vase because this is how they send the dead away in that country.
Because I am the oldest, my father has told me first, and now it is my turn to tell the others. I will have to explain why we can't play. I will have to tell them to be quiet today.
My Papa, his thick hands and thick shoes, who wakes up tired in the dark, who combs his hair with water, drinks his coffee, and is gone before we wake, today is sitting on my bed.
And I think if my own Papa died what would I do. I hold my Papa in my arms. I hold and hold and hold him.
Again, I ask: What parts of the story are internal, and what parts of the story are external? Please comment with your answers. Make sure to explain your thinking and use more than one sentence. Thanks!
~ Mr. Moore
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