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Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
OBJECTIVES • To identify and write effective introductions for personal narratives • To recognize effective body paragraphs of personal narratives • To create concluding sentences for personal narratives
WARM-UP READ, LISTEN, SPEAK Read one example you found as part of yesterday’s For Tomorrow homework and discuss why it is an effective introduction or conclusion. Model the language you want students to use when they discuss their examples. Have small groups read the examples of introductions and conclusions. Instruct students to discuss whether these examples grab the reader’s attention or provide a sense of closure.
Point out the language that sets the reader’s expectations and draws the reader in (puzzled and disappointed, beautiful truth). Ask students what this personal narrative might be about.
PRACTICE ACTIVITY A Read aloud the directions and the first topic. As a class, write an effective introduction for the first topic. While writing, review the characteristics of a good introduction. Then have students complete the remainder of the activity independently. After
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students have finished, have them read their introductions aloud. Let the class discuss which introductions are most effective and why. ACTIVITY B Have volunteers read aloud the two introductions. Discuss each one after it is read. Challenge students to use what they know about introductions to comment on each. Point out that the second introduction wanders from the topic. Have students rewrite the second introduction independently.
Personal Narratives
Introduction, Body, and Conclusion Introduction
Take this opportunity to talk about nouns used as objects and object complements. You may wish to have students point out nouns used as objects and object complements in their Read, Listen, Speak examples.
The introduction of a personal narrative sets the reader’s expectations. If the introduction is bland or tedious, readers have no incentive to continue reading. The introduction may include just one sentence, or it may consist of several sentences or even paragraphs. The introduction should help the reader understand the topic of the narrative and lead the reader into the body of the narrative.
Body The body is the core of a personal narrative, and it is generally the longest part. It uses sensory details that let the reader see, smell, hear, feel, and taste what the writer experienced. Depending on the topic and tone, the body may include dialogue, flashbacks, and other literary devices as ways to tell an effective story. Though in many ways it is similar to a fictional story, a personal narrative describes something that actually happened to the writer. Every sentence in the body should advance the narrative. Irrelevant details are like dead weight on a sinking ship. Good writers throw them overboard!
TEACH Have volunteers read aloud the three sections on the page. Allow time for discussion. During this discussion, record the information on the board in two columns. In the column on the left write Introduction, Body, and Conclusion, with space between each. In the column on the right, list important information for each entry in the column on the left. Make sure students record this information in a notebook.
Conclusion The conclusion of a personal narrative is the writer’s last chance to leave an impression. The conclusion can summarize the event, or it can tie the narrative together. The writer can also use the conclusion to comment or reflect upon the event, and share what he or she may have learned.
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5/20/16 3:26 PM