Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Writing an Autobiographical Narrative

About Autobiographical Narrative  Autobiographical narratives use basic

literary techniques such as dialogue, specific language, and scene-by-scene construction.  Many of the events your audience will find most interesting are those ordinary occurrences that happen to everyone.

Writing Project  Write a narrative about something

significant in your life, using the literary strategies of plot, character, and setting. Develop your story through the use of contraries, creating tension that moves the story forward and gives it significance.

Autobiographical Tension  A story should have conflicts between

characters or the narrator’s feelings.  A story must be tightly wound and all details should contribute to the story line.  The tension is typically resolved when the narrator experiences a moment of recognition, vanquishes a foe, or changes status.

Generating Ideas--Plot  This is the basic action of the story,

including the selection and sequencing of scenes and events.  Most autobiographical plots revolve around how the author became who he or she is.  What you choose to include in your story and where you choose to place it are concerns of plot.

Generating Ideas--Character  Characters who contribute significantly to

tension belong in your story.  A writer typically chooses characters who exemplify and complicate the narrator’s fears, desires, or frustrations.  Develop characters through description, sensory detail, and dialogue.

Generating Ideas--Setting  Elements of setting are selected according

to how much they help readers understand the conflict or tension that drives the story.  The setting typically relates thematically to other elements of the story.

Generating Ideas--Theme  Themes organize the other elements of the

essay, but they are rarely stated explicitly, and are never proved with reasons and factual evidence.  Theme guides decisions about what events and characters to include, what details and dialogue to use, and what elements of setting to describe.

Readings  Bill Russell, from “Second Wind”

 Maureen Howard, from “Facts of Life”  Student, “Masks”  Chris Kordash “Making my Mark”

 Sheila Madden “Letting go of Bart”