AKS 22: Summative Narrative
Directions: Write a new, original 700-word memoir-style narrative that uses a personal experience to illustrate a lesson or universal theme. You cannot continue one of the stories you’ve already written.
Requirements for Avoiding Plagiarism:
All drafting must be done in this document.
I will only grade what you type in this document.
If I look at the Version history of your document, I expect to see a lot of closely timed changes to the document, like in this picture →.
I will not grade any attached google docs, Word documents, or PDFs.
I will not grade anything that has been copied & pasted into this document.
This document will be checked for plagiarism & AI generated text.
NOTE: Copying from the internet or from another student is plagiarism… you will get a zero.
General Requirements:
You must write at least 700 words
Your narrative must be single-spaced.
Your story should NOT be one long paragraph.
Start a new paragraph when you start a new description, move forward or backward in time, or include a new line of dialogue.
Resources:
Click here for a link to the Narrative Writing Strategies Presentation.
Coach Moore’s Examples:
The Juking of Andrew Jackson
Brian Fart Story
With Arms Wide Open
Type your narrative below:
Growing up, my family lived in a small rural town in the Midwest. Our house was surrounded by vast fields of corn and soybeans that seemed to stretch on forever. It was a quiet and peaceful place, but it also meant that entertainment options were limited. However, when I was twelve years old, a new family moved into town and opened up a roller skating rink. This was a game-changer for us kids who were desperate for something fun to do in our small town.
The roller skating rink became our haven, a place where we could escape the monotony of our everyday lives. It quickly became the center of our social lives, and we spent every weekend there, gliding around the rink to the sound of pulsating music and flashing lights. It was a whirlwind of laughter, excitement, and newfound freedom.
One particular Saturday evening stands out in my memory. It was winter, and snow covered the ground outside. My friends and I eagerly laced up our skates and hit the rink, ready for another exhilarating night. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as the DJ announced a special event – a roller skating dance competition.
I had always loved dancing and considered myself quite skilled on wheels, so I decided to enter the competition. As I practiced my moves, I felt a surge of confidence coursing through my veins. This was my chance to shine, to show everyone what I was capable of.
The competition started, and one by one, contestants showed off their best moves. Finally, it was my turn. The spotlight illuminated the rink, and I took a deep breath, ready to dazzle the crowd. As the music began, I twirled and spun, executing flawless maneuvers with ease. I felt like I was flying, free from any constraints that held me back in my everyday life.
As I finished my routine, the crowd erupted in applause. I could hardly contain my excitement as the judges tallied up their scores. I imagined myself standing on the winner's podium, accepting the trophy with pride. But as the results were announced, my heart sank. I hadn't won. In fact, I hadn't even placed in the top three. I felt a mix of disappointment and embarrassment wash over me.
In that moment, I realized that I had placed too much importance on winning. I had forgotten the true joy of skating and dancing, the reason I had fallen in love with the rink in the first place. I had let the competition consume me, and I had lost sight of what truly mattered.
As I reflected on this experience, I realized that life is not just about winning or being the best. It's about finding happiness and fulfillment in the things we love, regardless of the outcome. The roller skating rink had given me a sense of belonging and freedom, and I shouldn't have allowed one competition to overshadow that.
From that day forward, I approached roller skating with a renewed mindset. I focused on enjoying the music, the laughter, and the feeling of gliding effortlessly around the rink. I no longer sought validation from others or needed to prove myself. Roller skating became my escape, my way to let go of the pressures of everyday life and immerse myself in pure joy.
Looking back on that roller skating competition, I am grateful for the lesson it taught me. It reminded me that life is not about winning or being the best. It's about finding passion, joy, and fulfillment in the things we love. Roller skating became more than just a pastime for me – it became a metaphor for living life to the fullest, embracing every step, stumble, and spin along the way. And for that, I will always be grateful to the roller skating rink that transformed my small town into a world of possibilities.