Unit 8 Portfolio:
Writing a Narrative
● Write a narrative (story) of your own.
■ Length: 2-3 pages doubled-spaced or approximately 500-600 words
■ Font: use an easy-to-read font (Times New Roman is a good one), size 10-12 pt.
■ Is about a dull trip that became an adventure due to a wrong turn
● Begin by introducing the main characters and setting.
● Establish the problem or conflict that will drive the narrative forward.
● Plan how the characters will resolve the conflict by the end.
● Use dialogue to reveal the personalities of your characters.
● Ensure that the dialogue sounds natural and helps to move the story along.
● Connect different parts of the story using transitions like "meanwhile," "suddenly," or "after that."
● Create a clear structure with a beginning that sets the scene, a middle that builds the story, and an end that resolves the conflict.
● Check that your narrative flows logically from one section to the next.
● Choose words that create the right tone for your narrative.
● Experiment with figurative language like similes or metaphors to make your writing more vivid and engaging.
● Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
As my family and I piled into the car, ready for our annual camping trip, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The weather was dreary, and the gray clouds loomed overhead, threatening rain at any moment. Despite my hesitation, I tried to put on a brave face for my younger siblings, who were bubbling with excitement at the thought of roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories by the campfire.
As we drove along the winding roads towards our destination, the rain began to fall in earnest, drumming against the windshield like a thousand tiny fingers. My dad, ever the optimist, assured us that the weather would improve once we reached the campsite. However, as we neared the turn off, a sudden flash of lightning illuminated a sign that read "Road Closed."
My dad frowned and muttered something under his breath before turning down a side road, determined to find an alternate route. As we wound our way through the unfamiliar countryside, the rain continued to pour, obscuring our view of the road ahead. Suddenly, my dad took a wrong turn, leading us down a narrow dirt path lined with towering trees.
My mom clutched the handle above her head, her knuckles turning white, as my siblings and I exchanged nervous glances. The path seemed to stretch on endlessly, with no signs of civilization in sight. Just when I was beginning to fear that we were hopelessly lost, we saw a faint light up ahead.
As we drew closer, we realized that the light was coming from a small cabin nestled in a clearing. A figure stood on the porch, waving us over. Relieved, my dad pulled up in front of the cabin, and we stumbled out of the car, grateful for shelter from the storm.
The man, who introduced himself as Sam, welcomed us inside, offering us hot cocoa and blankets to warm ourselves. As we sat around the crackling fire, Sam regaled us with stories of the local wildlife and the history of the area. Despite our initial misgivings, we found ourselves enchanted by his tales, forgetting all about our original destination.
In the morning, the storm had passed, and we bid farewell to Sam, grateful for his hospitality. As we made our way back to the main road, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the wrong turn that had led us to this unexpected adventure. And as we drove off into the sunrise, I knew that our camping trip had been anything but dull.