Narrative Techniques in Reading and Writing: NaNoWriMo Meets the Memoir

The purpose of this unit is to teach students how to analyze an authors use of narrative techniques (dialogue, description, figurative language, etc.) by using memoirs and participating in NaNoWriMo I will know when students are able to analyze and use narrative techniques when they are able to identify it, analyze its affect on meaning and use it in their own writing.

Goals for the unit (benchmarks noted):

Analyze how an authors choice concerning how to structure a text, order events within it, and manipulate time (pacing, flashbacks) create effects such as mystery, tension or surprise. (LACC.910.RL.2.4) Interpret figures of speech (e.g., simile, metaphor, euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text (LACC.910.L.3.5a) Write narratives to develop real or imagine experiences or events using effective techniques (dialogue, pacing, description and reflection), well-chosen details and well-structured event sequences (LACC.910. W1.3) Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English: use of a semicolon, use of a colon , subject-verb agreement

Rate Your Understanding: Scale

I can go beyond what has been taught in class and could apply my knowledge (both reading for and writing my own) to new situations in complex text. If given a new grade level or complex text, I could analyze the writers use of narrative techniques and figurative language and discuss how it affects the meaning of the work. With the text discussed and used in class, I understand how an author uses figurative language to add to meaning of a text. I am able to analyze a writers use of narrative techniques an figurative language and create my own by identifying/using and discussing the following elements: o Dialogue, pacing, description, and or reflection o Simile, metaphor, personification, imagery o Euphemism, oxymoron and verbal irony I understand how to analyze narrative techniques and figurative language and am able to explain how a writer uses it to create layers of meaning in a grade level text. I would feel comfortable writing an essay analyzing figurative language or writing a creative piece (poem or story) using figurative language.

Expert 4

Practitioner 3

I understand the basics of narrative techniques and figurative language and am able to discuss or create an a piece of writing with some basic elements such as: o Dialogue and physical description o Similes, metaphors, imagery and or personification However, I may not be able to analyze narrative techniques and or figurative language in grade level text; I may not be able to complete an analysis essay or creative piece using narrative techniques and figurative language. With teacher help, I understand what narrative techniques and or figurative language Novice are and I can identify one or both of them. I would not be able to write an essay 1 analyzing it on my own nor do I feel able to write analytically or creatively using narrative techniques and or figurative language. Even with help, I do not understand narrative techniques and or figurative langauge Fledgling (reading or writing it). I am not able to analyze either nor would I be able to write 0 using either myself. In order to learn this I will need to. (think about what you need to do as a reader and a writer for this unit). Apprentice 2 My personal goal is to