Question

Use this guide to help you craft your narrative story in a portfolio at the end of this unit. You will submit this completed Portfolio Guide in Unit 7 Lesson 15 as your Sample Work for the unit. It is suggested to work through each section as you complete the lessons.


Writing an Introduction

Fill in the text boxes below with introductory information you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, that this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

MAIN CHARACTER
Response
What is your main character’s name?


What kind of nose does your character have? (hook, button, large, small, etc.)


Hair


Eyes


Skin


Body type


Age


What does your main character do with their day? Do they have a job, go to school, hang out with friends?




CONTEXT (Setting, POV, Narrator)
Response
Where does your story take place? (setting)


When does your story take place? (setting)


What point of view is your story going to be told through? (1st or 3rd person, omniscient, limited, etc.)


Who is the narrator? Are they inside or outside of the story?


Why is the story happening?




* * *

Organizing Events

Fill in the text boxes below with sequencing information you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, that this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

NARRATIVE ELEMENT
Response
Do you plan to write your story chronologically (in time order) or nonchronological (not in time order?


1st sequence of events


2nd sequence of events


3rd sequence of events


4th sequence of events


How can you make sure your sequence of events flows logically in your story?




* * *

Using Dialogue

Fill in the text boxes below with potential conflict as well as dialogue between two characters you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, that this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

CONFLICT
Response
What is the struggle your main character faces in your story? (Hint: Not always a fight.)




Dialogue is used to move the story forward while revealing the character. Think about how you can use dialogue effectively to make your story come alive. Your response may be dialogue or what the characters will reveal through dialogue.
DIALOGUE PROMPTS
Response
How can you use dialogue to show conflict or conflict resolution?


What is the relationship between the main character and another character? (such as the antagonist, best friend, parent, side character, etc.)


Why is it important that this be shown through dialogue instead of told with description? What does it reveal about the character’s personality, relationship, conflict, context, etc.?




* * *

Developing Narratives

Fill in the text boxes below with the potential pacing and description you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, that this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

PACING and DESCRIPTION
Response
Is your story fast-paced, slow-paced, or a combination?


How can you speed up a sequence in your story to show action? What do you need to include to show a faster pace?


How can you slow down a sequence in your story? What do you need to include to show a slower pace?


How will your pacing affect your main character’s conflict?


How will your description affect your main character’s conflict?


How will your pacing and description help the narrator reflect on the sequence of events in your story?




* * *

Transitions

Fill in the text boxes below with potential transition language you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, that this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

TRANSITIONS
Response
How do you plan to transition from one sequence of events to the next? What words can you think of that will help you transition between sequences based on your chosen story order (chronological or nonchronological)?


How can you show a time shift from one setting to another?


Think about your setting. Does your main character have a relationship to it in the past as well as the present? How can you show that time frame in your story?




* * *

Precise Language

Fill in the text boxes below with potential precise and sensory language you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, that this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

PRECISE LANGUAGE
Response
Think about one or more of your sequences of events. How can you show this sequence using sensory language? What does it look, smell, taste, sound, or feel like?


Think of your main character’s eye color. How can you use precise sensory language to describe them?


Think about your main character’s hair color. How can you use precise sensory language to describe it?


Think about your setting. How can you use precise sensory language to help the reader picture it the way you want them to?


Think about your main character’s wardrobe. How can you use precise sensory language to describe what they wear?




* * *

Figurative Language

Fill in the text boxes below with potential figurative language you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, that this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Response
Think about one of your sequence of events. How can you show the relationship between that sequence and your main character’s conflict using a METAPHOR or SIMILE?


Think about your setting. How can you use ONOMATOPOEIA to make it come alive?


Think about one of your sequences. How can you use ALLITERATION to show a connection between ideas?


What other STYLISTIC TECHNIQUES do you plan to use in your writing to make it pop? (alliteration, onomatopoeia, idiom, italics, etc.) Why does it make sense to use these in your story?




* * *

Writing a Conclusion

Fill in the text boxes below with the potential conflict resolution you are thinking about using for your narrative. Use what you have learned in this lesson to help guide your responses. Please note, this information may not be what you decide to write about or make it into your final piece, but will give you an idea of how these details will make your story stronger.

CONCLUSION ELEMENT
Response
Think about your sequence of events and conflict. How can you make sure your story concludes logically?


Think about your main character and conflict. Has your main character grown or shown change after the events in your story?


What is the THEME of my story I am thinking about writing? (the message, moral, etc.)


How can I make sure I don’t have any loose ends so my story has a satisfying conclusion?



Answers

GPT-4o mini
**Writing an Introduction**

**MAIN CHARACTER**
Response
What is your main character’s name?
- Ava Sinclair

What kind of nose does your character have? (hook, button, large, small, etc.)
- She has a small, slightly upturned nose.

Hair
- Long, wavy chestnut brown hair that glints in the sunlight.

Eyes
- Bright green eyes that sparkle with curiosity.

Skin
- Fair skin with freckles scattered across her cheeks.

Body type
- Slim, athletic build, about 5'6".

Age
- 16 years old.

What does your main character do with their day? Do they have a job, go to school, hang out with friends?
- Ava is a high school student who balances her studies with a part-time job at a local bookstore and enjoys hanging out with her friends at the park or coffee shops.

**CONTEX** (Setting, POV, Narrator)
Response
Where does your story take place? (setting)
- The story takes place in a small coastal town, nestled between the mountains and the sea.

When does your story take place? (setting)
- The events unfold during the summer, when the town is bustling with tourists.

What point of view is your story going to be told through? (1st or 3rd person, omniscient, limited, etc.)
- The story is told in the 1st person point of view.

Who is the narrator? Are they inside or outside of the story?
- Ava Sinclair is the narrator, providing insight into her thoughts, feelings, and experiences as she navigates her world.

Why is the story happening?
- The story explores Ava’s journey of self-discovery and her struggle to find her identity and purpose while dealing with the pressures of friendships, family expectations, and her ambitions.

---

**Organizing Events**

**NARRATIVE ELEMENT**
Response
Do you plan to write your story chronologically (in time order) or nonchronological (not in time order)?
- The story will be written chronologically.

1st sequence of events
- Ava discovers a mysterious old book in the bookstore that piques her interest.

2nd sequence of events
- She decides to investigate the book’s origins and learns about a local legend tied to it.

3rd sequence of events
- Ava encounters challenges and conflicts as her investigation leads her to meet new friends and uncover hidden truths.

4th sequence of events
- The climax occurs when Ava confronts her own fears and insecurities, ultimately leading to a realization about her identity.

How can you make sure your sequence of events flows logically in your story?
- By ensuring that each event naturally leads to the next, with clear motivations driving Ava’s actions and decisions.

---

**Using Dialogue**

**CONFLICT**
Response
What is the struggle your main character faces in your story? (Hint: Not always a fight.)
- Ava struggles with feeling inadequate and uncertain about her future as she compares herself to her successful peers.

**DIALOGUE PROMPTS**
Response
How can you use dialogue to show conflict or conflict resolution?
- Through conversations with her friends, Ava expresses her fears and insecurities as they offer different perspectives and support.

What is the relationship between the main character and another character? (such as the antagonist, best friend, parent, side character, etc.)
- Ava's best friend, Mia, is supportive but often challenges Ava to step out of her comfort zone, creating both tension and growth in their friendship.

Why is it important that this be shown through dialogue instead of told with description? What does it reveal about the character’s personality, relationship, conflict, context, etc.?
- Dialogue reveals the dynamics of their friendship, showing how they communicate, support each other, and confront issues, deepening the reader's understanding of their personalities and the conflict at hand.

---

**Developing Narratives**

**PACING and DESCRIPTION**
Response
Is your story fast-paced, slow-paced, or a combination?
- A combination of both; slower pacing for introspective moments and fast-paced for sequences of action.

How can you speed up a sequence in your story to show action? What do you need to include to show a faster pace?
- Use shorter sentences and quick dialogue to create urgency during action scenes or critical revelations.

How can you slow down a sequence in your story? What do you need to include to show a slower pace?
- Utilize detailed descriptions and Ava’s internal thoughts to allow readers to reflect on significant emotional moments.

How will your pacing affect your main character’s conflict?
- The pacing will reflect Ava’s emotional journey, with intense moments highlighting her struggles and quieter moments allowing for self-reflection.

How will your description affect your main character’s conflict?
- Vivid descriptions of settings and emotions will enhance the reader's connection to Ava’s experiences, making her challenges more relatable.

How will your pacing and description help the narrator reflect on the sequence of events in your story?
- They will allow Ava's thoughts and feelings to correspond with the unfolding events, creating a cohesive narrative arc.

---

**Transitions**

**TRANSITIONS**
Response
How do you plan to transition from one sequence of events to the next? What words can you think of that will help you transition between sequences based on your chosen story order (chronological or nonchronological)?
- Transition words such as "Then," "Later," and "In the following days" will guide readers through the sequence of events.

How can you show a time shift from one setting to another?
- Use descriptive phrases to indicate the change in location, like “As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ava found herself in the cluttered aisles of the bookstore…”

Think about your setting. Does your main character have a relationship to it in the past as well as the present? How can you show that time frame in your story?
- Ava has fond memories of visiting the beach as a child; I can show this by weaving in flashbacks or recollections that contrast with her current feelings about the same place.

---

**Precise Language**

**PRECISE LANGUAGE**
Response
Think about one or more of your sequences of events. How can you show this sequence using sensory language? What does it look, smell, taste, sound, or feel like?
- The smell of old leather and musty paper filled the air as Ava flipped through the pages of the mysterious book, each turn echoing the soft rustle of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Think of your main character’s eye color. How can you use precise sensory language to describe them?
- Ava's green eyes sparkled like emeralds under the bright sun, reflecting her eagerness for discovery.

Think about your main character’s hair color. How can you use precise sensory language to describe it?
- Her chestnut brown hair cascaded down her back in waves, catching the light and creating a warm glow around her.

Think about your setting. How can you use precise sensory language to help the reader picture it the way you want them to?
- The small coastal town buzzed with the sound of seagulls cawing overhead, the salty breeze carrying the distant laughter of children playing at the beach.

Think about your main character’s wardrobe. How can you use precise sensory language to describe what they wear?
- Ava wore a light blue sundress that danced around her knees, its fabric soft against her skin, and a pair of well-loved canvas sneakers that hinted at her adventurous spirit.

---

**Figurative Language**

**FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE**
Response
Think about one of your sequence of events. How can you show the relationship between that sequence and your main character’s conflict using a METAPHOR or SIMILE?
- Ava felt like a ship lost at sea, tossed between the waves of expectation and self-doubt, searching for a lighthouse to guide her home.

Think about your setting. How can you use ONOMATOPOEIA to make it come alive?
- The gentle "swoosh" of the ocean waves provided a calming backdrop as Ava stood on the beach, breathing in the salty air.

Think about one of your sequences. How can you use ALLITERATION to show a connection between ideas?
- The summer sun shone softly, sending sparkling shafts of light that shimmered on the sand and brightened Ava’s spirits.

What other STYLISTIC TECHNIQUES do you plan to use in your writing to make it pop? (alliteration, onomatopoeia, idiom, italics, etc.) Why does it make sense to use these in your story?
- I plan to use imagery and metaphor to evoke emotions and help the reader connect with Ava’s internal struggles, making her journey more poignant and relatable.

---

**Writing a Conclusion**

**CONCLUSION ELEMENT**
Response
Think about your sequence of events and conflict. How can you make sure your story concludes logically?
- The conclusion will tie together Ava's journey, highlighting her newfound confidence and clarity about her identity while referencing themes explored throughout the story.

Think about your main character and conflict. Has your main character grown or shown change after the events in your story?
- Yes, Ava learns to embrace her individuality and gains confidence in her abilities, realizing that her worth isn't measured against others.

What is the THEME of my story I am thinking about writing? (the message, moral, etc.)
- The theme revolves around self-discovery, the importance of friendship, and finding one's place in the world.

How can I make sure I don’t have any loose ends so my story has a satisfying conclusion?
- I will revisit key plot points and character arcs, ensuring that all conflicts are resolved and the main character’s journey feels complete and fulfilling.