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Instructions:

Read the short story “A-Ha Moment” by Julia Alvarez.
Imagine how the story would be different if it were told from the point of view of a different character. You may choose the high school student, the businessman, OR the glamorous young woman.
In your own words, retell the original story using the point of view of your chosen character.
Remember, you are pretending to BE this character and are speaking AS this person, so use first-person pronouns like “I,” “me,” and “my.”
Your story should be at least FIVE paragraphs long and should include the 5 plot elements.
Complete the Brainstorming chart below these instructions to help organize your thoughts BEFORE you begin writing your story.
Brainstorming- Provide brief answers.
Highlight or underline the character whose point of view you will be using. Choose ONE.
The high school student The businessman The glamorous woman

Why is the character you chose traveling?
How does the character react when the plane is struck by lightning?
What does the character think about when the plane is making an emergency landing?
What has the character learned as a result of this experience?

Narrative Essay Outline- Write in complete sentences.
A narrative is a spoken or written account of a series of connected events. People use personal narratives whenever they tell what happened. You will be telling this story as if you are a character from the story “A-Ha Moment.” Remember: Use 1st person pronouns (“I” & “me”) to speak as the character.
*Note: Do NOT copy the original wording of this story. That is considered plagiarism. You should maintain the same basic plot, but the way in which you tell it should be entirely new using the new characters' style and tone of voice. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to put away the original story while you’re writing your own.

Paragraph 1 - Exposition
Describe the setting on the plane and the reason “you” are traveling.
(2-3 sentences)
(“You” means that, as the writer, you are speaking as the character. Use 1st person pronouns- I, me, my.)

Paragraph 2 - Rising Action
Describe the emergency that happens & sets the scene.
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)
How do “you” feel in this part of the story?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)

Paragraph 3 - Climax
Describe “your” reaction to the emergency.
What does the plane have to do?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)
What are “your” thoughts and feelings?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)

Paragraph 4 - Falling Action
What happens at the end of the story?
What happens as a result of the climax?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)
How do “you” feel in this part of the story?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)

Paragraph 5 - Resolution
How do “you” choose to move on from this experience?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)
How did this experience impact “you”?
What did the “you” learn as a result of this experience?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)

3 answers

Brainstorming

  • Character Chosen: The glamorous young woman
  • Reason for Traveling: I am traveling to attend a high-profile fashion event in Paris.
  • Reaction to the Plane Struck by Lightning: I feel a mix of excitement and dread, as my glamorous image feels threatened by such an ominous event.
  • Thoughts During Emergency Landing: As the plane makes its emergency landing, I reflect on my life, the trivialities of fame, and what truly matters to me.
  • Lessons Learned: I learn that life is fragile, and the moments I cherish are far more valuable than superficial successes.

Narrative Essay Outline

Paragraph 1 - Exposition
As I sit nestled among the soft plush of first-class seats on the airplane, I can hardly keep the smile off my face. Excitement bubbles within me as I think about the fashion extravaganza awaiting me in Paris. This isn’t just any event; this is where dreams are showcased and where I, as a glamorous young woman in the fashion industry, am meant to shine.

Paragraph 2 - Rising Action
Suddenly, the cheerful vibrations of the cabin are jolted by a harsh rumble, and before I know it, there's a blinding flash outside my window. I gasp in disbelief as I realize the plane has been struck by lightning. My heart races, and I quickly evaluate my perfectly styled hair and designer outfit, thoughts of how I might not make it to Paris flooding my mind. Is this how my story ends, caught in a moment of panic instead of among the flashing lights of the runway?

Paragraph 3 - Climax
The plane shudders, sending tremors of fear through every passenger. An announcement rings out, urging us to brace for an emergency landing. As adrenaline courses through my body, I try to calculate the likelihood of survival and whether it’s too late for me to think about my priorities. In that moment, glimmering gowns and high-fashion catwalks fade away, replaced by the stark reality that my life could change forever. My hands tremble, and I can't help but reflect on how I’ve been living—always rushing toward the next big event without truly valuing each breath.

Paragraph 4 - Falling Action
Miraculously, we land safely, albeit with the sounds of sirens and chaos outside the cabin. Relief washes over me, yet it is tinged with a sense of vulnerability that I never acknowledged before. Looking around at my fellow passengers, I see their relief mirrored in my own expression, and for the first time, I feel a connection beyond the world of glamor. Gratitude fills my heart as we all disembark, and I realize how fragile life is and how quickly it can turn.

Paragraph 5 - Resolution
In the days that follow, I find myself changed in inexplicable ways. I choose to embrace the idea that life is not just about red carpets and designer labels, but about authentic experiences and meaningful connections. This whole experience taught me to treasure every moment, reminding me that beneath the guise of glamour lies a reality that is far more profound. I want to redefine success—not merely as fame or luxury, but as the depth of my relationships and the joy of being present in every moment of my life.

Write your story on a Google Doc. It should be a full, complete story based on the ideas you came up with in your organizer. It should follow MLA format and be at least 2 pages double-spaced. It should include dialogue and sensory language.

Here's a structured completion of the story based on your request, organized to meet MLA guidelines and reflecting a more immersive narrative style. Since I cannot create a Google Doc, I will provide the text in a format you can easily copy and paste into the document editor of your choice.

[Your Name]
[Instructor's Name]
[Course Name]
[Date]

A-Ha Moment

As I sit nestled among the soft plush of first-class seats on the airplane, I can hardly keep the smile off my face. The gentle hum of the engines and the delightful scent of gourmet meals swirling in the cabin only heighten my excitement. I glance down at my shimmering gown, its sequins glinting in the overhead light. This isn’t just any flight; this is my ticket to a high-profile fashion event in Paris. I can already envision myself strutting down the runway, the flashes of cameras capturing my every move, my name whispered in envy. “This is where I’m meant to shine,” I whisper to myself, barely able to contain the thrill that curls in my stomach.

But then, without warning, my daydream is shattered. I feel a violent jolt, followed by a cacophony of gasps and murmurs from the other passengers. A blinding flash lights up the window, and the plane is suddenly engulfed in chaos. “Oh my God!” I exclaim, gripping the armrest tightly, my nails digging into the soft leather. The plane has been struck by lightning. The cheerful vibrations of the cabin devolve into a terrified silence, punctuated only by the frantic rustling as people begin to brace themselves for the worst. My heart races as I quickly evaluate my perfectly styled hair and designer outfit. Thoughts of glamorous runway walks are replaced by a terrifying realization: is this how my story ends, caught in a moment of panic instead of basking in the lights of the stage?

As frightful shudders ripple through the airplane, an urgent voice crackles over the intercom, urging everyone to remain calm. But I can’t help but feel the rising tide of panic. The turbulence feels like a scene from a nightmare unspooling before me. “Brace for an emergency landing!” the flight attendant shouts, her voice steady yet strained. I shut my eyes tightly, trying to quiet the storm inside me. My thoughts flit wildly among my family, my friends, and my unfinished goals—the couture dresses, the magazine covers, the dreams of being a fashion icon. I realize that in chasing the superficial, I have been neglecting what truly matters.

Miraculously, the plane eases into a safe landing, although the sounds of sirens and chaos greet us upon arrival. My heart thuds like a heavy drum in my chest as I finally breathe in the fragrant air that fills the cabin. Relief washes over me, mixed with a deep, unsettling feeling of vulnerability. As we disembark, I glance back at my fellow passengers, their faces flushed with relief. “We actually made it!” I breathe, stunned. One woman next to me bursts into tears while the man across the aisle laughs in disbelief, “Thank God we’re alive!” Gratitude swells within me, awakening feelings I hadn’t acknowledged before.

In the days that follow, I find myself reflecting on the experience, its weight lingering at the back of my mind like a gentle reminder. I choose to embrace the idea that life is not merely about red carpets and designer labels but about authentic experiences and meaningful connections. “You okay?” a friend asks during a phone call, her voice warm and concerned as we discuss everything that happened. “Honestly, I think I’ve been looking at things all wrong,” I confess. This experience has taught me to treasure every moment, reminding me that beneath the glitz lies a reality that is far more profound. I want to redefine success—not merely as fame or luxury, but as the depth of my relationships and the joy of being present in every moment of my life.

As I finally step onto the streets of Paris, the city alive with culture and color, I now see it through a different lens. “This trip isn’t just about being glamorous,” I tell myself, “it’s about the people I’ll meet and the stories I’ll create.” I’ve learned to let go of obsession with outward appearances and embrace the myriad of complexities that life offers. The thrill of the runway now sits side by side with a newfound appreciation for humanity—something that was ignited in a moment of despair but illuminated my path forward.

[End of Document]

Feel free to copy and paste this text into your Google Doc or any other word processor. Adjust formatting as necessary to match MLA requirements, including your name, instructor's name, course name, and date at the top of the document.