Requirements:

Write as if you ARE the character using 1st person point of view.
Use chronological (time) order to retell the story.
Organize the 5 plot elements with 5 separate paragraphs.
Use MLA Format
Use correct grammar, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and sentence structure.
Final Paper should be 1-2 pages in length.

Highlight or underline the character whose point of view you will be using. The businessman

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?

Part A
Read the story and continue on.

A-Ha Moment
by Julia Alvarez

I was in the tiny bathroom in the back of the plane when I felt the slamming
jolt, then the horrible swerve that threw me against the door.
“Oh, Lord,” I thought, “this is it!”
Somehow, I managed to unbolt the door and scramble out. The flight
attendants, already strapped in, waved wildly for me to sit down. As I lunged ahead
toward my seat, passengers looked up at me with the stricken expression of
creatures who know they are about to die.
“I think we got hit by lightning,” the girl in the seat next to mine said. She
was from a small town in east Texas, and this was only her second time on an
airplane. She had won a trip to England by competing in a high school geography
bee and was supposed to make a connecting flight when we landed in Newark. In
the next seat, at the window, sat a young businessman who had been confidently
working. Now he looked worried—something that really worries me: when
confident-looking businessmen look worried. The laptop was put away.
“Something’s not right,” he said.
The pilot’s voice came over the speaker. I heard vaguely through my fear,
“Engine number two...hit...emergency landing...New Orleans.”
When he was done, the voice of a flight attendant came on, reminding us of
the emergency procedures she had reviewed before takeoff. Of course, I never paid
attention to this drill, always figuring that if we ever got to the point where
we needed to use life jackets, I would have already died of terror. Now we began a
roller-coaster ride through the thunderclouds. I was ready to faint, but when I saw
the face of the girl next to me, I pulled myself together. I reached for her hand and
reassured her that we were going to make it.
“What a story you’re going to tell when you get home!” I said. “After this,
London’s going to seem like small potatoes.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she mumbled.

I wondered where I was getting my strength. Then I saw that my other hand
was tightly held by a ringed hand. Someone was comforting me—a glamorous
young woman across the aisle, the female equivalent of the confident businessman.
She must have seen how scared I was and reached over.
“I tell you,” she confided. “The problems I brought up on this plane with me
sure don’t seem real big right now.” I loved her southern drawl, her indiscriminate
use of perfume, her soulful squeezes. I was sure that even if I survived a plane
crash, I’d have a couple of broken fingers from all the T.L.C
“Are you okay?” she kept asking me.
Among the many feelings going through my head during those excruciating
20 minutes was pride—pride in how well everybody was behaving. No one
panicked. No one screamed.
As we jolted and screeched our way downward, I could hear small pockets
of soothing conversation everywhere. I thought of something I had heard a friend
say about the wonderful gift his dying father had given the family. He had died
peacefully, as if not to alarm any of them about an experience they would all have
to go through someday.
And then—yes!—we landed safely. Outside on the ground, attendants and
officials were waiting to transfer us to alternate flights. But we passengers clung
together. We chatted about the lives we now felt blessed to be living, as difficult or
rocky as they might be. The young businessman sighed that he had not had a
chance to buy his two girls a present. An older woman offered him her box of
expensive Lindt chocolates, still untouched, tied with a lovely bow. “I shouldn’t be
eating them anyhow,” she said.
My glamorous aisle mate took out her cell phone and passed it around to
anyone who wanted to make a call, or to hear the reassuring voice of a loved one.
There was someone I wanted to call. Back in Vermont, my husband was
anticipating my arrival late that night. He had been complaining that he wasn’t
getting to see very much of me because of my book tour. That’s why I had decided
to take this particular flight—oh, yes, those stories! I had planned to surprise him
by getting in a few days early. Now I just wanted him to know I was okay and on
my way. When my name was finally called to board my new flight, I felt a bit

tearful to be parting from people whose lives had so intensely, if for a moment,
touched mine.
Now, back on firm ground, walking down a Vermont road, I sometimes hear
an airplane and look up at that small, glinting, piece of metal. I remember the
passengers on that fateful, lucky flight and wish I could thank them for the many
acts of kindness I witnessed and received. I am indebted to my fellow passengers
and wish I could pay them back. Just then, remembering my aisle mate’s hand
clutching mine while I clutched the hand of the high school student, I was struck
by lightning all over again: The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on.

after you have read it create a story based off the businessman using the chart given to you.

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.

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)

Extra Credit (Optional):
Create a flashback scene. What important event from the past do “you” think about as the plane is making an emergency landing? Use sensory language to describe the event.

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)

9 answers

Name
Instructor
Course
Date

Life’s Unexpected Turns: A Businessman’s Tale

I sat comfortably in my seat, the hum of the airplane engines lulling me into a sense of focus, my laptop perched open in front of me displaying spreadsheets and strategic plans for the week ahead. I was traveling to a business conference in New Orleans, eager to network and pitch my company’s latest innovations. The atmosphere in the cabin felt ordinary, a swarm of travelers engrossed in their own worlds—families chatting, couples enjoying moments together, and fellow businessmen tapping away on laptops just like I was. Little did I know that the serenity of my routine would soon be shattered by an unforeseen event.

Without warning, the plane lurched violently, as if gripped by an unseen force. I was thrown unexpectedly against my armrest, and for a brief, horrifying moment, my mind raced with confusion. The cabin filled with a collective gasp as the plane tilted sharply, and I noticed the panic etched on the faces of those around me. I quickly closed my laptop, casting a glance at the flight attendants who were strapping themselves in as chaos began to unfold. My heart raced as I recognized the gravity of the situation; we had just been struck by lightning.

As the distress signals buzzed through my mind, I felt an awakening within me. The pilot’s voice broke through my panic, announcing the necessity for an emergency landing in New Orleans. I realized that my life was in the hands of the pilots and my fellow passengers, none of whom seemed to panic, displaying a surprising composure. In equal parts fear and determination, I gripped my armrests, trying to absorb the reality that any second could be our last. I glanced at the young woman beside me, her eyes wide with terror, and I instinctively reached for her hand, hoping to convey the confidence I was desperately trying to muster within myself.

Gradually, the plane settled into a controlled descent, an endeavor that felt endless. Each jarring bump was a stark reminder of our current predicament, but as we approached the runway, I became overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. Images of my wife and kids flooded my mind, their faces filling me with purpose and anchoring me to the present. I silently promised myself that I would cherish every moment with them. The plane finally touched down, the screech of tires against asphalt sending a surge of relief through my body. We had made it.

As I exited the plane, my heart brimmed with mixed emotions—relief, gratitude, and a newfound sense of perspective. The tumultuous emergency had unexpectedly united us as passengers; we shared stories and concerns as we navigated the airport together. I realized that things that once seemed monumental, like business deals or deadlines, paled in comparison to the fragility of life and the importance of connection. This experience taught me the invaluable lesson that kindness and community triumph in the face of fear, and I vowed to carry that message forward, cherishing the moments that truly matter.

OK but give me a flash back scene for the climax. and go back up and answer the questions.

Name
Instructor
Course
Date

Life’s Unexpected Turns: A Businessman’s Tale

I sat comfortably in my seat, the hum of the airplane engines lulling me into a sense of focus, my laptop perched open in front of me displaying spreadsheets and strategic plans for the week ahead. I was traveling to a business conference in New Orleans, eager to network and pitch my company’s latest innovations. The atmosphere in the cabin felt ordinary, a swarm of travelers engrossed in their own worlds—families chatting, couples enjoying moments together, and fellow businessmen tapping away on laptops just like I was. Little did I know that the serenity of my routine would soon be shattered by an unforeseen event.

Without warning, the plane lurched violently, as if gripped by an unseen force. I was thrown unexpectedly against my armrest, and for a brief, horrifying moment, my mind raced with confusion. The cabin filled with a collective gasp as the plane tilted sharply, and I noticed the panic etched on the faces of those around me. I quickly closed my laptop, casting a glance at the flight attendants who were strapping themselves in as chaos began to unfold. My heart raced as I recognized the gravity of the situation; we had just been struck by lightning.

As the distress signals buzzed through my mind, I felt an awakening within me. The pilot’s voice broke through my panic, announcing the necessity for an emergency landing in New Orleans. I realized that my life was in the hands of the pilots and my fellow passengers, none of whom seemed to panic, displaying a surprising composure. In equal parts fear and determination, I gripped my armrests, trying to absorb the reality that any second could be our last. I glanced at the young woman beside me, her eyes wide with terror, and I instinctively reached for her hand, hoping to convey the confidence I was desperately trying to muster within myself.

In that moment of chaos, my mind flashed back to a simpler time. I was sitting in a hospital waiting room, my heart pounding just as it was now. My son had just undergone surgery, and the uncertainty of the outcome left me on edge. I remembered holding my wife’s hand tightly, the warmth of her palm providing me with a sense of comfort amid fear. Even in that stressful situation, we had exchanged knowing glances, silently promising each other that no matter what happened, we would be there for each other. This memory flooded my thoughts now as I held the hand of the frightened woman beside me. It reinforced the importance of connection, solidifying my resolve that I needed to survive this moment not just for myself, but for my family waiting at home.

Gradually, the plane settled into a controlled descent, an endeavor that felt endless. Each jarring bump was a stark reminder of our current predicament, but as we approached the runway, I became overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. The plane finally touched down, the screech of tires against asphalt sending a surge of relief through my body. We had made it.

As I exited the plane, my heart brimmed with mixed emotions—relief, gratitude, and a newfound sense of perspective. The tumultuous emergency had unexpectedly united us as passengers; we shared stories and concerns as we navigated the airport together. I realized that things that once seemed monumental, like business deals or deadlines, paled in comparison to the fragility of life and the importance of connection. This experience taught me the invaluable lesson that kindness and community triumph in the face of fear, and I vowed to carry that message forward, cherishing the moments that truly matter.

ok this is good but I specified that each paragraph needs to be 3 sentences long max.

Name
Instructor
Course
Date

Life’s Unexpected Turns: A Businessman’s Tale

I sat comfortably in my seat, the hum of the airplane engines lulling me into a sense of focus. My laptop was open, displaying spreadsheets and plans for an important business conference in New Orleans. The atmosphere in the cabin felt ordinary, filled with travelers engrossed in their own worlds, completely unaware that everything was about to change.

Without warning, the plane lurched violently, throwing me against my armrest. A collective gasp filled the cabin, and panic was evident on the faces around me. I quickly closed my laptop and glanced at the flight attendants, who were fastening themselves in as chaos began to unfold.

I felt a surge of fear wash over me, realizing we had just been struck by lightning. The pilot's voice cut through my panic, announcing an emergency landing in New Orleans. I grasped my armrests tightly, knowing that my life and the lives of those around me were at stake.

In that moment of chaos, my mind flashed back to a hospital waiting room. I recalled sitting there, my heart racing while my son underwent surgery, gripping my wife's hand for comfort. This memory strengthened my resolve; I had to survive this moment, not just for myself, but for my family waiting at home.

Gradually, the plane settled into a controlled descent, but each jolt reminded me of our perilous situation. Finally, the plane touched down, the tires screeching against the asphalt, bringing waves of relief. We had made it—alive and safe.

As I exited the plane, relief and gratitude washed over me, mingling with a newfound perspective. The emergency had united us as passengers, and I felt a deep connection with those who shared this frightening experience. I realized that the pressures of work and deadlines were trivial compared to the fragility of life and the importance of human connection.

that's good but now i need you to answer these questions for each paragraph excluding paragraph one, and the flashback paragraph.

Paragraph Two
How do “you” feel in this part of the story?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)

Paragraph Three
What are “your” thoughts and feelings?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)

Paragraph Four
How do “you” feel in this part of the story?
(2-3 sentences- use 1st person- I, me, my)

Paragraph FiveHow 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)

Name
Instructor
Course
Date

Life’s Unexpected Turns: A Businessman’s Tale

I sat comfortably in my seat, the hum of the airplane engines lulling me into a sense of focus. My laptop was open, displaying spreadsheets and plans for an important business conference in New Orleans. The atmosphere in the cabin felt ordinary, filled with travelers engrossed in their own worlds, completely unaware that everything was about to change.

Without warning, the plane lurched violently, throwing me against my armrest. A collective gasp filled the cabin, and panic was evident on the faces around me. I quickly closed my laptop and glanced at the flight attendants, who were fastening themselves in as chaos began to unfold.

In that moment, fear coursed through me like electricity. I felt a helplessness I had never experienced before, as if my carefully planned life was slipping away in an instant. The screams around me amplified my anxiety, making my heart race faster with every passing second.

The pilot's voice cut through my panic, announcing an emergency landing in New Orleans. I grasped my armrests tightly, trying to maintain my composure, but the urgency of the situation pressed down on me. I realized that my priorities were shifting in this moment of crisis, and nothing felt more important than simply surviving.

In that moment of chaos, my mind flashed back to a hospital waiting room. I recalled sitting there, my heart racing while my son underwent surgery, gripping my wife's hand for comfort. This memory strengthened my resolve; I had to survive this moment, not just for myself, but for my family waiting at home.

Gradually, the plane settled into a controlled descent, but each jolt reminded me of our perilous situation. Finally, the plane touched down, the tires screeching against the asphalt, bringing waves of relief. We had made it—alive and safe.

As I exited the plane, relief and gratitude washed over me, mingling with a newfound perspective. The emergency had united us as passengers, and I felt a deep connection with those who shared this frightening experience. I realized that the pressures of work and deadlines were trivial compared to the fragility of life and the importance of human connection.

This experience impacted me profoundly; it forced me to confront the reality of life’s unpredictability. I learned that no matter how in control I believe I am, circumstances can turn in an instant. I now understand that kindness and connections with others are what truly matter in life, and I am committed to nurturing those relationships moving forward.

no your just retold the story I need you to explain what he might have felt in each paragraph "based" of the paragraphs you gave

Certainly! I can clarify the feelings for each paragraph based on the storyline described. Here’s the revised version:


Name
Instructor
Course
Date

Life’s Unexpected Turns: A Businessman’s Tale

I sat comfortably in my seat, the hum of the airplane engines lulling me into a sense of focus. My laptop was open, displaying spreadsheets and plans for an important business conference in New Orleans. The atmosphere in the cabin felt ordinary, filled with travelers engrossed in their own worlds, completely unaware that everything was about to change.

When the plane lurched violently, I felt a rush of panic that threatened to overwhelm me. My heart raced, and the shock of the sudden turbulence made me question my sense of security. I was no longer just a businessman focused on my work; I was a passenger in a dire situation, sensing the fear building around me.

As the situation escalated and the pilot announced an emergency landing, I felt a mixture of fear and resignation. My thoughts spiraled between disbelief and the stark reality of what was happening. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on me; I felt vulnerable, recognizing that my carefully controlled life could change in an instant.

During the flashback to the hospital waiting room, I was reminded of my vulnerability and need for connection. In that moment of chaos, recalling the warmth of my wife's hand provided me with a flicker of hope. It reinforced my determination to survive, knowing I had a family that needed me and who I needed to cherish.

When the plane finally touched down safely, relief flooded my entire being. The anxiety that had gripped me was replaced by gratitude for still being alive. The reality of our shared experience made me realize how precious life truly is, and I felt a deep sense of camaraderie with my fellow passengers, recognizing that we had survived something monumental together.

As I exited the plane, I was overwhelmed with a newfound perspective on what truly matters in life. The experience highlighted how fleeting and unpredictable life can be, making me reconsider my priorities. I learned that my connections with others were far more significant than business successes and deadlines; the bonds we form are what carry us through life’s unpredictability.