Writing Style: The Narrative

Objectives: Content: Students will be able to differentiate between

Writing Style: The Narrative the various elements of narrative writing, including
characterization, diction, setting, imagery, and other
rhetorical devices specific to the style, evaluating how
each element affects the text.

Language: Students will be able to apply elements of

narrative writing to their own short story.
In: The House on Mango Street

California Content Standards Addressed:

- Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene or stanza

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English Composition: 9th Grade CCSS.ELA.RL.9-10.4
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fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the
development of the theme, setting or plot.
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases
(figurative/connotative) as well as diction and impact of
meaning and tone.
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences
or events using effective technique and well-chosen details.

Ask Yourself: Informs, explains and

states facts clearly and
plainly. Can be a cause
and effect or compare and
contrast. Typically
involves research.
What type of writing would you
consider a diary?
How is this style of writing different Expository
from a research paper?
Narrative
Tells a story. Can be either
fictional or real. Typically draws
from personal experience or
memories. Incorporates detailed
characters, setting, plot and
Writing theme.
Styles

Persuades and holds a clear

Argumentative
opinion. Makes a claim, utilizes
evidence to support and back up
argument.
Ask a friend:
What type of writing is The House on Mango Street?
What makes you think so? Discuss.

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Writing Style: The Narrative

STYLE – How writers manipulate text to achieve a desired effect.

Plot: An interrelated sequence of storytelling.

Narrative Style:
Story Arc:
Extended over a
• Plot longer period of time,
involving background
• Characterization
information, a quest or
• Setting journey, conflict or
• Imagery obstacle, peak of the
• Diction issue, “settling the
• Theme dust”, and a
conclusion.

Watch the commercial and map the story arc! What makes this a cohesive plotline? With your table,
What elements of a narrative do you see? read through any
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlNO2trC-mk vignette of your
choice. Make note
of the story arc.

Is there anything
missing?

Video: Dual Coding

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Writing Style: The Narrative

Characterization: The description of a distinct fictional character

based on traits and qualities. Can be revealed
through dialogue, action or physical description.
Vignettes… Although each section follows
• Are brief and span a shorter amount the same characters over a
of time.
distinct time frame, what is
• Illustrate their own mini-theme or
different about a
main idea within itself.
vignette?
• Do not necessarily abide by the
traditional narrative story arc, but act
as stand-alone stories. “He is
• Lack clear transitions and FADE into honest • “He returned the lost
their own background. and wallet he found.”
With your table, compare and contrast a kind.”
Vignette with a traditional narrative.

Characterization:

Examples in The House on Mango Street:

An example of characterization anywhere in The House on Mango Street.

“Keep away from him, she says. He is full of

danger” (p.13)

What type is it?

“Two girls raggedy as rats live across the
street” (p.14).

What does this reveal about

“The big one laughs with all her teeth…
the character?
Cathy is tugging my arm” (p.15).

Discuss with a partner: How do these

quotes reveal something about each
character?

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Writing Style: The Narrative

Setting: In our text…

Setting:
{ Read Along: “Meme Ortiz” on pages 21-22 }
7:53 - 9:35 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK2zFgIkZlI

The combination of
time, place,
environment and
imagery.

What does this environment reveal about

the people who live there?

Read pages 19-20

Imagery:
“Gil’s Furniture Bought & Sold”

Note the setting in your chart.

Visually descriptive or
sensory figurative
language to develop a
mental picture.

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Writing Style: The Narrative

Examples in The House on Mango Street:

“Songs like sobbing”

Three
Page 6-7 “Hairs”
examples of
“My name… a muddy color” imagery in
this vignette
How does this imagery enhance our
“Syllables made of tin and hurt the perception as the reader? What type of
characterization is used here?
roof of your mouth”

What type of
figurative
language is
used?

Theme: With your table: Choose a theme and find one vignette to add to this list.
In your notes: Explain why your chosen vignette displays this theme.

Theme Vignettes
“My Name”
Identity
A pervading subject, topic “Laughter”
Family
or idea throughout a piece “Cathy Queen of Cats”
Belonging
of writing.
“Meme Ortiz”
Culture

Discuss with a partner: What

do you believe the theme of
The House on Mango Street
is?

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Writing Style: The Narrative

Now that we are familiar with

narrative style, write your own
1-page narrative.
Remember to include:

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