Writing

workshop:
Anecdotes
08/29/22
Language I
 SOURCES:

Material extraído de las

cátedras de Idioma Inglés I & II
de la Facultad de Filosofía y
Letras - Universidad Nacional de
Cuyo
 GOAL
- The main purpose of anecdotes is
to share an emotional reaction.

- To interpret the reaction of the

participant / narrator.
Where can we
find anecdotes?
 - Stories of personal
experiences

We can find - A text within a novel or

short story
them in: - Everyday oral
communication among
members of a
community (friends,
family, neighbours, etc.)
STAGES

2. 6.
(orientation) 4. (reorientation)
reaction

1. 3. 5. 7.
(abstract) disruption (interp. of (coda)
reaction)
STAGES

1. ABSTRACT: Here we anticipate the main event of

the whole anecdote, which is later developed.

2. ORIENTATION: The speaker provides all the

necessary information as to orient the reader in
terms of who, where, and when. The scene is set.

3. DISRUPTION: Also called “remarkable event”. The

speaker presents a disruptive event that can be
humorous or even tragic. It’s an OBLIGATORY
stage.
STAGES
4. REACTION: The speaker presents his/her own
attitude or behaviour towards the event or another
person’s attitude or behaviour. It’s an OBLIGATORY
stage.

5. INTERPRETATION OF THE REACTION: The speaker

expresses his/ her opinion of his/her reaction or of the
reaction of another participant. It may be either positive
or negative.

6. REORIENTATION: There is a restatement of dates,

place and effect of events without manifestation of
attitude or judgement.
STAGES

7. CODA: The speaker presents an idea that finishes /

wraps up the anecdote.
How do we introduce or
express these
constituents?
Introducing abstracts

- Let me tell you…

- You won’t believe…
- You can’t imagine…
- I will never forget…
- You don’t want to know…
- I still remember…
Types of processes & tenses used
in orientations

- Existential processes (There is / are…)

- Relational processes (verb be)
- Material processes + place or time
circumstances (e.g: She studies English at
IES 9-001)
- Tenses: Simple present, simple past, past
continuous, past perfect continuous
Introducing reactions

Connectors and textual markers at the

beginning of the reaction:

- Suddenly,...
- All of a sudden,...
- Unexpectedly,..
- To my surprise,...
- …..
Processes used in reactions

- Material processes (action verbs)

- Verbal processes
- Mental processes

All of them indicate a CHANGE in the course of

events.
Introducing interpretations of
reactions…
Connectors and textual markers such as:

- I guess he reacted in that way because…

- As I see it, he behaved like that due to the fact
that…
- From what I gather…
- I believe he did so…
- In my opinion, he answered that because…
- We reckon he was surprised since…
Introducing reorientations

- Nowadays…
- These days…
- Now that I’m a grown up…
- Looking back at that event…
- It’s been a long time now but….
- Every time I pass by that place, I
remember
- …
Examples of codas

- It was the most shocking / thrilling /

exciting / embarrassing experience I’ve
ever had.
- That’s how I got my first bike / kiss / dress.
- It’s been the saddest / happiest day in my
life.
- That was one of the most amazing /
interesting / amusing days in my
childhood / my adolescence.
-
After studying all this,
what is the difference
between a recount and
an anecdote?
Let’s have a look at an
anecdote!
Yoga powers changed my life! Let me explain to you.
Last Saturday night, after an absence of over three
years, I went to Lord’s House Casino. As soon as I
arrived, I wrote a check for one thousand pounds and I
started my gambling in the roulette. Unconsciously,
while I was there, I began to concentrate on the wheel.
After a while, “18” was the only number I was able to
see. As a result, I bet and won. Quietly, I turned to
blackjack tables to prove my new powers and to see if I
could read through cards, indeed I could. After
playing, I gathered an enormous amount of money,
and in order not to draw anybody’s attention, I decided
to leave and to walk a few minutes on London streets.
On my way to my house, instead of feeling excitement
and emotion for my achievement, I felt melancholy. I
arrived to my flat and slept. On Sunday morning, I
woke up, I saw the pile of bills that was lying on the
table and, all of a sudden, I realised I didn’t want it.
Those notes produced in me revulsion and I
refused to have them. It was then, when I
took one note, threw it from the balcony and
an old man caught it. It made me feel happy.
More people came , so I took another one
and did the same. Soon after, I was so
enthusiastic that I took all the notes and let
them fall. Since that moment on, my view of
life has been different . I am grateful for
yoga powers because they gave me a clear
goal in life.
What about writing one
together?
HOMEWORK FOR NEXT CLASS:

Read vignettes:

- “The House on Mango Street”

- “Hairs”

- “Boys & Girls”

- “My Name”