ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE <MODEL BANK HOME    
Writer's Model
  Personal Narrative
 
     
A personal narrative tells the story of an experience that took place in one person's life. It usually focuses on the details associated with the experience, as well as the author's thoughts and feelings.
 
Many personal narratives use the structure illustrated in the framework below. Print this framework and use it as a guide when you write your own personal narrative.
   
 
    Introduction
• Use an engaging opening.
• Supply background
information.
• Hint at the meaning of the
experience.
Get your readers' attention Use a quote or a surprising statement, or put your readers in the middle of a dramatic situation.
Build background Give your readers the details they need to know before reading your narrative.
 
 
    Body
• Discuss first, second and
third events and so on,
including details.
• Use chronological order.
Work in the details Arrange the events of your narrative in the order in which they happened, adding details to elaborate on each event. Remember, details that appeal to the senses can help bring your story to life.  
 
    Conclusion
• Express the meaning of the
experience.
Reflect on your experience Let your readers know what the experience meant to you. Show what you learned or how you changed as a result, and tell why those changes were important.  
 
   
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