Writing Workshop: Narrative Writing – American Individualism

When first I took up my abode in the woods, that is, began to spend my nights as well as days there, which, by accident, was on Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, 1845, my house was not finished for winter, but was merely a defence against the rain, without plastering or chimney, the walls being of rough, weather-stained boards, with wide chinks, which made it cool at night. The upright white hewn studs and freshly planed door and window casings gave it a clean and airy look, especially in the morning, when its timbers were saturated with dew.

Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?

A. “my house was not finished for winter”
B. “when its timbers were saturated with dew”
C. “When first I took up my abode”
D. “which made it cool at night”

All of the following are essential to a strong essay outline, EXCEPT

A. the beginning, middle, and end paragraph sequence.
B. topic sentences for each paragraph.
C. an introduction with a thesis.
D. each vivid sensory detail that will be included.

Some of my pleasantest hours were during the long rain-storms in the spring or fall, which confined me to the house for the afternoon as well as the forenoon, soothed by their ceaseless roar and pelting; when an early twilight ushered in a long evening in which many thoughts had time to take root and unfold themselves. In those driving northeast rains which tried the village houses so, when the maids stood ready with mop and pail in front entries to keep the deluge out, I sat behind my door in my little house, which was all entry, and thoroughly enjoyed its protection.

Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?

A. “Some of my pleasantest hours were during the long rain-storms in the spring or fall”
B. “which confined me to the house for the afternoon as well as the forenoon”
C. “when the maids stood ready with mop and pail in front entries to keep the deluge out”
D. “I sat behind my door in my little house, which was all entry, and thoroughly enjoyed its protection”

“Carmen Martinez, number 42.” I took a deep breath as my name rumbled through the loudspeaker. I was so nervous! With each step from the on-deck circle to the batter’s box, I thought my knees would give out and I would collapse. My stomach was in knots.

One chance. I had one chance to help my team win this game so we could go to the state semifinals. I could hear the crowd cheering for me. “You got this!” they screamed. “You can do this!” I hoped I could.

Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?

A. “I was so nervous!”
B. “I thought my knees would give out and I would collapse.”
C. “I had one chance to help my team win this game so we could go to the state semifinals.”
D. “I hoped I could.”

Once it chanced that I stood in the very abutment of a rainbow’s arch, which filled the lower stratum of the atmosphere, tinging the grass and leaves around, and dazzling me as if I looked through colored crystal. It was a lake of rainbow light, in which, for a short while, I lived like a dolphin. If it had lasted longer it might have tinged my employments and life.

Which is the best example of a vivid sensory detail?

A. “Once it chanced that I stood”
B. “If it had lasted longer”
C. “which, for a short while”
D. “It was a lake of rainbow light”

“Smile, Mila! Smile!” When my little sister was almost three years old, she would ______ this every day when I ______ in the door from school.

Fill in the blanks in order.

A. repeated . . . walk
B. repeat . . . walked
C. repeated . . . walked
D. repeat . . . walk

On my first day at Crestwood High School, I was ______ that no one would like me. I had just moved to town, and it seemed to me that my classmates had known each other for years. I hated being the new kid. I walked down the hall with my head down and my shoulders hunched. I sat by myself at lunch, despite several invitations.

After about three weeks, things ______. At lunch one day, a boy approached my table and sat down. He asked, “Why don’t you like us? Why don’t you want to hang out with us?” I couldn’t believe it! I had thought that they didn’t want to spend time with me.

The boy’s name was Craig, and he insisted that I come sit with him and his friends. I haven’t sat alone since, and now when I ______ down the hall, I keep my head up and I smile.

Fill in the blanks in order.

A. convincing . . . . changed . . . . walked
B. convincing . . . . change . . . . walk
C. convinced . . . . changed . . . . walk
D. convinced . . . . change . . . . walked

When I was in eighth grade, my best friend’s parents told us that their family was moving away at the end of the school year. When that time finally ______, I decided to ______ her a proper sendoff: a huge surprise party! I just ______ her to know how much all of her friends would miss her. I invited everyone in my grade and made them promise not to tell Rebekah.

Fill in the blanks in order.
A. comes . . . gave . . . . wanted
B. comes . . . give . . . . want
C. came . . . give . . . . wanted
D. came . . . gave . . . . want

Sentence 1: We were inseparable.

Sentence 2: So when Karim’s parents told us that they were moving across the country, we didn’t believe it, and we didn’t know how our friendship would survive.

Sentence 3: Karim, Johan, and I had been best friends since the seventh grade.

Sentence 4: Sometimes we’d spend entire weekends reading comic books and playing basketball.

What is the most logical way to sequence these sentences to create a logical narrative?

A. sentence 2, sentence 4, sentence 3, sentence 1
B. sentence 3, sentence 1, sentence 4, sentence 2
C. sentence 1, sentence 3, sentence 4, sentence 2
D. sentence 4, sentence 1, sentence 2, sentence 3

On Saturday mornings, I ______ Arabic to the children who attend my mosque. I wake up at eight o’clock and prepare my lesson as I eat breakfast. It’s hard work, but the look on my students’ faces when they ______ a new word is priceless.

Fill in the blanks in order.

A. taught . . . . understands
B. taught . . . . understand
C. teach . . . . understand
D. teach . . . . understood

When I was four years old, my dad and I ______ a tree in our front yard. It was a tiny, fragile sapling. He promised me that it would grow tall and strong, but he said that I had to be patient. Until I turned 18 years old, Dad and I ______ it every year on my birthday.

Fill in the blanks in order.
A. plant . . . . measure
B. plant . . . . measured
C. planted . . . . measure
D. planted . . . . measured

Sentence 1: The first time I performed a solo, my stomach was in knots.

Sentence 2: Despite my nerves, I was able to do it.

Sentence 3: My part certainly wasn’t perfect and may have been a little screechy, but I was proud of myself nonetheless.

Sentence 4: I could barely breathe, and I wasn’t sure a sound would come out when I opened my mouth to sing.

What is the most logical way to sequence these sentences to create a logical narrative?
A. sentence 3, sentence 1, sentence 4, sentence 2
B. sentence 1, sentence 4, sentence 2, sentence 3
C. sentence 2, sentence 1, sentence 4, sentence 3
D. sentence 4, sentence 3, sentence 2, sentence 1

Sasha just read a writing prompt, and she is not sure what to write about. In order to write a strong essay, Sasha should first

A. decide on a specific structure.
B. brainstorm different topics.
C. create an outline.
D. choose an audience.

Have you ever ______ homemade apple pie? I have, and it was the most delicious piece of food I ever tasted. Last summer, I ______ an orchard with my cousins.

Fill in the blanks in order.
A. baked . . . . visited
B. baked . . . . visit
C. bake . . . . visit
D. bake . . . . visited

I ______ for the school jazz band my freshman year, my sophomore year, and my junior year. I didn’t make it until I was a senior. That’s four tryouts! I ______ four nerve-racking tryouts, but it was worth it.

Fill in the blanks in order.
A. audition . . . . endured
B. audition . . . . endure
C. auditioned . . . . endure
D. auditioned . . . . endured