Biographical Narrative Expectations

Do you want to earn at grade level on your next writing assignment?  Here’s what you need to include in your biographical narrative.

Introduction:

• an engaging opening
• relevant background information
• a hint at the meaning (controlling impression) of the narrative
• at least 75 words written in one paragraph

Body:

• three anecdotes tell short stories to support the controlling impression
• emphasis on the person being described—not on you, the writer
• detailed factual retellings of events
• specific time and place descriptions of each part
• thorough description of people’s character and appearance
• thoughts and feelings of the author
• concrete sensory details used to create vivid images, appealing to a variety of senses
• descriptions of actions
• chronological order, order of importance, or spatial order used to arrange events
• internal monologue used at least once for above grade level points
• at least 300 words written within three paragraphs

Conclusion:

• reflection on the significance of the experience
• statement of the controlling impression
• at least 75 words written in one paragraph

Extras:

• meet standard formatting expectations (heading, title, double-spaced, Times New Roman or Arial font, size 10 or 12 font, and 1” margins)
• demonstrate grade-level writing mechanics (correct grammar, complete sentences, proper capitalization, accurate punctuation, and correct spelling)