Narrative Writing
One of the most basic types of writing is the narrative. It can focus on a personal experience and does not have to include research support. Here is a page link to show how to prepare notes and on outline for a narrative about a car accident.
Note Taking
There are many ways to take notes. Some writers make lists, others cluster diagrams. It is even helpful to use a voice memo on a phone to organize ideas. In the example from the link above, there was an example of clustering and listing. Whatever method you use, it is important to determine what information is the most relevant to your topic.
Here is another example. Let's say I want to write a five-paragraph essay about a skiing trip that went badly. One way to do that would be listing the events or things that I think are important.
The list might look like this:
Winter
2022
My cousin and I
West Virginia
Large ski resort
Nervous about skiing
Went to big slope after checking in
Not comfortable with the height in the lift
Felt sick
Cousin was laughing
Starting skiing
Fell and injured my arm
Medics arrived
Drove me to the hospital
Cousin and I went home
Note Taking
There are many ways to take notes. Some writers make lists, others cluster diagrams. It is even helpful to use a voice memo on a phone to organize ideas. In the example from the link above, there was an example of clustering and listing. Whatever method you use, it is important to determine what information is the most relevant to your topic.
Here is another example. Let's say I want to write a five-paragraph essay about a skiing trip that went badly. One way to do that would be listing the events or things that I think are important.
The list might look like this:
Winter
2022
My cousin and I
West Virginia
Large ski resort
Nervous about skiing
Went to big slope after checking in
Not comfortable with the height in the lift
Felt sick
Cousin was laughing
Starting skiing
Fell and injured my arm
Medics arrived
Drove me to the hospital
Cousin and I went home
Now, let's put this into an outline for a five-paragraph essay.
I. Introduction
* Winter 2022, my cousin and I, ski trip, West Virginia
* Thesis - What happened during our ski trip made me hate and fear skiing.
II. Arrived at the ski resort
* Trip there was snowy and unnerving
* Checked in and got outfitted
* Cousin wanted to start on the big slope
* Thought the worst was to come
III. Started up the slope in the lift
* Uncomfortable with the heights
* Was certain I would fall
* Heart was racing
IV. Arrived at the top of the slope
* Started downhill doing what I had learned from my cousin
* Lost control and fell, injuring my arm
* Cousin texted medics, who arrived.
* Sledded me down hill to the ambulance
V. Arrived at the hospital
* My cousin stayed with me the entire time
* Arm needed to be set
*Remained in the hospital overnight then went home
* Will never ski again
* Always trust your instincts and know your limitations.
I. Introduction
* Winter 2022, my cousin and I, ski trip, West Virginia
* Thesis - What happened during our ski trip made me hate and fear skiing.
II. Arrived at the ski resort
* Trip there was snowy and unnerving
* Checked in and got outfitted
* Cousin wanted to start on the big slope
* Thought the worst was to come
III. Started up the slope in the lift
* Uncomfortable with the heights
* Was certain I would fall
* Heart was racing
IV. Arrived at the top of the slope
* Started downhill doing what I had learned from my cousin
* Lost control and fell, injuring my arm
* Cousin texted medics, who arrived.
* Sledded me down hill to the ambulance
V. Arrived at the hospital
* My cousin stayed with me the entire time
* Arm needed to be set
*Remained in the hospital overnight then went home
* Will never ski again
* Always trust your instincts and know your limitations.