Personal Narratives
HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Personal Narrative by Lindi M. of Jenks East Middle School in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Conquering Your Fears
INTRODUCTION
Attentiongrabbing opening
Everyone, well almost everyone, I’ve ever known has thought of their years in elementary school as their favorites. I, on the other hand, do not feel so fondly about elementary
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
school, especially third grade. That was a year I will never forget. BODY
Details that set the scene
Details (what others said)
I was only eight, but I remember it like yesterday. I was sitting in the doctor’s office when they gave my parents and me the shocking news. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but your daughter’s condition is getting worse. The only way to fix it is by surgery.”
Details (feelings)
Those words ripped into me like a serrated knife into a crisp, cold apple. It was a horrible sinking feeling that seemed to possess my whole body—a feeling so terrifying that even the bravest person alive could not possibly endure it.
Background information I knew I had been “sick,” and I knew it had been serious,
1
HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Personal Narrative but never, even in my nightmares, did I think of surgery. You see, I was born with a condition that affects your kidneys; it is called bilateral reflux. The only way I would live was to have reconstructive surgery.
Event 1
The next thing I remember, it was seven o’clock in the morning and I was at the hospital. I met with the doctors; rather, the doctors met with me. Everyone tried to comfort me,
Details
(thoughts)
but nothing helped. As far as I was concerned—and I was concerned!—I’d be a nervous wreck for the rest of my life; that was, if I had a “rest of my life.”
Event 2
Details (thoughts and feelings)
It was now time for surgery. They sent a surgical nurse down to my room with a gurney. Being the
Writing a Personal Narrative by Lindi M. of Jenks East Middle School in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Conquering Your Fears
INTRODUCTION
Attentiongrabbing opening
Everyone, well almost everyone, I’ve ever known has thought of their years in elementary school as their favorites. I, on the other hand, do not feel so fondly about elementary
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
school, especially third grade. That was a year I will never forget. BODY
Details that set the scene
Details (what others said)
I was only eight, but I remember it like yesterday. I was sitting in the doctor’s office when they gave my parents and me the shocking news. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but your daughter’s condition is getting worse. The only way to fix it is by surgery.”
Details (feelings)
Those words ripped into me like a serrated knife into a crisp, cold apple. It was a horrible sinking feeling that seemed to possess my whole body—a feeling so terrifying that even the bravest person alive could not possibly endure it.
Background information I knew I had been “sick,” and I knew it had been serious,
1
HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON
Writing a Personal Narrative but never, even in my nightmares, did I think of surgery. You see, I was born with a condition that affects your kidneys; it is called bilateral reflux. The only way I would live was to have reconstructive surgery.
Event 1
The next thing I remember, it was seven o’clock in the morning and I was at the hospital. I met with the doctors; rather, the doctors met with me. Everyone tried to comfort me,
Details
(thoughts)
but nothing helped. As far as I was concerned—and I was concerned!—I’d be a nervous wreck for the rest of my life; that was, if I had a “rest of my life.”
Event 2
Details (thoughts and feelings)
It was now time for surgery. They sent a surgical nurse down to my room with a gurney. Being the