Activities

1. Identify concrete words, phrases, and sensory details that convey experiences and events in the narrative.
   
   
2. Define vocabulary that is used in the narrative. 

3.  Construct sentences in a variety of formats that use concrete words, phrases, and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
   
   
4. Categorize similar vocabulary words and consider how and where they are used throughout narrative writing.
   
   
5. Determine where concrete words, phrases and sensory details need to be used and how they should best be used in the writing.
   
   
6. Show characters’ thoughts and feelings as well as their interactions through dialogue that employs precise language.

7. Assess the inclusion of concrete words, phrases and sensory details to determine their effectiveness in creating an effective narrative.
   
   
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of the overall goal of creating a narrative and/or conveying an experience and events to the reader and how the inclusion of specific vocabulary assists in this goal.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. The student should be able to list words that will be used in the narrative writing that are “perfect” words for the writing.  These words are carefully selected and will be used in the writing to give the narrative the exact meaning that it should have.
   
   
2. The student should be able to define vocabulary used throughout the narrative.  This is done to assure that the writer is using words correctly and also to assure that the precise vocabulary is used to convey meaning in the narrative.
   
   
3. As the student writes the narrative, vocabulary is explicitly chosen that is concrete and uses sensory details.  This vocabulary should be used thoughtfully and with intent.  At times, a word may need to be defined for the reader.
   
   
4. By categorizing the words used in the writing, the writer can thoughtfully use them in ways that the reader can best understand.  The writer might use similar words together in a sentence to show connections or contribute to setting the stage or sequence of events.
   
   
5. Student needs to carefully consider vocabulary used throughout the writing and how it works to create an interesting narrative.  Using concrete words, phrases and sensory details is best.  When doing that, the writer needs to consider how those words might need to be defined and used for the reader to understand.
   
   
6. Student crafts dialogue that works to show characters’ thoughts and feelings as well as how they interact with others.  Dialogue is intentional and always used with purpose.  Characters do not talk just to talk.
   
   
7. Student carefully considers how the inclusion of vocabulary that is concrete and uses sensory details within the narrative contributes to the writing and its overall effectiveness.  The reader of the writing is the primary focus during this time. The student needs to assume the role of the reader and assess the writing’s vocabulary.  The writer considers if the best vocabulary has been included and if it’s used appropriately to contribute to the narrative writing.  Adjustments are made to the writing based on the findings.
   
   
8. The student evaluates his/her writing and how it meets the goal of engaging the reader in the narrative.  The student considers if the concrete words and phrases and sensory details that are chosen contribute to the intended focus and goal constructing an interesting, engaging narrative.  Adjustments are made to the writing based on the findings.