Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!

Nonfiction Narrative Explainer

CCA Newspaper

Created on October 11, 2023

Start designing with a free template

Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:

Explore all templates

Nonfiction Narrative

Milestones

It's all about you

Start

Welcome! For this project, you will complete one of the choices below. Click on a choice to continue.

Oral Essay

Pick one of these

Traditional Essay

Art Essay

Your choices

Photo Storybook

Once you've chosen a project, click on each of the requirements below to help you succeed!

MLA Format

You must review these

Spelling and Grammar

Your requirements

Checklist

Use these buttons to navigate

Oral Essay

You will write a three-paragraph essay and record a video of yourself reading it.

> Choose this option if you don't mind recording yourself (won't be shared during class unless you are OK with that).

> The recording will be through edio (you'll need to use your CCA computer's camera) OR present it live to your teacher in zoom. > The essay will be submitted as a Word file.

Oral Essay

Proper header

MLA Format needed

Proper font type and size

Write three paragraphs

Figurative language

Creative writing needed

Sensory details

mapping out the project

Speak clearly, slowly

Practice makes it better!

Present essay (video recording)

Make eye contact

Consider using props!

How to write it

Introduction

Think about onomatopoeia ("bang!") or other sensory details for how to start your essay. Consider alliteration (Sally sells seashells) Example of first sentence: "Crash! The ball smashed through the glass window ending what had been a delightful day.

2nd paragraph: What happens next?

Continue your story. Make sure to include lots of sensory detail or figurative language and sound devices, such as similes, metaphors, alliteration and onomatopoeia.

3rd paragraph: What did you learn?

Conclude your essay. Be sure to explain how it's a milestone. Example: "This experience changed me because _______."

+ info

Goal (Why am I doing this?!)

The purpose of this assignment is to practice presenting information about yourself. Also, reflecting on a milestone - an event that changed who you are or how you see the world - can be helpful to understanding the milestone, yourself and future milestones!

> Please do not use previous assignments from another class. > Please do not plagiarize or use an artificial intelligence chatbot. Doing either of these will result in a grade of zero.

Oral essay Rubric (how Mr. S wIll grade it!)

Be sure to check out the requirements!

Evaluation criteria. These are the questions I'll ask while grading.

Topic, did you stay on topic and talk about a milestone?

Content, did you write three paragraphs? Did record you yourself? Did you include AT LEAST three examples of sensory detail, figurative language or sound devices?

Organization, did you use MLA format for the written essay? Did you speak clearly, slowly and make eye contact during the presentation?

Conventions, did you have grammar mistakes? Did you have spelling errors? Did you have pronunciation mistakes?

That's a wrap

Use these buttons to navigate

Traditional Essay

You will write a five-paragraph essay.

Choose this option if you like creative writing! While there will be more writing, this option avoids drawing, presenting and organizing pictures. There will be a requirements for more detail and more creative elements. > Your essay will be submitted as a Word file.

Traditional Essay

Make sure you have strong memories of it.

Choose a topic with lots of detail!

Make sure it's a milestone!

Write five paragraphs

Proper header

MLA Format needed

Proper font type and size

mapping out the project

Figurative language

Creative writing needed

Sensory details

How to write it

Introduction

2nd paragraph: Now the beginning

The first paragraph hooks the reader and introduces the topic (skateboards, funerals, championship games). The second paragraph is where the story begins. Example: "My day started with _______."

3rd paragraph: What happens next?

Continue your story. Make sure to include lots of sensory detail or figurative language and sound devices, such as similes, metaphors, alliteration and onomatopoeia throughout the essay.

+ info

How to write it, Cont.

4th paragraph: Conclude your story

Conclude your story. What happened last? Did anything change regarding the event or situation after then?

5th paragraph: What did you learn?

Explain how it's a milestone and what you learned. Would you do anything differently? Give yourself advice! Example: "This experience changed me because _______."

Goal (Why am I doing this?!)

> Please do not use previous assignments from another class. > Please do not plagiarize or use an artificial intelligence chatbot. Doing either of these will result in a grade of zero.

Traditional essay Rubric (how Mr. S wIll grade it!)

Be sure to check out the requirements!

Evaluation criteria. These are the questions I'll ask while grading.

Topic, did you stay on topic and talk about a milestone?

Content, did you write AT LEAST five paragraphs? Did you include AT LEAST five examples of sensory detail, figurative language or sound devices?

Organization, did you use MLA format for the written essay? Is there a clear purpose to each paragraph?

The end

Conventions, did you have grammar mistakes? Did you have spelling errors?

Use these buttons to navigate

Art Essay

You will write a three-paragraph essay.

You will draw a picture that represents the topic.

> Your essay will be submitted as a Word file. > Your art will be submitted as either a separate file or embedded in the Word file. > Handdrawn art should be scanned in.

Choose this option if you have experience with drawing either by hand or using digital art tools. Do not choose this option for photography.

Art Essay

Proper header

MLA Format needed

Proper font type and size

Write three paragraphs

Figurative language

Creative writing needed

Sensory details

mapping out the project

Make sure it can be submitted online

Use whatever art form you enjoy!

Drawing representing topic

Feel free to brainstorm ideas with Mr. S

How to write it

Introduction

2nd paragraph: What happens next?

Continue your story. Make sure to include lots of sensory detail or figurative language and sound devices, such as similes, metaphors, alliteration and onomatopoeia.

3rd paragraph: What did you learn?

Conclude your essay. Be sure to explain how it's a milestone. Example: "This experience changed me because _______."

+ info

How to Draw it

The drawing must relate to the topic

> If you're writing about a sports milestone, perhaps it's a self-portrait of yourself playing the sport. > If you're writing about how getting a dog changed your life, perhaps it's a picture of you playing with your dog. > Important: It doesn't matter what style you use for the art, just that it represents the essay topic you've chosen. > Having said that: Scribbling or quick, careless sketches will cost you points.

Goal (Why am I doing this?!)

> Please do not use previous assignments from another class. > Please do not plagiarize or use an artificial intelligence chatbot. Doing either of these will result in a grade of zero.

Art essay Rubric (how Mr. S wIll grade it!)

Be sure to check out the requirements!

Evaluation criteria. These are the questions I'll ask while grading.

Topic, did you stay on topic and talk about a milestone? Did your art represent the topic?

Content, did you write three paragraphs? Did you include AT LEAST two examples of sensory detail, figurative language or sound devices? Did your art include detail that shows effort?

Organization, did you use MLA format for the written essay? Was the art submitted in a way that makes it easy to view?

The end

Conventions, did you have grammar mistakes? Did you have spelling errors?

Use these buttons to navigate

Photo Storybook

You will include photos that represent your story

You will submit a PowerPoint presentation

You will write three paragraphs

There will be four slides, three of which will showcase your story.

There should be AT LEAST one photo on each of the four slides.

Understanding how to manipulate design in PowerPoint will be important.

+ press here for template

You do not need to use the template. It's only a guide to help you.

Photo Storybook

Proper header

MLA Format needed

Proper font type and size

Write three paragraphs

Figurative language

Creative writing needed

Sensory details

mapping out the project

Be as creative as you want!

Find/take photos that represent the topic

It must be visually interesting

Design the PowerPoint

Feel free to brainstorm ideas with Mr. S

How to write it

Introduction

2nd paragraph: What happens next?

Continue your story. Make sure to include lots of sensory detail or figurative language and sound devices, such as similes, metaphors, alliteration and onomatopoeia.

3rd paragraph: What did you learn?

Conclude your essay. Be sure to explain how it's a milestone. Example: "This experience changed me because _______."

+ info

How to find photos

The photos must relate to the topic

> Feel free to use your own photos or find photos online. > If you're writing about a sports milestone, perhaps it's a photo of you playing the sport. Or a photo from online of a kid playing. > If you're writing about how getting a dog changed your life, perhaps it's a photo of you playing with your dog. > Important: It doesn't matter what style you use for the photo, just that it represents the essay topic you've chosen. > To find photos: > Go to Google. Type what you're looking for. > After the search, click "Images" below the searchbox to look at the photos. > If you can't save or download the image, click on the "Start" Windows button on your computer and type "Snip". This tool will let you save images on your screen.

Goal (Why am I doing this?!)

> Please do not use previous assignments from another class. > Please do not plagiarize or use an artificial intelligence chatbot. Doing either of these will result in a grade of zero.

Storybook Rubric (how Mr. S wIll grade it!)

Be sure to check out the requirements!

Evaluation criteria. These are the questions I'll ask while grading.

The end

Topic, did you stay on topic and talk about a milestone? Did your photos represent the topic?

Content, did you write three paragraphs? Did you include AT LEAST two examples of sensory detail, figurative language or sound devices? Did you have AT LEAST four photos?

Organization, did you make the PowerPoint visually interesting? Did you choose a unique design? Did you choose varying slide layouts?

Conventions, did you have grammar mistakes? Did you have spelling errors?

MLA Format

Mla format is required!

...unless you choose the Photo Storybook project.

Things to know about MLA

Think about an envelope you're going to put in the mail. What would happen if you put the mailing address in the wrong place? It won't get where you need it to go! Many things in life have standards, or a set of rules. Try playing soccer or rock, paper, scissors without a ruleset! MLA format is the set of rules to follow so every essay looks the same.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FIVE THINGS

MLA Ruleset

Make sure to follow these rules while writing your essay in Microsoft Word.

Header, in the upper left corner, write: Your Name Mr. Schillinger English Language Arts 8 Date

Font, the style should be Times New Roman. The size should be 12.

Title, should be after your header. It should be centered and the same font type and size as your essay.

Double space, highlight your entire essay. In the search at the top (by the lightbulb), type line spacing and click 2.0.

Indent, at the beginning of every paragraph, hit the “tab” key on the keyboard once.

Grammar & Spelling

For this project, you will be graded on your use of grammar and spelling.

Things to know about grammar & spelling

While I don't typically grade for spelling or grammar in writing assignments of written-response questions in quizzes and tests, essays are different. You have to picture essays as if they are works that will be published for tens of thousands to see (your work won't be published in this class ... but maybe your future writing will be one day!). Treat your essay writing with the respect it deserves. Always reread your work (out loud if possible). Have someone else read it, if possible.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FIVE THINGS

Grammar & Spelling

Things to watch for:

Spelling, do you see the red lines under words? That tells you there is something wrong! Blue lines might indicate a grammar problem. Also: in the search at the top of Word (by the lightbulb), type Spelling and you can have it search for errors.

Run-on sentences, the most common mistake in eighth grade. Two complete thoughts should be separated by a period or a conjunction such as "and", "or", "but". Do not separate with just a comma.

Capitalization, be sure to use an uppercase letter only at the start of the sentence or for a proper noun.

Sentence fragment, be sure that every sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. If you read it out loud and it sounds like it needs more ... it probably does!

Paragraphs, be sure you are separating your essay into sections using the "enter" key on your keyboard.

Checklist

Do you know what you need to complete the project?

Start

1/5

I know how long the essay portion of my project needs to be.

Umm, no. I should review the project section for that.

Yup, I'm good!

2/5

I know how many examples of sensory detail, figurative language or sound devices I need.

Umm, no. I should review the project section for that.

Yup, I'm good!

3/5

I know the formatting requirements for this project.

Umm, no. I should review the MLA Format section for that.

Yup, I'm good!

4/5

I reviewed the tips for getting full credit for grammar and spelling.

Umm, no. I should review that section.

Yup, I'm good!

5/5

I yelled out loud, "LET'S DO THIS".

Heck yes I did!

Uhhh, no, I'm good! But thanks.

correct answer

Great work. I believe in you. Believe in yourself! You've got this!

Whomp, Whomp

Well, I'll do it for you. I believe in you. Believe in yourself! You've got this!

2/5

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua?