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Writing ■ Developing the First Draft

As you write your narrative, focus on the people involved, the place and time of the event, what happened, and what people said. Use the following basic tools to write your narrative:

1. Action: Use active verbs so the reader can experience what is happening.

I stuck my leg through the window and ducked down to crouch through.

2. Dialogue: Capture the unique voice of different people involved in the situation. Use quotation marks around their words, and tell who said what.

“You better run before my dog gets you!” Bob warned, following with more rabid barking.

3. Description: Use sensory details to describe people, places, and things.

My foot came down on a flowerpot, tipping it over. Clank! Crack! Boom! The pot shattered on the floor . . .