Page 69 - Grasp English B1+ (Student Book)

A Mysterious Case 5

Writing
a. her best friend had had an accident.
b. we still hadn’t eaten dinner. When you write a narrative essay, you simply tell
c. she had already left home. a story. In other words, a narrative essay is a form
d. he had saved up some money. of writing that describes a real-life experience in When I was 10 years old, my parents
detail. The purpose of writing a narrative essay is surprised me with the most amazing
e. the school bus arrived.
to tell an entertaining story that has a point. By news. “Jeanine,” they said. “We have something very
f. she was eighteen.
writing a narrative essay, you can highlight the special to tell you.” I thought they were going to tell me
g. he had found a good job. importance of your experience. that they were planning a family vacation, or maybe that
h. we had won the match. Like most essays, the narrative essay consists of at they had bought me an early birthday present. “What is
least three paragraphs: it?” I asked. “Did you buy me something? Oh, is it that new
introduction: In this part, the writer introduces the computer game I have been asking for? Oh, tell me, tell
event that he or she is writing about. me!” I exclaimed with excitement. “No, sweetie,” said my
father. “Your mother and I have something even more
body paragraph(s): We can read the details of
the story in the body part. This part might have exciting than that.”
one or more paragraphs, and thus, it is the longest My mum took out a little piece of paper and handed it to
part of the narrative essay. me. I took a look at it and suddenly became confused.
“Is this a photograph? Why is it black and white? It looks
conclusion: It covers the ending of the story.
like a ball or an alien from outer space. It kind of looks like
a baby.” I said with confusion. I looked up at my parents
A. Discuss the following questions in pairs.
and saw my mother’s face. She had this big smile on her
1. What was the happiest day of your life? face, and her eyes were filling up with tears. My dad had
2. Can you describe that day briefly? his arm around her. He also had a huge smile on his face.
“Jeanine,” said my mother, “you’re right about the picture.
B. Work in pairs and read the instructions below. It’s a baby.” Suddenly, I realised what the picture was.
Then read the text and check your predictions. “Mum, Dad! Is this a picture of a baby in Mum’s TUMMY? Oh
my goodness… am I going to be a big sister?” My parents
You are going to read about Jeanine’s parents nodded their heads, and my mum couldn’t hold back the
telling her good news. Before they tell her the tears from falling down her face. “Yes, Jeanine,” said my
good news, they will show her a picture of dad. “You’re going to have a baby brother in October.”
something. What do you think they’ll show her?
What do you think they will tell her? That was the most amazing news I got in my life. I couldn’t
find the right words to express my feelings. I started jumping
C. Read the narrative essay and answer the up and down, and the next thing we knew, we were all
following questions. crying together with happiness. “I can’t believe I’m going
to be a big sister!” I exclaimed. “I can’t wait to help you
1. In which paragraph does the narrator take care of him. I want to read books to him and push him
introduce the story?
in the stroller, and I’ll even change his nappies!” I said. My
2. In which paragraph(s) can you see more parents gave me a big hug and said that they couldn’t
details? wait for our family to grow together with even more love.
3. How does the story end? Do you like it? Why?

D. Read the definition and structure of a narrative essay again and write a narrative essay about the most
dangerous experience in your life. Be sure to include:

• Introduction Paragraph: Introduce your story with short but effective sentences. Get the reader
engaged and wanting to read more.
• Body Paragraph(s): Start writing the details of the story. Try to use transition and sequencing words
where needed.
• Conclusion Paragraph: End your essay by describing your feelings and the importance of the story.

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