Writing a Narrative- Introduction for your Mythological Character

1. Writing a Narrative- Introduction for your Mythological Character

2. Copy Cat Writing • The author of the Percy Jackson series, Rick Riordan, provides an excellent example of an introduction to a story (Lightening Thief) that grabs attention and sets up great character development.

3. Copy Cat Writing • Pay attention as we read the introduction of Percy Jackson: Lightening Thief. Underline any writer’s craft/style that you notice or like. • Pay special attention to • Perspective & Tone/ How does this craft effect the character development of the protagonist? (Read handout)

4. Writer’s Craft Discussion Questions • What point of view is used- First person or Second Person? • How would it change if he used a different perspective? • What verb tense does the author use? • What effects does it have?

5. Writer’s Craft Discussion Questions • What helpful information does Riordan give about the characters, setting, plot, and conflict. • What about descriptive detail? • Does he use vivid language? • Sensory detail?

6. Tips for Your Introduction • Write in first-person point of view. • Use present tense and “ing”/participles to create action and excitement. • Use strong adjectives, vivid language, & sensory detail. • Avoid ho-hum adjectives and too many linking verbs. • Use verbs with active voice.

7. Plagiarism? • Copying the style of a good author is an excellent way to become a good writer yourself. Even as you emulate Rick Riordan, you will find your own style peeking through his helpful examples of excellent writing.

8. Narrative Writing Example Follow along as we read an example narrative intro. Notice the purposeful inclusion of Riordan’s craft and style. You will be doing something very similar with your narrative.

9. Meet Tuerithena I never planned this. I did not choose this particular assignment, or even this school; but when Athena gives an order, you don’t ask questions. So, when she sent Hermes with my new assignment to a small school near Jackson, Mississippi, I obediently prepared the owls for the trip and set off to join my sisters in a new adventure.

10. Maybe you stole this diary or happened to innocently stumble upon it. You might assume that it is merely a creative writing journal or a collection of fictitious children’s stories. Well, enjoy. Enjoy your innocent bliss, but don’t be surprised if you happen to recognize names of friends or people from school.

11. If you start to find the stories a bit too close to actual events that you have seen or heard in the halls of FMS, close the diary immediately. Put it back in the hiding place from which you found it and continue with your naïve little life. Trust me, you may not want to know the things I must do to protect you and your friends everyday in your demon and fury infiltrated little town.

12. If you’re still reading, you are either too curious for your own good or willing to help me with my quest. My real name is Tuerithena. As far as my students know I am just a typical 7th grade Language Arts teacher with a knack for foreign languages and a goofy sense of humor.

13. The foreign languages are actually contributed to my 1000 years of world travel. My quirky personality and dumb jokes are my only shields to hide the sadness I feel for the tragedies I have witnessed. Being one of three secret daughters of Athena is not easy. Imagine having a mother that is, not only the wisest woman in Olympia, but the goddess of war.

14. Yes, war. And that is exactly what she has sent me to – a war. Florence is under siege. My sisters arrived before me to begin our mission. Hades has sent his most savage monsters to seek out the half-bloods who walk among the mortal children. To protect the identity of these young heroes, we created an assignment that requires students to create “mythological” creatures in the hope that the demons will be confused.

15. Hades’ assassins cannot tell the difference between the mythology buffs and the real thing. Every day is another horrid battle as we shield the next generation of Olympians from the evil that preys upon their vulnerability. My name, Tuerithena, is the combination of the Latin word for protector and my matronly heritage.

16. Just like my mother, I use my trusted owls to help me carry out my missions. During the day, I am able to keep a watchful eye on the children, but at night I must deploy my legion of owls to act as sentinels watching over those entrusted to my care. So if you happen to see an owl perched quietly in the pine trees, trust that no demon will vaporize you, at least not that night.

17. Our owls are loyal keepers of knowledge assisting Athena with her mission to infuse wisdom into the pre-teen minds of Florence youth. The owls report demon sightings, unfortunate accidents while practicing newly discovered powers, and of course, students who do not do their homework.

18. Unfortunately we currently have bigger things to worry about than missing assignments and texting in class. What many of the students thought was just a nightmare, actually was the closest I have come to losing a “student”. Hopefully the children have not discovered that the strange dream they had Saturday night was not a solitary experience at all, but a shared encounter with an unimaginable horror.

19. Now it is your turn. Write an introduction for your character. It should be about 2 written pages and follow the advice and guidelines discussed in this presentation. You must type the paper or write neatly. Have fun and be creative.