Unit 1 Writing Task

You have learned about people who experience changes, learn about themselves, and begin to think differently. Think about an event that changed your ideas and feelings or an event that changed the life of someone you know. 

Write a nonfiction narrative that answers this question:

What event changed your understanding of yourself or that of someone you know?

For a model of a well-crafted nonfiction narrative, see the Launch Text, "Red Roses."

💡Prompt Specific Ideas and Activities

Possible Sentence Starters

• ___(event of experience)___ changed how ___(person)___ viewed or felt about ___(something in life or the world)___

• One event that changed my understanding of myself (or someone I know) occurred when…

• This event completely shifted my perspective on…

• Before this event, I never realized that…

• When reflecting on this event, I realized that…

• This event had a profound impact on my (or someone else's) perception of…

• At first, I couldn't comprehend how this event would change my understanding of…

• This event challenged my preconceived notions of…

• As a result of this event, I began to see…

• This event forced me to reconsider my beliefs about…

• It was through this event that I gained a new insight into…

Exemplary Response:

I was sitting in my fourth-grade classroom, listening intently as my teacher, Mrs. Johnson, told us about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. As she shared the story of a brave woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, I could feel something inside me stir. It was a mix of anger, empathy, and a deep desire for justice.

The setting was a small town in the heart of the South, where racial segregation was still a harsh reality. The characters were Mrs. Johnson, a passionate and dedicated teacher, and Rosa Parks, a courageous woman who sparked a movement.

Through the use of dialogue and description, Mrs. Johnson vividly brought the story to life. I could picture Rosa Parks sitting quietly on the bus, the frustration and determination in her eyes. I could hear the angry voices of the bus driver and the other passengers, demanding she move to the back of the bus. Mrs. Johnson's storytelling skills were exceptional, and I found myself fully immersed in the narrative.

As the narrative unfolded, Mrs. Johnson utilized descriptive language to create a mood and tone appropriate to the purpose of the lesson. The bravery and resilience of Rosa Parks were emphasized, evoking a sense of admiration and inspiration in me and my classmates.

The writing style and conventions used by Mrs. Johnson were perfectly suited for our audience and the task at hand. She struck a balance between maintaining a formal tone and engaging us emotionally. Her narrative was well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, guiding us through Rosa Parks' act of defiance and its impact on the civil rights movement.

Overall, Mrs. Johnson's narrative about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott was a powerful and transformative experience for me. It changed my understanding of social justice, sparked a passion for equality within me, and taught me the importance of standing up for one's beliefs.

Non-Exemplary Response:

One time, I saw something that made me think differently. It was a thing that happened to a person I know. They had an event that changed them a lot. It happened in a place. The person felt something different after it happened. It was important. They didn't talk about it much. It changed their life. It was bad. The end.