The Code of Hammurabi Grade 6 Narrative Writing Performance Task Writing Situation​
: Great historical events often have deep effects upon the people who live through them. Depending on the person and the situation, those effects can be very different. Writers often do research to add realistic details to the setting, characters, and plot in their stories. When writing your story, find ways to use information and details about the Ancient Mesopotamians from the sources to improve your story and help you develop your characters, the setting, and the plot. Use details, dialogue, and description where appropriate. You are going to read a short article about the days of Ancient Mesopotamia titled “The Code of Hammurabi.” You will also look at some photographs from ancient artifacts from that time period. As you read and study the photographs, think about how this experience may have affected the individual people who lived through it. Finally, you will write a narrative, based on a character, showing how particular small moments during this experience affected that one person. Your audience will be your classmates and teacher. Writing Directions​
: Follow the stages of the writing process to create and present your narrative. Remember, a good narrative includes: ● Small moment ● Realistic characters ● Dialogue ● Strong sensory details ● Precise descriptions ● Appropriate conventions Here are your choices for your character. You will be writing in a ​
1st Person Point of View​
. Use pronouns such as “I”and “we”. The reader is limited in only knowing what that character knows, feels, and thinks. A. A Shepherd accused of stealing sheep B. A Nobleman who is missing a sheep C. A Judge who used Hammurabi’s code to make a judgement D. A witness to the event Pre­Writing: Gather Ideas Notes: ❖ What will my character(s) look like? What traits will they have? ❖ What does the setting look like? ❖ What problem or conflict will the main character need to solve? ❖ Use a graphic organizer (story web) to make a story plan that includes a character chart and plot diagram ❖ Review your story plan and notes Rough Draft: ❖ Open with a surprising statement, a striking setting, a conversation, or an exciting action sequence. HOOK the reader. ❖ Continue telling the events of your story plan in the order in which they occur. Develop Your Draft: ❖ Use the 1st person point of view for your character. ❖ Determine details for each stage of your plot. ❖ Make every action in the plot add to the conflict of your story. ❖ Add sensory details to describe the setting and action clearly. ❖ Use description and dialogue to develop the main and minor characters. Edit and Proofread: ❖ Use your Narrative Checklist to help guide you ❖ Read your narrative one section at a time ❖ Make any necessary changes to make sure your are hitting standard for Structure, Development, and Conventions Publish: ❖ Write or type your final draft. ❖ Add a Title at the top ❖ Add a picture