 A story or account of events, experiences, or the like,
whether true or fictitious.
Narrative nonfiction:
Prose writing that tells the stories of real
people, places, objects or events. Still
includes characters, setting and a sequence
of events but they are based on real events.
Can YOU think of any?
 Biography and Autobiography
 Biography is a life story written by another
person.
 Autobiography is an account of the author’s
own life.
Historical Narrative
Relates to historical events that the writer may or
may not have experienced first hand.
 Ex: Seabiscuit (about the racehorse, maybe you
know the movie)
 The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
(covers the U.S., Japanese, German and Russian
programs involved in creating the atomic bomb.)
Memoir
An autobiographical work that focuses on a
specific time or aspect of the author’s life.
 Ex: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (focuses on
the struggles faced by the McCourt family in
America in the 1930’s)
 Marley and Me by John Grogan (focuses on a man,
his family and his dog…and making anyone who
reads it cry.)
Diary and Journal
An informal account of the writer’s daily
experiences.
 Ex: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl (follows
the daily experiences of Jewish girl, Anne Frank,
while hiding with her family during the Nazi
invasion)
 The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx and Ian Gittins
(follows the turbulent life of Motley Crue guitarist
Nikki Sixx.)
Narrative Essay
A short work that explores ideas
while relating a story.
 Because we are going to be reading multiple narratives
that outline different time periods in American
history!
 A mixture of science and religion that
explains how the world and the things in it
came to be.
 Not only explained the creation of the
natural world, but also provided
entertainment.
 When you think about the first humans to settle in
America, who do you think of?
If you said Native Americans, you are right!
Tellers of The Earth on Turtle’s Back
- Key members of the Iroquois Confederacy, in
what is now upstate New York.
-Lived in villages of wood and brick long houses that
were shared with related families.
- Sided with the British during the American
Revolution, only to head to Canada after the British
defeat.
- Most returned to central New York state.
Flag of the Iroquois
Confederacy
Tellers of When Grizzlies Walked Upright
- Lived in what is now southern Oregon and
northern California.
- Farmed, fished, hunted and became famous for
their weaving.
- Under their leader, Captain Jack, the Modoc
fought the resettlement that the government was
trying to force on them, and were eventually
forced to relocate in Oklahoma.
- Some were later able to return to Oregon.
"If I give up my men that killed the
settlers, to let them be tried by
your law, will you give up your
men that killed our women to let
them be tried by our law?"
Keintpuash, aka "Captain Jack",
Chief of the Modoc Indian Tribe,
1873
Tellers of The Navajo Origin Legend
- Largest Native American Nation in the U.S.
- Settled in the southwest about a thousand years ago.
- Fierce warriors and hunters, lived in cone-shaped
hogans (many still do).
- Today, many live on a reservation that covers
24,000 square miles in Arizona, Utah, and New
Mexico.
- Many still carry on ancient customs, including
practicing their tribal religion.
Navajo sand artist conducting a
ceremony to help those who need
to reestablish balance and beauty
in their lives.