The Author’s Note
Over the past few weeks, I have shared with you some examples of Authors’ Notes– similar to the Foreword or Afterword. In an Author’s Note, you can list the historical facts you’ve learned in a non-narrative or storytelling way. Here they are– and some others for you to read and emulate!
From Pink and Say
historical time period: The U.S. Civil War
From The Bracelet
historical time period: World War II (WWII) and the Japanese Internment
From freedom summer (as retyped and posted by South Country School)
historical time period: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement
From September Roses
historical time period: The 9/11 attacks
From Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans
historical time period: Hurricane Katrina
Show, Don’t Tell
Today, The Onion Chicken Coups learned HOW to show and NOT tell the reader what’s happening in their narratives.
We used the example of a person having extreme stomach pain and described HOW the person felt, WHAT the person looked like and WHAT the person was thinking:
This is how you show and don’t tell:
StoryCorps
On another note, if you’ve never heard of StoryCorps, check out its homepage (hyperlink below). StoryCorps is an organization and website who look to preserve and share everyday stories in people’s lives. Sound familiar??? IT’S WHAT WE’RE DOING!
Listen to this short StoryCorps interview, where two sisters interview their father, who has Alzheimer’s Disease.
Also, listen to this teacher interviewed by his seventh grade student!
If you are interested and want to explore more StoryCorps interviews, visit the StoryCorps homepage.