REVIEWING NARRATIVE ESSAYS- useful for the exam.

In order to write a good narrative essay, take into account the following tips.

• A narrative essay is a report of events that has happened in the past, so the TENSES you must use have to to in PAST (past simple (ate), past continuous (was eating), past perfect (had eaten), past perfect continuous (had been eating), used to; was/were going to.
• It has to be divided into different paragraphs (3 or 4). Each paragraph has a function. So,
• Paragraph #1: Introduction of the story. There you must answer the questions: who, where, when and introducing in general terms what happened.
• Paragraph # 2 and 3: give details of what you have introduced in paragraph #1.
• Paragraph #4: Conclusion of the narrative. Here you can include, if you want verbs in present tense.

In order for you to get organised, these are the steps you must follow:

• Step 1: Say when and where the events took place.
• Step 2: Describe the events in the order they occurred (chronologically), using linkers of sequence and time expressions. (first / at first / in the beginning / before/ next/ then / soon/ meanwhile/ later/ after that / afterwards/ at last/ eventually/ finally / in the end; when / while/ before/ after/ until / as soon as / by the time...)
• Step 3: Include the ending of your story (in conclusion / to sum up / in short / to conclude ( summarising / in short)
• Step 4: Check your work for mistakes (vocabulary, spelling, tenses, grammar...) 

Check this example of a narrative essay.

MY MOST EMBARRASING MOMENT.

(OPENING, sets the scene and introduce the main characters)
Last year, I invited my friend to an expensive restaurant in the twon centre to celebrate her birthday. We wore our best clothes and felt really special. However, it turned into a very embarrasing evening.
(BODY: gives details and the main events leading up to the climax)
First of all, when the waiter brought us the menu, it was written in French and neither of us could understand anything. Secondly, there were no prices on the menu! I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to pay for the meal, I could hardly eat a thing beacuse I was so worried!.
(CLOSING: gives the ending of the story and any consequences.)
At the end of the meal, when I asked for the bill, I saw that I dind't have enough money. I had no choice except to call my parents to come and pay. Now, I can laugh about it, but at the time I was very embarrased.

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Next week, my intention is to start with the CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, although we will revise for the exam in case you need it. So, to break the ice, here you have a short explanation on the use and meaning of FIRST, SECOND and THIRD TYPE conditional sentences. Have a look at this video, explaining the grammar, and if you have any doubt, once again, ask me.




Or maybe, you understand better our last year mate, Saray, that explains the conditional sentences for us. When she says "subordinal sentence" she meant "subordinate sentence" or "if clause".

REVISION FOR THE EXAM- WEBSITES to practice grammar

Here we provide you with different links you can use in order to improve your grammar on:

PASSIVE VOICE: Link #1; Link #2; Link #3; Link #4; Link #5

REPORTED SPEECH: Link #1; Link#2; Link #3; Link #4; Link#5

In all these pages,  feedback is immediate, that means that your answers are corrected when you press on "check" or "see answers", so you can learn from your mistakes instantly. It would be really interesting if you practised before the exam. Remember that Grammar and Vocabulary is a 20% in the final mark. So, don't waste 2 points. Remember that the exam's date is  2nd November.

IMPORTANT DATES TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT- 2nd Bac B

- Thursday, 21st October: Hand in PAU test #1: "Spain open doors to 500.000 new citizens".

- Tuesday, 26th October: Hand in the exercises on Reported Speech. Only COMPULSORY for those who have 1st year English pending.  For the rest, it is optional.

- Tuesday, 26th October: Hand in Narrative story. Choose one among the following:

a. "One of the hardest decisions I had to make once".

b. "My big mistake".

c. Write your own narrative about a party or special events.

-  Tuesday, 2nd November: Exam on Passive voice, reported speech and narrative essay

IN THE END / AT THE END - MAKING THINGS CLEAR!

At the end y in the end significan ‘al final’ en Español. Pero en inglés at the end y in the end tienen significados distintos.
 1. At the end significa cuando algo acaba.
Ejemplos:
At the end of the day I usually relax by watching TV. Al final del día normalmente descano viendo la tele.
At the end of the concert the audience applauded enthusiastically. Al final del concierto el publico aplaudió con entusiasmo.
I usually go on holiday at the end of the year. Normalmente voy de vacaciones al final del año.


2. In the end significa el resultado final o finalmente.
Ejemplos:
I didn’t know what to do so in the end I asked for advice. No sabia que hacer asi que al final pedí consejos.
I didn’t like the film very much so in the end I left before it had finished. No me gustaba la película mucho así que al final salí antes de que terminara.
We couldn’t decide what colour to paint the room so in the end we painted it white. No podíamos decidir de que color pintar la habitación así que al final la pintamos de blanco.

HOW TO WRITE A NARRATIVE ESSAY

WRITING SECTION. On pages 37-39 of your Booklet 1, you have how NARRATIVE ESSAYS must be written. This explanation will come soon into the class. But before having the teacher explaining this issue, have a look at this other teacher and pay attention to what she says about Narrative essays and its different parts. Don't hesitate if you don't understand all the details. We will work them in class during this month, hopefully!

For further information on Narrative essays, you can have a look at your last year student's book:

• BRIDGES 1. Page 156
• BRIDGES 2. Page 144.  

PRACTISING REPORTED SPEECH

Here you have some sentences (statements, questions, commands and suggestions) to practice the changes you must do from direct to reported speech. Students with 1st Bacc English pending must do this activity compulsorily. The rest will have it as an option to revise for the exam.

Indirect Speech Part 2 - Questions; time and place expressions

Here, the same teacher explains to you how to do the reported speech  in QUESTIONS, depending on whether they are YES / NO QUESTIONS or WH-QUESTIONS. It is also explained in this video, how to make changes in time and place expressions. Have a look at it!

Indirect Speech Part1- Explanation STATEMENTS AND COMMANDS

In this video, a teacher will explain to you the different changes you have to do when writing a sentence in reported speech. Remember that the main changes are done in : TENSES, PRONOUNS, TIME AND PLACE EXPRESSIONS. Here, you are explained how to do these changes in STATEMENTS and COMMANDS. The explanation is very clear and there are a lot of examples provided. Have a look at them, just as a way to revise. If you do not understand anything, don't hesitate and ask your teacher!

PASSIVE VOICE- EXPLANATION

In this video, you are explained how to change an active voice sentence into a PASSIVE VOICE SENTENCES. The explanation is very easy to understand and it gives a lot of examples, so, have a look at it to revise, specially those students with 1st Bacc English pending. You must need it in order to do the exercises you have to hand in the 14th October. Browse it, whenever you want.

PASSIVE VOICE

Main Grammar points regarding Passive Voice. Changes to be done.



 An amazing string of coincidences. PPT to explain the changes in Passive Voice sentences.

Causative Passive. Changes and meaning.