Narrative Writing — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
I walked to the store. She was nervous about what I would find.
Corrected: I walked to the store. I was nervous about what I would find.
The first sentence uses 'I' (first person), so the second sentence must also use 'I' — not 'She' — to keep the same narrator. Switching between points of view confuses the reader about who is telling the story.
2. Fix the sentence:
Carlos finished his homework. He ate dinner. He brushed his teeth. He went to bed.
Corrected: After Carlos finished his homework, he ate dinner. Then he brushed his teeth and finally went to bed.
The original is a choppy list of 'He did X' sentences. Transition words like 'after,' 'then,' and 'finally' connect the events and show the order in which they happened.
3. Fix the sentence:
The wind blowed hard and the trees swayed back and fourth.
Corrected: The wind blew hard, and the trees swayed back and forth.
'Blow' is irregular — its past tense is 'blew,' not 'blowed.' Also, 'fourth' means number four, while 'forth' means forward movement, which is what the trees are doing.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A story told using "I" and "my" is written in first person .
'First person' point of view uses the pronouns 'I,' 'me,' and 'my' because the narrator is telling their own story. It feels close and personal to the reader.
2. A story told using "he," "she," or "they" is written in third person.
Third person uses outside pronouns like 'he,' 'she,' and 'they' because the narrator is outside the story looking in. Most chapter books use third person.
3. Words like "meanwhile," "later," and "suddenly" are called transition words.
Transition words link one idea or event to the next. These specific examples all show how time is passing in the story.
4. Transition words help connect one event to the next in a story.
Stories are built from events that happen in order, and transitions are the bridges between them. They help the reader follow what happens first, next, and last.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. What is the difference between first-person and third-person point of view?
Sample answer: In first person, the narrator is a character in the story and uses words like "I" and "me." In third person, the narrator is outside the story and uses words like "he," "she," and "they."
The difference comes down to who is speaking: a character inside the story (first person) or an outside narrator (third person). The pronouns are the clearest clue.
2. Why are transition words important in a narrative?
Sample answer: Transition words help the reader follow the order of events and understand how one part of the story connects to the next, making the writing smooth and easy to read.
Without transitions, sentences feel disconnected and readers get lost in time. Transitions act like signposts that tell readers when and how the story is moving forward.