LESSON 6.8
Using an Example
Grades 1-3
When writing, using “For example” is important. Imagine you’re telling a story about Christmas with your friends. You might start with, “Remember last Christmas? …” That’s using an example.
Great storytellers always use examples.
Jesus used short stories called parables to explain things. Those were examples.
The best examples are short and focus on just one special moment, like one special day.
By focusing on one day, your reader will feel like they’re right there with you.
Task 6.8.1 Individual
Choose ONE day that shows how you felt in the second sentence you created. You will now have something like this:
I loved Jackson, my golden retriever. One day, he…
OR
I have always had trouble talking in front of people.
For example, I had to give a speech in Mr. Wyrick’s class.
He teaches second grade here in Rawlings, Wyoming.
Task 6.8.2 – Individual
I have always loved dogs. For example, I used to have a red lab named Rusty. One day, he –
In one sentence, tell what the dog did or what happened to it.
Use Action Words
Including action words helps listeners feel they are in the scene.
Weak: There was a rattlesnake on a rock.
Better: A rattlesnake slithered hissing across the rock.
Task 6.8.3 – Individual
Close your eyes. Imagine what happened in the example. What things do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What kind of physical feelings do you have, such as something touching your skin? What kind of emotional feelings do you have? Exactly what actions take place?
When you open your eyes, you, your teacher or parent will ask questions, such as
- What happened?
- Where were you exactly?
- What kind of weather was it?
- How did you feel about what happened?
- What did the people or animals look like exactly?
The result will look like a grocery list. Your teacher or parent will write down the answers.
I loved Jackson, my golden retriever. He was crazy about catching Frisbees. One day, he
Sunny, humid day
Field beside a farm.
Old barn in the distance.
Guy up on a ladder.
Blue coveralls.
Windvane that looked like a rooster
Weathered wood
A neon sign on the barn said Holly’s Greenery.
In green.
Frisbee hit the windvane.
Guy grabbed it.
“Hey, is this yours?”
Angry.
Jackson, front paws up on the barn, barking.
Guy must have been a professional Frisbee player or something.
Frisbee soared.
He threw it.
Went over the trees.
Jackson went chasing after it.
Evergreens.
I chased after Jackson.
Maybe because I always gave him dog treats for a great catch.
Freeway beyond the trees.
A motorist who stopped later said, “The Frisbee landed on top of a semi.”
Jackson knew not to run onto the freeway.
Maybe that’s why he ran onto the freeway.
The truck was running off with Jackson’s favorite toy!
Screeching brakes.
Honking.
A cement truck hit Jackson.
I cried and cried.
We buried him in the backyard.
My dad and I made a cross out of 2x2s.
We had a little funeral.
Just my mom and dad, my sister, and my best friend, Charlie.
And the guy from the barn.
He brought flowers.
Gladiolas, I think.
White.
I stood with my hands fisted at my sides.
Angry at the world.
I vowed never to own another dog.
Task 6.8.4 – Individual
Put each section of the shopping list in order. Use numbers. If you want to add in more information or actions, then use a number plus a letter. For example:
I loved Jackson, my golden retriever. He was crazy about catching Frisbees. One day, it
A.
2 Sunny, humid day
1 Field beside a farm.
3 Old barn in the distance.
4 Guy up on a ladder.
5 Blue coveralls.
3a Windvane that looked like a rooster
3b Weathered wood
3c A neon sign on the barn said Holly’s Greenery.
3d In green.
6 Frisbee hit the windvane.
B.
Guy grabbed it.
“Hey, is this yours?”
Angry.
Jackson, front paws up on the barn, barking.
Guy must have been a professional Frisbee player or something.
Frisbee soared.
He threw it.
Went over the trees.
Jackson went chasing after it.
Evergreens.
C.
I chased after Jackson.
Freeway beyond the trees.
A motorist who stopped later said, “The Frisbee landed on top of a semi truck.”
Jackson knew not to run onto the freeway.
Maybe that’s why he ran onto the freeway.
The truck was running off with Jackson’s favorite toy!
D.
Screeching brakes.
Honking.
A cement truck hit Jackson.
I cried and cried.
We buried him in the backyard.
My dad and I made a cross out of 2x2s.
We had a little funeral.
Just my mom and dad, my sister, and my best friend, Charlie.
E.
And the guy from the barn.
He brought flowers.
Gladiolas, I think.
White.
I stood with my hands fisted at my sides.
Angry at the world.
Angry at God.
I vowed never to own another dog.
Set the Main Character information aside.