Creative Writing: Introducing a Narrative in Storytelling

Creative Writing: Introducing a Narrative in Storytelling

Creating an Engaging Composition: Crafting Introductions for Narrative Writing, Short 1

Question 1 (page 113 of Vietnamese Language 4 textbook): Examine the given introductions and identify the types of openings they represent.

Answer:
- Opening (a) employs a direct approach, plunging directly into the narrative scenario.
- Openings (b, c, d) are indirect, introducing the story through alternative conversations.

Question 2 (page 114 of Vietnamese Language 4 textbook): How does the story 'Two Hands' begin?

In response: The tale of two hands opens in a direct manner, delving straight into the narrative.

"""""END OF PART 1"""""---

In the Vietnamese 4th-grade language program, the Spelling section (Listening-Writing) emphasizes the resilient soldier as a crucial subject. Compose an essay on The Resilient Soldier, listening and writing.

Compose a composition: Introducing a story in a narrative, Short 2

I. Observations

1. Read the following story.

The Tortoise and the Hare

The cool autumn air blankets the riverside. A tortoise is exerting effort to practice running. A hare, noticing this, sarcastically remarks:

Turtle's Challenge:
- Don't mock me! Let's have a race and see who's faster!

Surprised Rabbit:
- Turtle, dare to race with a rabbit? I bet you only half the way. The turtle says nothing. Aware of its slowness, it puts in all its effort and runs as fast as it can. The rabbit watches, smiling. It thinks, 'No need to rush, the turtle is close to the finish, I have more than enough time to win.' So, it leisurely looks at the sky, clouds, and the surroundings.
When it recalls the race, it looks up and sees the turtle almost reaching the finish line. So, it lifts its legs on its neck and starts running. But it's too late. The turtle has already crossed the finish line before it.

By LA PHONG-TEN

2. Find the opening passage in the above story.

Answer:
The opening passage in the story is: 'The cool autumn breeze. On the riverbank, a turtle is diligently practicing running.'

3. What is different about the following opening from the one mentioned above?
Among all species, turtles are known to be slow, while rabbits run as fast as flying. Yet, there's a turtle daring to race with a rabbit and winning. Why does such a reversal of fate happen? Here, let me narrate the beginning and end of that story.

Answer:
The following opening doesn't directly mention the incident to start the story but talks about something else before leading into the intended narrative. (indirect opening approach)

II. Practice

1. Read the following openings and identify what types of openings they are:
a. There's a turtle living by the river. Knowing its slowness, every morning, it eagerly goes to the riverbank to practice running.
b. Throughout history, relying on talent and being careless or lazy accomplishes nothing. On the contrary, even with limited ability, determination and patience lead to success. The story of the Turtle and the Hare proves that.
c. At the beginning of the last school year, some classmates performed poorly due to carelessness and laziness, compared to their achievements in the third grade. The teacher shared the story of the Turtle and the Hare to advise them to strive and be diligent. The story goes like this:
d. Among the animal kingdom, who runs faster than our rabbits? Seeing our shadows on the race track, even deer hesitate, not to mention buffalo or pig. Yet, one day, my rabbit had to reluctantly accept defeat to the famous, slow turtle. That story taught me a lifelong lesson. It goes like this:

Answer:
a. Direct
b. Indirect
c. Indirect
d. Indirect

2. How is the story below opened?

Two hands

On that day, in Saigon, Uncle Ho had a friend named Le.

One day, Uncle Ho asked Mr. Le:
- Do you love our country?

Mr. Le replied:
- Certainly.
- Can you keep a secret?
- Yes.
- I want to travel abroad to see how France and other countries are doing, then come back to help our fellow countrymen. But it's risky to go alone. Would you like to join me?

Mr. Le was astonished:
- But where do we get the money to go?
- Here, the money is here.

As he spoke, Uncle Ho extended both hands and continued:
- We will do whatever it takes to live and to go. Will you come with me?

By Tran Dan Tien

Answer:
The story Two Hands is opened in a direct manner, immediately delving into the incident that starts the story.

3. Narrate the opening part of the story using an indirect opening approach.