W - Unit 3 - A2
Writing personal experiences from the past.
Sharing your past experiences through writing can be both healing and imaginative. Follow these steps to express your memories effectively:
Remember and Think:
Think about something from your past that you want to write about.
Remember details like where it happened, when, and how you felt.
Decide on a Story:
Choose one part of your past to write about. What is the most interesting or important part?
Plan Your Story:
Make a plan by deciding what will happen at the beginning, middle, and end of your story.
Use simple words to describe each part.
Start with the Basics:
Begin your story by telling where and when it happened. For example, "This happened when I was in school."
Show Feelings:
Write about how you felt during that time. Were you happy, sad, or excited?
Use words like "happy," "sad," "angry," or "scared."
Describe Everything:
Describe what you saw, heard, and felt using simple words.
Use sentences like, "I saw a big red car" or "I heard birds singing."
Tell the Story in Order:
Start at the beginning of your story and tell what happened next.
Use words like "first," "next," and "finally" to help with order.
Talk Like You Talk:
Use words you use every day. Pretend you are telling the story to a friend.
Don't worry about big, fancy words.
Finish Strong:
End your story by saying what you learned or what was important.
Use sentences like, "I learned that" or "The best part was."
Check Your Writing:
Go back and read your story. Check if it makes sense.
Ask yourself, "Did I say everything I wanted to say?"
Using past simple and past continuous tenses can add depth and clarity to your storytelling. Let's look at how you can incorporate both tenses into your writing:
Past Simple:
Used for Completed Actions:
Use the past simple to describe completed actions or events in the past.
Example: "I went to the park last Sunday."
Past Continuous:
Used for Actions in Progress:
Use the past continuous to describe actions that were in progress at a specific moment in the past.
Example: "While I was walking in the park, I saw a colorful bird."
Combined Use:
Setting the Scene (Past Simple):
Use past simple to set the scene or provide background information.
Example: "In the summer of 2019, my family and I visited a beautiful beach."
Introduce Past Continuous (Action in Progress):
Transition to past continuous to describe an ongoing action that was happening at that time.
Example: "As we were playing beach volleyball, the sun was setting."
Shift to Past Simple (Completed Actions):
Use past simple to narrate specific actions or events that interrupted the ongoing action.
Example: "Suddenly, a friendly dog ran towards us, and we decided to play with it."
Past Continuous for Atmosphere or Emotions:
Use past continuous to convey the atmosphere or emotions during a particular moment.
Example: "The waves were crashing against the shore, and everyone was laughing."
Conclude with Past Simple (Final Events):
Use past simple to describe the final events or outcomes.
Example: "As the night fell, we gathered around a bonfire and shared stories."
Example Paragraphs:
"In the summer of 2019, my family and I visited a beautiful beach. As we were playing beach volleyball, the sun was setting. Suddenly, a friendly dog ran towards us, and we decided to play with it. The waves were crashing against the shore, and everyone was laughing. Later, we gathered around a bonfire, shared stories, and enjoyed the peaceful night. It was a day that created lasting memories."
"Last summer, I went to the beach with my family. The sand felt warm beneath my feet as we walked along the shore. The sun was shining, and the sandcastle I built made my hands sandy but happy. My little brother got splashed by a wave, and he giggled with joy. The sea breeze made my hair fly in the wind, and the salty air tickled my nose. As we enjoyed the day, the soft sand between our toes and the sound of waves crashing made us all feel calm and content. It was a day full of sunshine and good feelings."
"Last winter, my family and I were ice skating. I was putting on the skates, and they felt tight but snug on my feet. As I was gliding on the ice, my cheeks were becoming cold, and I could feel them turning rosy. I held onto my dad's hand to keep my balance. The chilly air was making my nose tingle, but the excitement was keeping me warm. I was falling a few times, but it wasn't hurting – it was more funny than anything else. By the end, my legs were tired, but my heart was full of happiness. Skating on the ice was a chilly but joyful adventure."
"Last year, I was working at the university as a teacher. Every day, I was preparing lessons to make them interesting for my students. While I was explaining complex concepts, I could see the students' faces light up with understanding. The classroom was filled with the sound of pencils scribbling and questions being asked. As I was grading papers, I felt proud of their hard work and progress. Occasionally, I was organizing group activities, and the students were collaborating, making the university experience richer. Though it was challenging, the feeling of helping students learn and grow made every day at the university fulfilling."
Remember, these are just examples, and the choice between past simple and past continuous depends on the context and the specific details you want to emphasize in your storytelling.