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Year 9 English- Narrative Writing

Writing Stimulus

 

Instructions:

  • Use the above stimulus to create a narrative.
  • The narrative is to be 600-700 words.
  • Make sure you read the ASSESSMENT NOTICE MARKING CRITERIA. This will give you an idea of what you need to do when writing your narrative.
  • Your story does not have to be a literal interpretation of the above picture.
    • Try and think what this picture might represent.
    • What theme, message or idea might this image be trying to convey?
  • Check your spelling and sentence structure.
  • Don’t forget your “sizzling start”.
  • “Show” don’t “tell” the reader what is happening
  • Include a title to your story.

Wedding Disaster

The colour drains from my face.

My perfect day is slipping away.

The crisp white table cloths wave gently in the breeze, the strings of fairy lights rattle against the photo wall as the light slowly fades. Darkness falls as the last ray of sunshine slips behind the clouds. A light rain begins to fall, staining the cloth aisle as the pale, pink flower petals are carried away by the wind. My heart tears, but I still have hope. “This will pass” I whisper, attempting to reassure myself, “then I will be able to quickly fix it and everything will be okay”. I wait and wait, but the weather only deteriorates.

In tears, I dash through the rain to my best friend Emma. The clouds are black and ominous, the rain is really pelting down now. With makeup running down my face I throw myself into Emma’s embrace.

 A deafening crash of thunder startles us from our hug. Jake, my one and only, has now made his way towards us, takes my hand immediately and yells over the rain “We need to get to the shed!”. 

Safe inside, sadness overwhelms me as we listen to the storm raging around us until it finally falls silent. I stand up, petrified of what I might see. Emma gets to her feet, followed by Jake. They take my hands in theirs and we slowly make our way to the door. “Ready?” Emma asks softly. Tears filling my eyes, I look to Jake and nod. She gently pushes open the door, disaster meets us. The wedding arbour, my favourite feature of the venue, had completely collapsed, the flowers crushed and scattered on the ground. The cloth aisle had been ripped and covered in mud. The chairs had been strewn everywhere, fairy lights an ugly tangled mess. The glass terrarium table centres had tipped over, the plants and sand all over the tables. Everything is ruined. I collapse into Jake’s arms and hold him tight as the tears roll down my face.

“Emma, why are you smiling?” Jake asks, confused and slightly hurt. “Look” she replies. Lifting my head, coming towards me like a bright, shiny new day is my family. My friends. Jake’s family and his friends. Our neighbours. And several familiar faces I have seen around town. “Emma?” I sniffle, “What? How?”. Smiling broadly, she replies “Soon after the storm started, I sought help on Facebook, listing what we would need to ensure the wedding would go ahead. I contacted a makeup artist and hairstylist because I refuse to let you get married with mascara running down your face and hair plastered to your head. Now I know it won’t be your dream wedding that you have been planning since you were sixteen…” but I don’t let her finish. I throw my arms around her and she wipes my tears. “Ready?” she asks, with confidence. “Absolutely. Let’s do this!” I reply. “Your parents have pictures and instructions of what to do so they will handle the setting up. Jake, go to your friends, they will help you get ready.” Jake kisses me on the forehead before running to his friends. “Now you Lily! It’s time for you to get ready! It is your wedding day, after all! Makeup first.” Bella, makeup and hairstyling kit in hand and carrying our beautiful dresses takes charge. 

“Transformation complete,” she whispers, “You look beautiful!” Emma smiles and winks at me before stepping outside. I carefully put on my traditional white, lace dress and take a calming breath. My mum is the first to come, tears of pride and joy trickling down her face. Embracing me in a hug, she whispers “Everyone has taken their seats, they’re ready for you. You look beautiful, Lily. My baby girl is all grown up.” “Thank you,” I say welling with emotion. Emma is fighting back tears too and I know she will break if I say anything. I turn back to my mum, “Well then, let’s go find dad.”

Dad is standing proudly in the aisle waiting, the music begins, “This is it,” I think, “No more waiting.” Jake turns around and I am reminded that I am loved, family and friends will always come first, always. I take my dad’s arm and we walk, slowly, savouring the moment, eager and excited for what the future has in store for me us.

 

Name: Lauren Ippoliti

Class: 9.A