Anecdotes
What is it?
Anecdotes are short texts that are similar to a recount. They retell an event or an unusual incident, but they are also often funny and may include some imagination or ‘stretching’ of the truth.
Purpose:
Anecdotes are written to entertain the audience. They are an important part of our social lifestyle because we get to know each other by sharing funny little stories about things that happen to us.
You often see anecdotes in magazines and newspapers. They are usually in reader’s letters in sections such as ‘Mere Male’ and ‘Miss Five’. People like to share funny things that happen to them or people that they know.
You often see anecdotes in magazines and newspapers. They are usually in reader’s letters in sections such as ‘Mere Male’ and ‘Miss Five’. People like to share funny things that happen to them or people that they know.
Features of anecdotes
Click on each number to find out the features of anecdotes.
1
Anecdotes involve real people (usually known personally by the author) and sometimes animals such as pets.
2
Anecdotes are funny. This gentle humour is usually focussed on the writer.
3
Anecdotes are brief and memorable.
4
Anecdotes are written based on people’s own real life experiences.
5
Anecdotes are written in a time sequence (a chain of events).
6
Anecdotes are written in a natural and relaxed style.
7
Anecdotes end with a punch line (surprise or dramatic conclusion).
Language features of anecdotes
Click on each number to find out the language features of anecdotes.
1
Anecdotes are written in a ‘spoken like’ way. So they use more informal language ‐ but not much slang.
2
Anecdotes use contractions such as don’t, it’ll, isn’t.
3
Anecdotes use conjunctions to sequence the events in time order.
4
Anecdotes use lots of strong action words to tell what happened.
5
Anecdotes are written in past tense (like a recount).
6
Anecdotes use exclamations.
7
Anecdotes often use emotional words and thinking verbs.
How is an anecdote different to a story?
Though an anecdote and a story are similar in many ways, they are different.
Read and answer the questions below. Click the REVEAL button to find out more.
Read and answer the questions below. Click the REVEAL button to find out more.
1
How do stories begin?
Reveal:
Many stories start with a phrase.
“Once upon a time”
“A long time ago”
You don’t see these beginnings in an anecdote.
“Once upon a time”
“A long time ago”
You don’t see these beginnings in an anecdote.
2
Where do stories occur? What are some common settings?
Reveal:
Many stories take place in faraway lands, other planets or magical places.
You don’t see these settings in anecdotes because they are written about real places.
You don’t see these settings in anecdotes because they are written about real places.
How is an anecdote different to a story?
3
What characters do you read about in stories?
Reveal:
In many stories, you read about witches, goblins, ghosts, monsters, aliens, talking animals and other imaginary creatures.
You don’t see these characters in anecdotes because they are written about real people.
You don’t see these characters in anecdotes because they are written about real people.
4
What happens in a story?
Reveal:
In a story, there is at least one problem that happens. There can also be different events happening in the same story.
In an anecdote, there is no problem to solve ‐ just a funny incident that happens. And there is only one main event, not many.
In an anecdote, there is no problem to solve ‐ just a funny incident that happens. And there is only one main event, not many.
Informal language
Anecdotes are personal stories, written by real people about real life experiences.
Anecdotes use informal language. They are written like you might have a conversation with a friend ‐ relaxed and casual.
Anecdotes use informal language. They are written like you might have a conversation with a friend ‐ relaxed and casual.
Anecdotes do not:
1
Anecdotes involve real people (usually known personally by the author) and sometimes animals such as pets.
2
Anecdotes are funny. This gentle humour is usually focussed on the writer.
3
Anecdotes are brief and memorable.
4
Anecdotes are written based on people’s own real life experiences.
5
Anecdotes are written in a time sequence (a chain of events).
Anecdotes do:
1
have short paragraphs (not many)
2
use simple, common words
3
give few important details
4
sound friendly and easy going
5
use contractions
Informal language
Formal language is very structured and solid.
Informal language has less structure. It is more flexible in the way words are placed together. This helps to improve meaning.
Informal language has less structure. It is more flexible in the way words are placed together. This helps to improve meaning.
Circle the formal words using the pencil tool.
Click the REVEAL button to show the answers.
Click the REVEAL button to show the answers.
Formal
It is unfortunate that you are unable to attend the celebrations.
Purpose:
In the box, rewrite the sentence to make it INFORMAL.
Click the REVEAL button to show one possible solution.
Click the REVEAL button to show one possible solution.
Formal
Purpose:
Anecdotes structure
1
Title
The title of an anecdote will:
• identify the main event or incident
• be interesting or attention grabbing.
Look at the titles below. Which ones are good titles for anecdotes?
Click on the boxes to reveal the answer.
• identify the main event or incident
• be interesting or attention grabbing.
Look at the titles below. Which ones are good titles for anecdotes?
Click on the boxes to reveal the answer.
Be careful what you wish for!
✔
Cinderella and the magic slippers
✖
Never forget the golden rule!
✔
What in the world!
✔
Are girls really better than boys?
✖
Anecdotes structure
2
Orientation
The orientation of an anecdote sets the scene and the mood for the text. It is also known as the introduction.
What questions do you think the orientation should answer?
Hint: There are three questions.
Click on the stars to reveal the answers.
What questions do you think the orientation should answer?
Hint: There are three questions.
Click on the stars to reveal the answers.
Who is involved?
Where did the event happen?
When did the event happen?
Anecdotes structure
Orientation
Read through the sentences. Drag the sentences into the correct text type introductions box. Click the REVEAL button to reveal the answers.
Good anecdote introductions
Other text type introductions
Have you ever had one of those days when it seems like everything goes wrong? I certainly have.
I’ll never forget the time when my husband tried to take the guinea pig for a walk.
You might not believe it, but the other day I found myself facing a most unusual situation.
If you ask me, chocolate is the best flavoured ice cream.
Yesterday, I went to the park with my friends after school.
In order to change the wheel on a bike, make sure you have a good set of spanners.
If you ask me, chocolate is the best flavoured ice cream.
I’ll never forget the time when my husband tried to take the guinea pig for a walk.
Yesterday, I went to the park with my friends after school.
In order to change the wheel on a bike, make sure you have a good set of spanners.
Have you ever had one of those days when it seems like
everything goes wrong? I certainly have.
everything goes wrong? I certainly have.
You might not believe it, but the other day I found myself facing a most unusual situation.
Anecdotes structure
Beginning an anecdote
Anecdotes, like any other piece of writing, need to start in an interesting way.
The purpose of an orientation is to get the reader’s attention. It should make them want to read the rest of the anecdote.
Obviously, this means having a good title, but it also means having an engaging first sentence or short opening paragraph.
Remember:
The purpose of an orientation is to get the reader’s attention. It should make them want to read the rest of the anecdote.
Obviously, this means having a good title, but it also means having an engaging first sentence or short opening paragraph.
An anecdote is short, so do not spend too much time giving lots and lots of detail and description in the beginning.
Anecdotes structure
Good ways to begin an anecdote
1
Use a question to make your audience want to keep reading
Have you ever been lost for words?
Write your own question to start an anecdote.
Anecdotes structure
Good ways to begin an anecdote
2
Use a familiar scenario to make your audience feel comfortable with your writing.
I’ve never had much luck at fishing, but after what happened the other
day, I’m not going to complain.
day, I’m not going to complain.
Write your own familiar scenario to start an anecdote.
Anecdotes structure
Good ways to begin an anecdote
3
Use a challenge that creates a sense of interest in the reader.
You will never believe what I heard the other day!
Write your own challenge to begin an anecdote.
Anecdotes structure
Good ways to begin an anecdote
4
Use an imperative to make the audience want to read on.
An imperative is using a verb to make the sentence sound urgent or important.
An imperative is using a verb to make the sentence sound urgent or important.
I can’t wait to tell you the funniest story I have ever heard.
Write your own imperative to begin an anecdote.
Letter to the Editor Structure
3
Body
The body of an anecdote is where the details of the unusual event are given.
Unlike a story, where there is a lot of description and often a long series of events, the body of an anecdote sticks to the main focus of a single event.
Which of the following ideas could be events found in an anecdote?
Click on the boxes to reveal the answers.
Unlike a story, where there is a lot of description and often a long series of events, the body of an anecdote sticks to the main focus of a single event.
Which of the following ideas could be events found in an anecdote?
Click on the boxes to reveal the answers.
A boy was told by his parents to pull his socks up at school. So he pulled his socks up as high as he could.
✔
You get sucked into a tornado and transported to another world.
✖
When you finish browning the meat, put it with the vegetables in the baking tray.
✖
Dad had to explain why he was wearing his clothes inside out.
✔
You find out why smelling a flower full of pollen is not such a good idea when you have hay fever.
✔
The Titans won the match with a score of 24‐18.
✖
Anecdotes structure
Developing an event
An anecdote is written about a single event or funny incident that happened to someone.
Even though it is a short text, it still needs to develop the event so that the reader understands what happened and why.
Even though it is a short text, it still needs to develop the event so that the reader understands what happened and why.
To expand a sentence, the writer uses CONJUNCTIONS.
A conjunction is a word that links parts of a sentence together.
A conjunction is a word that links parts of a sentence together.
Anecdotes structure
Developing an event
Use conjunctions to expand a sentence.
Look at the banners below. Which words are conjunctions?
Click on the banners to reveal the answers.
Look at the banners below. Which words are conjunctions?
Click on the banners to reveal the answers.
because
✔
hasty
✖
until
✔
culture
✖
receive
✖
noun
✖
unless
✔
provide
✖
although
✔
therefore
✔
For more information on conjunctions, move to the grammar activity.
Anecdotes structure
Using speech in an anecdote
Anecdotes are very personal texts. They tell us about what happens to people and how they react to different and unusual situations.
For this reason, speech is an important part of an anecdote. There are two different ways of writing speech in a text.
Drag away the cover boxes to see the two ways to write speech.
For this reason, speech is an important part of an anecdote. There are two different ways of writing speech in a text.
Drag away the cover boxes to see the two ways to write speech.
Direct speech
This is also known as a quote.
Indirect speech
This is also known as reported speech.
Drag Me Away
Drag Me Away
Anecdotes structure
Direct speech
In direct speech, the author writes the exact words spoken by the person.
Direct speech has special punctuation that must be used.
For example:
Direct speech has special punctuation that must be used.
For example:
Last week, my little sister came home and said, “I’m being bullied at school.”
I replied, “I have the perfect answer.”
The next day my little sister went to school with a bag full of chocolate frogs. Every time someone teased her, she gave them a frog and said, “If you tease me again tomorrow, I will give you more.”
The bullies liked this idea, so the next day they turned up ready for their chocolate frog. But this time my sister said, “I’m sorry, I have run out of frogs. But if you want to tease me, you can have some broccoli from my garden instead.”
Believe it or not, the bullies replied, “No way!” Now that they weren’t interested in what they were going to get, they left my sister alone.
I replied, “I have the perfect answer.”
The next day my little sister went to school with a bag full of chocolate frogs. Every time someone teased her, she gave them a frog and said, “If you tease me again tomorrow, I will give you more.”
The bullies liked this idea, so the next day they turned up ready for their chocolate frog. But this time my sister said, “I’m sorry, I have run out of frogs. But if you want to tease me, you can have some broccoli from my garden instead.”
Believe it or not, the bullies replied, “No way!” Now that they weren’t interested in what they were going to get, they left my sister alone.
The highlighted punctuation marks are called ‘speech marks’. They are used to show the words that were spoken.
Anecdotes structure
Direct speech ‐ your turn
Now it is your turn. Use the pencil tool to highlight the speech marks in the following passage.
Remember, you are looking for the words that were spoken.
Click on REVEAL button to show the answer.
I was in the backyard one day playing with the dog. “Oh boy Jessie,” I said. “Your breath stinks.”
A little later on, I noticed my 6-year-old daughter getting cranky with our dog Jessie. I went out to investigate, only to find Tegan holding Jessie’s head trying to brush her teeth.
“What on earth are you doing, Tegan?” I asked.
“I’m cleaning Jessie’s teeth. That way she will have nice fresh breath.”
A little later on, I noticed my 6-year-old daughter getting cranky with our dog Jessie. I went out to investigate, only to find Tegan holding Jessie’s head trying to brush her teeth.
“What on earth are you doing, Tegan?” I asked.
“I’m cleaning Jessie’s teeth. That way she will have nice fresh breath.”
Anecdotes structure
Reported speech
Reported speech is where an author writes ABOUT what was said, without using the exact words spoken.
Reported speech can shorten the details and just give the main points.
In reported speech, no speech marks are used to punctuate the text.
For example:
Last week, my little sister came home and told me that she was being bullied at school. I told her that I had the perfect answer.
The next day my little sister went to school with a bag full of chocolate frogs. Every time someone teased her, she gave them a frog and told them that if they teased her tomorrow, they would get some more.
The next day my little sister went to school with a bag full of chocolate frogs. Every time someone teased her, she gave them a frog and told them that if they teased her tomorrow, they would get some more.
The bullies liked this idea, so the next day they turned up ready for their chocolate frog. But this time my sister informed them that she had run out of frogs. She also told them if they wanted to tease her, they could have some broccoli from her garden instead.
Believe it or not, the bullies said that they now weren’t interested and they left my sister alone.
Believe it or not, the bullies said that they now weren’t interested and they left my sister alone.
In the above example, the highlighted speaking verbs are the only clue you have that what is written
is reported speech.
is reported speech.
Anecdotes structure
Direct speech ‐ your turn
Now it is your turn. Use the pencil tool to highlight the words which show reported speech in the following passage.
Click on REVEAL button to show the answer.
I was in the backyard one day playing with the dog when I commented on how bad her breath was.
A little later on, I heard my 6-year-old daughter getting cranky with our dog Jessie. I went out to investigate, only to find Tegan holding Jessie’s head trying to brush her teeth.
When I asked Tegan what she was doing, she told me that she was cleaning Jessie’s teeth so she would have nice fresh breath.
A little later on, I heard my 6-year-old daughter getting cranky with our dog Jessie. I went out to investigate, only to find Tegan holding Jessie’s head trying to brush her teeth.
When I asked Tegan what she was doing, she told me that she was cleaning Jessie’s teeth so she would have nice fresh breath.
Letter to the Editor Structure
4
Reaction
In an anecdote, the participants in the incident will react to what happened ‐ often in a funny or humorous way.
Look at the word boxes below. Click on the boxes you think would be good reactions to take place towards the end of an anecdote.
Look at the word boxes below. Click on the boxes you think would be good reactions to take place towards the end of an anecdote.
She shook her head in amazement.
✔
I finished reading the book and put it back on the shelf.
✖
Leah said goodbye and hung up the phone.
✖
Mum tried to act like nothing had happened. But she had a huge grin on her face.
✔
The ghosts shrieked in the eerie night sky.
✖
Dad almost fell of his chair in shock.
✔
Anecdotes structure
Punch line
You often hear the term ‘punch line’ when talking about jokes.
Do you know what a punch line is? Drag away the box to see if you are correct.
A punch line is the last part of an anecdote. It can be one sentence or a couple of sentences. It is meant to be funny and to get a laugh from the audience when they understand the main point of the anecdote.
Drag Me Away
Anecdotes structure
This last part of an anecdote is optional. Some anecdotes will have one and some will not.
Coda
A coda is a statement by the author where they reflect on or evaluate what happened.
What does this mean? Drag away the cover box to find out.
A coda is written so the author can tell the audience:
• what they learnt from the event
• what they might do differently next time
• something important to remember
Drag Me Away
This last part of an anecdote is optional. Some anecdotes will have one and some will not.
Anecdote ‐ Structure features
Things Kids Say
Just when you think you are beginning to understand your kids, they come out and say something you would never expect.
That’s what happened to me last week.
My four-year-old daughter came to me and asked, “Daddy, I’m bored. Can I play outside now?”
I was a bit worried about this because we had been renovating our veranda and there were still some left over nails and small pieces of timber lying around. But it was a lovely day for playing outside so I agreed.
“OK sweetie,” I said. “But make sure you don’t have bare feet.”
Georgia looked carefully at her feet and wiggled her toes. Then she looked at me.
“But Daddy,” she said. “I don’t have bear feet. I have people feet.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So you do!” I agreed. “But, before you go outside, please put some shoes on.”
It’s times like this when I don’t want Georgia to grow up. I enjoy not knowing what she’s going to say next!
Just when you think you are beginning to understand your kids, they come out and say something you would never expect.
That’s what happened to me last week.
My four-year-old daughter came to me and asked, “Daddy, I’m bored. Can I play outside now?”
I was a bit worried about this because we had been renovating our veranda and there were still some left over nails and small pieces of timber lying around. But it was a lovely day for playing outside so I agreed.
“OK sweetie,” I said. “But make sure you don’t have bare feet.”
Georgia looked carefully at her feet and wiggled her toes. Then she looked at me.
“But Daddy,” she said. “I don’t have bear feet. I have people feet.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So you do!” I agreed. “But, before you go outside, please put some shoes on.”
It’s times like this when I don’t want Georgia to grow up. I enjoy not knowing what she’s going to say next!
Orientation
Body
Punch line
Reaction
Coda
Body
Punch line
Reaction
Coda
Anecdote ‐ Language features
Things Kids Say
Just when you think you are beginning to understand your kids, they come out and say something you would never expect.
That’s what happened to me last week.
My four-year-old daughter came to me and asked, “Daddy, I’m bored. Can I play outside now?”
I was a bit worried about this because we had been renovating our veranda and there were still some left over nails and small pieces of timber lying around. But it was a lovely day for playing outside so I agreed.
“OK sweetie,” I said. “But make sure you don’t have bare feet.”
Georgia looked carefully at her feet and wiggled her toes. Then she looked at me.
“But Daddy,” she said. “I don’t have bear feet. I have people feet.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So you do!” I agreed. “But, before you go outside, please put some shoes on.”
It’s times like this when I don’t want Georgia to grow up. I enjoy not knowing what she’s going to say next!
Just when you think you are beginning to understand your kids, they come out and say something you would never expect.
That’s what happened to me last week.
My four-year-old daughter came to me and asked, “Daddy, I’m bored. Can I play outside now?”
I was a bit worried about this because we had been renovating our veranda and there were still some left over nails and small pieces of timber lying around. But it was a lovely day for playing outside so I agreed.
“OK sweetie,” I said. “But make sure you don’t have bare feet.”
Georgia looked carefully at her feet and wiggled her toes. Then she looked at me.
“But Daddy,” she said. “I don’t have bear feet. I have people feet.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So you do!” I agreed. “But, before you go outside, please put some shoes on.”
It’s times like this when I don’t want Georgia to grow up. I enjoy not knowing what she’s going to say next!
Past tense
Action verbs
Conjunctions
Noun groups
Quoted speech
First person pronouns
Second person pronouns
Third person pronouns
Adverbials
Speaking verbs
Connectives
Anecdote ‐ Language features
Things Kids Say
Just when you think you are beginning to understand your kids, they come out and say something you would never expect.
That’s what happened to me last week.
My four-year-old daughter came to me and asked, “Daddy, I’m bored. Can I play outside now?”
I was a bit worried about this because we had been renovating our veranda and there were still some left over nails and small pieces of timber lying around. But it was a lovely day for playing outside so I agreed.
“OK sweetie,” I said. “But make sure you don’t have bare feet.”
Georgia looked carefully at her feet and wiggled her toes. Then she looked at me.
“But Daddy,” she said. “I don’t have bear feet. I have people feet.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So you do!” I agreed. “But, before you go outside, please put some shoes on.”
It’s times like this when I don’t want Georgia to grow up. I enjoy not knowing what she’s going to say next!
Just when you think you are beginning to understand your kids, they come out and say something you would never expect.
That’s what happened to me last week.
My four-year-old daughter came to me and asked, “Daddy, I’m bored. Can I play outside now?”
I was a bit worried about this because we had been renovating our veranda and there were still some left over nails and small pieces of timber lying around. But it was a lovely day for playing outside so I agreed.
“OK sweetie,” I said. “But make sure you don’t have bare feet.”
Georgia looked carefully at her feet and wiggled her toes. Then she looked at me.
“But Daddy,” she said. “I don’t have bear feet. I have people feet.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “So you do!” I agreed. “But, before you go outside, please put some shoes on.”
It’s times like this when I don’t want Georgia to grow up. I enjoy not knowing what she’s going to say next!
Sentence capitals
Full stops
Apostrophe for contraction
Question marks
Speech marks
Exclamation marks
Commas
Proper noun capitals
Hyphens
Graphic organiser: Anecdote
Story chains are very important when building up the event (incident/reaction/punch line) of an anecdote.
Below is a story chain for an anecdote titled In the olden days.
Below is a story chain for an anecdote titled In the olden days.
Graphic organiser: Letter to the Editor
Use the flow chart below to help you organise your information for your own explanation.
Scaffold: Anecdote
Title: (identify main event)
Orientation:
• Where
• When
• Who
• Where
• When
• Who
Body:
• What is the funny thing that happened?
• Why did it happen?
• Who did it happen to?
• What is the funny thing that happened?
• Why did it happen?
• Who did it happen to?
Reaction: (How did the people involve react to the incident?)
Punch line: (This is the ending so everyone understands why it was funny)
Coda: (Is there a final statement to be made about the incident? Something learnt? Something to remember?)
Revision checklist: Anecdote
| Criteria | Always | Some | Rarely | Ideas for revision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Title ‐ Does it clearly identify the main event? | ||||
| 2. Is the event funny, interesting or unusual? | ||||
| 3. Is there a clear orientation? | ||||
| 4. Does the orientation tell the reader when, where and who? | ||||
|
5. Does the anecdote have a body to explain the event? |
||||
| 6. Is there too much description of characters and events? | ||||
| 7. Does the anecdote explain how the people involved reacted to the event? | ||||
| 8. Is there a good punch line at the end? | ||||
| 9. Is there a coda? Is one needed? | ||||
| 10. Is it written in past tense? | ||||
| 11. Have different conjunctions been used to sequence the event? | ||||
| 12. Are there exclamation words? | ||||
| 13. Are there interesting action verbs? | ||||
| 14. Does the writing entertain? | ||||
|
15. Have personal pronouns been used correctly? |
||||
| 16. Is it written in first person? | ||||
| 17. Have I edited my spelling and punctuation? |
Grammar activity
Conjunctions are words that are used to join two parts of the same sentence together.
In this activity, read the sentences carefully and decide which conjunction fits best. Drag it into position to see if you are correct.
1.
the lights went out, we were all scared.
2. I’ll look after your dog
you’re away.
3.
you want to get in trouble, stop teasing the cat.
4. Should I turn on the alarm
I lock the door?
5. My dog follows me
I go.
6. Don’t stay up late
you are too tired.
7.
it’s cold, I’d still like an ice cream.
8. Put the money in your wallet
you’ll lose it.
Conjunctions
Although
while
before
wherever
or
when
if
unless
0
8
Verbs are ‘doing’ words.
There are four types of verbs. Drag the cover boxes away to see what they are.
Thinking verbs
Action verbs
Drag Away
Drag Away
Speaking verbs
Feeling verbs
Drag Away
Drag Away
Can you think of some examples of the different types of verbs? Drag the cover boxes away to find some answers.
1. Thinking verbs
think, thought, believe, imagine, suppose
2. Speaking verbs
said, yell, whisper, mumbled, screamed
Drag Away
Drag Away
3. Action verbs
jump, followed, chase, drive, swim, sat
4. Feeling verbs
like, love, hate, adore, respect, dislike
Drag Away
Drag Away
Look at the picture below. Move your mouse to find the actions that are taking place. There are 14 to find. Good luck.
float
panic
row
relax
surf
fly
point
escape
stare
emerge
crash
gasp
submerge
wave
0
14
float
panic
row
relax
surf
fly
point
escape
stare
emerge
crash
gasp
submerge
wave
Writing Practice
Last Sunday, your parents took you to the zoo. There, a monkey jumped out of his cage and created chaos in the area. Tell the story in a short and amusing way.
Accept all relevant responses.
Writing Practice
You were going to the market with your mother and suddenly a man slipped on a banana peel. It was a funny, yet a serious one. Narrate the situation to your classmates.
Accept all relevant responses.