تانية بكالوريا · Writing · Unit 9
Personal Narrative
إزاي تحكي قصة حقيقية عن شخص ساعدك تبقى أثقف في نفسك: البداية والنص والنهاية، والأزمنة الصح، والدرس اللي اتعلمته (150-180 كلمة).
الدرس ده عن إيه؟
A personal narrative is a true story about an experience from your life. It explains what happened, who was involved, how you felt and what you learned or how you changed.
الـ personal narrative يعني «قصة شخصية حقيقية». إنت بتحكي موقف حصل لك فعلًا: إيه اللي حصل، مين كان معاك، كنت حاسس بإيه، واتعلمت إيه أو اتغيرت إزاي بعدها.
في الكتاب الدرس ده في Unit 9: Circles of Belonging، جزء 9.2 Relationships That Help Us Grow (صفحة 113). الجزء ده بيتكلم عن الـ growth relationship: علاقة مع حد (mentor، مدرس، حد من العيلة، أو صاحب) بتساعدك تكبر وتبقى أشطر وأثقف في نفسك وأقوى. والمطلوب قصة من 150-180 كلمة عن شخص ساعدك تبقى أثقف في نفسك أو أشطر (more confident or capable).
وفي Consolidation Review E فيه سؤال MCQ: الـ personal narrative لازم يكون فيه تجربة حقيقية، والناس اللي كانوا فيها، وإزاي غيّرت الكاتب.
الفكرة ببساطة: «حكاية + درس»
A good personal narrative has a clear beginning, middle and ending. It tells a story, but it also shows how the writer changed.
تخيل إنك بتحكي لصاحبك موقف: «فاكر لما كنت خايف من الامتحان الشفوي؟ ابن عمي فضل يذاكر معايا، وفي الآخر عديت، ومن ساعتها بقيت مش بخاف أتكلم». دي بالظبط الـ personal narrative: موقف ← مساعدة ← نتيجة ← تغيير.
الفرق بينها وبين القصة الخيالية: هنا القصة عنك إنت ومكتوبة بضمير I (أنا)، ولازم تختم بدرس أو تغيير حصلك، مش بس «وعاشوا في تبات ونبات».
مثال من الكتاب نفسه: قراءة Finding My Place: A New Student's Story (Unit 9.1) هي personal narrative: الكاتب نقل من إسكندرية لمدينة جديدة (البداية)، زميلة في الفصل ساعدت الكاتب في جنينة المدرسة (النص)، اشترك في نادي البيئة وبقى له مكان (النهاية)، واتعلم إن الانتماء بيتبني بالراحة (الدرس).
الهيكل: البداية والنص والنهاية
The writing task in the book gives five points. They fit into three parts: beginning, middle and ending.
| الجزء | نقاط الكتاب | تكتب إيه؟ | عبارات مفيدة |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning (البداية) | 1. introduce the person and your relationship with them | قدّم الشخص: هو مين؟ قريبك إيه؟ وكان ده إمتى وفين؟ | When I was in…, / My older cousin, …, was… / We had always been close, but… |
| Middle (النص) | 2. describe a problem or difficult situation you faced 3. explain how this person supported or encouraged you | المشكلة اللي قابلتك وكنت حاسس بإيه، وبعدين الشخص ده عمل إيه بالظبط علشان يساعدك. | At first, … / I was so nervous that… / One evening, while I was…, … / Instead of…, he… |
| Ending (النهاية) | 4. describe what happened as a result 5. explain how the experience changed you | النتيجة (إيه اللي حصل في الآخر) + إزاي اتغيرت + الدرس. | In the end, … / As a result, … / That experience taught me that… / Now I… |
- فقرة 1: مين الشخص ده؟ وكان إمتى؟
- فقرة 2: إيه المشكلة؟ وكنت حاسس بإيه؟
- فقرة 3: هو ساعدني إزاي؟
- فقرة 4: إيه اللي حصل في الآخر؟
- فقرة 5: اتغيرت إزاي؟ واتعلمت إيه؟
الأزمنة: Past Simple و Past Continuous
Use the past simple for the main events of the story. Use the past continuous for actions in progress or for the background.
الكتاب بيقول بوضوح: الـ personal narrative غالبًا بيستخدم:
| الزمن | التكوين | بنستخدمه في إيه؟ | مثال |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past simple | V2 (went, helped, felt, decided) | الأحداث الأساسية اللي حصلت ورا بعض | He listened carefully and gave me advice. |
| Past continuous | was / were + V-ing | حدث كان مستمر في وقت معين، أو الخلفية (الجو / المكان) | I was rehearsing in my room when he knocked. |
| Past perfect (زيادة) | had + V3 | حاجة حصلت قبل حدث تاني في الماضي | We had always been close before that year. |
الحيلة: الـ past continuous = الخلفية (الحدث الطويل)، والـ past simple = الحدث اللي قطعه (الحدث القصير). وبيربطهم while أو when:
- While I was practising my speech, my cousin knocked on the door.كنت بتمرن (حدث مستمر) ← ابن عمي خبط (حدث قصير قطعه).
- It was raining heavily, and everyone was waiting quietly in the hall.past continuous لوصف الخلفية والجو قبل الحدث.
- My voice was shaking and my hands were sweating.past continuous لوصف إحساس مستمر في اللحظة دي.
- I walked onto the stage, took a deep breath and started to speak.past simple لأحداث ورا بعض بالترتيب.
خلي القصة عايشة: المشاعر و so…that / such…that
A personal narrative must show how you felt. The grammar of Unit 9, so…that and such…that, is perfect for showing strong feelings and their results.
| التركيب | بعده إيه؟ | مثال |
|---|---|---|
| so + adjective / adverb + that | صفة أو ظرف | I was so nervous that I could not sleep. |
| such (a / an) + adjective + noun + that | اسم (معاه صفة) | It was such a kind gesture that I almost cried. |
| Word / phrase | Meaning / use |
|---|---|
| nervous / anxious | متوتر / قلقان |
| embarrassed | محرج |
| lonely / left out | وحيد / حاسس إني برّه المجموعة |
| relieved | مرتاح (بعد ما القلق راح) |
| proud | فخور |
| confident | واثق في نفسي |
| capable | قادر / شاطر في حاجة |
| grateful | ممتن |
| encouragement | تشجيع |
| honest feedback | رأي صريح بيساعدك تتحسن |
| mentor | حد عنده خبرة بيرشدك ويدعمك |
| resilient | بيقوم بسرعة بعد المشاكل |
- بدل I was scared. بس ← اكتب كمان اللي بيبيّن الخوف: My voice was shaking and my hands were sweating.
- بدل He helped me. ← قول عمل إيه بالظبط: He listened to my speech every evening and gave me honest feedback.
عبارات مفيدة (Useful Phrases)
Beginning: introducing the person
- When I was in…, …
- My older cousin, …, was studying… at the time.
- I had known… since…
- We had always been close, but I never imagined that…
Middle: the problem
- At first, I felt…
- I was so… that…
- The biggest problem was that…
- I was afraid that…
Middle: the support
- One evening, while I was…, …
- Instead of…, he / she…
- He / She encouraged me to…
- Every day, he / she…
Ending: the result
- In the end, …
- As a result, …
- On the day of…, …
- To my surprise, …
Ending: the change / lesson
- That experience taught me that…
- Since then, I have…
- Now I…
- I realised that…
Time connectors (ترتيب الأحداث)
- At first / Then / After that / Later / Finally
- When… / While… / As soon as…
إزاي تكتب القصة خطوة بخطوة
- اختار شخص حقيقي ساعدك: مدرس، مدرب، أخ/أخت أكبر، ابن عم، جار، أو صاحب.
- اختار موقف واحد بس (مش كل حياتك): امتحان، مسابقة، ماتش، أول يوم في مدرسة جديدة، عرض قدام الفصل.
- اكتب الخطة في 5 سطور (واحد لكل نقطة من نقاط الكتاب الخمسة).
- البداية: عرّف الشخص وعلاقتك بيه، وإمتى ده كان.
- المشكلة: اوصف الموقف وإحساسك (so…that / past continuous للخلفية).
- المساعدة: اكتب حاجات محددة الشخص عملها (مش بس «ساعدني»).
- النتيجة: إيه اللي حصل في الآخر (past simple).
- التغيير: اختم بجملة فيها الدرس That experience taught me that… وإنت بقيت إزاي دلوقتي.
- راجع: الأزمنة صح؟ كل الجمل بضمير I؟ العدد 150-180 كلمة؟
نموذج كامل (Model Answer)
The Cousin Who Believed in Me
When I was in my first year of secondary school, my older cousin Youssef was studying engineering at university. We had always been close, but I never imagined that he would change the way I saw myself.
That year, my teacher chose me to present our class project at the school science fair. I was so nervous that I could not sleep for three nights. Whenever I practised, my voice was shaking and my hands were sweating.
One evening, while I was rehearsing in my room, Youssef knocked on the door. Instead of giving me empty praise, he listened carefully and gave me honest feedback. He came back every evening that week, and he let me make mistakes in front of him so that I could learn from them.
On the day of the fair, I spoke clearly and answered the judges' questions calmly.
That experience taught me that confidence is built step by step. Now I volunteer to speak in class, and I try to support younger students in the same way.
- نقطة 1 (introduce the person): الفقرة الأولى بتعرّفنا مين يوسف (older cousin، بيدرس هندسة) والعلاقة (We had always been close). والـ past continuous (was studying) للخلفية والـ past perfect (had always been) لحاجة قبل القصة.
- نقطة 2 (problem): الـ science fair والتوتر: I was so nervous that I could not sleep (تركيب الوحدة so…that) + Show, don't tell: my voice was shaking and my hands were sweating.
- نقطة 3 (support): while I was rehearsing… Youssef knocked (حدث مستمر اتقطع بحدث قصير). ودعم محدد: honest feedback بدل empty praise، وconsistency (every evening that week)، وإنه سابه يغلط علشان يتعلم. دي نفس صفات الـ growth relationship اللي في درس الاستماع في الوحدة.
- نقطة 4 (result): جملة واحدة واضحة بالـ past simple: spoke clearly and answered… calmly.
- نقطة 5 (change): That experience taught me that… + Now I… = الكاتب اتغير وبقى بيساعد غيره.
- ضمير I في القصة كلها، والأحداث بالترتيب بـ time expressions (When / That year / One evening / On the day of…).
- العنوان قصير وبيلخّص الفكرة.
أشهر الأخطاء
- ✗ القصة كلها بالمضارع: I go to the fair and I am nervous. ← ✓ I went to the fair and I was nervous.
- ✗ While I rehearsed, he was knocking on the door. ← ✓ While I was rehearsing, he knocked on the door.
- ✗ I was so nervous so I could not sleep. ← ✓ I was so nervous that I could not sleep.
- ✗ It was so a kind gesture that… ← ✓ It was such a kind gesture that…
- ✗ He helped me a lot. (وخلاص) ← ✓ قول عمل إيه بالظبط: He listened to my speech every evening.
- ✗ تنهي القصة بالنتيجة بس ← ✓ لازم تضيف إزاي اتغيرت / اتعلمت إيه.
- ✗ قصة خيالية عن تنين أو بطل خارق ← ✓ تجربة حقيقية من حياتك.
- ✗ تكتب القصة كلها فقرة واحدة ← ✓ beginning / middle / ending في فقرات واضحة.
إزاي بييجي في الأسئلة؟
الأسئلة في الكتاب والمراجعات بتيجي بالشكل ده:
1) MCQ عن الـ genre (زي Consolidation Review E):
Which of these is the best topic for a personal narrative? a) The history of the pyramids b) The day my grandfather taught me to swim and how it made me braver c) How to bake a chocolate cake d) Why cars pollute the air
الإجابة: b — فيها تجربة حقيقية + شخص (الجد) + تغيير (بقيت أشجع)، وده بالظبط الـ personal narrative. الباقي معلومات أو تعليمات مش قصة من حياتك.
2) اختار الزمن الصح:
I (walk) home when I (see) my old teacher.
الإجابة: I was walking home when I saw my old teacher. — المشي كان مستمر (past continuous)، والشوفة حدث قصير قطعه (past simple).
3) سؤال عن قراءة personal narrative (زي Finding My Place):
By the end of the first term, the writer says they were no longer 'the new student who ate alone'. What does this show about how the writer changed?
إجابة نموذجية: It shows that the writer had started to belong. They had joined the environmental club, had a role and had people who would notice if they were absent. — يعني الكاتب اتحول من طالب وحيد لحد ليه مكان ودور في المدرسة. (لاحظ إن الإجابة بكلامك وبالدليل من النص.)
قائمة المراجعة (Checklist)
- القصة حقيقية ومكتوبة بضمير I؟
- عرّفت الشخص وعلاقتك بيه في الأول؟
- وصفت المشكلة وإحساسك بيها؟
- شرحت الشخص ساعدك إزاي بحاجات محددة؟
- كتبت النتيجة؟
- شرحت إزاي اتغيرت أو اتعلمت إيه؟
- استخدمت past simple للأحداث وpast continuous للخلفية؟
- فيه beginning / middle / ending واضحين؟ والعدد 150-180 كلمة؟
تدريب
أولًا: اختار الإجابة الصحيحة (a / b / c / d)
1. A personal narrative is … a) an imaginary story b) a true story about an experience from your life c) a news report d) a formal letter
Show answer
b — تعريف الكتاب: a true story about an experience from your life.2. While I … for the bus, I met my old coach. a) waited b) was waiting c) wait d) am waiting
Show answer
b — حدث مستمر (past continuous) اتقطع بحدث قصير (met).3. My sister … me with my maths every evening last term. a) helps b) was help c) helped d) is helping
Show answer
c — حدث في الماضي خلص (last term) = past simple.4. I was … tired that I fell asleep on the sofa. a) such b) so c) too d) very
Show answer
b — so + صفة (tired) + that.5. It was … difficult test that nobody finished on time. a) so b) such c) such a d) so a
Show answer
c — such a + صفة + اسم مفرد (test).6. Which sentence best shows how the writer changed? a) The fair was on Monday. b) My cousin studies engineering. c) Since then, I have volunteered to speak in every class. d) The hall was big.
Show answer
c — بتبيّن التغيير بعد التجربة.7. A person who guides and supports someone less experienced is a … a) peer b) mentor c) customer d) stranger
Show answer
b — mentor (من كلمات Unit 9).
ثانيًا: كمّل بالزمن الصح للفعل اللي بين القوسين
8. When I (arrive) at my new school, everyone (talk) in small groups.
Show answer
When I arrived, everyone was talking in small groups. — الوصول حدث قصير، والكلام خلفية مستمرة.9. My coach (notice) that I (not / enjoy) the training.
Show answer
My coach noticed that I was not enjoying the training.10. I (feel) so proud that I (call) my grandmother immediately.
Show answer
I felt so proud that I called my grandmother immediately. — حدثين ورا بعض = past simple.11. While my friend (explain) the problem, I (realise) my mistake.
Show answer
While my friend was explaining the problem, I realised my mistake.
ثالثًا: الجملة دي من أنهي جزء؟ (Beginning / Middle / Ending)
12. 'My neighbour, Uncle Hamdy, was a retired carpenter who lived next door.'
Show answer
Beginning — بتعرّف الشخص وعلاقتك بيه.13. 'I was so embarrassed that I wanted to leave the team.'
Show answer
Middle — المشكلة والإحساس.14. 'That experience taught me that mistakes are part of learning.'
Show answer
Ending — التغيير والدرس.15. 'Instead of laughing at me, he showed me how to hold the tools correctly.'
Show answer
Middle — المساعدة.
رابعًا: اربط بـ so…that أو such…that
16. The advice was useful. I wrote it in my notebook.
Show answer
The advice was so useful that I wrote it in my notebook.17. She was a patient teacher. Every student felt comfortable asking questions.
Show answer
She was such a patient teacher that every student felt comfortable asking questions.18. I was nervous. My hands were shaking.
Show answer
I was so nervous that my hands were shaking.
خامسًا: حسّن الجملة (Show, don't tell)
19. Improve: 'I was sad.'
Show answer
مثال: I sat alone in the cafeteria and pretended to read my book. — بنوصف حاجة تبيّن الحزن.20. Improve: 'My brother helped me.'
Show answer
مثال: My brother stayed up late every night to test me on the vocabulary. — قول عمل إيه بالظبط.
سادسًا: JRE
21. To what extent can a single encouraging relationship change a person's future? Justify your answer.
Show answer
J: I believe a single encouraging relationship can change a person's future to a large extent. R: When someone gives us honest feedback and supports us consistently, we start to believe in our own abilities and take more risks. E: For example, the writer of 'Finding My Place' felt like a stranger, but one conversation with a classmate led to joining the environmental club and finding a place there.
مهمة كتابة للتدريب (Practice Task)
Write a personal narrative of (150-180) words about a coach, teacher or friend who helped you when you felt left out or when you failed at something.
| الجزء | أفكار ممكن تكتبها |
|---|---|
| Beginning | When I joined the school football team in Year 1, our coach, Captain Hany, was… |
| Problem | I missed an easy goal in my first match. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to quit. |
| Support | Instead of shouting, he stayed after training / practised with me every Tuesday / told me that every player fails sometimes. |
| Result | In the next match, I scored / the team cheered / I felt proud. |
| Change | That experience taught me that failing is part of growing. Now I… |
- الـ personal narrative = قصة حقيقية من حياتك بضمير I + درس أو تغيير في الآخر.
- الهيكل: Beginning (الشخص) ← Middle (المشكلة + المساعدة) ← Ending (النتيجة + التغيير).
- Past simple للأحداث، past continuous للخلفية والحدث المستمر (while / when).
- وصّف مشاعرك واستخدم so…that / such…that، وقول الشخص عمل إيه بالظبط.
- الطول 150-180 كلمة، واختم بـ That experience taught me that…
كل دروس المنهج
Grammar · القواعد
- Participial Phrases (-ing / -ed)
- Relative Clauses (who, which, that)
- Conditionals (If… will / would / would have) + hedging
- Gerunds and Infinitives
- Narrative Tenses
- Prepositional Phrases of Place and Time
- Concession Clauses
- The Passive Voice for Formal Reporting
- The Present Perfect (since, for, just, already, yet, ever, never)
- Fronting for Emphasis
- Cause-and-Effect Structures
- Modal Verbs (could, should, may, must)
- Adverbials of Degree and Frequency
- Reported Speech
- Used to / Would (Past Habits)
- The Present Continuous
- Linking Words and Logical Connectors
- The Causative: have / get something done
- So… that / Such… that
- Stative Verbs vs Action Verbs
- Quantifiers (too much / too many, a large amount of, few / little)
Vocabulary & Language · الكلمات واللغة
- Well-being and Mental Health
- Leisure, Screen Time, Arts and Sport
- History, Heritage and Museums
- Brands, Food Waste and Sales Culture
- Climate Change and Renewable Energy
- Global Responsibility and Advocacy
- Passion, Hobbies and Community
- Vocational Education and Careers
- Belonging and Inclusion
- Hidden Costs and Fast Fashion
- Persuasive and Biased Language: intensifiers, rhetorical questions, absolute language
- Hedging and Neutral Language
- Tone, Evaluative Language and Selective Framing
- Concession Language
- Media Literacy: fact, opinion, bias and greenwashing
Reading · القراية
- Reading for Gist and Key Detail
- True / False / Not Given with justification
- Fact, Opinion and Biased Claims
- Identifying Bias in Media Texts
- Rhetorical Devices and Their Effects
- The Writer's Viewpoint and Tone
- Main Argument and Supporting Points
- Cause and Effect in Informational Texts
- Text Types: reports, articles, opinion articles, narratives and profiles
- Vocabulary in Context
- Evaluating the Reliability of Online Content
Listening · الاستماع
- Broadcasts, Podcasts, Radio Programmes and Media Reports
- Listening for Main Ideas and Specific Information
- Stated vs Unstated Information
- The Speaker's Perspective
- Technical Terms in Context
Speaking · الكلام
- Giving and Justifying an Opinion (JRE)
- Acknowledging an Opposing Viewpoint
- Structured Presentations (3–5 minutes)
- Pair and Group Discussions
- Debates
- Role-plays and Pitches
- Reporting Other People's Views
Writing · الكتابة
- The JRE Analytical Paragraph
- Reflective Writing
- Opinion Paragraph
- Diary Entry
- Discursive Paragraph
- Opinion Article
- Review
- Argumentative Paragraph
- Informational Leaflet
- Formal Email
- Persuasive Email
- Proposal
- Discursive Essay
- Blog Post
- Recommendation Report
- Personal Development Plan
- Personal Narrative
- Problem-Solution Paragraph
Literature · الأدب والقصة
- The Lost World — the set novel
- The Lost World · Chapter 1: A Dream of Adventure
- The Lost World · Chapter 2: Professor Challenger's Secret
- The Lost World · Chapter 3: The Expedition Is Chosen
- The Lost World · Chapter 4: Into the Unknown
- The Lost World · Chapter 5: Trapped in the Lost World
- The Lost World · Chapter 6: Malone's Night Adventure
- The Lost World · Chapter 7: Prisoners of the Ape-Men
- The Lost World · Chapter 8: The Battle for the Plateau
- The Lost World · Chapter 9: The Hidden Way Home
- The Lost World · Chapter 10: Proof Before the World
- Literary Extract: “Not Exactly a Relaxing Day”
- Narrative Techniques: simile, contrast and personal voice
- Mood, Tone and the Narrator's Shifting Feelings
- Characters, Themes and Key Events