Page 203 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

14 Anecdote Writing

An anecdote is a short story, usually serving to make the listeners laugh or ponder
over a topic. People are drawn to stories. Stories make concepts more relatable.
That’s why the tale of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf,’ is more effective than simply
saying, ‘Don’t lie.’

The purpose of anecdotes are:
• to bring cheer
• to fondly remember the past
• to caution

• to persuade or inspire

Here is an example of an anecdote.

Two Apples

A lovely little girl was holding two apples with both hands. Her mom came in and
softly asked her little daughter with a smile: ‘My sweetie, could you give your mom
one of your two apples?’
The girl looked up at her mom for some seconds, then she suddenly took a quick

bite on one apple, and then quickly on the other. The mom felt the smile on her face
freeze. She tried hard not to reveal her disappointment.

Then the little girl handed one of her bitten apples to her mom, and said: ‘Mommy,
here you are. This is the sweeter one.’
No matter who you are, how experienced you are, and how knowledgeable you think
you are, always delay judgement. Give others the privilege to explain themselves.
What you see may not be the reality. Never conclude for others.

Now, write anecdotes on:

• The day you burnt your dinner
• An incident that teaches that staying outdoors late is inappropriate
• A time when you overcame a struggle with a subject and managed to grow past
it

• During Christmas, talking about the best Christmas you ever had

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