Narrative Writing

YEAR 11 ENGLISH

Narrative WritingA narrative tells a story or gives an account of events or incidents.

A narrative often revolves around a plot or story-line and it may encompass a moral

Narrative Structure

Orientation Main BodyDevelopment

of complication

Climax or anti-Climax Resolution

Narrative Structure is about the way a story has been put together. The main structural features of a narrative are:

Narrative WritingWhen writing a Narrative it is important to plan. Logically ordering thoughts and actions will help you to develop a plot or story-line.

Brainstorm your ideas

Brainstorm your ideas

Brainstorm your ideas

Brainstorm your ideas

Brainstorm your ideas

Create a flow chart of

your plot line

idea

idea idea

idea

idea

1. Orientation Indicates time and setting and

introduces the main characters. A gripping opening sentence is effective and essential.

2. Main Body Consists of a number of paragraphs.

This series of events contains the development of complication of the plot. These may lead to a climax or anti-climax.

3. Development of Complication Complications enhance the driving conflict of a

piece of narrative fiction by raising the stakes or making the resolution harder to achieve. This extends and heightens dramatic tension to make stories more gripping.

4. Climax or Anti-Climax Is the point of highest tension or drama or when

the action starts in which the solution is given An anti-climax is where something which would

appear to be difficult to solve in a plot is solved through something trivial.

5. Resolution Where the plot is resolved. The conclusion of your narrative.

Types of NarrativesLinear Narratives•Linear structures tell the story from beginning to end, moving through events in chronological order.

Multi-Narratives•Multi-narratives tell the story through several points of view to give the reader a wide scope of opinions

Fragmented Narratives•Fragmented narratives tell only part of the story, leaving the reader to work out unspoken details.

Flashbacks•this structure is usually found within another structure to add depth and fuller understanding.

Narrative Style1st, 2nd, 3rd Person, Alternating View Narrative•A narrator is, the non-fictional or fictional, personal or impersonal entity who tells the story to the audience.

Omniscient Narrator•The role of the omniscient narrator is to chronicle the events of a story in an impartial way. He or she has full access to the events and dialogue occurring in the narrative, rendering his or her account the most complete and accurate.

Point of View Characters•From whose perspective the story is viewed.

Narrative Voice•The narrative voice describes how the story is conveyed (for example, by "viewing" a character's thought processes, by reading a letter written for someone, by a retelling of a character's experiences, etc.).

Tense Most fictional narratives are written in

past tense. The event has happened.

Past Tense• At Football training last night he twisted his ankle and the trainer

called for a doctor.

Present Tense• At Football training he runs and twists his ankle. The trainer calls

for a doctor immediately.

Future Tense• The events of the plot are depicted as occurring soon or

eventually.

Setting The setting includes the historical moment in time

and geographic location in which a story takes place, and helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story

Elements of setting may include culture, historical period, geography, and hour.

Characters These should be limited in number and

thought thoughtfully described so that the reader can identify with them.

Dialogue Is often used for effect, but it should be

used thoughtfully and sparingly.

Direct Speech-Quoted Speech• She said, “take your homework out please.”• “I hate homework” came a muttering from the

students.

Indirect Speech - Reported Speech• The teacher asked her students to get their homework

out.• One of the student’s mentioned he hated homework.