Narrative Writing and Stories

What is narrative?Why do we use it?

To tell a story

A truth we want to share with our audience

Voice

key elementsTopic

Audience : who are you talking to? diction

•Symbols

•Perspective: 1st person (I/We)

3rd person (he/she/it)

•Sequence of events

Setting

dates, times, places

make your reader feel like he or she is THERE

Imagery, personification or simlie

character development

how many characters (less is more!)

antagonist and protagonist

include physical and emotional characteristics

leave reader guessing

Climax/Twist

placement in story: prepare reader vs. shock reader

reason for writing helps with placement

stairs to the top landing (hints)

Implicit or explicit meaning

Explicit - “ex” meaning OUT, very clear meaning

Implicit - “im” means IN, hidden or suggested, there to discover for the reader

for this:

What is the topic of the short story?

Who is writing? From what perspective?

Where is the story taking place?

Who are the main characters?

Anecdotes: what examples are provided

Writing your own narrative

Free write: without lifting your pencil, let your hand do all the work and let ideas flow

read other short stories

write until reader is satisfied

leave reader wanting more - A SEQUEL!

Final steps writing

Leave it for at least one day

Come back and read it