Happy Primary School

English Department

Primary 5

2008

TEACHER’S COPY

A Narrative Essay tells a story. It has character, setting, and action. The characters, the setting, and the problem of the narrative are usually introduced in the beginning. The problem reaches its high point in the middle. The ending resolves the problem.

The purpose of this type of writing is to recount a personal or fictional experience or to tell a story based on a real or imagined event

1. Orientation

2. Complication

3. Resolution

This sets the scene, creating a visual picture of the setting, atmosphere and time of the story. Characters are introduced and clues are set in place for the coming complication.

States a series of actions and clues are set in place for the coming complication.

This is where a problem or complication occurs that affects the setting, time or characters.

The problem is solved and the story ends.

There may be a moral or message at the end of the story.

In this case, the character speaks directly to the reader, who knows everything the character chooses to reveal. E.g. I. This is a useful point of view to adopt if the author wishes to reveal thoughts and feelings in an intimate way.  The disadvantage for the reader is that he or she only knows about the events of the story from one point of view.

In this case the writer knows everything there is to know about the characters. E.g. He, she, it. She or he can see inside their minds and knows what they are thinking and feeling.

The writer should:use insight, creativity, drama, suspense, humour, or fantasy to create a central theme or impression. The details all work together to develop an identifiable story line that is easy to follow