Writing skills
Workshop
Narrative writing
By: Ms. Heba Ali
Fiction or Non- Fiction?
• Fiction:
It refers to any narrative derived from
imagination, not based on facts.
Its main features:
• Characters: Are imaginary, can't exist
in real life such as a witch, wizard,
dragon .
• Setting (place and time): Is not real, for
instance: Enchanted Forest, Forbidden
Island and so on.
• Plot: Events are not real and cannot
happen in real life.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.
Fiction or Non- Fiction?
• Non- Fiction:
• It presents events and facts as they have
occurred.
• Its main features:
• Characters: are real characters who could
exist in real life.
• Setting (place and time): is real, for
instance: school, home, hospital ...and so
on.
• Plot: Events are real and could happen in
real life.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.
Narrative Writing
A narrative is a form of writing that tells a story. In a good narrative, the
reader relates closely to the story and feels involved in the events.
Elements of Narrative Writing to plan your story:
1- Story setting : place where my story is set in.
2- Characters: people in the story.
3- Narration.
4- structure: chronological order of events.
5- Tense: Past Tense.
5- Theme : Idea you draw forward
6- Plot : what is my story line?
Story Mountain ( Story Line)
• You must start the story in a way that
captures the reader attention.
First Paragraph:
Introduction
Some examples of story openers:
• One day
• Direct speech : "Hurry up," yelled
Mum, " your dad will be here any
second..."
• Flashback: " As I wondered the river
bank my mind went back 30 years
ago..."
First Paragraph:
Introduction
• In this Paragraph :
- Who are my characters? Describe
their relationship. Describe how they
feel.
- Where they are?
- when the story is taking place?
- Setting
- Why and how the characters are
there?
- Describe the weather
- How the story begins
Second Paragraph:
Build up
• This paragraph main idea is to tell what were the
reasons behind the problem, please note that it is
not yet the time to mention what is the problem.
• In this paragraph:
- Write more details about the setting
- Write more details about what the characters ae
doing, you might go a flashback on how they
prepared for what they are doing.
- you can include short conversation between
characters.
- Build up the excitement and tell how setting
changed or how the relationship between characters
changed.
- Don't forget to mention how the characters feel
now.
• This is the highest point of action in
your story.
Third Paragraph:
Climax or
problem
In this paragraph:
Give as much details as possible about
the problem.
Is there a mystery, do terrible things
happen?
Create drama and use powerful verbs
to show the intense of the problem.
Describe the characters feelings
• In this paragraph the action will be
falling down, the characters will find
their way out of the problem.
Fourth Paragraph:
Resolution
• In this paragraph:
- Use trial and error to solve the
problem.
- You can include a short conversation
here.
- Characters will keep trying to find
their way out of the problem.
• This is the closing of your story
Fifth Paragraph:
Ending
• In this paragraph:
• Problem solved.
• Happy ending.
• What have people learned?
• Any character changed?
• Don't forget to mention how they
feel.
For an outstanding
writing:
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Use proper punctuation.
Use idioms.
Use transitional words.
Use powerful verbs and adjectives.
Show don't tell.
Remember: "Said is Dead"
Use relative pronouns.
Use different length sentences.
Use compound, Complex and
compound-complex sentences.
Use If conditionals.
H.W
• Write a story about Nina and Her family who went on a river trip.