Mrs. Gallos
English 3
Strategies for Reading Narrative Accounts
—E.L. Doctorow
Defining Narrative Accounts
Narrative accounts tell the story of real-life events. Though these accounts have literary
qualities, many are also useful to historians and other researchers as primary or secondary
sources.
Firsthand and Secondhand Narrative Accounts
Narrative accounts may be classified as either firsthand or secondhand.
• Some historical narratives are firsthand accounts, created by people who lived through
significant historical events. These texts are considered primary sources. Although written
by eyewitnesses or participants, firsthand accounts may be subjective or even biased; they
may reflect the writer’s personal “slant” or one-sided perspective.
• Other narratives are secondhand accounts, written by people who researched the events
but did not directly witness or experience them. Such accounts are secondary sources.
They are more likely to be objective than firsthand accounts. What they gain in objectivity,
however, they may lose in immediacy and accuracy.
• Sometimes an author blurs the distinction between firsthand and secondhand accounts.
For example, in The General History of Virginia, John Smith refers to himself in the third
person as “Captain Smith.”
Narrative Nonfiction
Narrative accounts may be classified as a type of narrative nonfiction, or prose writing, that
tells about real people, places, objects, and events. A nonfiction work, by definition, must be
true. Narrative accounts, therefore, have elements in common with autobiographies,
biographies, journals, diaries, and news stories. They may even overlap with such forms; for
example, a narrative account may be written in the form of a journal.
Features of Narrative Accounts
Information The main purpose of most narrative accounts is to provide information about
events and experiences. In his stories about his own adventures, for instance, John Smith
provides vivid details about the early exploration of America. William Bradford presents a
rich history of the founding of Plymouth Colony and the Pilgrims’ encounters with Native
Americans.
Distinctive Style In addition to providing information, narrative accounts often include the
writer’s personal observations and feelings. Many are written in a distinctive style and tone.
Style is the writer’s characteristic way of writing, and tone is the writer’s attitude toward the
audience and subject. For example, though William Bradford is typically sober and reserved,
John Smith is often flamboyant and boastful.
Types of Narratives
Types of Narrative Accounts Examples
An exploration narrative records information about the writer’s own travels to an
unfamiliar place.
A journal records daily events and personal observations.
A historical narrative records major historical events that the writer may
or may not have experienced firsthand.
A captivity narrative records events and personal feelings during the writer’s captivity.
A slave narrative records the injustices of slavery and often tells how the writer escaped or
was freed.
Strategies for Reading Narrative Accounts
Use these strategies as you read narrative accounts.
Identify the Writer’s Purpose Determine whether the writer wants to
record information, to reveal personal thoughts and feelings, to persuade
readers to believe or do something, or simply to entertain. Then, decide
whether the writer achieves this purpose.
Check for Subjectivity or Bias Keep in mind that firsthand accounts may
reflect the writer’s bias. Even secondhand accounts may not be wholly
objective, particularly if the writer is trying to present a historical figure as
heroic, misguided, or villainous.