NARRATIVE
WRITING
Examples of narration
• Short stories
• Novels
• Biographies
• Fairy-tales
• Fantasy
• Detective stories
Purpose:
• The purpose of a narrative text is to tell a
story. Provide details in the sequence the
events occur.
• There has to be a complication to increase
the interest of the reader
• The story must have a definite ending.
A good narrative:
• Involves readers in the story
• Tells events in sequence
• Includes detailed observations of people, places,
and events
• Presents important changes, contrasts, or conflicts
and creates tension
• Focuses on connection between past events,
people, or places and the present
The text of a narrative is organized into:
An orientation (introduction)that tells us about the
who?, where? and when? of the story. This is also
known as the setting.
• A sequence of events (main body) that leads to a
complication where some problem confronting the
characters arises.
• A resolution (conclusion) where the crisis caused by
the complication is solved. In short stories this is
often at the very end of the story.
•
TIPS
• Always decide on your plot before you start writing!
• Sequence of events is very important. Use time
words such as: at first, before, until, while, during,
then, after, finally, etc.
• Use various adjectives (disgusting, terrified…) and
adverbs (desperately, surprisingly, etc) to describe
feelings and actions
• Use linking words or phrases to join the ideas and
make your story flow.
TIPS
• Use direct speech.
• Variety of verbs will make your story more
fascinating to read.
• Be careful with the tenses you choose.
• Descriptions of people, places, objects or events
and descriptive techniques can be used in a
narrative when you want to emphasize specific
parts of your narration.
TECHNIQUES TO BEGIN A STORY
A good beginning is as important as a good ending. A
good beginning should make your reader want to go
on with your story. A good ending will make your
reader feel satisfied.
You can start your story by:
• Describing weather, surroundings, people, etc.
• Using direct speech
• Creating mystery.
EXAMPLES
ORDINARY BEGINNING
I woke up and got out of
bed. I had a shower, ate
breakfast and left
MORE INTERESTING BEGINNING
Bright morning sunlight
was shining through my
bedroom window when I
woke. I lay there lazily for
a few minutes, then
jumped out of bed…
TECHNIQUES TO END A
STORY
You can end you story by
• Referring to your feelings or moods.
• Describing people’s reactions to the events
developed in the main body.
• Creating mystery.
• Asking a rhetorical question.
EXAMPLES
SIMPLE ENDING
• At last I was home
again, and soon went
to bed. It had been a
tiring day.
MORE INTERESTING ENDING
• Exhausted and soaked
to the skin, I slammed
the front door behind
me. I threw myself onto
my bed, stared into the
darkness and thought
bitterly, “why me?”
EXPRESSIONS /PHRASES
• It was too good to be
true
• It was a real shock
• I couldn’t believe my
eyes/luck
• It was getting on my
nerves
• I was in luck / out of luck
• It was the best/worst ever
• Unluckily / luckily
• I was in good/ bad mood
• I breathed a sigh of relief
• I was left speechless
• I was out of relief
• All of a sudden /
suddenly
• My heart was beating
furiously
• The next thing I knew
• It made me jump
• To my surprise
• I burst out laughing / into
tears
• Without a doubt /
Beyond any doubt