ABout narrative writing importance features characterstics samples

1. NARRATIVE WRITING
The art of expression

2. WHAT IS NARRATIVE WRITING?
“So, what happened?” When someone asks you that, what do you say?
You respond by telling a story- when it happened, where it happened, how and why it happened.
This is what we call narration.
• Narrative writing tells a story about an event that happened.
• IN A GOOD NARRATIVE-
• the reader relates closely to the story
• feels involved with the plot
• often identifies with the characters
.
The features of a narrative are-:
the plot this is what happens
Characters the people or animals in the story
the setting where the narrative takes place
Theme the author's message

3. Picture books, novels, comics, movies, short films and
theatre shows are all examples of how a narrative may be
present
story
fairy tale
fable
myth
poem
play
historical
biography
legend

4. A narrative text…
• tells a story, usually in chronological order;
• begins with an orientation, to introduce the characters and
setting of the story;
• involves a problem or complication of some sort;
• includes a series of events;
• ends with a resolution.

6. The language used to write a narrative should include…
• past tense (often but not always)
• character names
• story specific vocabulary
• dialogue between characters
• descriptive language to “show not tell” the story
• chronological sequencing words

7. Point of View
When a writer begins a new story he must decide: "Who will tell
my story?"
An author can tell a story from the first-person point of view.
OR
The author can use the third-person point of view
Third-person Point of View
•The story is being told by an
outside observer - someone who is
not in the story.
The author uses
the pronouns he, she, and they.
•In third-person point of view, the
author can tell about the thoughts,
actions, and feelings of the other
characters.

9. g

10. Plot
A plot starts with an introduction to the narrative.
Plot will include problems or crises and how these
are solved, and the conclusion to the narrative
Improve your Plot
• Who are your story’s main characters?
• What are their main needs?(motives)
• Who or what tries to stop or thwart them from
• achieving their needs? (conflict)
• Do the characters succeed or fail in achieving
• their goals?
• How do they succeed or fail? (resolution

11. Characterisation
• A person’s appearance
• their posture and ways of walking
• their hobbies
• the way in which they express their emotions
• their secret wishes, fears, prejudices and
• religious beliefs are all pointers to their character
.
We develop character through the following:
• Dialogue what the characters say and how the say it
• Action what the characters do
• Reactions how the characters think and feel in
different situations
• Relationships how the character interact with each
other, and how others view them

12. • An unusual setting can make a
narrative really interesting
• You should use the five senses to
evoke setting.
• Show don’t tell. EG: ‘The
crystallised snow blanketed the
icy tarmac beneath the gleaming
tree of lights’ = ‘It was a snowy
day in December

13. • SHOW NOT TELL
WRITING FOR EFFECT
• Varying sentence types – short and long, complex and
simple for effect.
• Literary techniques but ONLY where they have EFFECT. EG
Simile and metaphors for character/setting description.
Avoid cliché.
• Use emotive language – carefully select words and
adjectives for effect.
• Excellent and sophisticated vocabulary choices.
• A variety of ambitious punctuation !?...();:
• MASTER THE BASICS!

15. What is show not tell?
Can you think of an example?
SHOWING:
‘His shoelaces were untied, his
socks mismatched. The stained
and creased shirt was alarmingly
untucked and his face evidently
unwashed.’
SHOWING:
‘The steam rose up from the melted cheese
and made his mouth salivate. The first
bite, sinking his teeth into the dreamy
dough and through the moist crust, made
him chew rapidly like a famished wild dog.
Even the residue left on his fingertips
begged to be licked!

16. Robot Rumble
What is your story going to be about?
Why are there robots in this story? What can they do? Are there humans in
this story too? Are the robots good or evil? What will happen to the robots?
Remember, a narrative text…
• begins with an orientation, to introduce the
characters and setting of the story;
• involves a problem or complication of some
sort;
• includes a series of events;
• ends with a resolution.

17. The Haunted House
What is your story going to be about?
Why is the house haunted? Does anybody live there? Who will go into
the house? What will happen to anyone who visits this house?
Remember, a narrative text…
• begins with an orientation, to introduce the
characters and setting of the story;
• involves a problem or complication of some
sort;
• includes a series of events;
• ends with a resolution.