This document provides an overview of narrative writing structures including linear and non-linear structures, chronological order, flashbacks, and different points of view. It discusses how using different structures like flashbacks, changes in point of view, and smooth or jarring transitions can be used to maximize marks by entertaining readers, focusing their attention, or involving them from different viewpoints. Examples are given from The Hunger Games opening to illustrate effective writing techniques. Suggested writing activities prompt initial plot ideas and opening paragraphs to create suspense and intrigue readers.

1. Narrative Writing
Structure & Narrative

2. Structural Devices
What do these terms mean?
• Linear
• Non-linear
• Chronological
• Flashback
• Point of View
• 1st
• 2nd
• 3rd

3. How can you use structure to
maximise marks? (entertain)
• Linear Narrative –
• chronological order, with text flowing naturally from one
event to the next.
• Beginning, middle, end
• Non-Linear Narrative –
• Flashbacks
• Change in POV
• Different narrators

4. How can you use structure to
maximise marks? (focus attention)
• Zoom in/out
• Describe something general and narrow focus to something specific
• Journey
• Describing things along a journey makes the reader feel a part of
the narrative
• Description  Dialogue
• Shifts focus from setting to character
• New topic/paragraph
• Smooth transitions to create calming mood
• Sharp, jarring shift to draw reader’s attention to something specific

5. How can you use structure to
maximise marks? (viewpoint)
Point Of View (POV)
• 1st person
• “I”
• Immediate, brings reader to the ‘front’ of the narrative
• 2nd person
• “you”
• Addresses reader directly, makes them feel involved
• 3rd person
• “he/she/it”
• Overall view, covers a lot of different events, distances reader

6. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My
fingers stretch out, seeking Prim's warmth but finding
only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must
have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of
course, she did. This is the day of the reaping.
1. What makes this opening effective?
2. How is it effective?
3. What information do we learn?
4. What more do we want to know?
5. How has language/sentence structure been used?

7. Activity – Sample Tasks
Spend 5 mins writing down initial ideas for possible
plots.
• ‘Never Again’
• ‘The Tunnel’
• ‘Write about an event that wasn’t as good as you
thought it would be’
• ‘Write a story which ends: …and I never went back
there again.’

8. Activity - Extension
• Write a short paragraph as the opening to your
response.
• Create suspense and intrigue your reader.
• What techniques could you use to create
suspense/intrigue?
• Short sentences
• Ellipsis (…)
• Some detail (enough to make us interested but want more)
• Create an image/snapshot to expand upon later in the
narrative