Narrative Writing

Narrative writing tells a story or gives an account of something that has happened.

Types of Narrative Writing There are two types of narrative writing. 1. Fiction 1. Based on imaginative events or stories that didn’t actually happen. (Fantasy novels, Sci-Fi novels, etc.) 2. Nonfiction 1. Writing based on facts. (Personal narrative)

Characteristics of Narrative Writing There are many specific traits every piece of narrative writing must have. Some of the most important are: 1. Plot 2. Theme 3. Characters 4. Setting 5. Point of View 6. Conflict

Sensory Details Not only should narratives have these six elements, they should also be descriptive. One of the most common and most effective ways of creating a descriptive narrative is by using sensory details. Sensory details bring narratives to life by appealing to the senses. Sensory details are what the characters see, hear, taste, smell, and feel.

Sensory Details Sensory details help to show and not to just simply tell. Telling simply states what is happening. It doesn’t make the reader feel connected, it lacks emotion, and it is BORING ! Showing uses sensory details which evokes an emotional response from the reader.

Telling Showing It was the fastest slide I have ever been on. Sitting atop the giant water slide, I had a picturesque view of the aqua colored water around me. You have never really seen the ocean, until you see it from an aerial view. Even though I wasn’t exactly in the air, I was elevated enough to have a pretty spectacular view. Upon finally starting to move, I could feel myself gaining speed and the distant water was coming closer and closer. The giant smile on my face turned into laughter at about the exact moment that Splash! The steep drop had propelled me into the water. What a rush! Show, Don’t Tell

Telling Showing I went hunting, and I shot a deer. My cousin Scotty and I went hunting. We went to our usual spot, our deer stand that was raised fifteen feet above the ground. The crisp Fall air was kissing our faces. The sun was shining on the leaves making the beautiful fall colors illuminate the mountains. After having been taught several useful skills, I was eager to put them to good use. “Scotty, did you hear that?” I said. A nod from him confirmed that an animal was close by. The look in his eyes and the second nod confirmed that he had seen it about the same time I had: less than ten feet away stood a beautiful buck that must have been at least eight points. Raising my gun, I was careful to aim with accuracy and good technique. I could feel my finger slowly moving the trigger. The bang from the gun’s barrel filled our ears. “You got him, Logan!” I exclaimed to my cousin. Walking over, I was all smiles. Show, Don’t Tell

Hands on Now it’s your turn! On your graphic organizer, write the name of your candy where it says “Topic.” Use your five senses to describe your candy in the most descriptive way you can! Once you have filled in your graphic organizer, write a paragraph on the back of your organizer using all of the senses. YOU MUST SPEAK IN A VOICE THAT IS NO LOUDER THAN JUST ABOVE A WHISPER.

Plot What is plot? The structure of a story; the order of the story What happens when?

Parts of Plot Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution

What is Exposition? Also called “the opening” of story Beginning of story Introduces characters, setting, and tone Also called “the opening” of story Beginning of story Introduces characters, setting, and tone

What is Rising Action? Conflict is presented Find out what problem the main character or characters are facing Complications arise as the character(s) tries to resolve the conflict Conflict is presented Find out what problem the main character or characters are facing Complications arise as the character(s) tries to resolve the conflict

What is Climax? The high point of a story- usually an event- where the character must choose how to settle the conflict

What is Falling Action? Action following the climax Leads to the end Action following the climax Leads to the end

What is Resolution? Problems are solved Action comes to an end Problems are solved Action comes to an end

What is Theme? Message about life What the work is about The “fortune cookie” of the story Message about life What the work is about The “fortune cookie” of the story

What is Setting? Place Time Atmosphere Place Time Atmosphere Back to Review Question

What is a Character? A person or animal in a story

Character What is a protagonist? Main character Hero of the story In reaching their goal, the protagonist must conquer an opposing force, person or situation. Main character Hero of the story In reaching their goal, the protagonist must conquer an opposing force, person or situation.

Character Opposes protagonist Bad guy Opposes protagonist Bad guy What is an antagonist ?

What is Point of View? Perspective from which the story is told- The person telling the story Perspective from which the story is told- The person telling the story

What is Conflict? A struggle between opposing forces in a story

What is Conflict? Person against self Person against person Person against society Person against nature Person against self Person against person Person against society Person against nature

Structure 1) The Introduction: the narrative hook and the thesis. 2) The Body: transitional sentences. 3) The Conclusion.

Hook The Narrative Hook ＊ Hooks help “set the stage” for the story. ＊ They make readers start guessing about what will happen next. ＊ The hook should make the reader ask wh-questions about the essay.

Thesis The Thesis ＊ It introduces the action that begins in the first paragraph of the essay. a.) I wanted my mother to watch me race down the steep hill, so I called out her name and then nudged my bike forward. b.) Because his pride wouldn’t allow him to apologize, Ken now had to fight the bully, and he was pretty sure that he wouldn’t win.

Transitional Sentences In a chronological organization, each paragraph ends with a transitional sentence. Transitional sentences have two purposes: a.) to signal the end of action in one paragraph; b.) to provide a link to the action of the next paragraph.

Conclusion In the concluding paragraph, you finish describing the action in the essay. The final sentence can have 2 functions: a.) It can deliver the moral for the story, or tell the reader what the character(s) learned from the experience. b.) It can make a prediction or a revelation (disclosure of something that was not known before) about future actions that will happen as a result of the events in the story.

Voice  Voice is the distinct personality, style, or point of view of a piece of writing or any other creative work.style

Voice/Point of View 1. First person point of view involves the use of either of the two pronouns “I” and “we”.  “I felt like I was getting drowned with shame and disgrace.” 2. Second person point of view employs the pronoun “you”.  “Sometimes you cannot clearly discern between anger and frustration.” 3. Third person point of view uses pronouns like “he”, “she”, “it”, “they” or a name.  “Mr. Stewart is a principled man. He acts by the book and never lets you deceive him easily.”

Voice/Point of View  4. Third person-omniscient  A third person omniscient narrator is inside the hearts and heads of the characters, exposing their thoughts and/or feelings.  5. Third person-limited  Third person limited is similar to the omniscient point of view, but it is a limited viewpoint. The narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character.