Narration “STORIES”

Elements of Narratives Series of events -plot Arranged in a chosen order -chronological, flashbacks, inversions common -be clear and purposeful -build to climactic moment of insight that concludes the story Told by a narrator -from a specific point of view Particular purpose -controls the detail selection

Types of Narratives Narration can be found in any type of writing, but it is most often used in Personal experiences Jokes Historical accounts Short stories Novels

Narration and the Reader Details for Audience & Purpose Good stories: an artfully narrated, tightly constructed, told-for-a-good-reason As readers, we know that some stories interest us more than others. We get bored if the plot line is too complicated or too detailed. "Keep the shape clear," we demand of the writer. "Don't bore me with trivial and irrelevant details." Even if the story is artfully told, we still might not be satisfied. "Why are you telling me this?" we ask. We expect as well that there is a reason why we are being told this story—a good reason, one that catches and holds our attention.

Narration and the Writer: Clear Purpose We might have a variety of purposes—for example, to entertain, to inform, to persuade—but we need to make it clear to our readers why we are writing this narrative. That purpose in turn should govern everything we include in our narrative.

Narration and the Writer: Focus & Shape Select only those that are essential. Then those details or events must be arranged so that the story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. However, the structure relies on the story itself, the purpose, and the audience. The narrative needs a sense of completeness.

Narration and the Writer: Vividness – “see” characters & actions Pick the best MOMENTS that give shape & significance SHOW=vivid -sparing use of dialogue -dramatizing a scene TELL=greater number of events and details -summarizing what happened

Personal Narratives Do not have to be a completely accurate description of an event, but it does matter that the event could have happened and that the narrative is true to a purpose.   Do not just retell the events that happened. Generally told in first person – always be aware of point of view

Academic Narratives (usually told in third person) Science: recount methods; track progress Social Studies: interview veteran, etc. Education: child observation (RAP) Literature: retell story from different POV POV PPT: http://la.gulfcoast.edu/eng2111/Presentations/pov-lit_files/frame.htm