Narratives Everybody loves a good story

Alfred had always been a loner. Many students avoided him and felt that he was strange. Perhaps it was the way he wore his shirt or maybe it was the way he walked. They just laughed at him. Alfred did not like being laughed at and he was determined to “fix” things. He felt the cold metal of the blade under his shirt and thought, “Now I’m going to be famous, nobody is ever going laugh at me again… Alfred had always been a loner. Many students avoided him and felt that he was strange. Perhaps it was the way he wore his shirt or maybe it was the way he walked. They just laughed at him. Alfred did not like being laughed at and he was determined to “fix” things. He felt the cold metal of the blade under his shirt and thought, “Now I’m going to be famous, nobody is ever going laugh at me again…

Tell me what you think? Was this abstract interesting? Was this abstract interesting? Why? Why? How did the author achieve this? How did the author achieve this?

Warm up Activity In a moment I will hand you a worksheet with just a phrase (a part of a sentence)… In a moment I will hand you a worksheet with just a phrase (a part of a sentence)… Your task is to take turns to develop a narrative…together… Your task is to take turns to develop a narrative…together… Once I call out “change” you are to pass your ‘story’ to the next person in line… Once I call out “change” you are to pass your ‘story’ to the next person in line… I will call out end…then read out what we have…let’s get creative I will call out end…then read out what we have…let’s get creative

Feedback What was the most challenging part of this activity? What was the most challenging part of this activity? Coming up with the story idea? Coming up with the story idea? Joining sentences? Joining sentences? Trying to make sense out of the whole story Trying to make sense out of the whole story Learning points: Learning points: Need a plan (for the actions to flow) Need a plan (for the actions to flow) Need to create tension between characters Need to create tension between characters Need to write in lively, interesting manner. Need to write in lively, interesting manner. It is the same with writing narrative compositions!!

Planning before Writing Before putting pen to paper understand: Before putting pen to paper understand: What is the purpose of your writing? What is the purpose of your writing? Provide information? Entertain? Provide information? Entertain? Instruct? Persuade? Instruct? Persuade? Who is your audience? Who is your audience? Senior managers, Children, Young adults??? Senior managers, Children, Young adults??? Based on your purpose and audience, what should be your style? Based on your purpose and audience, what should be your style? Formal, Informal, Irreverent? Formal, Informal, Irreverent?

Now lets look at Narratives… Narrative text-type is by far the most interesting text-type you will encounter. Narrative text-type is by far the most interesting text-type you will encounter. It “builds on” existing ideas for stories and on the structure of stories we have always heard. It “builds on” existing ideas for stories and on the structure of stories we have always heard. Not difficult to master! Learn the structure and steps. Not difficult to master! Learn the structure and steps.

How to write a successful narrative? (adapted from the Longman’s Complete Guide to Upper Secondary Compositions, Patricia Irvin (ed.) Third Ed, Singapore:2011. p172) o Steps: o Step 1: Follow the topic (read the question) o Step 2: Plan an original story (see structure of narratives) o Step 3: Choose lively expressions (Grammar, sentence structure etc) o Step 4: Check that your writing is sensitive and mature o Don’t make serious issues too “funny” or humorous (unless irony) o Try to use conclusion to reflect on the event…share what you have learnt

Step 1: Read the Question…. Make a note of what the examiners are expecting Make a note of what the examiners are expecting E.g. “unexpected visitor” often conveys a negative experience whereas “unexpected visit” may refer to more than one visitor and likely to be a surprise visit…” E.g. “unexpected visitor” often conveys a negative experience whereas “unexpected visit” may refer to more than one visitor and likely to be a surprise visit…” “A Dream” and “Dreams” – first topic is narrative (past tense used), second topic is factual – need to provide facts about beliefs, superstitions connected with dreams etc. “A Dream” and “Dreams” – first topic is narrative (past tense used), second topic is factual – need to provide facts about beliefs, superstitions connected with dreams etc.

Step 2: Plan an interesting story! Follow the structure below: Follow the structure below: The Hook – Introduction The Hook – Introduction Start your writing with a statement about your story that catches the reader’s attention Start your writing with a statement about your story that catches the reader’s attention Orientation – Middle Orientation – Middle Where is the action happening Where is the action happening Who are the characters Who are the characters Hint at what could happen – don’t reveal Hint at what could happen – don’t reveal Problem or complication – Middle Problem or complication – Middle Something unexpected is going to happen Something unexpected is going to happen How the characters react How the characters react Some kind of resolution (although not always) – Conclusion Some kind of resolution (although not always) – Conclusion How do the characters react at the end How do the characters react at the end How have their lives changed? How have their lives changed?

Step 2: SHOW not Tell Telling means: Simply providing a description about the character and what he or she is doing. Telling means: Simply providing a description about the character and what he or she is doing. Showing means: Providing more than basic information, it allows for the reader to be present during the event. Showing means: Providing more than basic information, it allows for the reader to be present during the event. Develop the character’s reasons for actions Develop the character’s reasons for actions Develop the sequence of events towards a high point (climax) Develop the sequence of events towards a high point (climax) Resolution: They all lived happily ever after…? Resolution: They all lived happily ever after…?

In Class Practice 1: A Simple Story Examine the story: The Boy who cried Wolf! Examine the story: The Boy who cried Wolf! Orientation: Orientation: Where: The hill country, quiet, still, nothing interesting happening Who: The shepherd boy and his father, villagers, the wolf (the villain) Any other details about the orientation: ?

Simple Story Problem or complication: Problem or complication: Father told him to look after sheep…but very boring…no excitement. Comes up with a plan to trick villagers to come up the mountain to ‘rescue’ him. Loves to see the reaction Father told him to look after sheep…but very boring…no excitement. Comes up with a plan to trick villagers to come up the mountain to ‘rescue’ him. Loves to see the reaction Tries two times…he is warned…but can’t resist the temptation Tries two times…he is warned…but can’t resist the temptation Problem: The wolf really comes…calls for help but villagers come…too late. All sheep are killed. Problem: The wolf really comes…calls for help but villagers come…too late. All sheep are killed.

Simple Story Resolution (or closure): Resolution (or closure): Father is very angry and admonishes shepherd boy to look after the sheep of the other villagers for the rest of the season. Punishment – needs to look after the sheep of the other villagers for the rest of the season. Can you think of another conclusion? Can you think of another conclusion?

In-Class Practice 2: A Narrative Let’s try to identify the parts of the narratives: Let’s try to identify the parts of the narratives: Read the sample story: “The Climb” Read the sample story: “The Climb” Jot down the parts of the story that follow the structure of the narrative. Jot down the parts of the story that follow the structure of the narrative.

Step 3: Choose lively expressions Choose appropriate Grammar : Choose appropriate Grammar : Check Tenses – past tense Check Tenses – past tense Use of adverbs, adverbial clauses etc to enhance action. (e.g. describe actions in detail) Use of adverbs, adverbial clauses etc to enhance action. (e.g. describe actions in detail) Involves the reader’s senses for descriptive power. Involves the reader’s senses for descriptive power. Devices Used: Devices Used: Similes Similes Metaphors Metaphors Personification - Personification -

Step 4: Are you sensitive enough? Check whether you are handling the issues and action of the essay properly: Check whether you are handling the issues and action of the essay properly: Are you making something too funny? (death, injury, etc) Are you making something too funny? (death, injury, etc) Are you making the action to serious? Are you making the action to serious? Look at what is the purpose and audience that is required of your essay Look at what is the purpose and audience that is required of your essay Children’s narrative? Children’s narrative? General audiences General audiences

Good Narratives Get the reader interested in what you are reading. Get the reader interested in what you are reading. Help the reader “enter” into the world of the character. Help the reader “enter” into the world of the character. Do not allow poor grammar to spoil the story. In other words…they follow the rules of grammar. Do not allow poor grammar to spoil the story. In other words…they follow the rules of grammar.

Personal Recount or Narrative? Personal Recount (A day at the zoo) Narrative (The zoo…) -A recount tells, describes what happened. -An experience that you have lived through -Events are more complicated -Describe problems that have to be resolved -There are participants and a background to the recount -Events that also link the activities described in the recount -Feelings of the characters or narrator expressed -Thoughts and reflections also described -Sometimes, several short stories (sub-plots) are introduced

Key Points What must you identify before writing? What must you identify before writing? P________ and A______ P________ and A______ What are the 4 steps to Narrative writing: What are the 4 steps to Narrative writing: Step 1: Read the __________ Step 1: Read the __________ Step 2: Plan an interesting story (what is the structure) Step 2: Plan an interesting story (what is the structure) Step 3: Choose _____________ Step 3: Choose _____________ Step 4: Are you __________enough? Step 4: Are you __________enough? Does your tone match with the question expectation? Does your tone match with the question expectation?