1. Narrative Writing
Telling a story

2. What it looks like
“My first instinct was to shout to them, to scream for help. But something stopped me. If I was here, someone had put me here. If I was hurt, someone had hurt me. Someone had strapped me in this chair. Someone had used those instruments on my flesh. The odds that the men outside that door were my friends seemed very slim. So I kept my mouth shut. I listened to the low voices, straining with all my might to make out what they were saying over the pounding of my own pulse.” From The Last Thing I Remember By Andrew Klavan

3. What is Narrative Writing?
Narrative=story
Reader should feel part of story
Can be fiction or non-fiction
Elements of a short story
Character
Plot
Conflict
Setting
Theme
First-person Narrative
Narrator is a participant in the story
Told from “I” perspective

4. Use Plot Line Exposition Enticing opening to capture readers’ interest
Setting revealed
Main characters introduced
Conflict presented

5. Use Plot Line Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution
Character attempts to resolve conflict
Action progresses sequentially, step by step
Climax
The turning point of the narrative
Falling Action
Wraps up Loose Ends
Resolution
Satisfying ending to story

6. Characterization Direct Indirect Tell the reader Show the reader
Speech
Actions
Thoughts
Appearance
Thoughts/Actions of other characters

7. Don’t Fall Into the “I” Trap
Every sentence should NOT begin with “I”
Many other ways to begin
Example: I glanced at the clock.
Becomes: My eyes darted to the clock.
Or: The constant ticking drew my glance toward the clock.

8. Tips Begin in the middle Keep your cast of characters small
Don’t tell everything
Be selective about details
Hook your reader with an exciting part
Keep your cast of characters small
Use Dialogue
Show—don’t tell