1. How to Write a Narrative
By Ms. C

2. What is a Narrative
A narrative essay, paper, or story tells the audience a personal event that has happened to them
Can serve a greater purpose
The story tells a personal event, such as Night

3. Narrative Structure
A narrative structure is the way the story is presented to the audience
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution

4. Exposition Tells the information of the story
The Who, What, When, Where of the story
Who is the main character
What is happening (is something wrong?)
When is this taking place
Where is the story taking place
Example: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Getting to know Harry, the Wizarding World, and the setting of the story

5. Rising Action Problems and actions start appearing
There is usually more than one action or problem happening in a story.
Example:
Harry’s letter keep getting taken away from him
He has problems in school
The troll
Voldemort (He Who Must Not Be Named)

6. Climax This is the LAST conflict of the story
There should be NO more conflict, problems, or actions after this event
Example: Harry and Voldemort’s confrontation
After this confrontation there are no more conflicts after the story

7. Falling Action
The falling action is where any unknown details or plot holes are filled
Example:
Dumbledore tells Harry about the Sorcerer’s Stone and what will happen to it

8. Resolution The final outcome of the story is told
It is here that the tone of the author’s story can usually be found
Example:
Harry’s first year at Hogwarts is wrapped and Harry learns the value of friendship and bravery

9. Showing not Telling
Narrative stories SHOW the audience what is happening
Show
The light streaming from the window hit my sleep-lid eyes
Tell
The light hit me as I woke up

10. Show not Tell Cont. Tell I was nervous as I told my mom the truth Show
I rubbed my sweaty hands on my pants, my eyes cast down as my voice shook; taking a deep breath I told my mom the truth.

11. Dialogue
When writing dialogue, be sure to ALWAYS make a dialogue on a NEW paragraph
Example:
The tires screeched to a halt, my breath escaping me as the seatbelt dug into my shoulder.
“Watch where you are going!” I shouted at the young man walking down the road.
“Maybe you shouldn’t text and drive” The man shouted back, his arms raising over his head in anger.

12. Narrative Assignment Your turn!
Write at LEAST a one page narrative on…
Must include the following:
Creative title
A engaging hook
Descriptive wording
A beginning, middle, end

13. Themes to Write About You can write about one of two themes
A time in your life where you faced prejudice, or someone you know faced prejudice.
What did you do? How did you feel? OR
A time when you persevered through a difficult time.
Persevere: Maintain a purpose despite difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement
Example: Ms. C persevered through school even though getting good grades was hard for her
Also life (maybe talk about my struggle to overcome health issues as a baby/child