1. The Narrative
MN State Standard, American Literature, Tenth grade
Engage and orient reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events
Use literary narrative techniques and multiple plot lines to develop experiences, events, and/or characters
Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so they build on one another to create a coherent whole
Use precise words and phrases, telling details, figurative and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters
Provide a conclusion (when appropriate) that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative or creative text

2. Elements of a Narrative
Narration
Narrative techniques
Organization
Figurative language and detail
Conclusion/reflection

3. Narration Set out a problem, situation, or observation
Establish one or multiple points of view
Introduce narrator and/or characters
Create a smooth progression

4. Narration – Problem, Situation, Observation
The point of the narrative

5. Narration – Point of View
Narrator is the one who tells the story – determines point of view
1st Person (inside the story)
Narrator participates in the action
Can be protagonist or supporting character
Pros: immediate information/more lively
Cons: limited to only this view
3rd Person (outside the story)
Nameless (omniscient)
Godlike, can enter many character’s perspectives
Pros: natural b/c author is omniscient
Unlifelike (really a convention of literature)
Other character
Limited to one view (he/she)
Objective
Combination throughout narrative is possible
Present can be more dramatic than past
Epistolary novel - more than one narrator (Wuthering Heights, The Help, Jodi Picoult novels)

6. Narration – Characterization
Physical descriptions – most common
Name analysis – meaning behind names (if there is one) Authors usually carefully select their character’s names (Hunger Games)
Attitude/Appearance – how the character feels about what is happening to him/her in the story
Dialogue – the way the character talks (word choice, syntax) and their tone (sarcastic, serious, obnoxious, joyful)
Thoughts – can only include an analysis of a character’s thoughts if the author tells the reader what the character is thinking. (Where is the evidence in the text)
Reactions of others – how other characters treat/react to the character you are analyzing (are they liked? Feared?)
Action/Incident – how it affected them or how they reacted. Is there an incident in the past that shaped them or how they look at life?
Physical/Emotional setting – can effect the way the character develops. Emotionally deals with a series of emotional events the character deals with throughout.

7. Narration – Smooth Progression of Events
See Organization/Sequencing

8. Narrative Techniques
Literary Techniques to develop experiences, events, and/or characters
Dialogue
Pacing
Rhythm
Repetition
Rhyme
Description
Reflection
Multiple plot lines

9. Narrative Techniques – Dialogue
Should contribute to plot in some way
Take out the nonessentials
Break up dialogue with action/description
Limit “he said/she said” type tags and all their synonyms
Avoid clichés, stereotypes, profanity, slang
Punctuate correctly

10. Narrative Techniques – Pacing
Timing
When is the story being told Vs. when the actually story took place
Time spanned (a lifetime, a summer)
Strategies
Foreshadow, flashback, dialogue
Length (more intense the shorter the sentences/scenes/everything)
Create breaks
Extended moments
Show Vs. tell (show =slower, tell=faster)

11. Narrative Techniques – other
Rhythm
Punctuation, justified tone changes, alliteration
Repetition
Purposeful, significant point trying to make
Rhyme
Use sparingly only for effect
Description
See pacing/characterization
Reflection
Multiple plot lines
Reserved for longer works (short stories focus on one plot line)

12. Organization
Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so they build on one another to create a coherent whole

13. Organization – Ways to Sequence
Chronological
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
5, 1, 2, 3, 4
4, 1, 2, 3, 5
Flashback
Think of story chronologically. Bullet main components and then rearrange order to determine possible effects

14. Figurative Language & Detail
Tools used to convey a vivid picture of experiences, events, setting, and/or characters
Precise words and phrases
Telling details
Figurative language
Simile
Metaphor
Hyperbole
Sensory language (consider all senses)

15. Figurative Language & Detail – precise words and phrases
Avoid “very” “really” “so”
“I was fuming/irate” instead of “I was very/really/so angry”
Every adjective/adverb should relate to point being made. If action is intense – “He bolted to his car” is better than “He went to his car”
Don’t use big words just to use big words; choose the best word for your purpose.

16. Figurative Language & Detail – Sensory Detail
When thinking of a person/place/event go through each sense.
The park
Looks like…open area, bright equipment, swings
Sounds like…laughter, giggles, children playing
Smells like…fresh breeze, clean air, grass
Feels like…childhood, freedom, joy
Tastes like…(not applicable here)
Select the senses that best support the scene you are trying to create/are important.
Turning the corner to the park she is instantly enveloped in laughter and joy; she slowly inhales the memories of her childhood, the grass tickling her toes as she skips to the swings, her body leaning back to see the enormous sky, her legs pumping, higher and higher while the breeze plays with her hair. For a moment she escapes to the freedoms of youth; for a moment she is at peace. For a moment.

17. Conclusion
Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative
Not always appropriate to conclude
Create closure that “makes sense” to story