1. The secrets of writing great narrative
Narrative writing
The secrets of writing great narrative

2. What is a Narrative? Simply Stated  A STORY
Narrative essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal—allowing students to express themselves in a creative ways.

3. What makes a good story? The common features of a good story are:
Orientation
Complication, and
Resolution
This is called Narrative Structure

4. Narrative Structure Orientation/Beginning:
This sets the scene, creating a visual picture of the setting, atmosphere and time of the story.
Characters are introduced and clues are set in place for the coming complication.
The scene can be described using descriptive language that helps the reader to visualise the setting. Choice of words is important to create the atmosphere and time of the story.
Characters can be described in detail, including how they look, act, behave, feel, think etc. so the reader can again visualise the scene and people involved in the story.
Who are all these people?

5. Narrative Structure Complication/Problem:
This is where a problem or complication occurs that affects the setting, time or characters.

6. Narrative Structure Minor Resolution:
This is where the problem seems to be resolved.

7. Narrative Structure Complication/New Problem
The problem or complication is
now even worse than before.

8. Narrative Structure Resolution/ Problem is solved:
This is where the problem is really solved
and the story ends.

9. Narrative Structure Evaluative Ending/ Moral:
Often there may be a moral or a message at the end of the story.
i.e. “Timmy learned that he should treat others the way he would like to be treated…”

10. ACTIVITY – Little Red Riding Hood
Think, Pair, Share
Think about the story of ‘Little Red Riding Hood’.
Working in pairs, match parts of the story with the narrative structure, (i.e. orientation, complication, minor resolution, new complication, resolution and moral) we have just revised.
Share aloud with the class
Little Red Riding Hood sets out for Grand mother’s house - Orientation
Little Red Riding Hood meets the wolf - Complication
The wolf leaves Little Red Riding hood and races to Grandmother’s house – Minor Resolution (Wolf left Red Riding Hood along)
The wolf eats Grandmother – New Complication/Problem
The wolf tricks Little Red Riding Hood – New Problem/Complication
The woodcutter saves Little Red Riding Hood - Resolution
Children should not talk to strangers – Moral of the story

11. Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood sets out for Grand mother’s house – Orientation
Little Red Riding Hood meets the wolf – Complication
The wolf leaves Little Red Riding hood and races to Grandmother’s house – Minor Resolution (Wolf left Red Riding Hood alone)
The wolf eats Grandmother – New Complication/Problem
The wolf tricks Little Red Riding Hood – New Complication/Problem
The woodcutter saves Little Red Riding Hood – Resolution
Children should not talk to strangers – Moral of the story

12. The Writing Process (RID)
R Replace words, phrases and sentences with more effective
ones.
I Insert extra words, phrases
and sentences.
D Delete ineffective words,
phrases and sentences.
Edit your work

13. Points of View Writing from different points of view can add
interest and detail to a story.
First Person
Second Person
Third Person

14. First Person Character speaks directly to the reader.
Helps author to reveal thoughts and feelings in an intimate way.
Disadvantage - reader only knows about the events of the story from only one point of view.
E.g. Humpty Dumpty:
I am sitting on top of the cold sandstone wall, gazing at the
horizon. I am worried I might fall off and hurt myself.

15. Second Person Not used often for narrative writing
Widely used by non-fiction writers
Written in an easy style as if talking directly to the reader.
E.g. Humpty Dumpty:
You should see him sitting there on that wall. You wonder
what he’s thinking about. You imagine that he may fall.

16. Third Person
The writer knows everything there is to know about the characters.
The writer can see inside their minds.
The writer knows what they are thinking and feeling.
E.g. Humpty Dumpty:
Humpty Dumpty is sitting calmly on top of the sandstone
wall, gazing at the horizon. He wonders whether he might
fall off and hurt himself.

17. Narrative Features Effective narrative writing has a range of
language features.
Use of dialogue to elicit an emotional response from the reader
Descriptive language, including the use of devices such as metaphors, personification, etc.

18. Narrative Features 3. Effective characterisation to elicit an
emotional response from the reader.
4. Past or present tense – being consistent
throughout.
5. Use of a variety of simple, compound and
complex sentences

19. Working in groups, create a graphic organiser to display the important aspects of Narrative.
Include these headings:
Narrative Structure
Narrative Features
RID

20. Graphic Organiser ‘Writing Great Narrative’