2. A narrative is a story of real or imagined events.
What is a narrative?
A narrative is a story of real or imagined events.
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3. First person narrative
Personal Narrative
A personal narrative is a story that is told in the first person. The pronoun ‘I’ is used.
First person narrative I me
mine
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4. Fictional Narrative A fictional narrative is a story that is made up.
It is more often told in the third person.
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5. Fictional Narrative
Some third person pronouns like ‘he’, ‘she’, and/or ‘it’ are used.
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6. The Orientation The orientation is the first part of a narrative.
It is also called the introduction, the exposition or the beginning.
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7. The Orientation
The orientation of a narrative introduces the character and setting.
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8. The Orientation
The characters are the people and/or animals that play a role in moving along the story events.
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9. The Orientation
The setting is the time and place the story takes place.
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10. The Orientation
The following ‘wh’ questions are found in the orientation of a narrative:
Who?
When?
Where?
Why?
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11. The Orientation There are many ways to begin the orientation. Example:
You may begin with action.
Example:
Jack climbed down the beanstalk hurriedly, the clucking hen clutched tightly under his arm.
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12. The Orientation
You may begin with a description on the character.
Example:
Jack was a hard-working farmer. He took good care of the chickens, goats and Bessy the cow.
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13. The Orientation You may begin with dialogue. Example:
“Jack, I need you to take Bessy to the market and find the best price you can get for her,” said Jack’s mother sadly.
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14. The Orientation You may begin with a description on the setting.
Example:
Jack and his mother lived on a farm in the country. The farm was small but it was their only possession. It had a few chickens and goats and their much-loved cow, Bessy.
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15. The Orientation You may begin with a sound effect. Example:
Zing! Three magical beans mysteriously appeared in the funny-looking old man’s hand.
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16. The Orientation
Read the orientation extract from Roald Dahl’s ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’. Highlight and write your answers to the questions.
Down in the valley there were three farms. The owners of these farms had done well. They were rich men. They were also nasty men. All three of them were about as nasty and mean as any men you could meet. Their names were Farmer Boggis, Farmer Bunce and Farmer Bean.
What is the setting?
Who are the characters?
Three farms in a valley.
Farmer Boggis, Farmer Bunce, Farmer Bean
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17. The Orientation At an inn. With a description on the character.
Read the orientation extract from Robert Louis Stevenson’s, ‘Treasure Island’. Highlight and write your answers to the questions.
I remember, as if it were yesterday, the old seaman who came to live at our inn. He was tall and strong and his black pigtail hung on his shoulders. His hands were rough and he had a white scar across one cheek. His name was Billy Bones.
With a description on the character.
How did the author begin?
What is the setting?
At an inn.
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18. The Orientation In a bedroom; in a castle.
Read the orientation extract from Vivian French’s, ‘Princess Katie’. Highlight and write your answers to the questions.
1. How did the author begin?
WHOOMPH! The pillow was snatched away, and there was Princess Alice grinning at me.
With a sound effect.
2. Where do you think the event is happening?
In a bedroom; in a castle.
3. How do you know this is a first person narrative?
By the use of the pronoun ‘me’.
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19. The Orientation With dialogue.
Read the orientation extract from Christopher Stitt’s, ‘Turn it down Max!’. Highlight and write your answers to the questions.
“Turn it down, Max!” My mom’s been shouting that ever since Gran bought me a portable stereo of my very own. Mom’s just jealous she didn’t get one!
How did the author begin?
With dialogue.
2. How do you know this is a first person narrative?
By the use of the pronouns ‘my’ and ‘me’.
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20. The Orientation With action. By reference to the Roundabout Land.
Read the orientation extract from Enid Blyton’s, ‘Faraway Tree Adventures’. Highlight and write your answers to the questions.
The children clung to the top branches of the Faraway Tree, whilst the rabbits slid down a bit lower. They could still hear the happy music of the Roundabout Land as it swung round overhead.
How did the author begin?
With action.
2. How do you know this is a fictional narrative?
By reference to the Roundabout Land.
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21. The Orientation
Now it’s your turn to write an orientation!
Remember the character Humpty Dumpty who sat on a wall and fell down?
Write an introductory paragraph on him. Choose any one suitable opening: action, character, setting, dialogue or sound effect.
Who was he sitting with?
Where was the wall?
When was he sitting on the wall?
Why was he sitting on the wall?
Use your imagination to make up the events in the orientation.
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22. Humpty Dumpty
Write an introductory paragraph on him. Choose any one suitable opening: action, character, setting, dialogue or sound effect.
Who was he sitting with?
Where was the wall?
When was he sitting on the wall?
Why was he sitting on the wall?
Example (sound effect): SLAM! Humpty Dumpty fell from the wall and cried out, “someone help! I’ve fallen and can’t get up!” Sadly, no one was there to help Humpty Dumpy.

23. Humpty Dumpty
Example (action): Humpty Dumpty hurriedly jumped to the wall and fell hard on his bottom. Not even the kings could help him back up.
Example (character): Round and clumsy, Humpty Dumpty was always out playing and tripping over things. This time, he was just sitting on a wall when he fell hard on the ground.

24. Humpty Dumpty
Example (setting): Humpty Dumpty was near a tall, red-brick wall. It was a warm and sunny day, so Humpty Dumpty decided to sit on the wall and watch the clouds drift by.
Example (dialogue): “Help! Someone please help me!” Humpty Dumpty cried for help. He could only hope that someone would come and help him from the fall.

25. The Orientation
Write an orientation on the picture prompt. Write about the characters and setting. Include responses to who, when, where, and why.
Choose any one suitable opening:
action
character
setting
dialogue sound effect
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26. Write an orientation on the picture prompt
Write an orientation on the picture prompt. Write about the characters and setting. Include responses to who, when, where, and why.
Choose any one suitable opening:
action
character
setting
dialogue sound effect
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27. Write an orientation on the picture prompt
Write an orientation on the picture prompt. Write about the characters and setting. Include responses to who, when, where, and why.
Choose any one suitable opening:
action
character
setting
dialogue sound effect
© Teach To Tell