1. Narration
“STORIES”

2. Elements of Narratives
Series of events
-plot
Arranged in a chosen order
-chronological, flashbacks, inversions common
-be clear and purposeful
-build to climactic moment of insight that
concludes the story
Told by a narrator
-from a specific point of view
Particular purpose
-controls the detail selection

3. Types of Narratives
Narration can be found in any type of writing, but it is most often used in
Personal experiences
Jokes
Historical accounts
Short stories
Novels

4. Narration and the Reader Details for Audience & Purpose
Good stories: an artfully narrated, tightly constructed, told-for-a-good-reason
As readers, we know that some stories interest us more than others. We get bored if the plot line is too complicated or too detailed. "Keep the shape clear," we demand of the writer. "Don't bore me with trivial and irrelevant details."
Even if the story is artfully told, we still might not be satisfied. "Why are you telling me this?" we ask. We expect as well that there is a reason why we are being told this story—a good reason, one that catches and holds our attention.

5. Narration and the Writer: Clear Purpose
We might have a variety of purposes—for example, to entertain, to inform, to persuade—but we need to make it clear to our readers why we are writing this narrative.
That purpose in turn should govern everything we include in our narrative.

6. Narration and the Writer: Focus & Shape
Select only those that are essential.
Then those details or events must be arranged so that the story has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
However, the structure relies on the story itself, the purpose, and the audience.
The narrative needs a sense of completeness.

7. Narration and the Writer: Vividness – “see” characters & actions Pick the best MOMENTS that give shape & significance
SHOW=vivid
-sparing use of dialogue
-dramatizing a scene
TELL=greater number of events and details
-summarizing what happened

8. Personal Narratives
Do not have to be a completely accurate description of an event, but it does matter that the event could have happened and that the narrative is true to a purpose.  
Do not just retell the events that happened.
Generally told in first person – always be aware of point of view

9. Academic Narratives (usually told in third person)
Science: recount methods; track progress
Social Studies: interview veteran, etc.
Education: child observation (RAP)
Literature: retell story from different POV
POV PPT: