1. DEVELOPING A NARRATIVE Expository Pattern # 9

2. Viva la difference! When is a narrative more than just a story? When it: When is a narrative more than just a story? When it: Explains a subject Explains a subject Presents conclusions Presents conclusions Supports an interpretation or a thesis Supports an interpretation or a thesis

3. What a narrative does: It helps readers understand what happened It helps readers understand what happened It includes who, where, what and to whom events. It includes who, where, what and to whom events. It recreates events with concrete detail/quotes It recreates events with concrete detail/quotes It helps readers understand the significance of events—the point being made, your POV about the events, or the way the events support your thesis. It helps readers understand the significance of events—the point being made, your POV about the events, or the way the events support your thesis.

4. Why use a narrative pattern? Memoirs, autobiographies and profiles are perfect genres for narrative. Memoirs, autobiographies and profiles are perfect genres for narrative. Narratives can also be useful to provide a framework for commentary and analysis, with passages of narrative interspersed with discussions of the significance and implications of the events. Narratives can also be useful to provide a framework for commentary and analysis, with passages of narrative interspersed with discussions of the significance and implications of the events. Finally, narrative can add detail/emotional force to other patterns, such as comparison, cause/effect, or definition. Finally, narrative can add detail/emotional force to other patterns, such as comparison, cause/effect, or definition.

5. Choosing a Strategy: Narratives are chronological accounts of events, but you can toy with the order and emphasis. Narratives are chronological accounts of events, but you can toy with the order and emphasis. Ask yourself: Ask yourself: 1. What events are most important to my purpose for writing? 2. What ideas and emotions surrounding the events are worth sharing with my readers? 3. What point do I want to make with this narrative?