Narrative
Writing
Key Features in Writing a Narrative
Dramatic heading/title
Written in first or third person
Written in past tense
The main characters are usually human
Action verbs
Adjectives, adverbs and lots of detail
Some direct speech
A variety of sentence types
tion
e m tu a
b l si
1. Setting P r o
u ild
3. a n . B s. 4. Climax
Location,
s io gue
te g scus ialo Narrate a series of
surroundings, a
Cre irin /di g d actions/events leading
atmosphere, time of q u on sin
r e i s i u to a crisis. Time
day, season, c t
de nflic pressure may be a
weather co factor.
2. Characters 5. Resolution
Introduce up to three characters Describe the outcome
by describing appearance and which may involve an
use of direct speech. Make their ironic twist
relationships clear.
Success Criteria for Narrative Writing
I have organised my writing into sections (paragraphs)
I have used language effects to create an impact e.g., adverbs and
adjectives.
I have used strong verbs to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings
I have used a mixture of short, complex, and compound sentences to
change the pace of my story.
I have used an interesting introduction, or hooks to make my writing
exciting.
I have included a clear build up, climax and resolution in my story.
I have used connectives that: signal time e.g., first thing…. Later that day…
inject suspense e.g., without warning…from out of nowhere, shift
attention e.g., meanwhile…at that very moment.
My narrative includes a setting and introduces protagonist and other
characters.
Compose a short narrative based on any one of
the given topics.
Old Photo
The Argument
The Hitcher
Breakthrough
Visitors
Scars
Lesson Objectives: 01
02
Identify the key
features, elements 03
and structure of a
narrative text 04
02 03 05
01
06
Distinguish Write a personal
narrative narrative
techniques
used in writing
01
02
Narrative Writing 03
04
TECHNIQUES| ELEMENTS | 05
STRUCTURE 06
Narrative
Techniques
In medias res 01
“Into the middle of things”
02
03
A device which describes a narrative
Flashbacking 04
that begins, not at the beginning of a Foreshadowing
05
story, but somewhere in the middle-
06
usually at some crucial point in action
Flashbacks
-Flashbacks interrupt
the current action of the Foreshadowing
story to show a scene
-Foreshadowing drops
from the past
hints of what may
happen in the future.
THE RULE OF THREE 01
02
It is a literary device which
Establish Conflict 03
turns up events through
04
following the pattern: Build Conflict 05
06
Resolve Conflict
HAMART 01
IA
It refers to a “tragic flaw” or
“Hubris”
Excessive Pride and
02
03
a protagonist’s personal Ego
04
error which brings about his 05
tragic downfall in a tragedy. 06
ANAGNORISIS 01
02
It refers to the sudden discovery made 03
by a character which results in the
04
recognition of the protagonist or
05
another character’s true
06
identity/nature.
Peripeteia 01
02
03
It refers to a sudden change in a
04
story which results to a
05
negative reversal of
06
circumstances.
DEUS EX
It refers to an abrupt change when a
01
02
MACHINA seemingly impossible or unsolvable 03
problem is solved by the unexpected 04
and miraculous appearance of new 05
character, thing or ability.
06
METAFICTION 01
02
03
-It refers to a literary technique in
04
which the author knowingly draws
attention to the fact that it is being 05
made up. 06
Key Features