Narrative

Writing a Narrative

One of the first types of text we are introduced to when we are young is a Narrative. A Narrative is a connected series of events that come together to make a story. They will tend to include a beginning, a middle and an end. They may be completely made up and include dragons and aliens or be based in the real world with real places and people. A Narrative can be told from one or more perspectives from characters within the story or the voice of someone outside the story.

Type of Language Used

Be in paragraph form
Contain descriptive words and language of places, people, objects and action
Often include conversation between characters
Usually in Past or Present Tense

Structure of a Narrative

A Narrative will have three core elements:

Orientation - here the writer will introduce the time, place and often the main characters of the story - often lots of descriptive language is used to give the reader a real sense of the environment in which the story is taking place.

Complication - in this section the majority of the action or events of the story will take place. In many narratives, the events in this part lead to a climax or peak where the major event of the story takes place.

Resolution - the final part of the narrative is where the problem, complication or major event in the story is resolved and the story comes to end.

In the example to the left, students have been asked to re-write the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

What does a Narrative look like?

Little Red Riding Hood

The clouds were dark and forboding as the wind ripped fiercely through the trees. I glanced out my window and pondered for a minute whether it was worth the long trek through the forest to Grandma's. But the muffins were hot, and she was expecting me. I grabbed my red cloak and wrapped it tightly around me, as I prepared to face the weather. Gusts of wind swirled around me as trees rustled loudly in every direction. I had the distinct feeling that I was being followed.

After a gruelling journey I finally stumbled upon my Grandmother's doorstep. Knocking loudly and bouncing on my toes to keep warm. Perhaps she couldn't hear me over the weather.

"Come in my dear" a voice croaked from within. How lucky I had come to visit, I thought to myself, Grandma does not sound well at all.

"Grandma?" I queried, when I found the kitchen table empty. "I'm in the bedroom my dear".....

............. More action...........

Exhausted I fell to the floor, watching in awe as the woodsman jumped through the window in pursuit of the wolf. He wouldn't get far I was sure. Grandma gazed at me, wide-eyed and I wondered how I could have ever mistaken her eyes for those of the wolf. She smiled at me and we shared a sigh of relief. How lucky it was that I had come to visit.

CHECKLIST for Success

HASS

Have I

Included lots of descriptive language to give the reader a sense of time, place and the characters?
Included all three structural elements of a Narrative?
Included historically accurate descriptions of places and objects?
Used language that matches the time and place of where and when my historical narrative is set?

English

Have I

Included lots of descriptive language to give the reader a sense of time, place and the characters?
Included all three structural elements of a Narrative?
Included language features such as similes, metaphor and foreshadowing?
Made my characters believable?
Included correct punctuation for conversations?

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