What Is Narrative Writing?
Sometimes, narratives can also be�used to inform the audience or to�teach a moral or a lesson.
Narrative writing is generally thought of as story writing. The main purpose of a narrative is to entertain the reader, viewer or listener.
What Is Narrative Writing?
Usually, narratives will follow a very specific structure which includes an opening, a build-up, a dilemma, a resolution and a closing.
chronologically: In a way�that follows the order in�which events occurred.
They will often be written chronologically but they can�be set at any point in the past, present or future.
Types of Narrative Texts
Can you think of any other genres of narrative texts in addition to the ones below?
Different types of narrative texts are called genres.
fantasy
traditional tale
myth
legend
thriller
fable
chiller
adventure
Click on each ‘?’ box to reveal that answer.
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Features of a Narrative Text
A narrative text usually…
tells a story in chronological order
Begins with an opening that introduces the characters and the setting.
Has a build-up which hints towards an upcoming problem.
Involves a dilemma where a problem arises that cannot be avoided.
Includes a resolution to the dilemma.
Closes with an ending which may sometimes be a cliffhanger.
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Contains lots of description to allow the reader or listener to imagine things vividly and accurately.
Amazing Openings
There are many ways to do this but you may want to try:
action, such as opening the story in the middle of an ongoing battle;
dialogue, such as opening the story with a conversation between characters;
character description, which gives the reader someone to connect with;
setting description, which gives the reader something to imagine.
All narratives must have an opening (beginning).
�The purpose of an opening is to ‘hook’ the audience and to make them want to carry on reading, watching or listening to the story.
Brilliant Beginnings
Imagine that this is the setting for the narrative that you are about to create.
How are you going to open this story?
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How will you hook your audience right from the beginning?
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Identify the Dilemma
Think of five stories that you have read or films that you have seen. What were the dilemmas in each�of them?
In almost every story you read, there will be a dilemma (problem).
Why do you think that narratives need a dilemma?�What would happen if everything just went well?
Picture the Problem
How many different dilemmas could there be in your narrative based on just this picture?
Try to think outside of the box and really look at all of the small details of the picture to find a problem that the audience won’t be able to see coming.
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Realistic Resolutions
Imagine that your main character has been chased by a hungry dragon and has been cornered.�
In what logical or possible way could this dilemma be resolved?
When trying to resolve the dilemma in a narrative, it is crucial that the resolution is believable and possible.
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What sort of resolution would be absurd,�illogical or impossible and could disappoint your audience?
Believable Not Boring
How could this situation�be resolved?
The dilemma here is that the girl is stuck on the beach and an enormous, powerful wave is coming towards her.
Remember: You can’t introduce a new character or prop at this point without their being a logical explanation for them being there.
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Keep Them Wanting More
A cliffhanger is a dramatic and exciting ending to the story that leaves the audience in suspense because they do not know what happens next.
This can be a brilliant way to end a story�if you plan to write a further installment.
Sometimes, narratives like adventure stories, chillers and thrillers end with a cliffhanger.
It can also be an effective way to leave your audience feeling spooked at the end of a chiller tale when they thought that everything was ‘back to normal’.
Consider Both Options
What could a logical end�to the story be?
The dilemma was that the chick got lost. The resolution was that the chick returned home.
How could you turn the ending into a cliffhanger?
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