The Narrative

Learning Outcome

We will be able to define a narrative, explain its purpose, and determine its key elements.

The Narrative

• What is a narrative?
• When do we write them?
• What is their purpose?

What is a Narrative?

A narrative is a story. In writing a narrative essay, you share with the reader some personal experience of your own in order to make a point or convey a message.

What is the Purpose?

Whatever story you tell, your purpose is to share with others some experience that has taught you something or changed you somehow.

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Remember that narration is more than just description.

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Your essay should be descriptive, but it should also emphasize the significance of a particular event, object, or person.

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Other Times we Write Narratives

(Real life connections)

• College Applications
• UCs and Privates
• Scholarships
• Court/Lawful Activity
• Job Applications
• Describe an experience/challenge you overcame.
• Interviews
• Resumes/Cover Letters
• Educate
• Family traditions.
• Explain/describe an issue to a client.
• Inform others of an idea.
• What else?

Narrative Techniques

Narrative Techniques

• Develop an experience.
• Apply elements of plot.
• Exposition
• Rising Action
• Climax
• Falling Action
• Resolution

Narrative Techniques

• Sequence of Events
• Pacing
• Character Development
• Dialogue
• Description
• Sensory Details/"Showing" Language “Show not Tell”
• Action
• Dialogue
• Sensory Images
• Reflection
• Tone
• Mood
• Repetition
• Point of view
• Flashback
• Flashforward
• Foreshadow

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What does a good Narrative DO?

1. Establishes Purpose: Why are you telling the story? Every narration must have a point or purpose,

usually to entertain or to inform.

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2. Establishes the Problem and Context: establish the problem context of your narrative early in the essay. You can follow these basic guidelines: who, what, where, when.

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What does a good Narrative DO?

3. Establishes Organization: Follows a clear plot line and organizational pattern.

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What does a good Narrative DO?

4. Develops Point of View: A narrative essay may be written in the first-person (I) or third-person (he, she,it) point of view; do not use second person (you). If you were part of the action, the first-person provides the best perspective. If you are relating an event based upon other sources, use the third-person point of view. In some circumstances, you may be forced to choose the point of view (if, for example, you were a witness, but not a participant). Once you have decided upon a point of view, stay consistent with it.

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What does a good Narrative DO?

5. Describe Details: Include enough details for clarity; however, select only the incidents that are

relevant.

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6. Organize Events: A narrative usually follows a chronological time line; however, you may find

flashbacks a creative option as long as the narrative can be clearly followed by the reader. Most narratives are told in the past tense. You should keep tenses consistent.

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What does a good Narrative DO?

7. Applies Narrative Techniques: Effectively apply dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

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8. “Show” don’t “Tell”: Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

What does a good Narrative DO?

9. Reflects on Significance: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.

Preparing to write the Narrative

Show Don't Tell

Show Don't Tell

Show Don't Tell

Steps in Writing a Narrative

The Prompt

Step 1: Brainstorm Adjectives

What are 6 Adjectives that you feel define you?

Step 2: Brainstorm Defining Experience/Moment.

• For each adjective, briefly describe a conflict/challenge you faced that proves you "'are" that adjective.
• Start each statement with "The time when..."

Step 3: Create Adjective Foldable

(Outer View): Both Sides

Step 3: Create Adjective Foldable

(Inner View): Both Sides

Step 4: Plot Diagram

Identifying the Elements of

Plot Structure

Student Notes

Plot Diagram

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Plot (definition)

• Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made up of a series of incidents that are related to one another.

1. Exposition

• This usually occurs at the beginning of a short story. Here the characters are introduced. We also learn about the setting of the story. Most importantly, we are introduced to the main conflict (main problem).

2. Rising Action

• This part of the story begins to develop the conflict(s). A building of interest or suspense occurs.

3. Climax

• This is the turning point of the story. Usually the main character comes face to face with a conflict. The main character will change in some way.

4. Falling Action

• All loose ends of the plot are tied up. The conflict(s) and climax are taken care of.

5. Resolution

• The story comes to a reasonable ending.

Putting It All Together

1. Exposition

2. Rising Action

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3. Climax

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4. Falling Action

5. Resolution

Beginning of Story

Middle of Story

End of Story

Step 5: Diagraming Rising Action

(Focus on The Senses)

Diagramming Rising Action Complications

What did you SEE?

What did you TOUCH?

What did you TASTE?

What did you SMELL?

What did you HEAR?

What did you SEE?

What did you TOUCH?

What did you TASTE?

What did you SMELL?

What did you HEAR?

What did you SEE?

What did you TOUCH?

What did you TASTE?

What did you SMELL?

What did you HEAR?

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What did you SEE?

What did you TOUCH?

What did you TASTE?

What did you SMELL?

What did you HEAR?

What did you SEE?

What did you TOUCH?

What did you TASTE?

What did you SMELL?

What did you HEAR?

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The Writing Process

The Introduction/Exposition/Basic Situation

(Show don't Tell the following...)

• Develop the setting. Describe a believable world of setting(s)/situation and characters that come alive or are realistic. (Put us in the situation).

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• Describe the major player(s)/Protagonist/Antagonist, thing, animal or imaginary character that drives the action of the story.

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• Develop the mood by describing the interaction of the character and the setting. This can be accomplished through dialogue, monologue, thoughts, feelings, actions, that express terror, happiness, adventure, peacefulness, etc.

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• Create curiosity until the end of the introduction. Avoid revealing the problem to early.Engage the reader

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• Introduce the goal/main problem/main conflict the main character needs to solve.

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Rising Action/Climax:

(Show don't Tell the following...)

• Dialogue: What they say.
• Actions: What they do.
• Sensory Images: What you SEE, TASTE, TOUCH, HEAR, SMELL.

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• Describe events in chronological order. Follow your plot diagram.

• Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

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• Develop characters. Show the action and feelings of characters through description and dialogue.

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• Develop the conflict. Make the reader feel your “point of no return.

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• Build one event to the next.

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• Describe the turning point. Where the character realizes something, or changes.

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The Falling Action:

(Show don't Tell the following...)

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• Describe events in chronological order. Follow your plot diagram.

• Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.

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• Tie Up all the Loose Ends that were developed in your rising action. This is an opportunity to address all of the problems that were described in the rising action.

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The Conclusion

Provide a conclusion that...

• Reflects on what you learned from the experience.
• Reflects on what was resolved over the course of the narrative and how you grew from the experience.
• Communicates the significance of the experience.

The Exposition

(Peer Review Questions)

• How can they better put you in a situation by vividly describing a setting?

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• How can they improve their character development?

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• Do they keep you curious throughout the exposition? Why or why not? How can they improve?

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• Do they clearly reveal the main problem/conflict/challenge? If not give them advice for revision?

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• Where can they improve?

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Rising Action/Climax: Peer Review

(Show don't Tell the following...)

• Dialogue: What they say.
• Actions: What they do.
• Sensory Images: What you SEE, TASTE, TOUCH, HEAR, SMELL.

How can improve the way they....

• Describe events in chronological order? Follow your plot diagram.

• Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters?

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• Develop characters?

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• Develop the conflict?

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• Build one event to the next?

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• Describe the turning point? Where the character realizes something, or changes.

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Common Errors

The Narrative

Rewrite Requirements

• 69% or lower must rewrite.
• Only scores with 89% or lower can rewrite.
• Highest score you can earn is 89%.
• You can turn it in any day prior to due date.
• You only get ONE chance to improve.
• You MUST attach the original draft & rubric.
• You MUST highlight revisions.
• You must attend one, 1 hour workshop session to qualify.
• You must have significant revisions to ideas, not simple edits.
• If you can, I encourage you to bring in a laptop to revise online.

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Narrative: Common Errors

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