Narrative Essay

Getting it right every time

What is a Narrative ?• The most important thing to remember about a

narrative essay is that it tells a story. It can be a short a short story, a novel, a drama, or a narrative poem.story, a novel, a drama, or a narrative poem.

• The author may write about– an experience or event from his or her past– something that happened to somebody else, such as

a friend, parent or a grandparent– a recent or an ongoing experience or event

What is a plot Plot is what happens in a story. Plot

consists of a series of related episodes, one growing out of another.The parts of the plot act like the building blocks in a story.

What are the parts of the plot?

Basic situation ConflictSeries of events or Rising actionClimaxResolution or denouement

Basic situation The basic situation

introduces the characters and what they want. This is where the reader usually finds out about the conflict or a problem in the story.

The major character must face obstacles to solving his or her problem.

Basic situation

Conflict Conflict is a struggle between opposing Conflict is a struggle between opposing

forcesforces Every plot must contain some kind of conflictEvery plot must contain some kind of conflict Stories can have more than one conflictStories can have more than one conflict Conflicts can be external or internalConflicts can be external or internal

External conflictExternal conflict- outside force may be person, - outside force may be person, group, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstaclegroup, animal, nature, or a nonhuman obstacle

Internal conflictInternal conflict- takes place in a character’s mind- takes place in a character’s mind

Conflict

Series of events or Rising action

• A series of events takes place that makes it very hard for the character to get what he or she wants.

• Conflict builds as the major character faces obstacles to solving his or her problem.

• Each new obstacle complicates the conflict and helps build to the story’s climax.

Series of events or Rising action

Climax The climax is the story’s most emotional or

suspenseful moment. This is the point at which the conflict is decided

one way or another. Reader’s curiosity is at it’s highest at the story’s

climax. Make your reader wonder, “How is this going to turn out?”

Climax

Resolution or denouement The resolution is the last part of the story. It

is also called denouement. This is where the loose ends of the plot are

tied up and the story is closed.

Resolution or denouement

Diagram of a plot

Basic situation

Serie

s of e

vent

s/

Risin

g Acti

on

Climax

Resolution/

Denouem

ent

It’s time to get started……..

• Remember that your plot needs to have a

• beginning

• conflict

• rising action

• a climax

• resolution

It’s time to get started……• To grab the reader’s attention and quickly

introduce your story’s character’s, setting, point of view and conflict, try one of these opener suggestions.

• Start with dialogue, letting a character speak to set the scene.

• Start with action, jumping right into the conflict and describing the setting and the characters as part of the action.

The view• A story’s point of view depends upon who is

narrating, or telling the story.

• Many effective short stories use the first-person or the third person limited point of view.

• Choose the first-person point of view if you want readers to put themselves into the story, as if they are the major character. Choose the third-person limited point of view if you want readers to experience the story from a distance, as if they are simply watching the major character.

Developing a character• Step1: Ask yourself, “What does this character

look like?” List details about appearance such as the character’s skin and hair color, height, weight, and style of clothing.

• Step2: Ask yourself:”What does the reader need to know about this character?”List important facts such as the character’s age, place of residence, and family background.

Developing a characterStep3: Ask yourself, “What is this character’s

personality like?” Is the character quiet? Sociable? A bully? A good student?What does the character like to do?

Planning a story’s setting• The setting is where and when the story takes

place. It can be a kitchen at night or a soccer field on a Friday evening. It can be the present, the past and the future.

• Include details about the weather, calendar events, or times of the day in your setting.

• Use sensory details(tastes, feelings, smells, sights, and sounds) to describe or show your setting.

As you write your story…..• Use specific narrative action, such as movements,

gestures, and facial expression, to tell exactly what your characters are doing and to show their personalities or attitudes.

• Make sure that all of the action in your story builds to a climax of suspense.

End• Your story’s ending should not be just

tacked on. It should follow naturally from the story’s events.

• The problem introduced at the beginning of the story should be resolved.

• Your story’s outcome can be happy or sad, but make sure that it is believable.

End