Writing a Narrative!

Writing a Narrative!

NarrativeCharactersSetting (place and time)Plot (problem and solution)

A narrative consists of the elements that make a story.Character DevelopmentThree Elements of Characterization

1. Physical appearance: What does the character look like? 2. Actions, speech, and behavior: What does the character do? How does the character behave? What does the character say? And why?3. Interactions with others: How do other characters in the story react to this character? Who are his friends and family?

Character DevelopmentWinnie the PoohHe is a small golden bear, stands at nearly 22 inches tall and wears an old red color t-shirt. Hes not very smart, does a lot of silly things, and his love for honey is endless. Winnie the Pooh is also called Pooh Bear or just Pooh. He is best friends with everyone in the 100 Acre Wood. The first thing he says when he gets up in the morning is whats for breakfast. Pooh invented the game Poohsticks. Things he likes to do is to exercise in the morning, go on an adventure with Christopher Robin or Piglet, and visiting friends who he thinks have honey.

Character DevelopmentEeyoreEeyore is a blue-gray donkey, about 3-years in age and stands 18 inches tall and 27 inches in length. His appearance is highlighted by a small light pink bow on his tail. He is an intelligent animal but tends to keep to himself. Eeyore is a extremely gloomy donkey and has a very bad habit of losing his tail! Mostly, he tends to depend on his friends to find his lost tail for him and thereafter Christopher Robin fixes his tail using a drawing pin. What he simply adores is that his friends remember him on his birthday and celebrates it with him. He often says Thanks for noticin me and Oh, well.

Character DevelopmentPigletPiglet is a very brave animal contrary to his small size and frame of a timid pink pig. Piglet stands barely at 10 inches tall and is always seen wearing a long pink striped shirt. His original address in the 100 Acre Wood was the Beech Tree, south of Pooh's house, 100 Acre Wood Southwest. But from the time Owl moved into his house, Piglet has started living with his best friend Winnie the Pooh. What he loves doing best is going on adventures with Pooh, he is quite fond of bright colors and especially balloons, and he even likes blowing dandelions. Haycorns are his favourite food. Every Tuesday Piglet spends his day at Christopher Robins house. The first thing that Piglet utters when he gets up in the morning is I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?.Character DevelopmentThree Elements of Characterization

1. Physical appearance What does the character look like? 2. Actions, speech, and behavior What does the character do? How does the character behave? What does the character say? 3. Interactions with others How other characters in the story react to this character?

HOMEWORK: Character DevelopmentNow its time for you to develop a character of your own! make sure that you include all of the details found in Character Development.END OF PART ONEPART TWO: STORY GOAL!Step 1: Story Goal (problem and Solution)The first and most important element of any plot is the Story Goal or Problem. This step involves organizing your ideas around which the entire plot of your story will be based. Story Goal (problem and Solution)The story goal or problem will be what your plot revolves around.

As all stories have problems, they must also have clear solutions.

Without a problem and solution, you cannot begin writing your plot.Story Goal (problem and solution)Keep in mind there are many kinds of goals. For instance, you can have an external goal, such as doing something, discovering something, resolving a situation, bringing about a desired future, or getting something to change direction. Story Goal (problem and Solution)If you have an idea for a story, before you start outlining your plot, make sure you know what the story goal is. What does youre your character or characters want? What problem is she trying to solve? Why does he do what he does?Or you can have internal goals, such as changing an attitude or opinion, resolving an aspect of one's nature, getting someone to change, becoming a different person, or taking on a new role. END OF PART TWOBy now, you have a full and glorious characterDescription for all of your main characters.Now, lets work on our problem and solution!PART THREE: STORY GOAL AND CHARACTERS Step #2: Decide How The Story Goal Affects Or Involves Other Characters

What distinguishes the story goal from any other goal is that the story goal involves many characters. In fact, almost every character in your story will have a part in determining whether the story goal is achieved. Step #2: Decide How The Story Goal Affects Or Involves Other CharactersExamples:In a war story every character is affected by the result of the war.

In a murder mystery even an innocent person can be charged guilty for a crime she didnt commit. This could affect that characters whole family.

Step #2: Decide How The Story Goal Affects Or Involves Other CharactersExamples:

In a love story, Paul may fall in love with Judy and get married to her. But, at the same time Judys boyfriend is left broken hearted and wants to seek revenge.END OF PART 3PART FOUR: PLOT DEVELOPMENT5 Steps to the Plot1. the exposition (the beginning)Where the author can establish or begin a definition of the characters, the setting, and the point of view.

5 Steps to the Plot2. The rising action (A period of conflict and crisis):

This part is full of surprises. This is when the story gets exciting! The problem begins to unfold here.

5 Steps to the Plot3. Climax (the high point)

This is the moment of intensity. Its a turning point (time for change), and/or a moment of several events coming together.5 Steps to the Plot4. the resolution/solution (the falling action)

This is where the main problem or problems are solved. Hopefully it leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction.5 Steps to the Plot5. The conclusion

This is the ending of the story. Write about what happens after the problem has been solved.Step #2: Decide How The Story Goal Affects Or Involves Other CharactersOnce you have chosen your story goal; your main characters objective take some time to consider how that goal will be important to other characters in your novel. Are the people in your main characters world all struggling with the same kind of issue, for which they must either find or fail to find their own solution? Or are their hopes connected to the success or failure of the main character?The endNow you have your character development and problem and solution completed lets work on the plot boys and girls!Now write me a great narrative!

END OF PART THREELETS NOW LISTEN TO A SONG ABOUT PLOT DEVELOPMENTThe Plot

http://www.educationalrap.com/song/characters-setting-plot.htmlPlot developmentLyricsChorusWeve got the characters, the setting, and of course the plotIts the elements of fiction that Im talking aboutVerse IIn any decent story, youve got to have charactersThe people in it, and they can be generic orThey can be complex, interesting, uniqueLike a girl who walks on her hands and writes with her feet

The protagonist, the main character, the good guyIn most works of fiction, is usually opposed byThe antagonist, the bad guy, the villainBut what about the other folks, are they just chillin?

Plot developmentNope, not really, though some of them are staticSo theyre flat, one-dimensional, nothing real dramaticAnd people with the drama are called dynamic charactersLike if they start out calm and get hysterical

Or if they start out in love and end up notThats the motion and emotion that propels the plotWhats that? Fear not, Ill tell you in verse IIIHeres how it goes writing fictional prose

ChorusPlot developmentVerse IIFor the setting of a story, you need to know when it occursLike 7:30 in the morning on November the firstIt doesnt always have to be that specificFor instance, if the characters are using hieroglyphics

Then you know youre in ancient times, not the present dayBut if somebodys driving up in a ChevroletYoure in the present or the future or the recent pastBut theres another setting question that we need to askPlot developmentAnd thats Where? Location, it can be narrowLike 57 Main Street, Rio de JaneiroOr it can be broad, not specific at allLike somewhere in Canada, north of Montreal

So there you have it, the time and the placeEven if its in the future or up in outer spaceMake up a fundamental element of fiction: the settingNow heres the hook again so you dont forget it

ChorusPlot developmentVerse IIINow, the plot unfolds in five different phasesIll try to get you through it in just a few phrasesTake you all the way from beginning to endBut youve got to listen close or rewind again

Before action happens, weve got the expositionWhere the author can establish or begin a definitionOf the characters, the setting, and yes, the point of viewAnd once thats all established we can move to phase twoPlot development

The rising action. A period of conflict and crisisThis part is unpredictable, its full of surprisesSo open up your eyes as wide as they can possibly beAfter this were gonna hit phase three, which is the

Climax, the high point, a moment most intenseA turning point, a major culmination of eventsAfter that, there isnt really much moreWe gotta end the story, lets go to phase four

Weve got the denouement, thats what we call the falling actionAnd hopefully it leaves you with a sense of satisfactionCause phase five is the end, its called the resolutionTying it all together, and weve come to the conclusionThe end

Now write me a great narrative!