NARRATIVE WRITING
Main features on narrative writing.
What is narrative
writing?
Is any kind of writing that tells a
story real or imagined. It is a non-fiction or fiction narrative.
Types of narrative writing.
There are two (2)
types of narrative writing as;
i.
Non-fiction narrative; is a factual prose writing that tells a true
story (based on real fact)
ii.
Fiction narrative; is a prose writing that is using imaginative events
or stories that did not actually happen.
Element or features of narrative writing.
1. Plot
Plot is a sequence
of events that occurs in narrative. Often at the centre of plot is a problem. As
a person in a narrative tries to solve a conflict the plot builds to the point
of highest interest or the climax. The resolution brings the narrative to
satisfying and logical conclusion.
A plot in a
narrative is not essential part in every non-fiction narrative. You can narrate
an incident involved in visit to the zoo without introducing a conflict or
problem of any kind.
A plot in the fiction narrative is
essential and it falls the dramatic structure of plot as follows.
i.
Exposition
ii.
Rising action
iii.
Climax
iv.
Falling action
v.
Resolution
rising
action
falling action
exposition resolution
Where.
Exposition – this is the introduction of the story,
back ground information that ones need to understand it. This information can
includes Protagonist, Antagonist, the setting and so forth.
Rising Action – is what occurs leading up to the
climax. It is the part of Dramatic Action that has to do with complication.
This part begins as opposing Idea or group come into conflict and proceeds to
the climax.
Climax – is considered as turning point of the action.
It most exciting part of the story, this where all rising action and conflict
building up in the finally reaches the peak. It is usually the moment of
greatest danger or decision making for the Protagonist.
Falling Action – deals with events which occurs right
after the climax. This events are usually after effects of the climax.
Resolution – is the end of falling action and the
conclusion of the story.
2. Setting
The setting in
narrative is the time and place in which the narrative is occurs. The place in
the setting may be a room in a house, one sport in the landscape or an entire
geographical area such as country, state, city, or town.
The time in the
setting may be a few minutes or few hours, a day or several weeks in a years, season or a whole of historical
period such as the civil war era in a certain
country.
3. Point of view
Represent the
relationship of the narrator to the story. The narrator is one who relates the
events of narrative. A non-fiction narrative told from the first person point
of view is related by the author who are addresses the reader directly and uses
first person pronouns such as I, Me, My, and Mine. (non-fiction)
In a fiction
narrative told from the third point of view. The narrator stands back from the
events and uses third person pronouns such as He, She, and They to refers to the characters. (fiction)
4. Characters
Are people or
subject of the story. Or character refers to the person or thing that is given
a role to play in a literary work. Characters in a literary work can be either
protagonist or antagonist. Where; Protagonist is a hero or heroine and the
central of the story. And Antagonist is the character that opposes the protagonist.
Types
of character
i)
Major/main characters, Is the character who dominate
literary work, He/she is found from beginning to the end of the novels or play.
ii)
Miner character, is the character who assist the main
character to convey the message.
iii)
Static character, Is the doesn’t change behaviour in
the work of art. Is also known as conservatic
character.
iv)
Dynamic character, is the character who changes
behaviour very easily. Is also called flexible
character.
v)
Flat character, is the character who is one
dimensional that appear and disappear in
the story.
5. Conflict
Is any struggle
between two opposing forces. There internal conflict that are within the
characters. Also there is external conflict that is struggle outside the
characters.
PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE
IN NARRATIVE WRITING
I.
Purpose
Every narrative
has a general or specific purpose or a goal. The goal of news narrative is to
inform. A sports narrative may be meant to daily entertain. The purpose of an
autobiographical narrative could be to share the insight about life.
II.
Audiences
In all kind of
writing the audience are the ones for whom the writer is intended to inform.
The purpose and audience in narrative writing are two things which are closely
related.
PREPARING A NARRATIVE OUTLINE
i.
Choosing event for narrative
Here you choose the event you wish to include in your narrative. Some of
question may help to think about all the events related to the incident.
Example;
a. In what way did the incident begin?
b. What a problem or conflict, did or another character
involved?
c. What was my or another character reaction to this
problems?
d. In what way did I or another character solve the
problem?
ii.
eliminate unnecessary events and details
Is an essential
step in planning a narrative especially when the writer is restricted to one
paragraph. The events that were not directly related to the purpose may be
eliminated.
iii.
Collecting narrative details
Although the
narrative you may write will be only one paragraph you should try to include
some details about setting and the people. To generate details for narrative
think how the people involved, looked, sounded, and acted.
USING DIALOGUE IN NARRATIVE WRITING.
The dialogue is
the conversation between individuals in narrative, quoted word for word and enclosed in quotation mark. (“ ”).
Writers use dialogue
in both fiction narratives and non-fiction narratives. The dialogue in fiction
narrative is made-up, where in the dialogue of a non-fiction the writers use
the exact words of real people.
Example; read the
following non-fiction narrative and note how dialogue helps bring a historical events to life.
When James Buchanan, was a member of
U.S senate. Many years before his rise to the president, he often tangled with
Henry Clay. One day the debate centred on Buchanan alloyed disloyalty during a war of 1812 to prove his loyalty.
Buchanan stated that; he had entered a company volunteers and the time of the
Battle of North point and marched to
Baltimore, True he said; I was not in any engagement, as the British had
retreated before my company got there.
“you marched to Baltimore, though?”
Clay asked. Yes, sir I said, Buchanan shot back. “armed and equipped?” Clay
continued. Yes, said Buchanan, Armed and equipped. That was too much for
Buchanan and he was quite for the remainder of the session.
