Narrative Writing

What is Narrative Writing?

 

The purpose of narrative writing is to TELL A STORY , true or fictional, usually to entertain. You need to have VOICE in your writing to be effective upon the reader or listener.



What is Voice? “Voice is the magical heard quality in writing. Voice is what allows the reader’s eyes to move over silent print and hear the writer speaking. Voice is the quality in writing, more than any other, that makes the reader read on, that makes the reader interested in what is being said. We return to the columns, articles, poems, books we like because of the writer’s individual voice. Voice is the music of language.” -quote from the Gretchen Courtney Associates Narrative Writing Handbook, 2007

How Do I Create Voice?

Voice is created through the following methods:

 

Compare and Contrast the experience using an EXTENDED METAPHOR VARIED SENTENCE STRUCTURES (long and short sentences; sentences that begin with dependent clauses or prepositional phrases, compound sentences, etc.) .

 

SOUNDS OF LANGAUGE UNIQUE WORDINGS (alliteration, onomatopoeia) : Strive to use a varied vocabulary or figurative language to capture the character’s speech, thoughts, or actions

The Beginning of a Narrative Essay

A topic sentence should do one of two things:



1.Present a General Truth: think of a theme statement that could be learned from the experience about to be described in the narrative For example: “First impressions of people are not always correct.” or “Never turn your back on a friend in need.” Using this strategy, you will make your reader curious and wanting to read more. This is a good ATTENTION GETTER.



2. Set the Scene : prepare the reader for events that follow by describing the scene; think of the following components Events Characters Involved Setting Feelings

Sample Introduction Paragraph for a Narrative Essay

“This morning I couldn’t find my car keys anywhere. I searched all over: in my pockets, in the dresser, in my closet, on the kitchen table, even on the window sills. Finally, I ran anxiously to the back porch to ask my family if anyone had ever seen my keys, and there was my younger brother trying to adjust his skates with my keys. Although I was very angry, I was so late that I simply took the keys and ran to the car, only to find the driveway cluttered with my brother’s skateboard, bicycle, and basketball. Just as he was about to skate away, I caught him and made him pick up his toys so I could back the car out of the driveway. Getting into the car, I discovered his baseball uniform draped over the front seat. I threw it in the back seat and vroom, accelerated out of the garage, already 20 minutes late. Life with a younger brother is often one frustration after another…

Other Reminders…

      

Maintain a consistent POINT OF VIEW Use COLORFUL WORDS , SENSORY IMPRESSIONS , SIMILES , METAPHORS , and STRONG ACTION VERBS in narrative writing Have a SEQUENCE OF EVENTS (CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER) STRONG ENDING : end like you began by either depicting a scene or stating a theme or lesson learned DIALOGUE CONFLICT PLOT exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution If you are given a prompt that you have never experienced, (WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL THIS)



MAKE IT UP…REVIEWERS OF THE ISAT WILL NOT KNOW…THIS IS THE ONLY TIME TEACHERS WILL EVER ALLOW YOU TO LIE, OR FIB, OR USE A HYPERBOLE

Practice with Narrative Writing

           

Moving to a new town First time at bat Meeting a new person A shopping trip A sister’s biggest success An argument with a friend An incident while traveling A frightening moment Handling a friend’s problem Where a nickname came from A memorable birthday NOW YOU TRY…