English 11, CVOLC, Online, 21-22

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing tells a story. It can be fact or fiction, but it always depicts a series of events or incidents, usually in chronological order. Just as in descriptive writing, there are several components in narrative writing that make it unique. These are

Selecting Key Events:

a) Since you can not use all the events you must select the events you consider to be the most important . Consider the 5 W's: who, what, where, when, why.

b) It differs from a summary of events because it includes many details that would be omitted in a summary. A narrative often describes how the characters feel and think, but a summary usually does not . People who include every event spoil the narration.

c) Select events to:

• move the action forward
• provide turning points for the action
• give insight into the people involved
• help achieve a desired effect, such as irony or suspense.

Using Narrative Detail/Description

a) Details have several purposes. Among them are:

• to specify action
• to add interest
• to help reveal character
• to provide a reason for action

Using Dialogue

a) We are not told about an event. Rather, we see and hear it happening. Dialogue in a narrative may:

• offer explanations
• give reasons
• state opinions
• give facts

b) A dialogue tag serves to identify the speaker. (eg: Susanna says, “I want to go home.”)

Point of View

Just as in descriptive writing, the person from whose point of view you write the narrative will have an overwhelming effect on what is included in the narration. For example, if you are writing about an accident, whether you are the driver, the victim, the policeman at the scene, a witness, or a passenger – this will have an impact on your perception of the events.