narrative (story) essay. what is a narrative ? a short story, a novel, a drama, or a narrative...

Narrative (Story) Essay

What is a Narrative ?

• Something that 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 past– something that happened to another person– a recent or an ongoing experience or event– a fiction, a made-up story

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 (characters, setting)Conflict (problem)Series of events or Rising actionClimaxResolution (Conclusion)

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 (problem) 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 (Conclusion)

The resolution is the last part of the story.

This is where the loose ends of the plot are tied up and the story is closed.

Resolution (Conclusion)

Diagram of a plot

Basic situation

Serie

s of e

vent

s/

Ris

ing

Act

ion

Climax

Resolution/

Denouem

ent

It’s time to get started……..

• Remember that your plot needs to have a:

• beginning (characters)

• conflict

• rising action

• a climax

• conclusion

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 (quotes), 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.

• First person uses the word “I” - limited

• Third person uses the words “he” or “she” - unlimited

Developing a character

• Step1: Ask yourself, “What sets this character apart from others?” List details that relate this character to other characters.

• 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 character

Step3: 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?

Choose only the traits that are important to the story.

Conclusion

It should not be too long. The main action has already happened.