Narrative WritingWeaver

Structuring a Narration Essay

A narration is simply the telling of a story. Whenever someone recounts an event or tells a story, he or she is using narration. A narration essay recounts an event or tells a story to illustrate an idea. A narration essay may be entertaining or informative.

•There are five basic steps to writing a narrative essay.

PurposeWhy are you telling the story? Every narration must have a point or purpose, usually to entertain or to inform.

•For the narrative you will write in class, you must tell us the significance of the story. •Why did you choose to share this story?•What was the epiphany you had? How

did you change as a result of the event?

CONTEXT

•You should establish the context of your narrative early in the essay. You can follow these basic guidelines: who, what, where, when.

• Setting• Characters• Plot

POINT OF VIEW

• A narrative essay may be written in the first-person (I) or third-person (he, she, it) point of view; do not use second person (you). If you were part of the action, the first-person provides the best perspective. If you are relating an event based upon other sources, use the third-person point of view. In some circumstances, you may be forced to choose the point of view (if, for example, you were a witness, but not a participant). Once you have decided upon a point of view, stay consistent with it.

DETAILS

• Include enough details for clarity; however, select only the facts that are relevant.

• Sensory Details-Information that appeals to the five senses of your audience: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch.

Organization

•A narrative usually follows a chronological time line; however, you may find flashbacks a creative option as long as the narrative can be clearly followed by the reader. Most narratives are told in the past tense. You should keep tenses consistent.

Narrative LeadsNarrative LeadsAn invitation into the storyAn invitation into the story

What is the function What is the function of the lead?of the lead?

• Established the context• Sets the tone• Determines the content and direction• Establishes the voice and verb tense• Lures the reader• Grounds the writer• Fuels the writing• Makes it easier to write the rest of the piece

3 Types of the narrative 3 Types of the narrative leads:leads:

1.Action2.Dialogue3.Description

Action LeadAction Lead

You can get the reader hooked into the story by starting with an exciting event or action.

Action LeadAction LeadBORING LEAD• “I was excited for the first day of school.”

EXTRAORDINARY LEAD• “I threw on my favorite sweater and raced down the stairs,

barely gulping down a glass of orange juice. It was the first day of sixth grade, and I couldn’t wait to start my new life as a middle school student.”

Dialogue LeadDialogue Lead

A character or characters speaking.

It places the reader right into the scene.

Dialogue LeadDialogue LeadBORING LEAD• “There was a mouse in the house today.”

EXTRAORDINARY LEAD• “Eeeeeeeeeew!” yelled my sister as the little brown fur ball

ran across the kitchen. “Whatever you do, don’t go into the pantry,” I laughed. But, my sister had already fled to her bedroom.

Description LeadDescription Lead

You can draw the reader in by painting a picture with your words and imagery.

Description LeadDescription LeadBORING LEAD• “Football season is the best time of year.”

EXTRAORDINARY LEAD• “The smell of freshly cut grass and burning leaves

mingles in the crisp air to announce the beginning of the season. The bright lights blazed onto the field as the echo from the announcer blared in the background. Football season had arrived.”

Atwell, N. (2002). Lessons That Change Writers (pp. 51-53).

Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.