NARRATIVE VS

EXPOSITORY
The differences between story and
report writing
 STRUCTURE:

The main thing that MUST be done in a story is the

DEVELOPMENT of the conflict/ problem. This has a few parts.
Before we start the structure, we take paragraph one to SET THE
SCENE for the story- describe the characters and the setting

1) Introduce the problem to show HOW IT STARTED

2) RISE THE ACTION- shows how the problem grows and gets
NARRATIVE- more complicated so that the main character gets MORE AND
MORE agitated as the obstacles facing them gets more
STORY difficult to solve (creates SUSPENSE in the story)
3) CLIMAX- this is the highest point of action in the story. It is
where the main character must ACT or SPEAK OUT to try and
find a solution (resolution) for the problem/ conflict.
4) RESOLUTION- where the main character either SOLVES or
FAILS to solve or is left waiting for a solution in the story
(cliffhanger).
5) THEME or the topic for discussion or the lesson learnt in the
story.
 Part 1- The 4 W’s
WHAT HAPPENED- this is the MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION as it
provides the focus or main idea for the report
WHEN- day, date, month, year and approximate time
WHO- all the persons involved by first and last name
WHERE- the address and specific location where the report item
is focused
EXPOSITORY-
REPORT
Part 2- DETAILS that occurred BEFORE the main event- the
leading up to the relevant details

Part 3- DETAILS that materialized DURING the main event or AS it

happened

Part 4- DETAIL that ensued AFTER the main even (as a result)
NARRATIVE- STORY
PURPOSE
To ENTERTAIN the audience or
reader by using characters who
face a CONFLICT within a setting
and they usually learn a lesson as a
result of their having to find a
solution for the problem.
 PURPOSE
A report if a SERIOUS document that
gives information usually to a person
EXPOSITORY- in authority who will MOST LIKELY
REPORT use the information given to make
an IMPORTANT JUDGEMENT or
decision on a matter or
circumstance.
 LANGUAGE

The language of a story is VERY beautiful and most

important. It must DESCRIBE and paint picture in
words that our reader can almost see themselves
INSIDE the story with the characters. That means we
want to use writing tools:

NARRATIVE- 1) APE adjectives to describe characters in such a way

that the reader feels the know them
STORY 2) SENSORY DETAILS so that our reader can SEE,
HEAR, SMELL, TASTE and FEEL the environment
around them in the story as if they were there too
3) DIALOGUE is the conversations between the
characters
4) LITERARY DEVICES to create a figurative
experience
5) REACTIONS show and not tell, the emotions of the
characters as they face the growing problem
 LANGUAGE
1) Because reports are written to a person in
authority we MUST use FORMAL language
2) ALL REPORTS are written in the PAST
TENSE because the incident, accident or
EXPOSITORY- event has already transpired
REPORT 3) When writing a report we want to use our
most FANCY language, we want to use
SYNONYMS and TRANSITIONAL WORDS to
create a very PROFESSIONAL effect
4) There is NO DIRECT SPEECH in report
writing only REPORTED speech.