Essay on Narrative fiction

NAME: MATHEW MERCY UNEKWUOJO

COURSE CODE: ENG 121

COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO FICTION

DEPARTMENT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE

MATRICULATION NUMBER: 220321211

LECTURER IN CHARGE: MR KUNNU

NARRATIVE FICTION

Fiction is a story that is based on imaginery characters, events and places. A fictional work does not
tell a true story but is based on experiences that may likely happen in real life.

What is narrative fiction

Narrative fiction is an imaginary story which uses invented settings, characters and events. It is based
on imagination and not necessarily real events. It is a form of storytelling that has been for ages and is
still used as a means of entertainment in our contemporary times. There are several features of
narrative fiction, but we'll focus on the main features.

One of the main features of narrative fiction is plot. A plot is a series of event that makes up a story, it
gives it a structure and tells how the story develops and unfold. It consists of five components:
exposition (beginning of a story), rising action, climax, Falling action and resolution (denoument). The
purpose of the plot is to attract the readers attention and capture their interest.

Character is another important element of narrative fiction. They are known as the people or subjects
that makes up a play. It helps the reader differentiate between the main character and primary
character, it also helps to identify the protagonist and antagonist in a story. A well structured character
should have strengths, weaknesses and flaws. Charactes should be persevering, firm and decisive in a
way that suites their personalities for readers to see through their struggles, challenges and
achievements.

Another element of narrative fiction is setting. It is the time and place a story is told or takes place. It
could also be the building where an action took place. A setting could be in one place or different
locations. A well structured setting teleports the reader to another world, be it a magical kingdom, a
rural or urban area. The setting should be clearly described to give readers a picture of what the the
writer meant.

Theme is also a key feature of narrative fiction. It is the central topic, subject or message in a
narrative. A theme may be derived from the action, thought and utterances of a character in a story. It
forms a central topic and helps the writer to sum up his point in a single word, some examples are love,
hope, betrayal etc. It makes the reader understand the lesson or moral the writer wishes to pass across
in his text.

One other feature of narrative fiction is conflict, also known as a climax. Literary, climax is the highest
point of tension in a storyline, it often involves the struggle between the protagonist and antagonist.
This is where the main conflict in the story is resolved. Here, we get to know whether the main character
achieves his goal or not. Characters in the story encounter challenges like fear, danger and uncertainty
etc. There are two basic types of conflict; internal and external conflict. Internal conflict: are struggles
that takes place within a character e.g when a character is in a dilemma to make a decision. The second
type is external conflict: they are struggles that occur between two characters or between a character
and his environment. Finding out how the characters overcome their challenges becomes the interest of
the reader here.

In conclusion, narrative fiction is an event or story that is gotten from imagination. It has different
forms and they include novels, novellas, plays, comics etc.

There are certain qualities a narrative fiction should have. First, it must have characters. Characters are
very vital in a story. They include the protagonist, antagonist and the supporting characters. In addition
to characters is plot. Every story must have an event that takes place. Without a plot, a story cannot
take place.

Next is settings. The time, place or location of a place should be clearly stated to give readers a clear
picture of what they are reading. Another inportant elements is conflict. Conflict is the struggle between
two opposing forces. i.e struggle between the protagonist and the antagonist.

Theme is also an important element. It is the idea expressed by the writer of a story, it could be on
different subject matter.The main elements of narrative fiction is plot, setting, conflict, character and
theme. For a successful fictional writing, the writer have to make use of these elements.

The purpose of a narrative fiction is to tell a story. It can both be informative and entertaining. Morals
can also taught using a narrative fiction.

Narrative fiction is the best narrative technique a writer can use to communicate with his
audience/readers.