Narrative writing

Lets revise and practice

Reference: Figg. S, (2002) Understanding Narrative Writing: Practical Strategies to Support

Teachers, Hartz Literacy Workshop in 2002.

Lets uncover the

secrets of writing great
narrative.

What makes a good story?

The common features of a good story
are:
Orientation
Complication, and
Resolution
This is called Narrative Structure

Narrative Structure
Orientation/Beginning:

This sets the scene,

creating a visual picture of
the setting, atmosphere
and time of the story.

Characters are introduced

and clues are set in place
for the coming
complication.

Who are all these people?

Narrative Structure
Complication/Problem:

This is where a problem or complication occurs

that affects the setting, time or characters.

Narrative Structure
Minor Resolution:
This is where the problem

resolved.

seems to be

Narrative Structure
Complication/New Problem
The problem or complication is
now even worse than before.

Narrative Structure
Resolution/ Problem is solved:
This is where the problem is really solved
and the story ends.

Narrative Structure
Evaluative Ending/ Moral:
Often there may be a moral or a
message at the end of the story.
For example, in the book
Naughty stories for nice girls
and boys, most of the stories
have a moral to them.

ACTIVITY Little Red Riding Hood

Handout - Think, Pair, Share
1.

Think about the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

1.

Working in pairs, match parts of the story with the

narrative structure, (i.e. orientation, complication,
minor resolution, new complication, resolution and
moral) we have just revised.

2.

Share aloud with the class

Little Red Riding Hood

1.

Little Red Riding Hood sets out for Grand mothers house Orientation

2.

Little Red Riding Hood meets the wolf Complication

3.

The wolf leaves Little Red Riding hood and races to Grandmothers
house Minor Resolution (Wolf left Red Riding Hood alone)

4.

The wolf eats Grandmother New Complication/Problem

5.

The wolf tricks Little Red Riding Hood New Complication/Problem

6.

The woodcutter saves Little Red Riding Hood Resolution

7.

Children should not talk to strangers Moral of the story

The Writing Process (RID)

R Replace words, phrases and
sentences with more effective
ones.
I Insert extra words, phrases
and sentences.
D Delete ineffective words,
phrases and sentences.

Edit your work

Points of View
Writing from different points of view can add
interest and detail to a story.

First Person
Second Person
Third Person

First Person

Character speaks directly to the reader.

Helps author to reveal thoughts and feelings in
an intimate way.
Disadvantage - reader only knows about the
events of the story from only one point of view.

E.g. Humpty Dumpty:

I am sitting on top of the cold sandstone wall, gazing at the
horizon. I am worried I might fall off and hurt myself.

Second Person

Not used often for narrative writing

Widely used by non-fiction writers
Written in an easy style as if talking directly to
the reader.

E.g. Humpty Dumpty:

You should see him sitting there on that wall. You wonder
what hes thinking about. You imagine that he may fall.

Third Person

The writer knows everything there is to know

about the characters.
The writer can see inside their minds.
The writer knows what they are thinking and
feeling.

E.g. Humpty Dumpty:

Humpty Dumpty is sitting calmly on top of the sandstone
wall, gazing at the horizon. He wonders whether he might
fall off and hurt himself.

Narrative Features
Effective narrative writing has a range of
language features.
1.

Use of dialogue to elicit an emotional

response from the reader

2.

Descriptive language, including the use of

devices such as simile, metaphor and
imagery.

Narrative Features
3. Effective characterisation to elicit an
emotional response from the reader.
4. Past or present tense being consistent
throughout.
5. Use of a variety of simple, compound and
complex sentences

Working in groups, create a graphic

organiser to display the important
aspects of Narrative.
Include these headings:
1. Narrative
Structure
2. Narrative
Features
3. RID

Graphic Organiser

Writing Great Narrative

Narrative
Narrative
Structure

Narrative
Features

RID

Orientation

Use of
Dialogue

Descriptive
language

Complication

Effective
Characterisation

Past or present
Tense

Minor
Resolution

Variety of
Sentences

New
Complication

Resolution

Replace

Insert

Delete