Narrative tutorial

What is a narrative?

• Narratives tell the reader "what happened"
• When we are talking about things in our lives we talk in a narrative style
• Facebook status', tweeting, etc are forms of narratives.
• Writing that presents events in a time sequence includes beginning middle and end.
• *******NEEDS TO HAVE A POINT******

Characteristics of a good narrative

Characteristics of a good narrative

• Narratives are valued differently depending on the culture and their beliefs
• In some communities only elders are allowed to tell narratives or sometimes only the males.
• Most narratives told have a moral of the story at the end.
• In Native American communities story telling is highly traditional

Clearly identified event

• Provide an attention getter
• Tell a story
• State what happens
• Make your audience care

Vivid descriptive details

• "show rather than tell"
• vivid detail makes the story come to life
• provide sensory details

Clearly described setting

• Make the audience feel like they are a part of the story
• Make sure your story is in chronological order unless its a flashback type of narrative
• Use vivid detailing
• Muddled timeline might confuse audiece

Consistent point of view

• Narrative should be written in first person (exception: historical or medical narratives)
• Don't switch off points of view
• The verbs should be in the same tense

Clear point: Why does the story matter?

• Your narrative should have a point
• Tell your point explicitly, include it in your thesis, or build up to it.
• Your story will appear to be a failure in the readers eyes if you do not have a clear point.

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