A narrative or a story presents a connected series of events which can either be purely made up or based on one’s own experience in an engaging descriptive style. It can be written in the first person (I or we) or the third person (he or she, etc.) and it often includes the thoughts and reactions of the main character(s) seen through their eyes.
Composition
A good narrative ought to consist of:
- An introduction which sets the scene- place, time and characters- creates an interesting mood to make the reader want to keep on reading. It begins in an interesting or dramatic way to take hold of the reader’s attention.
- A main body which develops the series of events clearly, gives vivid description of the people and places involved.
- A conclusion which completes the story, perhaps in an unexpected way, and may describe people’s feelings/reactions, the consequences of what happened.
Introduction
- Paragraph 1 --> Set the scene: who? what? when? where?
Main body
- Paragraph 2-3-etc. --> Develop the story; describe incidents leading to the main event, the event in detail- elaborate people, place, emotions, actions, etc.
Conclusion
- Final Paragraph --> End the story: complete the plot- describe feelings, reactions and explain the consequences
Before you start writing, you must think of a story outline and then decide on a detailed plot/storyline. How will the story begin? Who will the characters be? Where will the story take place? What is the order of events? How will the story end?
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