Narrative Writing: Conventions of the Form

Identifying Narrative Writing

Narrative writing tells a story.
It needs to have a clear sequence of events, which forms the plot.
Narratives can be fiction or non-fiction.
Common forms of narrative writing include novels, short stories, folk tales, memoirs, and biographies.

Every narrative should have these basic components: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution.
Characters are the people, animals, or beings in the story.
Setting conveys the location and time where the story takes place.
The plot is the sequence of events that forms the story.
Conflict is the problem or struggle faced by the characters and drives the plot.
The resolution is how the conflict or problem is solved or worked out.

Point of view refers to the perspective from which the story is told.
It can be first person (I, we), second person (you), or third person (he, she, it, they).
The point of view can control what information is revealed to the reader, thereby influencing their understanding and perception of the story.

Traditionally, the structure of narrative writing follows a pattern of introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, also known as Freytag’s pyramid.
Introduction establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and lays out the basic situation.
Rising action involves the development of the plot leading to the major conflict or climax.
The heart of story, climax, is the moment of greatest tension or turning point.
Falling action is the part of the story that leads from the climax to the resolution.
Resolution, also sometimes called the denouement, winds up the narrative and brings the story to a close.

Dialogue is when characters in a story speak.
It can provide insight into a character’s personality or emotions, advance the plot, or reveal information.
Correct punctuation should be used to indicate who is speaking.
Each new line of dialogue should start a new paragraph.

Description in narrative writing enriches the reader’s understanding of the characters, setting, and mood.
It helps to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.
Using sensory details (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) can enhance the description.
Writing should balance action, dialogue, and description.

One of the key principles in narrative writing is ‘show, don’t tell’.
The writer should aim to show things to the reader through actions, sensory details, and dialogue rather than just telling or explaining them directly.

Conflict is essential in narrative writing as it drives the plot and engages the reader’s interest.
The conflict could be between two characters (man vs. man), within a character’s mind (man vs. self), or between the character and an external force, society, or nature (man vs. society, man vs. nature).

Suspense and tension can keep readers engaged and make the story more exciting.
They can be created through uncertainty about what will happen next, challenges faced by characters, dramatic irony, foreshadowing, and the use of suspenseful situations.

Themes are the main ideas or underlying messages in the story.
Symbols and motifs are recurring elements that have a particular significance and help to convey the themes.
They add depth and richness to the story, making it more engaging and thought-provoking.