This will help you write a successful narrative

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  • Created by: Elca
  • Created on: 31-05-15 18:43
Step 1
Follow the topic (read the question)
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Step 2
Plan an original story (structure it well)
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Step 3
Choose lively expressions (grammar, sentence structure etc)
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Step 4
Check that your writing is sensitive and mature
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Why do you need to check that your writing is sensitive and mature?
To make sure that serious issues aren't made too "funny" or humorous (unless irony)
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Conclusion
Reflect on the event
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Read the question
Make sure you know what the examiner is expecting
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Example 1
"unexpected visitor" often conveys a negative experience whereas "unexpected visit" may refer to more than one visitor and likely to be a surprise visit
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Example 2
"A Dream" and "Dreams" - first topic is narrative (past tense used), second topic is factual - need to provide facts about beliefs, superstitions connected with dreams etc
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Plan an interesting story!
Orientation, problem or complication, some kind of resolution (although not always)
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Orientation
1) where is the action happening 2) who are the characters 3) hint at what could happen - don't reveal
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Problem or complication
1) something unexpected is going to happen 2) how the characters react
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Some kind of resolution (although not always)
1) how do the characters react at the end 2) how have their lives changed?
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SHOW not tell
Because showing provides more than basic information, it allows for the reader to be present during the event
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Telling means:
Simply providing a description about the character and what he or she is doing
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Showing
1) develop the character's reasons for actions 2) develop the sequence of events towards a high point (climax) 3) resolution: they all lived happily ever after...?
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The boy who cried wolf! Orientation: where?
The hill country, quiet, still, nothing interesting happening
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The boy who cried wolf! Orientation: who?
The shepherd boy and his father, villagers, the wolf (the villain)
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Problem or complication: part 1
Father told him to look after sheep...but very boring...no excitement. Comes up with a plan to trick villagers to come up the mountain to 'rescue him'. Loves to see the reaction
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Problem or complication: part 2
Tries two times...he is warned...but can't resist the temptation
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Problem:
The wolf really comes...calls for help but villagers come...too late. All sheep are killed
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Resolution (or closure):
Father is very angry and admonishes shepherd boy
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Punishment
Needs to look after the sheep of the other villagers for the rest of the season
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Choose appropriate grammar
1) check tenses - past tense 2) use of adverbs, adverbial clauses etc to enhance action (e.g. describe actions in detail) 3) involve the reader's senses for descriptive power
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Use devices
Similes, metaphors, personification
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Are you sensitive enough?
Check whether you are handling the issues and action of the essay properly: 1) are you making something too funny? (death, injury, etc) 2) are you making the action too serious?
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Look at what the purpose and audience that is required of your essay
1) children's narrative? 2) general audiences
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Good narratives
1) get the reader interested in what you are reading 2) help the reader "enter" into the world of the character
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Do not allow poor grammar to spoil the story
In other words...follow the rules of grammar
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A personal recount
Tells, describes what happened
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A personal recount
An experience that you have lived through
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A personal recount
There are participants and a background to the recount
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A personal recount
Events that also link the activities described in the recount
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A narrative
Events are more complicated
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A narrative
Describe problems that have to be resolved
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A narrative
Feelings of the characters or narrator are expressed
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A narrative
Thoughts and reflections are also described
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A narrative
Sometimes, several short stories (sub-plots) are introduced
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Plan an original story (structure it well)

Back

Step 2

Card 3

Front

Choose lively expressions (grammar, sentence structure etc)

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Check that your writing is sensitive and mature

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

To make sure that serious issues aren't made too "funny" or humorous (unless irony)

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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