Narrative Essay: - Structure - Strategies - Useful Language
Narrative Essay: - Structure - Strategies - Useful Language
Narrative Essay: - Structure - Strategies - Useful Language
- STRUCTURE
- STRATEGIES
- USEFUL LANGUAGE
Structure
INTRODUCTION (Paragraph 1 )
TAS Paragraph1:
K OPENING: Set the scene and introduce characters (who - where - when - what)
CONCLUSION
Final Paragraph:
CLOSING: End the story.
Refer to moods, consequences, people's reactions, feelings, comments.
EXAM STRATEGY
Decide a plot.
Sequence your events (Use time words)
Organise your ideas into paragraphs.
Check the length of your essay.
Check your writing.
Use formal language.
Think of a catchy title.
STRUCTURE
- This type of writing can be found in novels, articles, witness statements, etc.
- A narrative can be written in the first or the third person and describes a
series of events, either imaginary or based on your own experience. A good
narrative should consist of…
a) an introduction in which you set the scene (people involved, time, place) in
an interesting way to catch the reader's attention and make him/her want to
continue reading your story.
b) a main body consisting of two or more paragraphs in which you develop your
story, and
c) a conclusion in which you can refer to people's feelings, comments and
reactions or consequences. The more unpredictable your conclusion is, the
longer-lasting the impression it will make on the reader.
POINTS TO CONSIDER
Before you start writing your story it is absolutely necessary to plan it.
This means that you should decide on a plot line and then start developing it.
You can link the events with time words such as: first, at first, then, next, later, until, when, while, meanwhile,
as soon as, soon, suddenly, before, after, eventually, in the end, at once, at last, finally, etc.
The aeroplane had only been in the air for about twenty minutes when, suddenly it began to dive towards the ground.
Immediately, the passengers began to panic. As soon as the flight attendants realized what was happening, they did
their best to calm everyone down. While the plane continued to lose altitude. Meanwhile, in the cockpit, the pilot was
struggling to control the plane. At last, it righted itself and he sighed with relief. The flight then continued without
any further problems.
USEFUL LANGUAGE
Last weekend/summer/year....
Two years ago,.. Fortunately / Unfortunately / Luckily,…
It was a cold/hot / stormy day... To my surprise, ...
It all began when... I felt...
One afternoon, ... I realised that ...
POINTS TO CONSIDER
The use of various adjectives (disgusted, exhilarating, etc.) and adverbs (fearlessly, surprisingly, etc.)
to describe feelings and actions, as well as the use of direct speech and a variety of verbs, will make
your story more exciting to read.
EXAMPLES OF SYNONYMS:
Note that more than one technique can be used in the beginning or ending of your story.
Write about an unforgettable experience
The most exciting experience of my life
Have you ever wished that your holidays were more exciting? I certainly had until my
PARAGRAPH 1 experience on the first day of a photo safari holiday I took with my friend Howard last June.
The morning sun was blazing as we set out on our first trip into the jungle. A guide led Howard
PARAGRAPH 2, 3 & 4 and me into what we hoped would be a day of successful photography.
We had been walking through the undergrowth for some time when our guide suddenly
stopped in his tracks. Directly in front of us was a narrow valley almost hidden by creepers and
leaves. “Phew! that was close”, said Howard “I suppose we'll have to turn back now”.
As soon as we had started the long walk back, we heard a low growling sound coming from the
trees in front of us. We stood frozen with fear. Meanwhile, the growls grew louder and then the
leaves parted to reveal two very hungry-looking lions. The lions prepared to spring. The
moment they leapt into the air we threw ourselves to the ground. The lions sailed over our
heads, and plunged into the narrow valley.
As we shakily made our way back to the camp, we couldn't believe what a lucky escape we
PARAGRAPH 5 had had. Howard wiped the sweat from his forehead and said “Maybe it’s time to go back to
good old-fashioned beach holidays!”.