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Narrative Essay: - Structure - Strategies - Useful Language

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NARRATIVE ESSAY

- STRUCTURE
- STRATEGIES
- USEFUL LANGUAGE
Structure
INTRODUCTION (Paragraph 1 )

TAS Paragraph1:
K OPENING: Set the scene and introduce characters (who - where - when - what)

MAIN BODY (Paragraph 2 - 4)



Paragraphs 2-4:
DEVELOPMENT. Describe incidents leading up to the main event and the event itself in detail.
Tell the events in the story, and how the characters felt.

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.

 Be careful with the tenses you choose:


- You can use Past Continuous to set the scene (eg. It was raining hard and the wind was blowing as
Jonathan drove towards the small cottage.)
- Past Simple to describe the main events of the story. (eg Jonathan opened the garden gate and went
through the garden towards the front door. He knocked on the door but there was no answer)
- Past Perfect to give the background of the story (eg. Jonathan had been planning to visit the old
cottage for months before he was able to do so .)
- Present and past participles can also be used, (eg Startled, he went round the house towards the back
door.)
 Descriptions of people places, objects or events and descriptive techniques can be used in a narrative
when you want to emphasise specific parts of your narration
POINTS TO CONSIDER
Avoid using simplistic adjectives or adverbs (e.g. good, bad, nice, well, etc.) as these will make your composition sound
uninteresting.
Try to use more sophisticated adjectives or adverbs ( e.g. luxurious, extravagant, threateningly , etc.) which will make
your composition more exciting to read.
Use a variety of verbs.
(e.g. murmur, whisper, mutter instead of "say") will make your story more lively.
e.g. "Hide it," he murmured and put a small box into my hand. (instead of 'said")
She was wandering the streets aimlessly, trying to make a decision.(instead of walking')

EXAMPLES OF SYNONYMS:

Big: enormous, massive, gigantic, huge (large, vast, etc.)


Small: miniature, microscopic, tiny (minute, petite. etc.) Walk/Run - dash, stroll, wander, rush (limp, race, march)
Very: absolutely, entirely, thoroughly, extremely (completely, Look - gaze, peer, peep (stare, watch)
totally, etc.) Say-hiss, murmur, yell, sigh, mutter, moan, shriek,
Bad: horrible, horrifying, nasty, disgusting, terrible unpleasant whisper, exclaim (shout, mumble, scream, groan, gasp)
(revolting, terrifying, awful, etc.) Smile Laugh- giggle, chuckle, grin (smirk, sneer)
Good/Nice: delightful, superb, terrific, wonderful, fabulous
(excellent, fantastic, etc.)
Techniques to begin or end a story
A good beginning is as important as a good ending. A good beginning should make your reader want to go on with your
story. A good ending will make your reader feel satisfied.

 You can start your story by:


a. describing weather, surroundings, people, etc. using the senses.
b. using direct speech
c. asking a rhetorical question (a question which expects no answer)
d. creating mystery or suspense
e. referring to your feelings or moods
f. addressing the reader directly

 You can end your story by:


a. using direct speech
b. referring to your feelings or moods
c. describing people's reactions to the events developed in the main body
d. creating mystery or suspense
e. asking a rhetorical question

 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!”.

*Underlined the time words.

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