Writing the Narrative!

     A basic narrative (or story) must contain a definite beginning, middle and end. Paragraphing isn't as important as chronological order of events in the story. The narrative format is based on telling a story in a logical order. A story needs to be told with passion and a clear progression from beginning to end. Dialogue and details add to the quality of the story as do descriptions of the scene. Remember the following as you write your narrative:

• Keep to the story you are telling. Do not stray or go off on a tangent. Do not tell a story within a story.
• Make sure that the events in your story happen in a chronological order. Do not skip around in your telling of the story or jump from one event to another or suddenly change scene.
• Use great vocabulary. You want to show that you have a good command of words that are above and beyond those the average student your age knows.
• Use dialogue or other creative writing strategies somewhere in your story.
• Use similes and strong verbs to enhance descriptions.
• Make sure that you include enough detail to make your story interesting to the reader, to keep him/her hooked.
• Write with a clear voice. Pick whether you want to write using "I" or a third person (he or she) and stick with it.

The Beginning, Middle and End of a Narrative

Beginning

• Begin with a "grabber" to hook your reader.
• Describe scene.
• Introduce characters.

Middle

• Develop story with at least one specific incident or happening
• Keep your happenings in the correct order for time.
• Include descriptions.
• Here is where your action takes place.
• A conversation might work well here.
• This is a good place for a simile or two or even a bit of humor.

End

• Bring story to a close, referring to events in the story for continuity.
• Wrap it up with a satisfying ending, a zinger, or a humorous comment to leave your reader with a feeling of completion.

*The above information was taken from "Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test" by Jane Bell Kiester available through Maupin House Publishing.