Narrative writing

A narrative is a story. Most stories follow five stages: an opening that introduces the characters and setting, a build-up, a problem, a resolution where the problem is solved, and an ending. Plan each stage before you write.

Key facts

  • Opening: introduce the main character and the setting, and hook the reader with action, speech, a question or a mystery: ⟦Nobody had opened the attic door for fifty years.⟧
  • Build-up: show what the character does and wants, and lead towards the problem.
  • Problem: something goes wrong. Words like ⟦Suddenly⟧ or ⟦Without warning⟧ signal it: ⟦Suddenly, the boat began to sink.⟧
  • Resolution and ending: show how the problem is solved (⟦Luckily⟧, ⟦Just in time⟧) and finish by showing how the character feels or what they learned (⟦In the end⟧, ⟦Finally⟧).
  • Make it come alive: use time connectives (⟦Later that day⟧, ⟦Meanwhile⟧), speech, powerful verbs and description, and keep to one tense (usually the past).

Worked examples

Example 1

Which part of the story is this? ⟦On the night, he dropped his cards all over the stage.⟧

  1. Something goes wrong for the character.
  2. That is the problem.

Answer: the problem

Example 2

Which opening is better? ⟦This is a story about a girl called Mia.⟧ or ⟦"Run!" shouted Mia, as the ground began to shake.⟧

  1. The second opening starts with speech and action.
  2. It makes the reader want to find out what happens.

Answer: ⟦"Run!" shouted Mia, as the ground began to shake.⟧

Example 3

Put the stages in order: ending, problem, opening, resolution, build-up.

  1. Start by meeting the character, then build up to the problem.
  2. Solve the problem, then end the story.

Answer: opening, build-up, problem, resolution, ending