Narrative writing · Grade 1

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

Other years

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