Bell ringer #1: What is Narrative?

Answer the questions below in complete sentences

• What is a “narrative?”• What comes to mind when you hear the

word “narrative?”• From your previous experience with this

type of writing, what are some of the characteristics of a narrative?

Narrative Writing

Preparing for a Personal Narrative

What does it mean to narrate?

Narrating means telling a story that explains what happened, when it happened, and who was involved.

Examples: A news report explaining how a man was found in the water after a skydiving incident; how a star athlete was injured to the point of never walking again; the story of a friend with a drug or alcohol problem; a letter to your cousin about your trip to Europe.

Why tell it?• In college, you will be asked to write narratives

frequently—it could be about a major battle from one of the wars, an important incident in your life, or how your proved an hypothesis.

• Even in nursing or police work, you will need to organize facts and details in clear, chronological order.

• We tell stories to teach a lesson, illustrate an idea, make someone laugh, cry, or get involved.

• Every narrative MUST have a point.• It should reveal what you want your reader to learn

or take away from the story.

Personal Narratives• These have the same purpose except these

stories are about YOU and your experiences.• This is where you get to use the “I” that I have

been forbidding all year if you choose • While it is a story and you are allowed

creativity, your information should be honest and factual. This IS NOT fiction.

How to Set up a Narrative

• A narrative is usually developed according to time or chronological order.

• Depending on the topic, the narrative can be a series of small events or actions in the order in which they occurred.

• This helps the reader to follow the story more easily.

• Includes strong/active verbs and descriptive details to help the writing come alive.

“My Brother’s Murder”• Does this have some of the

characteristics that we’ve talked about? Which ones?

• What about this text pulls you in as a reader?

• What are some of the details that stood out to you as a reader?