Narrative Writing A general outline accompanied by a specific lecture

Definition A narrative tells a storyA narrative tells a story Narration is a powerful method by which a writer may engage a reader and hold their attentionNarration is a powerful method by which a writer may engage a reader and hold their attention

Purpose A narrative may instruct and inform A narrative may divert and entertain

Types of Narratives A novelA novel A short storyA short story Some poemsSome poems Anecdotes (a short, entertaining account of a single event.)Anecdotes (a short, entertaining account of a single event.)

The Process Every good story must have a point or purpose.Every good story must have a point or purpose. For this essay, your purpose will be to create a story that recreates a time in your life when you went through a rites of initiation.For this essay, your purpose will be to create a story that recreates a time in your life when you went through a rites of initiation.

The Narrator The narrator is the teller or speaker in the story.The narrator is the teller or speaker in the story. This essay is subjectivethe details and language will be chosen to express your feelingsThis essay is subjectivethe details and language will be chosen to express your feelings

Verb Tense Telling a story in present tense (instead of past) gives events a sense of immediacy- -everything will seem as though it is happening right now.Telling a story in present tense (instead of past) gives events a sense of immediacy- -everything will seem as though it is happening right now. Peering out her window, a woman spies a strange man.Peering out her window, a woman spies a strange man.

What to emphasize What happened?What happened? Who took part?Who took part? When did it happen?When did it happen? Where did it happen? Why did this event take place? How did it happen?

Strategies Scene: you visualize each event as vividly and precisely as if your were there.Scene: you visualize each event as vividly and precisely as if your were there. Recall dialogue, portray people, and include descriptionRecall dialogue, portray people, and include description

Summary Relate events conciselyRelate events concisely Write down just the essentials of what happened.Write down just the essentials of what happened. A summary is to a scene as a simple stick figure is to a portrait in oils.A summary is to a scene as a simple stick figure is to a portrait in oils.

Scene

Summary

Scene and Summary Good storytellers know what to emphasize.Good storytellers know what to emphasize. Use summary to pass briskly from events of less importance to an important scene. Summary is the glue that holds scenes together

Organization The simplest approach is chronological order- -the way the events happened.The simplest approach is chronological order- -the way the events happened. You may begin in medias res and open with a colorful, dramatic event.You may begin in medias res and open with a colorful, dramatic event. You may use flashback to return to earlier eventsYou may use flashback to return to earlier events

Transitions Use transitions of time to make events clear.Use transitions of time to make events clear. Seven years later, A moment earlierSeven years later, A moment earlier

The Point In most types of narration, the storyteller refrains from revealing his or her point at the beginning of the story.In most types of narration, the storyteller refrains from revealing his or her point at the beginning of the story. Most narratives wait until the end of the story to state the thesis or theme.Most narratives wait until the end of the story to state the thesis or theme.

Narrative strategies Splitting the second: stroboscope the action in slow motion; slice the actions into separate, smaller segments. Fill out the experience with so much detail that it takes longer to read the event than it took to witness the actual experienceSplitting the second: stroboscope the action in slow motion; slice the actions into separate, smaller segments. Fill out the experience with so much detail that it takes longer to read the event than it took to witness the actual experience

Splitting the second Example: how can you split the second when describing how you brush your teeth? You will split the second on more important events in your essay.

Hero Journey Essay Organization FlashbackFlashback First write the conclusion: a carefully described summary or insight that is personal, spiritual, historical, or psychological.First write the conclusion: a carefully described summary or insight that is personal, spiritual, historical, or psychological. This should be a description of yourself as a mature person.This should be a description of yourself as a mature person.

Hero Journey Essay Organization Now work backwards by going back in time to the next closest event which lead to your conclusion or revelation. Describe it in detail.Now work backwards by going back in time to the next closest event which lead to your conclusion or revelation. Describe it in detail. Even though you are writing this section second, remember that it will really be the second to last paragraph in your essayEven though you are writing this section second, remember that it will really be the second to last paragraph in your essay

Hero Journey Essay Organization Now work backwards again, asking yourself what experience must have prepared or under- prepared you for the second-to last event.Now work backwards again, asking yourself what experience must have prepared or under- prepared you for the second-to last event. This experience will form the third to last event.This experience will form the third to last event.

Hero Journey Essay Organization Keep working backwards until you have reached the starting point for your story.Keep working backwards until you have reached the starting point for your story. After you have completed your rough draft, you will go back and reverse the order of your paragraphs. Hence, the last paragraph becomes your first, etc.After you have completed your rough draft, you will go back and reverse the order of your paragraphs. Hence, the last paragraph becomes your first, etc.