The Narrative Experience ©2015 Worldwide Hock

Essential Questions: How do the stories we tell demonstrate the human condition? How do characters represent elements of the human condition?

Consider the difference(s)… http://www.10news.com/news/bear-attack-survivor-its-tough-to- watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdgD2NS-VAw

What is narrative writing? Any writing that tells a story.

Fiction or Nonfiction? Well, both… Usually, narrative writing in categorized as fiction, which is based on imaginative events or stories that did not actually happen. However, some nonfiction can in fact tell a story, which would classify it as narrative writing. In the case of nonfiction, the story must be a true story with real people and events.

Characteristics of Narrative Writing Plot and Structure Plot in narrative is defined by the events that take place within a story. Structure is the general order and shape of the narrative.

Characteristics of Narrative Writing Plot and Structure Freytag's Pyramid

Characteristics of Narrative Writing Characters All stories must have characters, or the people or subjects of the story. Usually there are also specific types of characters needed in order to create a developed story. For example, each story will often have a protagonist, which is the hero or heroine. This is the central character of the story. Often there is also an antagonist, which is a character who opposes the protagonist. Overall, each story needs characters to push forward or react to the events in the plot.

Characteristics of Narrative Writing Setting The setting is the place and the time that the events that make up your narrative story occur. Setting is generally considered essential to any narrative writing because it allows the readers to establish familiar ground with the characters in the story and everything that surrounds them.

Characteristics of Narrative Writing Theme The theme allows any narrative writing to do more than purely entertain. Good narratives also suggest a truth about, or a meaning to, life. A theme in a story can really move the reader and make a piece of writing much more memorable, as well as help illuminate it as a work of art. Avoid fragmented or single work themes when analyzing narrative writing!

Questions to consider regarding Kaffir Boy so far: How is Mathabane’s style reminiscent of narrative writing conventions? What aspects of the human condition are apparent so far in the work? How is point of view a factor and what do we know about the book’s main characters?

Setting: South African Shantytowns

South African Shantytowns

South African Shantytowns

South African Shantytowns

Use proper MLA citations to document textual references. Activity: Write a MEAL paragraph with the following topic sentence: According to Mark Mathabane in Kaffir Boy, life under the apartheid regime was brutal for many South Africans. Use proper MLA citations to document textual references.