Narrative Writing

Standards CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W a Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W c Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W d Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W e Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.

Elements Necessary in a Short Story Setting Character Plot Conflict Theme

Setting Where does the story take place? When does the story take place? How does the setting interact with characters? Or contribute to mood? Or contribute to plot? Or contribute to theme? Devices to use: Strong imagery Similes/metaphors/hyperbole Foreshadowing personification

Character Point of view- What point of view is the story told from? Why? How does that point of view influence the story? (The tone and feel of the story, and even its meaning, can change radically depending on who is telling the story.) Character traits-Characters are round or flat and static or dynamic.

Character continued The best way for the audience to learn about a character is through indirect characterization. Says Thinks Effect on others Actions Looks Think about: Dialogue Opinions Physical traits and clothing

Things to know about your characters Name Age Job Ethnicity Appearance Residence Favorite color Friends Favorite foods Phobias Faults Pets Religion Hobbies Single or married? Children? Temperament Something hated? Secrets? Strong memories? Any illnesses? Nervous gestures? Sleep patterns

Character motivation What does your protagonist want? Remember that their motivations often are what drive their actions and the plot of the story. Devices to use: Hyperbole/similes/metaphors Imagery Indirect/direct characterization

PLOT Exposition-background information needed to understand the story (also gets readers invested in the protagonist) Rising action-introduces the conflict and starts to escalate towards a climax Climax-turning point in the story Falling action-leads towards a conclusion Conclusion-wraps up and resolves all parts of the conflict

Plot devices to use Flash forward Flash back Foreshadowing In media res

Sequencing Think about how you want to sequence your story. Chronological order-Chronological order is very simple and straight-forward. The audience gets the facts in their original order, so the audience can see how one thing leads to another. Flashbacks-Another option for the sequence of the story is to tell it out of order. For instance, short stories are often told out of chronological order, starting with an event that happened, chronologically, in the middle of the action, then flashing back to explain how the character ended up in that situation.

CONFLICT produces tension that makes the story begin. Tension is created by opposition between the character or characters and internal or external forces or conditions. Possible Conflicts Include: The protagonist against another individual The protagonist against nature (or technology) The protagonist against society The protagonist against God The protagonist against himself or herself.

CONFLICT continued Devices to use Character motivation Setting Imagery dialogue

Conflict continued Yourke’s Conflict Checklist Mystery. Explain just enough to tease readers. Never give everything away. Empowerment. Give both sides options. Progression. Keep intensifying the number and type of obstacles the protagonist faces. Causality. Hold fictional characters more accountable than real people. Characters who make mistakes frequently pay, and, at least in fiction, commendable folks often reap rewards. Surprise. Provide sufficient complexity to prevent readers predicting events too far in advance. Empathy. Encourage reader identification with characters and scenarios that pleasantly or (unpleasantly) resonate with their own sweet dreams (or night sweats). Insight. Reveal something about human nature. Universality. Present a struggle that most readers find meaningful, even if the details of that struggle reflect a unique place and time. High Stakes. Convince readers that the outcome matters because someone they care about could lose something precious.

Theme The underlying message of the story that makes your story universal to readers. Theme should appear throughout work with several examples. Devices to use: Imagery symbolism

Fulfill your promises The beginning of your story can’t start with pirates and ninjas fighting, and then by the time you get to the end, the conclusion of the story ends with romance. The expectations you set in the beginning of your story must be fulfilled at the end in order for your reader to feel satisfied.