1. Narrative structure
Telling the story

2. Definition
Narrative writing tells a story; it represents “what happened” (Norton 123)

3. Description
However, while some life events seem jumbled and chaotic, narratives follow a plot of one form or another, determined by a narrator or from a person’s point of view. There also must be a definite time and place (setting), and often the writer includes dialogue to invite the reader to better engage with the story.

4. Plot
Usually, it’s better to write chronologically so your reader doesn’t get lost, but events need to be related in a way that makes sense—a beginning, middle, and end. Start by setting up the situation, introduce a conflict, build up the dramatic tension until it reaches a high point or climax. Then the epiphany, the understanding of why you wrote this piece, a final understanding.

5. Point of View
Whichever POV you choose for your narrative, stick to it. Often writers start out in first person and then suddenly shift to third person (he she it they).
From whose perspective would the story be most interesting?
An all-knowing observer?
Through your eyes?
Or only through the eyes of one person?
No matter who you choose to tell the story, make sure that you reveal only what is reasonably possible for that narrator to know, or you will lose credibility.

6. Dialogue
Listen to how people speak. You can allow the characters to speak for themselves, which can serve as a more direct communication with the reader
From whose perspective would the story be most interesting?

7. From Annie Dillard’s “Holy the Firm”
Setting the situation
From Annie Dillard’s “Holy the Firm”
There is a spider, too, in the bathroom, with whom I keep a sort of company. Her little outfit always reminds me a certain moth I helped to kill. . . Her six-inch mess of a web is in a corner behind the toilet, connecting tile wall and floor under the web are sixteen or so corpses she has tossed to the floor” (3).
Describe what the narrator would see, hear, feel at this time.
In the first paragraph, Dillard tells us that she lives on Puget Sound in Washington alone, with a gold cat to keep her company. Then she sets the stage for the drama of the moth and her later epiphany as she is reminded of “a certain moth I helped to kill.”

8. The Process How do I get started? Consider talking about:
Linear narrative
Nonlinear narrative
Interactive narration
Interactive narrative

9. A Brief Guide to Writing a Perspective Paper
Coming up with a subject Think of events –big and small— that have affected you

10. Consider your audience
What is your purpose? Is it to instruct, entertain, or to incite? Judge reader knowledge and include background details as necessary

11. Just like a good journalist, you will consider the 5 Ws and H
Who
What
When
Where
Why
How
Generating Ideas

12. Template This is a story about _____________.
My story takes place in _________when____________.
What happened next was __________followed by ____________ and ___________.
At this point, ___________ happened.
The climax of the events was ______________.
When X understood what had happened, he/she said, “__________.”
The last thing that happened to X was ____________.
My point in telling this story is to show that __________________.
(Norton ).
Template
Obviously, this is not your essay, but a brain teaser to get you started so you can avoid that blank piece of paper.

13. Work Session
Develop an outline of your narrative, and then share with your neighbor