1. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing What is Narrative Writing? Narrative writing tells a story. The stories can be true and about real people and real events. Some stories can be realistic, with characters and events that could really happen. Other stories can include characters and events that could never happen in real life.

2. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Traits A clear, focused topic, experience, or series of events Memorable details that bring the characters, plot, and setting to life Events told in the order they happened An interesting beginning and a satisfying ending Transition words that signal the sequence of events Narrative Writing

3. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Traits A voice and tone that are ideal for telling a story Dialogue that, when used, gives voice to the characters Narrative Writing Precise words that describe the characters, plot, and setting

4. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Traits Sentences that have flow and rhythm, making them enjoyable to read aloud No or few errors in grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling Narrative Writing

5. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The beginning captures the reader’s attention. The middle includes events in sequence. The end or conclusion wraps up the story. Narrative Writing Narrative writing has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

6. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Characters are the people in the story. Setting is when and where the story takes place. Plot is what happens in the story. Problem is what the characters must overcome. Resolution is how the problem is fixed. Point of View is the position from which a story is told. Narrative Writing When writing a narrative, writers use the following elements of storytelling:

7. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Realistic dialogue makes the characters come alive. Precise details add support, explain, and enhance the story. Supporting details such as examples, anecdotes, or facts support the main idea. Specific and interesting language entertain the reader. Tone should be appropriate for the audience. Narrative Writing What are some extra ingredients of narrative writing?

8. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Example Juanita heard her sister’s scream all the way in the attic. She climbed over a box full of old toys and dashed downstairs. “It’s a spider!” Regina cried as Juanita raced into the kitchen. She pointed to a large, black spider on the white wall. The spider was not moving, as if Regina’s screams had frozen it in place. “Kill it!” “I’m not going to kill it,” Juanita sighed. “What did that spider ever do to you?” Characters Narrative Writing

9. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Example Juanita heard her sister’s scream all the way in the attic. She climbed over a box full of old toys and dashed downstairs. “It’s a spider!” Regina cried as Juanita raced into the kitchen. She pointed to a large, black spider on the white wall. The spider was not moving, as if Regina’s screams had frozen it in place. “Kill it!” “I’m not going to kill it,” Juanita sighed. “What did that spider ever do to you?” Setting Narrative Writing

10. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Example Juanita heard her sister’s scream all the way in the attic. She climbed over a box full of old toys and dashed downstairs. “It’s a spider!” Regina cried as Juanita raced into the kitchen. She pointed to a large, black spider on the white wall. The spider was not moving, as if Regina’s screams had frozen it in place. “Kill it!” “I’m not going to kill it,” Juanita sighed. “What did that spider ever do to you?” Conflict Narrative Writing

11. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Example Juanita heard her sister’s scream all the way in the attic. She climbed over a box full of old toys and dashed downstairs. “It’s a spider!” Regina cried as Juanita raced into the kitchen. She pointed to a large, black spider on the white wall. The spider was not moving, as if Regina’s screams had frozen it in place. “Kill it!” “I’m not going to kill it,” Juanita sighed. “What did that spider ever do to you?” Realistic Dialogue Narrative Writing

12. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Narrative Writing Example Juanita pulled an old magazine out of the recycling bin and tore out a sheet of paper. She placed the paper next to the spider. Then she used a pencil to gently coax the spider onto the paper. Moments later, Juanita walked into the garden and deposited the spider onto a tomato leaf. She watched in wonder as the spider raised a leg as if to say goodbye, then crept under the leaf and out of sight. Resolution Narrative Writing

13. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Personal Narrative Play Mystery Fable Adventure Story Biographical Sketch Narrative Writing Some common types of narrative writing include the following:

14. Strategies for Writers Grade 5 © Zaner-Bloser, Inc. All Rights Reserved.