1. Narrative Writing Review

2. What is a Narrative?
When you take the Grade 5 Writing Assessment, one type of prompt you could receive is a narrative prompt. These prompts have certain signal words and phrases like “write a short story about….” or “write about your experience.” The prompt will ask for you to write about a real experience or one from your imagination.
Remember to use the checklist you are given.

3. Qualities of a Narrative
Is lively and imaginative
Has vivid descriptions of people, places, and events
Includes setting, characters, a plot with conflict, and a solution
Has a beginning, a middle, and an end
Can include story elements like foreshadowing, flash back, dialogue, and suspense
Includes precise language to tell what happens
Contains logical organization, a variety of correct sentences, and proper grammar and mechanics.

4. Grabbing the Reader
Start your story in a way that will make your reader want to keep reading.
Sometimes a sentence or question at the start will make the reader want to find out more.
Which example is the best?
Example 1: Once there was a little girl who was sad because she was poor, so she dreamed about a better life.
Example 2: Dreams are all some people have…one sad, poor girl knew this, so she dreamed so hard that someone listened.
The first example is pretty boring. It simply tells that the story will be of a poor girl who dreams of a better life. The second example is written in a way that makes the reader curious.

5. Ways to Grab the Reader Method Example
Ask a question that makes the reader want to know what you’re talking about.
Have you ever done something just because someone told you not to?
Begin with an uncommon trait of your main character.
Alex had always been curious about clocks, so he took all of them apart.
Start with an action that makes the reader wonder why it happened.
When the invitation arrived in the mail, I threw it in the trash right away.

6. Setting The setting is the time and place a story takes place.
A personal narrative takes place sometime in your life. An imaginative story can take place anytime, including the future.
When you write, you need to provide clues about when and where the story is happening.
You should use precise and vivid words to describe the setting in detail.
Which is the best example?
Example 1: I was sitting in my very messy bedroom.
Example 2: I sat on the only clean patch of the floor in my bedroom. Around me were dirty clothes, papers from school, half eaten candy bars, and games with missing pieces.

7. Characters Be sure to include characters.
Tell the reader important things about the characters.
This might include what they look like and how they act.

8. Plot A story needs an interesting plot
There should be an introduction in which we learn a little about the characters and setting.
Then, the action builds, and we learn about the conflict.
The action builds to a climax.
After that we see the resolution when everything is solved.