Write a Narrative
A narrative is a story. A narrative can be fiction or nonfiction. You will write a fiction narrative. It must have a plot. A plot is a situation in which a character is faced with a problem and must take action. The narrative that you are about to write will be three to four pages long.
ELA Standard 2.1
Before you write a narrative,
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Brainstorm story ideas. You might start by coming up with a character you want to write about. Make a list of details about your main character. What does your main character look like? What is your character's name? How old is he or she? Describe his or her personality.
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Give your main character a problem. Maybe your character forgot his homework. Maybe your character wants to become a big movie star but is only ten years old. Write down ideas about how your character feels about his or her problem.
- What point of view will you use in your story? Will you write in first person, in the voice of your main character? This point of view will let you tell your reader exactly how the main character feels throughout the story. Will you also write in the voice of one of the other characters who watches the main character solve his problem? This point of view will give your reader an interesting way to learn about the main character from someone who knows him. Or will you write as a narrator who knows and sees everything?
Think about what will be the best way to tell your story.
- Who are the other characters in your story? Do they help your character solve his problem or do they get in the way? Jot down ideas!
- Where does your story take place? Think about the place and come up with three details about it. Your details should describe as many senses as possible. Tell how the place looks, smells, feels and sounds.
- When does your story take place? Try to come up with an exact time your story begins.
- What action does your character take? How does your character solve the problem and get what she or he wants?
- How does your story end? Is it a happy ending? A sad ending? Or something in between? Decide how you want your readers to feel when they finish reading your story.
Use a Story Map like the one below to plan your story. Be sure to include the: Title, Setting, Characters, Problem, Action and Ending. Create extra circles if you need to.
Now that you’ve come up with a plan for your story, it’s time to write a first draft. Use your story map to help you remember all the details you want to include. If you can, try to write the whole story all at once. Don’t worry about any spelling or grammar mistakes. Since this is a first draft, you don’t even need to make sure that your handwriting is neat!
You might have to write several drafts before you are happy with your story. Be patient. Professional writers write their stories over and over again before they are happy with their plot, setting, characters and conflict. The more you write and rewrite, the better your story will be.
Read your narrative over. You might even read it aloud to a friend or teacher. You and your friend or teacher should decide:
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Have you given your story a plot? Is there a problem facing your main character? Does the reader understand why it is important that your character solves his or her problem? Is it clear who the other characters are? How do they add to the story?
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Have you given your story a time and place? Have you included interesting details about the time and place where your story takes place? Do these details help make the story interesting and exciting?
- What happens in your story? What action does the main character take to solve his problem?
- Have you given your story an ending? How does the reader feel when the story is over? Is it how you wanted your readers to feel?
Rewrite your narrative so that it fully answers these questions.
You should also edit your work by checking your spelling and punctuation. Look up any words that you are unsure of in the dictionary.
Now copy out the final version of your narrative in your best handwriting or print it out on a computer. Read through your final draft twice. The first time, check that the story is exactly the way you want it. (If it isn't, go back and make more changes.) If you like your final draft, check that there are no spelling or punctuation errors. Be sure to put your name, the date and title on the first page. Now, you can share your story with your classmates!
