Elements of Narrative What is narrative writing Narrative

Elements of Narrative

What is narrative writing? Narrative writing conveys experience, either real or imaginary, and uses time as its deep structure. It can be used for many purposes, such as to inform, instruct, persuade, or entertain. (AZ Dept. of Education)

A Few Key Elements: Elements of Narrative 1) Exposition 2) Point of View 3) Plot 4) Characterization 5) Dialogue 6) Vivid Details 7) Conclusion/resolution

● Describes the setting 1) Exposition ● Introduces the conflict or situation ● Introduces the narrator ● Introduces characters

2) Point of View Establishes the position from which the story is told

Types of Point of view ● First person point of view. First person is when “I” am telling the story. The character is in the story, relating his or her experiences directly. ● Second person point of view. The story is told to “you. ” This POV is not common in fiction, but it’s still good to know (it is common in nonfiction). ● Third person point of view, limited. The story is about “he” or “she. ” This is the most common point of view in commercial fiction. The narrator is outside of the story and relating the experiences of a character. 1 ● Third person point of view, omniscient. The story is still about “he” or “she, ” but the narrator has full access to the thoughts and experiences of all characters in the story.

3) Plot ● Contains coherent plot line elements (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) ● Can develop multiple plot lines to develop experiences

4) Characterization ● Develop characters to make them realistic and more visible to your readers ● Direct and Indirect Characterization ● Characterization using SATDO: ○ ○ ○ S-AY: What characters say A-CT: Actions by characters T-HINK: How characters think can reveal motives D-ESCRIPTIONS: author’s descriptions, both personal and environmental O-THERS SAY: What other characters say about them

5) Dialogue ● Add dialogue between characters for a more realistic story ● When formatting dialogue, be sure to “tag” the speaker and start a new line for each speaker.

6) Vivid Details ● Vivid details are vital to paint a picture for your audience of the setting, mood, characters, etc. ● Place a strong focus on sensory language as your draft your story.

● Use falling action and resolution to tie up loose ends 7) Conclusion ● “Artfully follows from and thoughtfully reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative”

Flashback Structural narrative techniques Framed Narrative Multiple Plot Lines Foreshadowing In Medias Res

Elements of Gothic Literature

Romanticism & Gothic Literature ● Subcategory of Romantic Literature ○ Focus on nature ○ Interest in common man and childhood ○ Introspection of emotions ○ Celebration of the individual ○ Importance of imagination

elements of Gothic Literature ● ● ● The presence of a castle. Dark settings such as dungeons, crypts, labyrinths and winding stairs. Low lighting such as the candle being the only source of light, shadows, the moonlight against the dark sky etc. Extreme landscapes such as rugged mountains, large forests or cold icy wastes with the addition of extreme weathers. Magic and the supernatural. ● ● ● ● Death, decay, darkness and madness. A passion-driven villain-hero or villain. A heroine with a tendency to faint and a need to be rescued, or a femme fatale. A hero whose true identity is revealed by the end of the text. Evil deeds leading to the downfall of a character. Horrifying events or the threat of such happenings. Gloom, mystery, suspense, the dramatic, macabre and sensational.