Types of writing Part 5 (final) Writing a 'Narrative essay' - Information for high school learners

We will finish the series today on 'types of writing'.  You have now learned about four different styles and today you will get more information on a type of essay that most people enjoy writing and that is telling a story (narrative).

Some people prefer writing about their own experiences and others will 'make up' stories.  Depending on the topic you are given you can decide for yourself which way to go. 

Which ever one you choose, there are certain guidelines that you can follow.

You cannot write any story if you do not have an idea on more or less what the story will entail and how it will end.  Once you have your idea, you can now start adding to it so that it will turn into something that the reader will enjoy.

You will have to be creative and even 'think outside the box'.  We all have an imagination, so sit still for a moment and let the 'creative juices' flow.  

It may take a while before you come to a decision on what you would like to write, but do not give up - the best stories come from writing it, thinking about it, changing certain things and then continue writing again.

'See' the story in your mind, decide what would keep the interest of the reader, throw in a twist or two and 'whala' you have a story.

If you tell your friend a story, you not going to start with the best part, 'the climax' of the story, you will give some background and then build up the story until you get to the best part.  If you write your story, you will also have to do this and add some extra detail so that the reader can imagine the story unfolding in front of them.

You can take an everyday occurrence and by adding some detail and describing certain things or people you can build a wonderful story.

If you are writing an essay, you will only have a certain amount of words that you can use to get your story across, so you need to get to the point and also make sure the story has a conclusion.  You must put in enough detail for the reader to understand what is going on, but you also cannot spend to much time on one aspect of the story.

The start of your essay is very important.  In this first paragraph you will have to find a 'hook' to draw the reader in and give them enough to be curios on what will happen next.  If the reader's interest is not sparked in the first paragraph, they will stop reading and then all your effort is for nothing.

It is also important that you 'set the stage' for the reader.  This means you will have to inform them of the place and time the story takes place.  If a reader know it is at night and there is a killer on the loose, it will automatically give them the feeling of danger and they will 'transport' themselves in their minds to that place.

You will have to keep on building the tension and the story needs to move forward, until it reaches the climax.  After this you can start writing the end of the story where all the loose ends will be tied up and the story will end without leaving the reader confused.

You need to make sure that you use all the different elements that are necessary to write a successful story.

You can decide in which 'voice' you will tell the story.  Will it  be in the 'first person' where you will use words like 'I and me' or in the third person where you will use pronouns like 'he, she, him and her.

                                   

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For more information on the different 'point of views', you can read this link https://www.nownovel.com/blog/different-points-of-view-tips/

The ending of the story is important.  There is now use you write a great essay but you do not end in a strong way.

Here are some ideas on how to successfully end a story

1. If you are writing a story with a few chapters, you can end on a 'cliff hanger'.  This will make the reader curios and they would want to continue reading.
2. Sometimes we read a story and we are sure we know how it will end and then suddenly there is an unexpected twist.
3. You can stop the story in a way that leaves the reader a little confused or surprised in a good way and make them wonder.

Activity

Have a look at the different ideas for a narrative essay.  Choose one and start writing....

https://edusson.com/blog/narrative-essay-topics

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