Unit One: Narrative Text

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Unit One Narrative Text

• Essential Question
• What are the defining characteristics of
  narrative texts

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Characteristics of a Narrative

• Narrative writing is told in the form of a story
  whether fiction or nonfiction.
• Narrative writing describes detailed experiences
  that changed how you felt thought or acted.
• A good narrative isnt just an amusing story but
  it has a point to make an idea to convey.

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Characteristics of a Narrative

• In narrative writing your purpose is not merely
  to tell an interesting story but to illustrate
  your readers the importance and influence the
  experience had on you.
• It also includes descriptive writing -
  observations of people places and events.
• Narrative writing represents important changes
  contrasts or conflicts and also creates tension.

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Types of NarrativesShort StoriesNovelsNarrative
PoemsDramasMemoirs (nonfiction)FablesMyths
Folktales
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When we discuss short stories we usually talk
about their elements.
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Character

• A person thing or animal that takes part in the
  action of the story
• We usually get to know the characters
• Through the authors physical description
• Through their actions
• Through their words (dialogue)
• Through their inner thoughts
• Through what other characters say and think about
  them

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Plot

• The sequence of events in a story the action and
  problems (conflicts) that occur in a story
• Plot Outline
• Exposition- the background or introductory
  information the reader must have in order to
  understand the story
• Rising Action- all of the events that take place
  leading up to the climax
• Climax- the turning point. Here the BIG PROBLEM
  is solved and the story is turned in a different
  direction toward the conclusion which is the
  wrapping up of the story.
• Falling Action- the immediate reaction to the
  climax.
• Resolution - the conclusion of the plot. All
  loose ends are tied up.

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All plots involve conflict!

• Types of conflict
• Internal
• Person vs. self (internal struggle concerning
  emotion and decision)
• External
• Person vs. person (external struggle between two
  or more individuals)
• Person vs. nature (external struggle between man
  and an element of nature)

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Setting

• The time and place of the action
• We get information about the setting from
• Sensory details (sight hearing touch taste
  smell)
• Figurative language (personification similes
  metaphors)

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Point of view

• The vantage point from which a story is told
• Omniscient-the teller of the story can take us
  into the minds of all the characters
• Third person- the writer tells the story from the
  vantage point of the main character in the story
• First person- an I tells the story. Our
  perception of the other characters comes from
  this persons view

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Theme

• The central message concern or life lesson
  learned from a story