What is a Narrative?
Narratives show patterns and relate them to one another or specific ideas or themes. The narrative definition includes spoken or written accounts of connected events. Narrative writing is a type of writing that is told in great detail and focuses solely on the practice of telling stories. Its purpose is to tell readers “the whole story”. Unlike textbooks and many non-fiction books, which provide us with information, narrative writing, such as novels and short stories, gives us characters, plots, settings, and conflict.
Narrative Synonyms
Narratives can be called other recognizable names, such as:
- Accounts
- Stories
- Fairytales
- Tales
- Reports
Features of Narrative Writing
There are several common narrative features. They include:
- Plot
- Characters
- Setting
- Conflict
- Structure
- Theme
- Point of view
Narrative Writing Examples
Narrative writing includes both fictional (stories that are not true) and non-fictional writing (stories that are true like biographies and autobiographies). Narrative writing examples include:
- Novels: Novels are lengthy pieces of writing divided into chapters or sections and have well-developed characters and plots. Examples include “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding.
- Short stories: Short stories are similar to novels but are much shorter. Examples include “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson and “The Gift of the Magi” by O.Henry.
- Comics: Comics are short stories that have graphics and photos to assist with storytelling. They include modern anime comics as well as more traditional ones that focus on superheroes.
- Plays and musicals: These types of narratives are written as dialogue. They are often broken up into acts and take place in front of a live audience. Examples include Shakespearan plays and musicals like “Hamilton” and “Cats”.
- Narrative poetry: These refer to poems that tell a story like epic poems that detail heroic feats and adventures. Examples include “The Odyssey” by Homer and “Paradise Lost” by John Milton.
Types of Narrative Writing:
There are many different types of narrative writing including:
- Descriptive narratives
- Viewpoint narratives
- Historical narratives
- Linear narratives
- Non-linear narratives
Descriptive Narratives
Descriptive narratives are narratives that create detailed settings and provide insight into the mood and tone of that setting. The key to this narrative is creating a detailed picture for the reader so that they can visualize the place and the characters who live there. Word usage is very important and should be as descriptive as possible.
Viewpoint Narrative
In a viewpoint narrative, the story is presented to the reader through the eyes of the narrator. Readers are given a detailed understanding of the feelings, beliefs, and values of the character or characters whose viewpoint is being represented in the story. For example, in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, Jane is the title character and the narrator who tells her own story from her perspective.
Historical Narrative
A historical narrative details a historical event in order from start to finish. It will describe what caused an event and the effects it had on the people involved. It will also concentrate on a particular period and try to detail that period with as much accuracy as possible. Examples include “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer and “1776” by David McCullough.
Linear Narrative
In a linear narrative, events are told in the order they happened. The author may detail someone’s life from start to finish and show how events in their life helped them become the person they became. For example, Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl details her life via a diary from before the Nazi invasion till her death at their hands. She talks about her everyday life and how that affects her. The reader gets first-hand insight into her hopes for the future and eventually her sorrow at what life has become for her and her family.
Non-Linear Narrative
In a non-linear narrative, things are told out of chronological or logical order. The story jumps back and forth. It can include things like flashbacks, flashforwards, dream sequences, or foreshadowing. One great example of this type of narrative is The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. In this novel, multiple flashbacks and flash-forwards are used to detail the characters’ lives.