As a mode of expository writing, the narrative approach,
more than any other, offers writers a chance to think and write
about themselves. We all have experiences in our memories which
are worthy of sharing. Sometimes they are so mixed with other
memories that a great deal of the time that writers spend in
writing a narrative is in the pre-writing stage. In this stage
authors need first to select an incident worth writing about and
second, to find relevance in that incident. To do this writers
might ask themselves what it was about the incident which gave
them new insights or awareness. Finally, they must remember
details which will make the incident vivid for the reader.
PRINCIPLES
Once such an incident is selected, writers need to keep
three principles in mind.
First, they must remember to involve the reader in the
story. It is much more interesting to actually recreate
an incident for the reader than to simply tell about
it.
Second, they must find a generalization which their
experience supports. Only in this way will the personal
experience take on importance for the readers. This
generalization need not concern all of humankind; it
can be about the individual him or herself, men, women,
or children of various ages.
Third, they must remember that although the main component
of a narrative is the story, they must carefully select
details which will support, explain, and enhance the
story.
CONVENTIONS
1. The narrative is generally written in the first person (I).
However, the third person (she, he, it) may also be used.
2. The narrative relies on concrete, sensory detail, and
description to convey the point.
3. Because the narrative is basically a story, it
should contain these story conventions: a climax, an
ending, and a plot including a setting and characters.
All of these help writers make their points.
4. Sometimes dialogue (direct conversation) can strengthen a
narrative. If you use dialogue, be sure that it is realistic and
it appears in correct form. If you are unsure of the form, the
Writing Center has several handbooks which can help you.
5. The narrative must be an honest recounting of an
experience. The writer should avoid over-sentimentality in
words and tone. Many times writers must deal with
discrepancies, contradictions and juxtapositions within
themselves and others.
6. Remember that the narrative is your perception of
how things occurred. While the narrative is based on
fact, it will not be purely factual.
STRATEGIES
1. Try a flashback: begin in the middle of your story or at the
present and then go back to the time of the incident. Remember
to make this switch in time clear to the reader.
2. Use a chronological approach.
3. Base your story on a contrast or change in you or
those around you.
4. Write about a seemingly meaningless incident
which later proved to be important.
5. Try to build suspense for the climax, use foreshadowing,
or keep the outcome in doubt until the end.
6. Spend enough time on the other characters to make them
real, but don't let them take over your focus.
7. Plan the opening of your narrative carefully. It
must involve the reader and introduce the incident at
the same time.
8. Strive for a conclusion which neither jolts nor
impresses the reader. In a sense, the conclusion
should answer the question "So what?"