Narrative form of writing is a genre of writing that tells a story or recounts an experience. It is an essential component of literature and can be found in a variety of forms, including novels, short stories, memoirs, and personal essays. Narrative writing is an excellent way to express creativity and imagination while also allowing the reader to connect with the writer’s experiences and emotions.
What Is a Narrative?
A narrative is a story or account of events or experiences, real or imagined, that is presented in a particular order and with a specific purpose in mind. It can take many forms, including written works such as novels, short stories, or memoirs, as well as oral stories, films, and other visual media. Narratives often involve characters and their interactions, and they can be structured in a variety of ways, including linear and non-linear narratives. The purpose of a narrative can be to entertain, educate, or persuade the audience, and it often seeks to convey a particular message or theme. In essence, a narrative is a way of communicating a story or experience to an audience.
Types of narrative writing
There are many types of narrative writing, and each type has its own characteristics and conventions. Here are a few examples:
Memoir
A memoir is a narrative that tells the story of a specific period or experience in the author’s life. Memoirs are often written in the first person, and they can be structured in a variety of ways. Memoirs may focus on a particular theme or event, or they may be a collection of memories and anecdotes that are loosely connected.
Autobiography
An autobiography is a narrative writing story of the author’s entire life. Autobiographies are often written in the first person and follow chronological order. They may include personal reflections, anecdotes, and insights into the author’s life and experiences.
Personal essay
A personal essay is a narrative that explores the author’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Personal essays may focus on a particular event, relationship, or theme. They often employ literary techniques such as metaphor, imagery, and symbolism to convey the author’s message.
Short story
A short story is a narrative that tells a complete story in a relatively short amount of time. Short stories may focus on a particular character or event, and they often have a clear beginning, middle, and end. They may employ literary techniques such as foreshadowing, flashbacks, and character development to create a rich and engaging story.
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Novel
A novel is a narrative that tells a longer, more complex story. Novels typically have multiple characters, plotlines, and themes. They may employ literary techniques such as symbolism, imagery, and allegory to create a rich and nuanced story.
Screenplay
A screenplay is a narrative that tells the story of a film or television show. Screenplays follow a specific format and are divided into scenes and acts. They include dialogue, descriptions of settings and characters, and directions for camera and sound.
Folklore and myths
Folklore and myths are narratives that have been passed down through generations in oral or written form. They often involve supernatural or fantastic elements and seek to explain the origins of the world or cultural traditions. Folklore and myths may take many forms, including legends, fairy tales, and fables.
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Examples of Narrative Writing
1.”The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“The Great Gatsby” is a classic novel that tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man living in New York in the 1920s. The novel is famous for its beautiful prose, vivid descriptions, and engaging characters. Fitzgerald’s writing is incredibly evocative, and he uses vivid metaphors and imagery to bring the setting of the novel to life.
For example, he describes Gatsby’s mansion as “a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden.”
Fitzgerald’s writing also captures the emotions of his characters in a way that is both honest and poetic. He writes about the characters’ hopes, fears, and desires in a way that feels real and relatable. For example, when Gatsby is reunited with his lost love, Daisy, Fitzgerald writes: “There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams—not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion. It had gone beyond her, beyond everything. He had thrown himself into it with a creative passion, adding to it all the time, decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way.”
2. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that tells the story of a young girl named Scout growing up in the South during the 1930s. The novel is famous for its exploration of themes like racism, prejudice, and injustice. Lee’s writing is incredibly powerful, and she uses the voice of a child to explore these complex issues in a way that is both accessible and moving.
Lee’s writing is also known for its beautiful descriptions of the setting and characters. She creates a vivid portrait of the small town where the novel takes place, and her descriptions of the people who live there are both humorous and poignant.
For example, she describes one character, Miss Maudie, as “a tall lady with a cane who always had her hat pinned to her head with a hatpin and who always woke up at dawn. She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn.”
3. “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
“The Yellow Wallpaper” is a short story written in the late 19th century that tells the story of a woman’s descent into madness. The story is narrated by the protagonist, a woman suffering from postpartum depression, who is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper by her physician husband. The story explores themes of gender roles, mental illness, and the dangers of societal expectations. The use of first-person narration allows the reader to experience the protagonist’s journey into madness and understand the societal pressures that contribute to her decline.
The Wrap Up
Narrative writing is a powerful form of writing that can be used to tell stories, share personal experiences, and explore complex themes and ideas. If you are interested in narrative writing, these examples of narrative writing can serve as a source of inspiration and guidance as you explore this style of writing.
Remember, the key to effective narrative writing is to create a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, while also engaging the reader on an emotional level. With practice and perseverance, anyone can become a skilled narrative writer and create stories that captivate and inspire readers.
