NARRATIVE TEXT
Definition
of narrative
Prince: “The
representation . . . of one or more real or fictive events communicated by one,
two or several . . . narrators . . . to one, two or several narratees.”
A narratee is a person or character to whom a narrative is addressed.
The definition of
narrative text
Narrative text is a story with complication or problematic events and it tries to find the resolutions to solve the problems. An important part of narrative text is the narrative mode, the set of methods used to communicate the narrative through a process narration.
Narrative text is a story with complication or problematic events and it tries to find the resolutions to solve the problems. An important part of narrative text is the narrative mode, the set of methods used to communicate the narrative through a process narration.
The purpose of narrative text
The Purpose of Narrative Text is to amuse or to entertain the reader with a story.
Generic Structures
of Narrative Text
1) Orientation
1) Orientation
Sets the scene: where and when the story happened and introduces the participants of the story: who and what is involved in the story.
2) Complication
Tells the beginning of the problems which leads to the crisis (climax) of the main participants.
3) Resolution
The problem (the crisis) is resolved, either in a happy ending or in a sad (tragic) ending
4) Re-orientation/Coda
This is a closing remark to the story and it is optional. It consists of a moral lesson, advice or teaching from the writer.
Elements of narrative structure
Plot
•
Sequence
of events involving characters in conflict situations.
•
Plot is based on the goals of one or more characters and
the processes they go through to attain these goals.
•
Beginning,
middle, end or introduction, problem, and resolution
Characters
•
The
people or personified animals who are involved in the story.
•
Fully
developed characters have many character traits
• Appearance
• Action
• Dialogue
• Monologue
Setting
Components of
setting:
• Location
• Weather
• Time Period
• Time of Day
Theme
•
The
underlying meaning of a story.
•
Truths
about human nature.
–
Characters’
emotions and feelings
–
They
can be explicit (stated openly) or implicit (suggested)
Point
of view
First Person
–
Story
is told through eyes of one person
–
Reader
experiences story as the narrator views it
–
Found
mostly in picture books
Third Person
–
Used
so readers can know the viewpoint of one character
–
The
author is godlike: sees and knows all
–
Found
mostly in chapter books
