NARRATIVE TEXT

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.

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

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