I.

Definition: a narrative presents a connected series of events, either imaginary or

based on your own experience, in a vivid descriptive style. It may be written in the
first person (I/ we) or third person (he/she, etc) and often includes the thoughts,
reactions, etc of the main character(s), describing the action as it could be seen
through their eyes.
II. Layout:
1. Introduction: Set the scene (place, time, character(s), etc), create an interesting
mood/atmosphere to make the reader want to continue reading, and/or begins
dramatically to capture the reader’s attention.
2. Main body: Develop the story, give vivid description of the people/places
involved.
3. Conclusion: End the story, perhaps in an unexpected way, and may describe
people’s feelings/reactions, the consequences of what happened.
III. Patterns
1. Chronological Order

Beginning: Introduce the setting, characters, and context. Provide background

details that set the stage.

Middle (Rising Action/Climax): This is the heart of the story where the main
events unfold, leading up to a pivotal moment.

End (Resolution): The story comes to a close, and you reflect on the experience or
the lesson learned.

2. Flashback narration
Present Moment: Start in the middle or at the end of the story.

Flashback: Jump back to the past to explain how you got there.

Return to Present: Return to the current moment, bringing the narrative full circle.
IV. Language use
- A variety of verbs for “say”: murmur, whisper, mutter, growl.
- Look, see: stare, glance, inspect, glimpse, peep, squint.
- Gestures: nod, shrug, wave, shake.
- Walk: plod, saunter, stroll, march, step, stride, trudge, wander.
- Move: dash, jump, plunge, sprint, slither, tiptoe.
- Speak: bellow, groan, mumble, mutter, roar.
- Expression: glare, grimace, grin, scowl, sneer.
- Hold: clutch, crush, embrace, seize, grasp.
- Happiness: cheerfulness, cheer, cheerful, delighted, glad, jubilant, merry, pleased,
satisfied
 - Fear: dread, frightened, panic, scared, terrified, timid, uneasy, afraid
- Excitement: enthusiasm, exhilarating, stirring, electrifying, eager, vigorous
- Sorrow: depressing, miserable, mournful, dejected, gloomy, distressed
- Anger: annoyed, irritating, infuriating, cross, resentful, displeased
- Various: calm, patience, puzzled, mysterious, sensitive
V. Sample
The Visitor

A cold feeling of shock gripped me as I stared at the splintered, shattered wood of my

front door. The lock hung, twisted out of shape, having been forced violently apart, and I
felt my pulse quicken as I noticed that the door was ajar. Scarcely breathing, I pushed it
lightly with my fingertips and it swung open with the slightest groan. Inside, the house
was deathly silent. I tiptoed down the hall, peering into the rooms on either side. They
stared blankly back at me, deserted and unchanged, revealing nothing. There were no
burglars still inside, or so it seemed. As far as I could see, there was nothing missing. I
heaved a sigh of relief at finding my precious collection of crystal untouched, and my
heartbeat slowed as my initial shock subsided. Somebody had certainly broken in but
why?
At the far end of the passageway I hesitated, puzzled, then cautiously climbed the stairs.
As I neared the top, there was a noise; a light, hurried, scrabbling sound like one that
mice might make, only coming from something rather bigger. I turned quickly towards
my open bedroom door, only to be confronted by the strangest sight: an elderly man lying
uncomfortably face-down on the floor, his plump, flushed cheek pressed against the
carpet, which had been pulled back to reveal the floorboards underneath. There he was
with his right arm thrust down into a gap between the boards. "What on earth are you
doing?" I demanded.
He rolled himself slowly into a sitting position and ruffled his thinning hair, looking
embarrassed. "I'm sorry”, he mumbled. "I used to live in this house and I put a box down
here with my savings and some papers to keep them safe." He brushed thick dust and
cobwebs off his shirt and sighed. "But when I moved out I forgot, and I didn't know if
you would let me have them. What else could I do?"
Analysis:
1. Setting and Atmosphere: The essay begins with a startling image of a broken front
door, immediately setting a tone of suspense and unease. The description of the
silent, deserted house further enhances the eerie atmosphere.
2. Character Development: The protagonist is portrayed as a cautious and observant
individual, reacting appropriately to the unexpected situation. The elderly man,
 while initially appearing suspicious, is ultimately revealed to be a harmless and
somewhat sympathetic character.
3. Plot Structure: The narrative follows a clear plot structure, building tension
through the discovery of the broken-in house and culminating in the surprising
encounter with the elderly man. The twist at the end adds an unexpected layer to
the story.
4. Language use:
Strong action verbs: Gripped, shattered, forced, quicken, pushed, swung, tiptoed, peered,
stared, hesitated, climbed, neared, confronted, rolled, ruffled, mumbled, brushed, sighed.
Sensory verbs: Felt, noticed, heard, saw, stared.
Descriptive adjectives: Splintered, shattered, twisted, ajar, deathly, deserted, unchanged,
precious, untouched, puzzled, cautiously, hurried, scrabbling, strangest, plump, flushed,
uncomfortable
Emotional adjectives: Cold, shocked, relieved, puzzled, embarrassed