Name: ____________________ (

Class: _______

Date: ___________

Narrative Writing Structure Structure of a Narrative: To construct a narrative story, you need to include these components:
Component: (a) Orientation (beginning): Elaboration what to include in various components:

Who are the characters in the story? When is the story taking place? (setting) Where is the action/ incident happening? (setting) What is the situation? (Quarrel? Tension in the family/ among friends? War? Natural disaster?)

(b) Complication / trigger /problem:

Something that begins a chain of events that influence what will happen in the story. These events will affect one or more of the characters i.e. problems that the characters will have to face

(c) Sequence

Complication can be in the form of struggles that the characters have with themselves, others or the environment.

Elaborate how the characters react to the complication. This includes the characters feelings and what they do. The most exciting part of the story. Elaborates on how the complication is sorted out or the problem in the story is resolved.

of events: (d) Climax: (d) Resolution:

(e)Coda: (optional)

What is the moral or message learnt from the story

Pointer: A good narrative story will preferably have these components: Express personal feelings/ opinions/ reflection/ moral learnt/ highlight social issue or theme.

Exercise 1: Learning the narrative structure through a time-line of events

Adapted from Step Ahead 2 and Effective Guide to Lower Secondary English

As you have watched the snippets of the movie, The Lion King, and the musical, you will have learnt that the story progresses from one stage to another. From the orientation where the scene is set the audience is led through a series of adventures and surprises comprising the complication and finally the sequence turns full circle and concludes with resolution of the problems facing the characters. With our knowledge of the story, let us learn and identify the narrative structure through The Lion King. Understanding the Plot Development Narrative Structure Components
Orientation Who are the characters in the story? Where is the action taking place? Background Story

Plot Development
Set in a magical land, Pridelands Mufasa and queen Sarabi to introduce their newborn cub Simba Scar, the brother of Mufasa, is unhappy that Simba will be the heir to the throne

Complication

Displeasure of Scar who wanted the throne

Something that begins a chain of events that influence Scar tried to lure Simba to the elephant graveyard, hoping that the what will happen in the story. hyenas will kill him. Mufasa rescued him in time. Scar was unsuccessful in his attempt.

Sequence of events Event 1: The trap Elaborate on how the characters react to the complication Scar ordered the hyenas to trap Simba in a narrow gorge. Mufasa had successfully rescued Simba but was thrown back into the gorge, resulting in his death. Simba was made was responsible death. Ashamed, Scar ascended the to believe that it for his fathers he left the pride. throne.

Adapted from Step Ahead 2 and Effective Guide to Lower Secondary English

Event 2: Met new friends and reunited with Nala Simba made friends with Timon and Pumbaa. Simba had also found his childhood sweetheart, Nala. Nala informed him of Scars irresponsibility in taking care of the pride. Simba decided to return and overthrow Scar because Mufasas spirit told him to remember who he is and he must return home to be the king. Climax The most exciting part of the story The peak of the story Death of Scar Simba confronted Scar on Pride Rock. Scar reminded Simba that he had caused Mufasas death and forced Simba towards the edge of the Pride Rock. Just before Scar threw Simba off, he quietly admitted that he was the one who killed Mufasa. In a fit of anger, Simba leapt back up and pinned Scar. Scar begged Simba for mercy and accused the hyenas of planning the whole thing. As Simba was kindhearted in nature, he let him off. Unfortunately, the hyenas, upon hearing that Scar had accused them, attacked and killed Scar. Resolution Elaborates on how the complication is sorted out or the problem in the story is resolved Simba reunited with his mother and Nala. He now leads the pride.

Adapted from Step Ahead 2 and Effective Guide to Lower Secondary English

Exercise 2: This is the story of the fairy tale, Cinderella. The story follows this particular order. Can you identify the narrative structure and place these sentences in the correct components? 1. Introduce Cinderella 2. Tell how her stepmother and stepsisters ill-treat her 3. Every girl in the kingdom is invited to the princes ball. 4. Cinderella longs to go to the ball but her stepmother forbids her from going. 5. Her fairy godmother appears. 6. Here fairy godmother transforms her into a beautifully dressed girl. 7. Cinderella arrives at the ball and the prince dances with her. 8. They fall in love. 9. At midnight, the clock strikes and Cinderella runs out of the palace, dropping on shoe. 10. Cinderella is back at home in her old dress. 11. The prince tries to look for Cinderella. He asks every girl in the kingdom to try on the shoe. 12. At last he reaches Cinderellas home and Cinderellas foot fits the shoe. 13. Cinderella marries the prince and they live happily ever after.

Orientation

Complication

Adapted from Step Ahead 2 and Effective Guide to Lower Secondary English

Climax

Resolution

Coda (if any)

Adapted from Step Ahead 2 and Effective Guide to Lower Secondary English