The Writing Site
Search this site:
writing genres
writing genres home
descriptive
expository
narrative
persuasive
poetry
technical

writing prompts

writing prompts home
primary tips
intermediate tips
secondary tips
descriptive prompts
expository prompts
narrative prompts
persuasive prompts
poetry prompts
technical prompts

 

narrative writing

Goal:

Narrative writing tells a story or part of a story.

Characteristics:

The general characteristics of narrative writing include:
  • plot structure
    • introduction
    • rising action
    • climax
    • falling action
    • resolution
  • conflict
  • characterization
  • setting
  • theme
  • point of view
  • sequencing
  • transitions

Uses:

Narrative writing appears in and is not limited to novels, short stories, biographies, autobiographies, historical accounts, essays, poems, and plays.
Exercises:
  • Write a story about the best celebration you have ever had; tell why this is your favorite.
  • Think of a time when you were nervous. It might be your first plane ride or the first time you slept over night with a friend. Tell what happened and how you reacted.
  • Write a fictional story about being an eyewitness at an historical event.
  • Find an example of a narrative; explain the elements that make this a good example.
Additional
Internet sites:
Narrative Essays and Prompts
A one-page article that describes this genre while also including links to examples of narrative writing.
Narrative Writing Resources
Visit this list for additional resources gathered by the Web English Teacher.

Genre Descriptions

descriptive writing
expository writing
narrative writing
persuasive writing
poetry

technical writing

Writing Prompts

descriptive prompts
expository prompts
narrative prompts
persuasive prompts
poetry prompts

technical prompts

contact about us site map
Copyright © 2008 by the Corporation for Educational Technology Funded in part by the Indiana General Assembly through the Indiana Department of Education