Narrative text – often fiction in which the values are used to describe and/or to explain human behavior. It involves a setting and a character or characters who are involved in one or more conflicts (e.g., interpersonal, internal; with society). Theme may be directly stated or implied. The piece makes sense when read from beginning to end.
Narrative Characteristics:
Tells a story.
Contains well-developed characters.
Contains a setting describing where or when the story takes place.
Contains a carefully fashioned plot with a problem and resolution.
Contains a theme that explains the meaning of the story.
Contains vocabulary used to enrich understanding of the story.
May be written in first, second, or third person.
Traditional Narrative Structure:
Beginning: Contains a setting, characters, problem(s)/conflict(s), initiating events,
Middle: Turning points, crisis, rising action, climax, subplot, parallel episodes.
End: Resolution, falling action, ending.
Narrative Text Types Include:
Biographies (depending on text structure), drama, diaries, excerpts from novels, fables, fantasies, folk tales, historical fiction, legends, mysteries, myths, novels, personal narratives, plays, poetry, mysteries, science fiction, short stories, sitcoms, tall tales, etc.