Narrative Text

Definition
Narrative text is a type of text that tells a story or describes a sequence of events. The
purpose of a narrative text is to entertain or inform the reader by presenting a series of
events in a coherent and engaging way.

Key features of narrative text

1. Past Tenses
Set the scene in time, making stories feel real and vivid.
Example: The brave knight ventured into the dark forest...
2. Adverbials of Time
Guide readers through the story's timeline.
Example: One stormy night, under a blanket of stars...
3. Descriptive Adjectives
Paint with words, adding depth to the narrative.
Example: The ancient, whispering trees...
4. Rich Noun Phrases
Offer detailed snapshots of the story's elements.
Example: The shimmering, crystal-clear lake...

The Characteristics of Narrative Text

1. Using past tenses
Narrative texts often contain past tense because they typically recount events or stories
that have already occurred.
Using the past tense helps to create a sense of time and sequence, which enables the
reader to follow the plot and understand the progression of events.
Also, writing in the past tense gives context and shows a clear link between actions and
their results, which helps the reader get into the story and understand what the
characters are going through.
Here’s an example:
“Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a kind, generous old man. One day, as he
was walking through the forest, he stumbled upon a giant squash. Amazed, he inched
closer.”
In this example, the use of past tenses such as “lived”, “was walking”, “stumbled”,
“amazed” and “inched” is used to describe past events.

2. Using adverbial of time

Narrative texts often use adverbials of time to provide a clear structure and sense of
progression to the story.
These time expressions help the reader understand when events are happening, how
they are related to one another, and the overall flow of the narrative.
By providing a context for the sequence of events, adverbials of time create a more vivid
and engaging reading experience.
 They enable the reader to follow the plot more easily and immerse themselves in the
story, as they can visualize the events unfolding within a specific timeframe.
Here’s an example:
“Early one morning, Sarah decided to go for a jog in the park. As she jogged, the sun
began to rise, casting a golden glow over the trees. Later that day, she met her friends for
lunch and shared her morning adventure with them.”
In this example, adverbials of time such as “early one morning,” “as she jogged,” and
“later that day” are used to provide context and indicate the sequence of events, helping
the reader understand when each action took place.

3. Using adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, or, put it simply, adjectives are words
that give more information about a noun such as its colour, shape, size, characteristics,
etc.
In narrative text, adjectives help create a more detailed and vivid story.
Example: “The brave knight entered the dark, mysterious forest, ready to face any
challenges that lay ahead.”
In this example, the adjectives “brave,” “dark,” and “mysterious” add depth to the
description, giving the reader a clearer sense of the knight’s personality and the
atmosphere of the forest.

4. Using noun phrases

A noun phrase is a group of words that contains a noun along with any accompanying
modifiers, such as adjectives, adverbs, or other nouns that provide more information
about the main noun. Noun phrases help create detailed and vivid descriptions in stories.
In narrative texts, noun phrases can be used to give more detailed descriptions, highlight
certain parts of a character or setting, or explain complicated ideas concisely.
Example: “The bright morning sun cast a golden glow on the calm waters of the lake,
creating a breathtaking view.”
In this example, the noun phrases are “the bright morning sun” and “the calm waters of
the lake.” These phrases provide more detailed descriptions, with “the bright morning
sun” referring to the sun and “the calm waters of the lake” highlighting the lake’s peaceful
appearance.

The Purpose and Social Function of a Narrative Text

The purpose of a narrative text is to tell a story or recount a series of events in an engaging
and entertaining way for the reader.
Some narrative texts may also have didactic or instructive purposes, such as teaching moral
lessons or sharing information about historical events or specific cultural traditions.
And narrative texts also have social functions, which include entertaining, providing
information, and of course, educating the readers.
Generic Structure of Narrative Text
1. Orientation
Orientation sets the stage for the story.
Ideally, the orientation should answer the questions “who,” “where, and “when.”
So, when reading the orientation part, we should be able to identify the character and
setting (both time and place) of the story.

2. Complication
This section contains the problems that occur within a story. It is divided into three parts,
namely:
 Rising action: Problems begin to emerge
 Climax: Peak of the problem
 Falling action: The tension of the problem begins to decrease, and the solution starts to
emerge

3. Resolution
The resolution is the part of the narrative where the conflict or problem introduced earlier in
the story is resolved or addressed.
This may involve characters finding a solution to their issues, overcoming obstacles, or
experiencing personal growth.
The resolution helps tie up loose ends, providing closure for the reader and allowing them to
see how the events of the story have impacted the characters.

4. Re-orientation / Evaluation
Re-orientation, also known as evaluation, is an optional component of a narrative text that
serves to reflect on the story and its events, reinforcing the moral lesson or theme.
This section typically appears at the end of the story, providing a summary or commentary
on the characters’ experiences and the consequences of their actions.
It helps the reader understand the significance of the story and encourages them to consider
the message or lesson the author intended to convey.
The points mentioned above are the basic components of a narrative text structure, but it is
important to note that not all narrative texts follow this exact structure.
Some narratives may include additional elements, such as flashbacks, multiple perspectives,
or non-linear timelines. Nevertheless, the basic structure described above provides a useful
framework for understanding and analysing narrative texts.

Types of narrative texts:

There are lots of different kinds of narrative texts, such as:
 Fictional narrative
A fictional narrative is a story that is not based on real events or real people. It can be a
novel, short story, fable, or fairy tale.
 Autobiography
An autobiography is a narrative text that tells the life story of the author, written from a first-
person perspective.
 Biography
A biography is a narrative text that tells the life story of someone other than the author,
written from a third-person perspective.
 Memoir
A memoir is a narrative text that focuses on a particular period or event in the author’s life,
often written from a first-person perspective.
 Legend
A legend is kind of a folklore. It’s a traditional story that has been passed on for generations
– it often explains the origins of a particular culture or society.