Writing a Narrative: Part 1 Structure & Elements | EasyTeaching

Summary

This video explains the concept of a narrative, its basic structure, and key story elements. A narrative is essentially a story designed to entertain, following a typical structure: introduction (orientation), problem (complication), and solution. The orientation introduces the characters and setting, while the problem presents a challenge, and the solution resolves the issue. These components are organized into separate paragraphs to guide writing. The video concludes with a preview of a future lesson on the language elements authors use to craft narratives.

Takeaways

• 😀 A narrative is a story meant to entertain.
• 😀 Narratives generally follow a similar structure, starting with an introduction (orientation), followed by the problem, and concluding with the solution.
• 😀 The orientation introduces the characters and the setting of the story, establishing where and when the story takes place.
• 😀 The setting can be anything, such as a futuristic city or an adventurer sailing the high seas.
• 😀 The problem (or complication) is the most exciting part of the narrative, where something goes wrong for the main characters.
• 😀 The problem could be scenarios like getting lost in a city or a sailing boat hitting a reef.
• 😀 The solution comes after the problem, where the characters find a way to resolve the issue.
• 😀 Writers use the orientation, problem, and solution as separate paragraphs to organize the narrative.
• 😀 In longer narratives, multiple paragraphs may be used to describe different parts of the story.
• 😀 This basic structure of orientation, problem, and solution is common to most narratives.

Q & A

What is a narrative?

A narrative is a story whose purpose is to entertain.

What are some common forms of narratives?

Narratives can be found in books, movies, and TV shows.

What is the basic structure of a narrative?

A narrative typically begins with an orientation, followed by a problem, and then a solution.

What is the orientation in a narrative?

The orientation is the introduction that sets up the characters and the setting of the story.

What role does the setting play in a narrative?

The setting provides the 'where' and 'when' of the story, helping to situate the characters in a specific time and place.

What is the problem or complication in a narrative?

The problem is the part of the story where something goes wrong for the main characters, creating tension and driving the plot forward.

How does the solution in a narrative resolve the problem?

The solution is where the writer shows how the problem is resolved, often through the characters' actions or decisions.

Why are paragraphs used to separate parts of a narrative?

Paragraphs help to organize the writing, making it clearer by separating the orientation, problem, and solution into distinct sections.

What happens if a narrative is longer?

In longer narratives, the writer will use more paragraphs to develop the story and its elements more thoroughly.

What will the next video focus on after this one?

The next video will focus on the language elements that authors use to write narratives.