How to Write a Narrative Paragraph | English Writing Skills | 2020

Summary

This video provides a detailed guide for English language learners on how to write an effective narrative paragraph. It emphasizes the importance of a clear topic sentence, logically organized supporting sentences, and a strong concluding sentence. Key tips include using past tense verbs, varying sentence structures, and employing sequence words to indicate the order of events or simultaneous actions. The video also highlights the need to focus on one specific moment in time, rather than providing an entire event history, to make the narrative engaging and emotionally impactful for the reader.

Takeaways

• 😀 Narrative paragraphs should tell a story from your life so vividly that the reader feels like they were there with you at the time of the event.
• 😀 A strong narrative paragraph includes three main components: a clear topic sentence, strong supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.
• 😀 Choose one specific moment in time to focus on in your narrative, avoiding long histories that can make the story feel boring.
• 😀 The topic sentence should introduce the main idea, the character (you), and give a hint about the story’s timeline or key event.
• 😀 Use past tense consistently in your narrative to signal that the events happened in the past, ensuring clarity for the reader.
• 😀 Vary your sentence types to keep the narrative engaging; use simple, compound, and complex sentences for a balanced flow.
• 😀 Sequence words like 'after,' 'then,' and 'finally' help show the chronological order of events in your story.
• 😀 Use words like 'while,' 'at the same time,' and 'meanwhile' to indicate simultaneous events happening at the same time.
• 😀 Your concluding sentence should restate the topic sentence and explain what you learned or the lesson you took away from the event.
• 😀 Pay attention to the grammar of your supporting sentences, especially verb tense, to maintain the clarity of the narrative.
• 😀 To write a successful narrative paragraph, include sensory details (sight, sound, taste) and emotional reactions to connect with your reader on a deeper level.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of writing a narrative paragraph?

The purpose of a narrative paragraph is to tell a story from your life in such a way that the reader feels as though they were there with you during the event.

What are the three main components of a narrative paragraph?

The three main components are: 1) A clear topic sentence, 2) Strong supporting sentences that tell the story in a logical and clear way, and 3) A concluding sentence that restates the topic and reflects on the significance of the story.

Why is it important to focus on a single moment in time when writing a narrative paragraph?

Focusing on a single moment makes the story more engaging and prevents it from becoming too lengthy or boring. Expanding on one specific moment allows for a deeper connection with the reader.

What should the topic sentence in a narrative paragraph include?

The topic sentence should introduce the main character (you), provide some background information, and give the reader a sense of what the story will be about.

Why is it important to use past tense when writing a narrative paragraph?

Using past tense is important because the event being described already happened. It keeps the reader grounded in the timeline of the story and avoids confusion between past and present events.

What is the difference between simple, compound, and complex sentences, and why should they be mixed in a narrative paragraph?

Simple sentences contain a subject and a verb; compound sentences link two independent clauses; and complex sentences include subordinators to connect related ideas. Mixing these sentence types makes the paragraph more dynamic, interesting, and easier to read.

What are sequence words, and how do they help in writing a narrative paragraph?

Sequence words are words that show the order of events, such as 'after,' 'then,' and 'finally.' They help the reader follow the story's chronology and understand the flow of time within the narrative.

How can words like 'while' and 'meanwhile' be used in a narrative paragraph?

These words are used to show simultaneous actions—when two events are happening at the same time. For example, 'While I was on the phone, I heard a strange noise' indicates two actions occurring concurrently.

What role does the concluding sentence play in a narrative paragraph?

The concluding sentence restates the topic sentence in different words and may provide a reflection on the lesson learned or the significance of the experience, thus wrapping up the story.

Can you provide an example of a well-written narrative paragraph?

Sure! Here is an example: 'One of the best lessons I ever learned about friendship actually happened later in life. I was in my 30s and had four young children at home. Luckily, my best friend Kim and her family lived down the street. She called me early one morning to chat. While I was on the phone with her, I heard a strange noise in the basement. I quickly hung up the phone and then I called an emergency plumbing company. Soon, Kim showed up at my door with laundry detergent in hand. Knowing when and how to help without being asked was one of the most valuable things I learned from her about being a true and thoughtful friend.'