Narrative writing for High School & College

Summary

This video script offers an introduction to narrative writing, emphasizing its storytelling nature from a first-person perspective. It covers the basics, including the use of chronological order, dialogue, and descriptions to enhance the narrative. The script highlights the importance of narrative essays in college applications, focusing on a single idea or lesson. It advises using strong verbs, avoiding 'to be' verbs, and maintaining an active voice for a compelling narrative. The goal is to convey information and emotions effectively, making the narrative engaging and informative.

Takeaways

• 📝 Narrative writing is about telling a story, typically from a first-person perspective.
• 🕒 It often follows a chronological order, but can include flashbacks and flash-forwards.
• 🎯 The main goal of narrative writing is to convey information or a lesson learned.
• 🧩 Components of a narrative essay include a single point or idea, characters, and dialogue.
• 📚 Narrative essays are similar to five-paragraph essays but with a personal story and possibly dialogue.
• 🌟 Strong verbs and avoiding 'to be' verbs can enhance the narrative and make it more engaging.
• 🔍 College application essays often use narrative writing to tell personal stories effectively.
• 📈 A narrative essay should have a clear plot with exposition, conflict, climax, and resolution.
• 💡 Even mundane events can make for compelling narratives if they convey a meaningful lesson or insight.
• ✍️ Practice using strong, descriptive language and active voice to improve narrative writing skills.

Q & A

What is narrative writing?

Narrative writing is essentially telling a story, usually from the first-person point of view, and it can be about any event. It often follows a chronological order but can also include flashbacks and flash-forwards.

Why is narrative writing important for college application essays?

College application essays are essentially narrative essays because they allow the applicant to tell a personal story, which can effectively convey experiences and lessons learned.

What are the components of a narrative essay?

The components of a narrative essay include a single point or idea, characters (at least one, which is often the first-person narrator), dialogue, and a plot that follows a structure similar to a five-paragraph essay with exposition, conflict, climax, and resolution.

What is the purpose of narrative writing?

The purpose of narrative writing is to convey some type of information, such as a moral lesson, an experience, or a thought-provoking idea. It goes beyond mere entertainment to teach or inform the reader.

Can narrative essays have multiple ideas?

While a narrative essay can have more than one idea, it is recommended to focus on one central idea to ensure clarity and coherence in the narrative.

What role does dialogue play in narrative writing?

Dialogue in narrative writing adds depth and realism to the story. It helps to switch up the tone and pace of the reading, making the narrative more engaging and dynamic.

Why is strong word choice important in narrative essays?

Strong word choice, especially with verbs, is important because it conveys a more vivid image and emotion. It helps to make the narrative more compelling and showcases the writer's vocabulary and writing skill.

What is the difference between active and passive voice in narrative writing?

In narrative writing, active voice is preferred over passive voice because it makes the writing more dynamic and immediate. Active voice places the subject of the sentence as the actor performing the action, whereas passive voice often makes the subject the receiver of the action.

Why should 'to be' verbs be avoided in narrative writing?

'To be' verbs are often weak and unnecessary in narrative writing. They can slow down the pace and make the writing less engaging. It's recommended to use more active and descriptive verbs to create a stronger narrative.

What kind of conflicts can be found in a narrative essay?

Conflicts in a narrative essay can be grand or simple, but they should be significant to the story. They can range from overcoming a villain to learning a lesson or coping with a personal struggle.

How can everyday tasks be turned into compelling narrative essays?

Everyday tasks can be turned into compelling narrative essays by focusing on the emotions, thoughts, and lessons associated with those tasks. The writer can provide insights and details that make the mundane experience meaningful and relatable to the reader.