Want your stories to be heard? Wondering what is narrative writing? let’s begin with a quote.“If your narrative is not persuasive, the world will be reluctant; if it’s emotional, the world buys it; if it touches the heart, you’ve won a soul.” ― Martin Uzochukwu Ugwu. 

We all love listening and telling stories, don’t we? Some of us love to read stories as well. We all have come across the term narrative writing during our academic years. But what is narrative writing? The majority of what we call storytelling is composed of narrative writing.

But there’s a lot more to it. Narrative writing needs heavy focus and it is not as simple as telling a story. Let’s get on a good read on what is narrative writing? What are the features that make a successful narrative? What are the types of narrative writing? And many more…

Suggested Read:

What is narrative writing?

What is narrative writing
What is narrative writing

A piece of writing characterized by the main character in a location who faces a problem or engages in an intriguing, noteworthy, or entertaining activity or experience can be roughly defined as narrative writing.

Writing a narrative is essentially the same as writing stories. A narrative can be fiction or nonfiction, or something in between, such as a semi-autobiographical story, historical fiction, or a dramatic retelling of true events. It’s narrative writing if a piece recounts a tale using a narrative structure.

The narrative definition can be read as a piece of writing that tells a tale and is one of four traditional rhetorical modes or ways of conveying data.

In a nutshell, the craft of writing a story is nothing but narrative writing, and the one who tells a story is a narrator. 

Segments of narrative writing

Learned what is narrative writing? Scanned narrative definition in your minds? Get a glance at other details. Just like any other form of writing, narrative writing is made up of different constituents. Let’s have a look at the five main elements in narratives: plot, setting, characters, conflict, and theme that can help you structure your story in a way that is engaging. 

  1. Plot-  This is the peak point of your story. A plot of a narrative acts as a thread of events that takes place. Depending on how you want your plot to be, it can be simple with one or two events or complex. 
  2. Setting- The period and place in which your story is set is referred to as the setting. Setting descriptions can be quite specific, or they can be more general and descriptive. A strong, well-established setting sets the tone for your narrative and gives the backdrop and environment.
  1. Characters- The essentials of your story! Without characters, you cannot tell a story. Besides, your characters should be reliable ad relatable. Characters should be cordial, causing readers to become immersed in the plot. 
  1. Conflict- NO problem? No story. The conflict is the problem that is being resolved in your story. Conflict in any form, whether between characters, elements in your setting, or even in your plot, is vital not only for a good novel but also for narrative writing.
  1. Theme- Another important component is the theme. What is the moral of the story? What do you want your readers to understand? Narrative writing tells a tale, and with any narrative, there are lessons to be learned, which constitute the story’s themes.

In order to have a more depth understanding have a look at what is narrative writing examples. There are novels that will be the best practical experience to know what is narrative writing.

A well written blog on narattive writing for you to read by thoughtco.com

Suggested Read

Types of narrative writing

Types of narrative writing
Types of narrative writing
  1. Linear narrative- The events of the story are presented in chronological sequence in a linear narrative. This can be achieved using any narrative perspective, including first-person, second-person, and third-person narration. Each scene in a linear narrative is followed by the next logical scene. There may be gaps between scenes, such as the third chapter of a book taking place two years after the events of the second chapter.

One of the most well-known varieties of the linear narrative is the quest narrative. This type depicts a character’s journey to achieve a goal.

  1. Non-linear narrative- Unlike linear narrative, the non-linear narrative presents events in a non-chronological order. In order to accentuate the emotional attitude of a personal tale or draw thematic links between noncontemporary events, a short story, novella, or book may fracture the timeline of the narrative. 

You can emphasize your characters’ emotions and opinions on the happenings in the storyline by using a nonlinear narrative in your writing. You can also use scenes to highlight important events and provide details that would otherwise be lost in your story’s timeline.

  1. Descriptive narrative- In a descriptive narrative, the setting, people, and objects of the narrative are described in detail. The goal is absolute immersion in the world of the story, as opposed to immersion in a character’s inner world, which provides a limited perspective on the world of the story in a viewpoint narrative. 
  1. Viewpoint narrative- This type of narrative is designed to present the narrator’s perspective of the events happening in the stories. The narrator’s own life and subjective point of view are used to filter moods, feelings, and other sensory inputs in viewpoint narrative writing.

You can examine facets of your protagonist’s personality and expose your viewers to their thoughts by using a narrative viewpoint. Personal essays and stories with themes of perspective and personal progress benefit from this type of narrative.

By discussing topics such as what is narrative writing? We’ve covered a lot of ground in terms of narrative writing along with elements and types. Let’s have a look at what narrative writing is for and some examples that are waiting for you!

What is the purpose of narrative writing?

The goal of a narrative is to tell a tale to the audience. It might be written to inspire, educate, or entertain people. 

The primary distinction between factual and fictional narratives is determined by the author’s intent. Writers of factual stories attempt to recount events as they occurred, whereas writers of fictitious stories are free to ignore real individuals and events because their aim is not to repeat a remarkable story. 

Factual stories include biographies and memoirs, whereas fictional stories include novels and short stories.

Essential tips for an amazing narrative

Want to be an expert from a novice? Keep in mind the following tips to succeed in writing a good story.

  • Have a clear purpose set in your mind before you start writing. 
  • Maintain the proper structure of the story including the five main elements.
  • Take advice from the experienced
  • Read a lot. Do not, however, attempt to imitate someone else’s voice.
  • Try freewriting, i.e. play with your writing.
  • Take feedback in a positive way.
  • Watch movies, TV.
  • Follow your instinct and do not panic. 
  • Keep trying and practicing. 

Conclusion:

The problem in crafting a compelling narrative is to captivate and keep the audience involved throughout the story. Have a clear picture in your mind regarding what you want to depict. Go through somewhat is narrative writing examples to have a firm grasp on the same. Make your words win hearts and not the just tag of being the best-selling novel. May it be a short story, novella, or anything, the way you put your words across matters the most. Make your writing bloom!