A NARRATIVE ESSAY

NARRATIVE TEXTS

Narrative texts are usually written in the first person (I / We) or in the third. They deal with events, real or imaginary, which happened to someone or a group of people

A-Structure and ideas of a narrative text:

·An introduction where the scene is presented (who is / was involved, time, place, etc) in an interesting way so it catches the reader’s attention.

·A main body, consisting of one or more paragraphs, where the story is developed and explained. Presenting the events in the order they happened, with a very clear sequence, is essential for the general understanding of the story.

·A conclusion which includes what happened at the end of the story, as well as people’s feelings, final comments or reactions. A surprising ending makes a long-lasting impression on the reader.

B- Language employed in a narrative text:

· Past tenses (past simple, past continuous and past perfect)

· Time expressions and sequence connectors.

· A variety of adjectives or adverbs to make the story more attractive to the reader.

*TIPS FOR WRITING A NARRATIVE:

In order to attract the reader’s attention, give interesting and catchy tittles to your stories, or make introduction attractive enough to rise interest in the reader. FFor example:

§ “I can state without hesitation that travelling to Nigeria last summer was one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had”

§ “One of the most fascinating /amazing / exciting / terrifying stories (events, experiences) in my life was …”

§ “If I had ever been told that …….. I don’t think that I would have believed it”

§ Phrases or idioms: Would you believe it! (ver para creer)

LINKERS AND PHRASES

-There was / were once: Había una vez - Once upon a time: Erase una vez - every time + Clause: cada vez que … - In the past - Until, already, since, yet, from … to, - From now on: de ahora en adelante - All night/ day long: toda la noche/día - At first: al principio + Noun Before/after + Clause (S+V+C) + V-ing

-Nowadays / currently / at present - Suddenly: de repente - so far (con Present Perfect) hasta ahora, por ahora - at dawn/ at sunrise: al amanecer - from time to time: de vez en cuando - Every other day/: un día sí y otro no - afterwards /next: a continuación - as soon as: tan pronto como - at the end: al final - at last: por fin - in the meantime: mientras tanto