4.1.3

Paper 1: Writing - Narrative Writing

Test yourself on Paper 1: Writing - Narrative Writing

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Section B: Narrative Writing

A narrative piece follows a story line – it has action and tells the reader about some sort of experience that happened (either real or fake). Here are some tips for writing a narrative piece:

Use a range of language devices

Use a range of language devices

  • Language devices play a key role in creative writing. Using a variety of the language devices covered in the 'Key Terms' section can help you to:
    • Make your writing more interesting.
    • Engage the reader in your story or help them to visualise your description.
    • Help you to build up the image/experience you have in your own head.
  • We will recap these language devices in the 'Checklist of Techniques' section.
Identify the part of the narrative

Identify the part of the narrative

  • Remember that many different parts make up a narrative piece (e.g. an opening, a climax, an ending etc.). You may only be asked to write about a part of a narrative story.
    • If the question asks you to write an opening, focus on introducing the characters and settings instead of including lots of action. You are NOT being asked to write a complete story.
Show, don't tell

Show, don't tell

  • Many students make the mistake of 'telling' the reader something rather than 'showing' it to the reader. Showing, rather than telling, makes narrative writing far more impactful.
Show, don't tell - example

Show, don't tell - example

  • Here is a writer 'telling' the reader about an alcoholic:
    • Lucy was desperately searching for more wine. Her withdrawal symptoms were driving her crazy.
  • The description is grammatically correct, but dull.
  • Here is a writer 'showing' the reader an alcoholic:
    • Her head was rattling; mirroring her quaking limbs. Her eyes darted to and fro as the sweat trickled down her forehead. Her tongue craved a trickle of liquid salvation.
  • This description creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
Create the right tone

Create the right tone

  • The tone of your writing is very important. The tone is the writer's feelings towards what they are describing.
  • To create the right tone:
    • Choose words carefully - using positive adjectives will help to create a light-hearted feel. Using negative/aggressive adjectives will help to create a foreboding atmosphere.
    • Use varied sentences - using short, simple sentences will help to create suspense and quicken the pace. Using long, complex sentences will slow the pace and create a relaxed feel.
Jump to other topics
1

Key Terms

1.1

Key Terms

1.1.1Nouns1.1.2Verbs1.1.3Sentence Types1.1.4Words1.1.5Sound1.1.6Language1.1.7Images & Symbols1.1.8Phrases1.1.9Mood1.1.10Key Terms - Other Techniques1.1.11End of Topic Test - Key Terms
2

Language Techniques

2.1

Language Devices

2.1.1Metaphors2.1.2Similes2.1.3Metaphors & Similes HyperLearning2.1.4Personification2.1.5Pathetic Fallacy2.1.6Pun2.1.7Oxymoron2.1.8Hyperbole2.1.9Alliteration2.1.10Sibilance2.1.11Onomatopoeia2.1.12Emotive Language2.1.13All Language Devices2.1.14End of Topic Test - Language Devices
2.2

Writing Structure

2.2.1Narrators2.2.2Paragraphs2.2.3Present Tense2.2.4Past Tense2.2.5Future Tense2.2.6Present vs Past vs Future2.2.7Foreshadowing2.2.8Structure2.2.9End of Topic Test - Writing Structure
3

Paper 1: Reading

3.1

Paper 1: Reading - Section A

3.1.1Paper 1: Reading - Overview - Section A3.1.2Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 13.1.3Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 23.1.4Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Reading3.1.5Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 33.1.6Paper 1: Reading - Answering Question 43.1.7End of Topic Test - Section A3.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Reading3.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q13.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q23.1.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q33.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q4 13.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q4 2
4

Paper 1: Writing

4.1

Paper 1: Writing - Structuring Your Answer

4.1.1Paper 1: Writing - Overview - Section B4.1.2Paper 1: Writing - Descriptive Writing4.1.3Paper 1: Writing - Narrative Writing4.1.4Paper 1: Writing - Answering Section B (option 1)4.1.5Paper 1: Writing - Answering Section B (option 2)4.1.6Paper 1: Writing - Answering Section B - Checklist4.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Section4.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Paper 1: Writing4.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q5 14.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - P1 Q5 2
5

Paper 2: Reading

5.1

Paper 2: Reading - DAFORESTER

5.1.1Paper 2: Reading - Direct Address5.1.2Paper 2: Reading - Alliteration5.1.3Paper 2: Reading - Facts5.1.4Paper 2: Reading - Opinions5.1.5Paper 2: Reading - Repetition5.1.6Paper 2: Reading - Exaggeration (Hyperbole)5.1.7Paper 2: Reading - Statistics5.1.8Paper 2: Reading - Triples (Rule of 3)5.1.9Paper 2: Reading - Emotive Language5.1.10Paper 2: Reading - Rhetorical Questions5.1.11End of Topic Test - DAFORESTER
5.2

Paper 2: Reading - Structuring Your Answer

5.2.1Paper 2: Reading - Overview - Section A5.2.2Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 15.2.3Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 25.2.4Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 35.2.5Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Reading5.2.6Paper 2: Reading - Answering Question 45.2.7End of Topic Test - Section A5.2.8Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Reading5.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q15.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q2 15.2.11Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q2 25.2.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q4
6

Paper 2: Writing

6.1

Paper 2: Writing - Structuring Your Answer

6.1.1Paper 2: Writing - Overview - Section B6.1.2Paper 2: Writing - Answering Section B6.1.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q5 16.1.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q5 26.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - P2 Q5 3
6.2

Types of Writing

6.2.1Paper 2: Writing - Article6.2.2Paper 2: Writing - Essay6.2.3Paper 2: Writing - Leaflet6.2.4Paper 2: Writing - Letter6.2.5Paper 2: Writing - Speech6.2.6Paper 2: Writing - Review6.2.7Paper 2: Writing - Travel Writing6.2.8Paper 2: Writing - Diaries & Journals6.2.9End of Topic Test - Types of Writing
6.3

Writing to...

6.3.1Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Inform6.3.2Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Inform - Example6.3.3Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Explain6.3.4Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Explain - Example6.3.5Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Persuade6.3.6Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Persuade - Example6.3.7Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Argue6.3.8Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Argue - Example6.3.9Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Persuade vs Writing6.3.10Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Advise6.3.11Paper 2: Writing - Writing to Advise - Example6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing

Practice questions on Paper 1: Writing - Narrative Writing

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    You are describing a character's boredom during a long journey as part of a narrative piece. What kind of sentences should you use to create the right tone and mood?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Features of a narrative piece:True / false
  3. 3
    You are asked to write an opening for a fairy tale story about childhood sweethearts. What should you focus on most?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What techniques should you use to enhance your narrative writing in your exam?Fill in the list
Answer all questions on Paper 1: Writing - Narrative Writing

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Paper 1: Writing - Descriptive Writing

Paper 1: Writing - Answering Section B (option 1)