Writing Narratives: The 3 Stages and Short Story Language Features | English | ClickView

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of writing narratives by breaking down the three essential stages of narrative construction and highlighting key language features commonly used in short stories. Whether you're a student or a budding writer, these steps will help you craft compelling narratives.

Step 1: Understand the Three Stages of Narrative Construction

Narratives typically consist of three stages:

1. Beginning

   • Introduce the main characters and setting.
   • Establish the initial situation or conflict.
   • Create an engaging hook that captures the reader's interest.

2. Middle

   • Develop the plot with events that escalate the conflict.
   • Include challenges the characters must face.
   • Use tension to keep the reader engaged.

3. End

   • Resolve the conflict.
   • Provide closure to character arcs and storylines.
   • Leave the reader with a final thought or reflection.

Practical Tip: Use the "what, where, and who" framework during the beginning stage to establish a strong foundation.

Step 2: Incorporate Effective Language Features

Using the right language features enhances the narrative and helps convey emotions and actions effectively. Focus on these types of verbs:

1. Action Verbs

   • Describe what the characters are doing.
   • Examples: run, jump, shout, whisper.

2. Sensing Verbs

   • Express how characters perceive their surroundings.
   • Examples: see, hear, feel, taste.

3. Saying Verbs

   • Indicate what characters are saying or thinking.
   • Examples: say, shout, murmur, declare.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Overusing adverbs. Instead, choose strong verbs that convey the action clearly.
• Being too vague. Be specific to create vivid imagery.

Step 3: Create a Draft

Once you have a clear understanding of the stages and language features, start drafting your narrative:

1. Outline your story:

   • Use bullet points to map out the main events in each stage.

2. Write the first draft:

   • Don’t worry about perfection; focus on getting your ideas down.

3. Revise and edit:

   • Look for opportunities to incorporate more vivid verbs and clarify any confusing parts.

Real-World Application: Practice writing short stories based on prompts or personal experiences to improve your narrative skills.

Conclusion

Writing narratives involves understanding the three stages of construction and effectively using language features to bring your story to life. By following these steps, you will be well on your way to crafting engaging short stories. Start drafting today and remember that practice is key to improvement!