Iv'e forgotten how to write a narrative (2 Viewers)

[ChopperT]

Our English teacher has set us a Belonging narrative to write these holidays.

He didn't specify how long it was, and I was just wondering how long you guys think it should be.

Also, any tips on the narrative structure, besides the obvious (beginning, middle and end)?

 

[lyounamu]

700-900...because that's like the standard amount for HSC answer for a narrative

 

[scaredytiger]

Use paragraphs and sentences.

 

[mitchy_boy]

Don't use the word belonging, you get yelled at.

 

[scaredytiger]

Find a specific scenario, use idiosyncratic elements, and meld it to belonging. Don't be afraid to cut it - especially the beginning and the end; as a general rule, people tend to introduce their story very weakly, and end with unnecessary summing up.

The idea is show, not tell. This means saying "Jessica dropped her gaze, mouth quivering." instead of "Jessica felt nervous." This is not a license to go overboard with the thesaurus, try to be minimal but exact.

If you use first person, for god's sake be consistent with the persona. Girls don't notice things like guys do, and viceversa. You don't write the world as you see it, you write it how they see it. And have you ever started randomly going through all your own physical characteristics in your head while walking down a street? Don't do that either.

 

[Sayangliss]

Don't use the word belonging, you get yelled at.

There's nothing wrong with using the word belonging - so long as you don't use it excessively. Ie once every paragraph.

I think it can be up to about 1200 but 900 words is usually a good length.

It doesn't really need an end. Just needs to be conclusive.

 

[Aerath]

Mine was 800 for HSC - which in my opinion, was plenty.

 

[ChopperT]

Another Question: What is the difference between a creative and a narrative?

i.e. Do I have to do introduction/development/conclusion for narrative, or can I describe one particular moment like I do in my creatives?

 

[scaredytiger]

Narratives are linear, as a general rule.

 

[ninetypercent]

yeah I have to do one too.
is the creative bit in AOS always a narrative?

 

[speedofsound]

yeah I have to do one too.
is the creative bit in AOS always a narrative?

i think for the past few years the aos paper has asked for a "creative piece of writing" which could be a narrative, poem, etc, but my teacher always stresses to never write anything other than a narrative. however they can specificy that we do a particular piece of creative writing, which could be something other than a narrative. let's hope they don't.

 

[Aerath]

Yeah, look at past trial papers - they seem to be more varied than just the simple narrative.