LESSON ONE
Narration
Narration, or telling a story, is probably the oldest and certainly the best known
method of development. Epics, myths, legends, and folktales are all narratives.
Although narratives, or stories, may be used simply for entertainment, most
narratives have a main point, which can be stated or implied. Narration can be
used for many purposes, such as telling an entertaining story, presenting
historical events, or explaining what happens in a scientific process
QUALITIES OF EFFECTIVE NARRATION 1. High interest for its readers. Although all essays should be interesting to read,
many expository (explanatory) essays are written primarily to present information. The purpose of a narrative may also be to present information, as in narrating the events of a battle or the steps in photosynthesis. However, as illustrated in this unit through the essays by Soto, Logan, and others, a successful personal narrative usually relates to personal experiences and goals that are close to the writer and that can be presented to the reader in a highly interesting way. Reader interest is created not only by the personal style of this kind of essay but also because t
he reader is often able to identify in some way with the events in a personal narrative.
2. A thesis, or main idea, that is clearly stated or implied. Although some stories
are written primarily for entertainment, the purpose of most narratives is to make a point or reveal a truth about life. This point may be stated in a thesis statement, or it may be implied, or suggested, by the events of the narrative. Most narratives in literary or academic writing—do more than entertain. They illustrate a point, develop a theme or an idea, explain a process, or provide information.
3. Clear chronological organization and effective transitions. A narrative tells
what happened; that is, it relates a sequence of events, usually in chronological (time) order, or in the order in which they occurred.
4. Descriptive details and comparisons. The use of vivid details makes a
narrative come alive. Also contribute clearly to the main point or tone, help set the context, or move the narrative along to its climax (or high point of action). (For examples and an explanation distinguishing between factual and sensory details, see Lesson Two on description on this same student website.)