Narrative Writing

Narrative Writing

by Kori Ryerson

Dialogue

⚠️ ​It MUST help the plot in some way; ⚠️

otherwise, it's not useful and should be taken out.

​

Yes, characters have conversations throughout the story. However, when you're the writer, it's your job to use dialogue to:

• ​Show character personalities

• ​Explain setting or plot events

​

⚠️ If characters are talking, but it doesn't move the plot, change it! ⚠️​

Dialogue Example #1

How is this use of dialogue helpful to the plot?

(​Discuss.)

Multiple Select

How is this use of dialogue helpful to the story?

• It shows the setting.

• It shows character personality.

• It shows character feelings.

• It is long and uses lots of words.

​Dialogue Example #2

This use of dialogue is NOT helpful to the plot. Why not?

(​Discuss.)

Multiple Select

This use of dialogue is NOT helpful to the plot.

Why not?

• There is only one real quote.

• Most of the paragraph is reported speech (NOT dialogue).

• It does not show character personality.

Exposition

⚠️ ​The beginning; where readers ⚠️

get to know the characters and setting.

​

When you're the writer, it's your job to use exposition to:

• ​Introduce characters and their personalities

• Establish the setting (place AND time)

• Provide background information about what the characters' lives are like BEFORE the conflict begins for them.

• ​Introduce the conflict with the inciting incident

​

​⚠️ If it doesn't help the plot move forward, change it! ⚠️

​Exposition Example #1

This exposition is helpful to the plot. Why?

(​Discuss.)

Multiple Select

This exposition is helpful to the plot.

Why?

• ​Introduces characters and their personalities

• Establishes the setting

• Provides background information BEFORE the conflict begins.

• Includes the climax

​Exposition Example #2

Which parts of this exposition should be changed?

(​Discuss.)

Multiple Select

Which parts of this exposition should be changed?

• ​

  ​They stop to eat pizza.

• They told an employee the pizza was delicious.

• The son thought they should go on a boat ride.

​To summarize ...

​Dialogue in a narrative should:

• ​​Show character personalities

​

• ​Explain setting or plot events

​

​OR

​

• ​Be changed if it doesn't do either

The exposition should:

• ​Introduce characters and personalities

​

• Establish the setting (place AND time)

​

• Provide background info about characters' lives BEFORE the conflict

​

• ​Introduce the conflict with the inciting incident

Multiple Select

​Dialogue in a narrative should:

• ​​Show character personalities

• ​Explain setting or plot events

• ​Be changed if it doesn't do either

Multiple Select

The exposition should:

• ​Introduce characters and personalities

• Include the climax

• ​

  Provide background info about characters' lives BEFORE the conflict

• ​

  ​Introduce the conflict with the inciting incident

• Establish the setting (place AND time)

Open Ended

Describe one part of your narrative you'll adjust based on what you've learned about dialogue and the exposition. OR describe one part of your narrative that followed the rules we just discussed.