Narrative vs Informational

Narrative vs Informational

By Jennifer Nichols

Let's review: Narrative and Informational Writing

​Narrative Writing:

​The elements of a narrative story…

-includes dialogue (people are speaking)

-many paragraphs

-characters

-setting

-plot

-tells a story (continuing, retelling)

Informational Writing:

​The elements of a informational writing…​

-Informational/Explanatory (nonfiction)

-Intro (state or address the prompt)

-2-3 body paragraphs 

-Conclusion (closing-restate the prompt)

-Quote or paraphrase the text (put it in your own words)

-used for Literary or Research prompts (NOT telling a story)

​

BOTH Narrative and Informational...

​

-address the prompt

-responses in paragraphs

-use text evidence​

​Let's look at some examples...

Let's look at some writing prompts. You will decide if they are examples of narrative or informational texts.​

Multiple Choice

In both the passage from the novel Black Beauty and "An Ape with Other Ideas," a character interacts with an animal in a way that reveals his personality. Write an essay that compares and contrasts the way that the novel and the drama approach the topic of human and animal relationships.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

In the folktale, each of three brothers learns a different set of skills. Think about how these skills could help the brothers face the challenge of finding Princess Amelia. The passage ends with two of the brothers preparing to rescue her after the first brother discovers her location.

Write an original story to continue where the passage ended. In your story, be sure to use what you know about the brothers' skills as you tell how they try to rescue the princess.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

The prologue the Spy Cat describes how Peg and Pete write books together. Think about Peg's and Pete's approach and style to writing and their individual personalities. Write an original story that shows the first time Peg and Pete write together.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

You have read three articles about penguin rescue efforts after an oil spill:

from “The Amazing Penguin Rescue” by Lauren Tarshis, “The Amazing Penguin Rescue” by Dyan deNapoli , and “Update on Penguin Rescue Efforts from Oil Spill in South Atlantic.”

Write an essay explaining the similarities and differences in each article’s point of view about penguin rescue efforts after an oil spill. Support your essay with information from all three sources.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

In both the passage “Roberto Ignacio Torres Bakes” and the passage from The Dreamer, the authors describe characters who feel the need to keep their dreams secret. Think about Papi and Neftalí. Consider the details the authors use to show why these characters choose to keep their dreams secret.

Write an essay that examines how Papi and Neftalí change. Remember to include evidence from the passages to support your response.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

You have read a passage from “The List.” Think about what might happen the next day if Wyatt thinks of three new things to try. Write a narrative that describes what happens the following day when Wyatt tries the things on his new list. Use what you have learned from the passage to write your story.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

You have read a passage from Navajo Code Talkers, the article “American Indians in the United States Army,” and the passage “What’s So Special About Secret Codes?” Write an article to display at a local history museum that explains the authors’ purposes for writing. Include an explanation of each author’s purpose and what information the author includes to convey that purpose. Consider how the authors’ purposes are similar and different.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

Your school newspaper would like you to write an article about a predator that has superior hunting skills. You have decided to write about dolphins. Write a multi-paragraph article that explains why dolphins are skilled hunters. In your article, clearly state the main idea and support your main idea with reasons that are thoroughly developed using information from what you have read.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

In the passage, from Magic Elizabeth, the author creates a vivid setting and two distinct characters, Mrs. Chipley and Sally. Think about the details the author uses to establish the setting and characters.

Write an original story about what happens when Sally arrives at Aunt Sarah’s house. In your story, be sure to use what you have learned about the setting and the characters as you tell what happens next.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

Using the passage, "The Bread Winner," write a journal entry about the day the table arrived from the point of view of either Sarah, Daddy, or Mama. Use details from the story to describe how the table was used, the emotional effect the table had on the family member chosen, and thoughts about how the table will affect business in the future.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

Using the passage "from Bold Journey," the author creates a vivid setting and two distinct characters, Jack and Hugh. Think about the details the author uses to establish the setting and the characters. Write an original story about what happens when Hugh leaves for the expedition "Corps of Discovery." In your story, be sure to use what you have learned about the setting and the characters as you tell what happens next.

• Narrative

• Informational

Multiple Choice

A class is researching the topic, “Amazing natural phenomena.”  The goal is to study fascinating events or processes found in nature.  You are assigned to narrate and describe the South Africa sardine run.

Using the article, “Sardines Running!” write a narrative to share the phenomenon of the annual South African sardine run. 

• Narrative

• Informational