Narrative Techniques

Narrative Techniques

• ​When writing a narrative, authors use a variety of tools to develop the plot and characters or to explore their own personal experiences. Narrative techniques include dialogue, description, pacing, reflection, and multiple plot lines. 

• Narratives often have dialogue, or a conversation between characters. Dialogue can be used to develop characters or to move the plot forward.

• In addition, authors use description outside of dialogue to develop the setting, characters, and plot events.

Dialogue

​

• Use dialogue between characters to explain events or move the action forward.

  • Set all dialogue off in quotation marks

  • Include identifying names as needed before or after quotation marks.​

    • Our team leader says, “I try to practice every day.”

    • “Let’s go home,” Jeanne suggested.

    • “Very well then,” said Thorin, “supposing the burglar-expert gives us some ideas or suggestions.”

    ​

  ​

​

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is correct? 

• Jane said, "I really want to eat Cheetos."
• Jane said, "I really want to eat Cheetos".
• Jane said "I really want to eat Cheetos."
• Jane said, "I really want to eat Cheetos,"

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses dialogue and punctuation correctly?

• The mother remarked, "Don't forget to clean your room!"

• The mother remarked "Don't forget to clean your room!"

• The mother remarked, "don't forget to clean your room!"

• The mother remarked", Don't forget to clean your room!"

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly written dialogue.

• She thought further, Surely they  will get every one of the answers correct."
• She thought further, "surely they  will get every one of the answers correct."
• She thought further, "Surely they  will get every one of the answers correct."
• She thought further, surely they  will get every one of the answers correct.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• According to the map Amy whispered we are very close to the hidden treasure.
• "According to the map," Amy whispered, "we are very close to the hidden treasure."
• "According to the map" Amy whispered, "we are very close to the hidden treasure."
• According to the map, Amy whispered, "we are very close to the hidden treasure."

• Descriptive details are details that writers include to help readers imagine the world in which the story takes place and the characters who live in it. These details are important because they help to orient the reader by establishing a context, or the circumstances that form the setting of events or a situation in a story.

​

• Descriptive details often use precise language—specific nouns and action verbs—to convey experiences or events. Many descriptive details use sensory language to appeal to one or more of the reader’s five senses. Sensory details tell how something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes.​

Description & Sensory Details

• ​Include description to engage the reader and help him or her visualize the characters, setting, and other elements in the narrative.

  • Include only those descriptions relevant to the reader’s understanding of the element being described.

    • Sherell walked slowly through the garden. She stopped and noticed the beautiful flowers and the peace and quiet of the space. Birds and insects buzzed through the air. She felt calm and at peace.

      ​

      ​

​

Multiple Choice

What am I describing using sensory details:

I pulled up to my house and instantly started to gag. The sharp, putrid smell was so thick in the air that it even assaulted my taste buds. I scanned my yard for the furry white and black body before making a run for it. I knew the smell would linger for hours, maybe even days.

• A garbage can

• A skunk

• My messy van

• My neighbor's garage

Multiple Choice

What sensory detail does the sentence describe?

Stranded high on the beach, the tiny jellyfish created a disagreeable stench as they began to decay.

• Sight

• Smell

• Taste

• Touch

Multiple Choice

What sensory detail does the sentence describe?

The soft, warm sand by the dunes gave way to coarse sand packed hard by the incoming waves.

• Sight

• Smell

• Taste

• Touch

Multiple Choice

What sensory detail does the passage describe?

When he opened his eyes, Tay was sure he was still dreaming. When he had fallen asleep, he’d still been surrounded by tall buildings, a gray sky, and an endless line of cars on the highway. Now, after rubbing his eyes, all he could see was the brilliant, sparkling blue of the ocean. The tall buildings had been replaced by palm trees waving gently in the breeze, the traffic replaced by an endless stretch of golden sand.

• Sight

• Hearing

• Taste

• Smell

• Touch