Narrative Writing

​Narrative Writing

By Ruth Balderas

Word Cloud

What is your favourite story or film?

Open Ended

What did the main character really want, and what did they stand to lose if they failed?

Conflict

Character vs. self: Internal struggles, such as self-doubt, fear, or moral dilemmas, create depth and relatability.

Conflict is the driving force behind any engaging story. It creates tension, propels the plot forward, and encourages character development by forcing protagonists to make difficult choices.

​Character vs. character: A direct conflict between two characters, often seen in rivalries, love triangles, or hero-villain dynamics.

External Conflict

Character vs. nature: The protagonist faces natural forces, such as survival in the wild or disasters like storms and earthquakes.

Character vs. society: The protagonist challenges societal norms, laws, or oppressive systems, often found in dystopian and social justice stories.

Character vs. fate/supernatural: The protagonist struggles against fate, destiny, or supernatural forces, commonly seen in mythology, fantasy, and horror.

External Conflict

Stakes

Stakes define what a character stands to gain or lose, driving urgency in storytelling. Higher stakes increase emotional engagement, making readers more invested in the protagonist’s journey.

​Stakes can be personal (life, relationships, reputation), external (a war, competition, mission), or philosophical (beliefs, morality, justice).

Character arcs

Positive arcs show a character overcoming flaws and emerging stronger. Negative arcs depict a character’s downfall.
Flat arcs maintain a character’s beliefs while changing the world around them.

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Write a book or film character with a positive arc.

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Write a book or film character with a negative arc.

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Write a book or film character that has a flat arc.

Multiple Choice

What is the story's most intense moment, often a direct confrontation where the protagonist faces their greatest challenge?

• conflict

• climax

• complication

• stakes

Multiple Choice

A part of the plot which shows the immediate consequences of the character's choices in the climax. Problems begin to be resolved.

• positive arc

• climax

• falling action

• ending