Narrative vs. Descriptive Writing

Match the following

• Following a storyline

• Narrative Writing

• Includes figurative language

• Descriptive Writing

• A moment in time

• Both

Match the following

• Often uses a lot of adjectives

• Narrative Writing

• Focuses on the tone or atmosphere being created

• Both

• Needs a conflict

• Descriptive Writing

Match the following

• Can include people

• Both

• Shouldn't be TOO focused on the actions of people

• Narrative Writing

• Focuses on tension and expectation (what's going to happen next)

• Descriptive Writing

Match the following

• Focuses on change - something must have changed between the start and the ending

• Narrative Writing

• Uses a variety of sentence structures to make the writing interesting

• Descriptive Writing

• Uses LOTS of sensory imagery (usually sound and sight)

• Both

Read this passage: Tick all the features it includes.

The luggage clogged the cramped living room, leaving no space for someone to sit on. There were heaps of worn out suitcases standing, quietly, next to each other, filled to the brim with whatever was needed on the trip. Tattered ribbons dangled, peacefully from the handles. Their purpose, of marking out each suitcase, fulfilled. Their colours burst out and contrasted from the dull colours behind them. The variation was huge; there were ribbons painted in sapphire blue to crimson red.

There was one suitcase with was an aberration. It had just been laid down by my timid little sister. Handles jutted out in awkward angles, making it look like a porcupine. Dazzling strips of aluminium foil wrapped itself, tightly, around the corners, reflecting rays of the early morning sun around the gloomy room, illuminating it in a warm orange glow. The fabric utilised in the construction of the suitcase was as soft as sponge, making it a suitable pillow.

• A moment in time

• Following a storyline

• Focuses on tone and atmosphere being created

• Has a clear conflict

Read this passage: Tick all the features it includes.

The luggage clogged the cramped living room, leaving no space for someone to sit on. There were heaps of worn out suitcases standing, quietly, next to each other, filled to the brim with whatever was needed on the trip. Tattered ribbons dangled, peacefully from the handles. Their purpose, of marking out each suitcase, fulfilled. Their colours burst out and contrasted from the dull colours behind them. The variation was huge; there were ribbons painted in sapphire blue to crimson red.

There was one suitcase with was an aberration. It had just been laid down by my timid little sister. Handles jutted out in awkward angles, making it look like a porcupine. Dazzling strips of aluminium foil wrapped itself, tightly, around the corners, reflecting rays of the early morning sun around the gloomy room, illuminating it in a warm orange glow. The fabric utilised in the construction of the suitcase was as soft as sponge, making it a suitable pillow.

• Not too focused on the actions of people

• Creates an expectation: what will happen next

• Uses LOTS of sensory imagery

• Involves a change/growth in the character

Read this passage: Tick all the features it includes.

Finally, the answer hit her as hard as the hail was pounding against the wafer thin windows. She had been lied to. There was no typewriter in the house, there was only a woman with a very damaged dignity – or so she thought. With the decision to leave before she could fixate on the second part of the message, she hastily scurried towards the door. She was stopped in her tracks by a sound so painful to the ears as hearing nails on a blackboard is. She resumed her escapade and tried to open the door, but instead of feeling the cold wind in her face, she felt the heavy handle of the door – now not so much part of the door – in her hand. Now frantic with fear to escape whatever was making the scratching sound, she made to the window and tried to find a way to open it. Eyes wide and limbs shaking, she picked up the door handle. Having been unsuccessful at finding a natural opening she put the handle behind her head ready to swing it into the window.

• A moment in time

• Following a storyline

• Focuses on tone and atmosphere being created

• Has a clear conflict

Read this passage: Tick all the features it includes.

Finally, the answer hit her as hard as the hail was pounding against the wafer thin windows. She had been lied to. There was no typewriter in the house, there was only a woman with a very damaged dignity – or so she thought. With the decision to leave before she could fixate on the second part of the message, she hastily scurried towards the door. She was stopped in her tracks by a sound so painful to the ears as hearing nails on a blackboard is. She resumed her escapade and tried to open the door, but instead of feeling the cold wind in her face, she felt the heavy handle of the door – now not so much part of the door – in her hand. Now frantic with fear to escape whatever was making the scratching sound, she made to the window and tried to find a way to open it. Eyes wide and limbs shaking, she picked up the door handle. Having been unsuccessful at finding a natural opening she put the handle behind her head ready to swing it into the window.

• Not too focused on the actions of people

• Creates an expectation: what will happen next?

• Uses LOTS of sensory imagery

• Involves change/growth/a realisation in the character

Is this passage more fittingly described as Descriptive or Narrative?

Finally, the answer hit her as hard as the hail was pounding against the wafer thin windows. She had been lied to. There was no typewriter in the house, there was only a woman with a very damaged dignity – or so she thought. With the decision to leave before she could fixate on the second part of the message, she hastily scurried towards the door. She was stopped in her tracks by a sound so painful to the ears as hearing nails on a blackboard is. She resumed her escapade and tried to open the door, but instead of feeling the cold wind in her face, she felt the heavy handle of the door – now not so much part of the door – in her hand. Now frantic with fear to escape whatever was making the scratching sound, she made to the window and tried to find a way to open it. Eyes wide and limbs shaking, she picked up the door handle. Having been unsuccessful at finding a natural opening she put the handle behind her head ready to swing it into the window.

• Descriptive

• Narrative

Is this passage more fittingly described as Descriptive or Narrative?

The luggage clogged the cramped living room, leaving no space for someone to sit on. There were heaps of worn out suitcases standing, quietly, next to each other, filled to the brim with whatever was needed on the trip. Tattered ribbons dangled, peacefully from the handles. Their purpose, of marking out each suitcase, fulfilled. Their colours burst out and contrasted from the dull colours behind them. The variation was huge; there were ribbons painted in sapphire blue to crimson red.

There was one suitcase with was an aberration. It had just been laid down by my timid little sister. Handles jutted out in awkward angles, making it look like a porcupine. Dazzling strips of aluminium foil wrapped itself, tightly, around the corners, reflecting rays of the early morning sun around the gloomy room, illuminating it in a warm orange glow. The fabric utilised in the construction of the suitcase was as soft as sponge, making it a suitable pillow.

• Descriptive

• Narrative