Narrative Text: Definition, Structure, Language Features, and Example
Do you like reading stories such as fairy tales, legends, fables, or adventure stories? If yes, you have probably read a narrative text.
Narrative text is a text that tells a story. The story usually has a problem, and then the problem is solved at the end. In this lesson, we will learn narrative text in easy English.
What Is Narrative Text?
Narrative text is a text that tells a story to entertain the readers. The story can be real or imaginary. It usually has characters, a setting, a problem, and a solution.
Narrative text tells a story. It usually has a problem and a resolution.
Social Function of Narrative Text
The social function of narrative text is to amuse or entertain readers. Narrative text can also teach a lesson through the story.
Generic Structure of Narrative Text
A narrative text usually has three main parts:
1. Orientation
This part introduces the characters, place, and time of the story.
Example: Once upon a time, there was a girl named Snow White.
2. Complication
This part tells the problem or conflict in the story.
Example: Snow White had to run away into the woods.
3. Resolution
This part tells how the problem is solved.
Example: Snow White found a safe place to live.
Language Features of Narrative Text
Narrative text usually uses some language features, such as:
- Using past tense: lived, heard, ran, saw, found
- Using action verbs: walked, ran, knocked, slept, woke up
- Using specific characters: Snow White, the dwarfs, her aunt and uncle
- Using time words: once upon a time, one day, the next morning, then
- Using saying verbs: said, asked, replied
- Using adjectives: tired, hungry, little, kind, happy
Example of Narrative Text
Snow White
Orientation
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Snow White. She lived with her aunt and uncle because her parents had passed away.
Complication
One day, Snow White heard her aunt and uncle talking. They wanted to leave her in the castle because they wanted to go away and did not have enough money to take her with them.
Snow White felt sad and scared. She did not want to be left alone, so she decided to run away.
The next morning, while her aunt and uncle were having breakfast, Snow White ran into the woods. She walked for a long time until she became very tired and hungry.
Resolution
After walking in the woods, Snow White saw a small cottage. She knocked on the door, but no one answered. Then, she went inside and fell asleep.
Later, seven dwarfs came home from work and found Snow White sleeping in their cottage. When Snow White woke up, she told them her story.
The dwarfs felt sorry for her. They invited Snow White to stay with them. Snow White was very thankful, and she lived happily with the seven dwarfs.
Moral Value
This story teaches us to be kind and helpful to people who need help.
Why Is This Text a Narrative Text?
This text is a narrative text because it tells a story. It has characters, a setting, a problem, and a resolution. The purpose is to entertain the readers and give a simple moral lesson.
Practice Questions
Try to answer these questions first. Click each question to see the answer.
1. What is the purpose of narrative text?
The purpose of narrative text is to entertain or amuse the readers.
2. What are the three main parts of narrative text?
The three main parts are orientation, complication, and resolution.
3. Who is the main character in the story?
The main character is Snow White.
4. Why did Snow White run away?
She ran away because she heard that her aunt and uncle wanted to leave her in the castle.
5. Mention two past tense verbs from the story.
Examples: lived, heard, wanted, ran, walked, saw, knocked, slept, found.
Conclusion
Narrative text is a text that tells a story. It usually has orientation, complication, and resolution. To write a good narrative text, make sure your story has interesting characters, a clear problem, and a good ending.
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