Narrative Writing
A narrative is a story. Learn how to use plot, setting, characters, conflict, and resolution to craft a great story.
The Five Elements of a Narrative
Characters
The people, animals, or beings in your story. Every story needs at least one character. Give them a name, personality, and feelings to make them interesting.
Setting
The time and place where the story happens. Use descriptive language to help readers picture where the story is set. Example: a dense rainforest in northern Queensland.
Plot
The sequence of events in a story. The plot includes a beginning (orientation), a middle (complication), and an end (resolution).
Conflict
The problem or challenge the character must face. Without conflict, there is no story! It creates tension that keeps readers interested. Examples: getting lost, facing a bully, a dangerous storm.
Resolution
How the conflict is solved or concluded. The resolution brings the story to a satisfying end. It can be happy, sad, surprising, or left open for reflection.
Story Structure
Orientation
Introduce characters, setting, and situation
Complication
The problem or conflict arises
Rising Action
Events build tension
Resolution
The conflict is resolved
Conclusion
Wrap up and reflect
Worked Examples
Example 1: Story plan for "The Lost Kookaburra"
Character: Kai, a young kookaburra who cannot yet fly far
Setting: A eucalyptus forest near Canberra
Plot: Kai flies too far while chasing a lizard and gets lost
Conflict: Kai cannot find his way home and a storm is approaching
Resolution: Kai follows the sound of his family's laughter and finds his way back
Example 2: Strong opening sentence
Weak: "One day there was a boy."
Strong: "The moment Liam stepped through the rusted gate, he knew the abandoned lighthouse held a secret that nobody had discovered in a hundred years."
The strong opening hooks the reader immediately with mystery and detail.
Example 3: Showing conflict through action
"Maya's heart hammered as the map slipped from her trembling hands and spiralled down into the deep, dark ravine below. Without it, there was no way home."
The conflict is shown through action and emotion, not just told to us.
Key Vocabulary
Narrative
A piece of writing that tells a story, either real or fictional.
Conflict
The problem or challenge a character must face. It is what drives the story forward.
Resolution
The part of the story where the conflict is solved or concluded.
Setting
The time and place where the story happens — the world of the story.
Knowledge Check
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Key Concepts Summary
- ●A narrative is a story with characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution.
- ●The conflict is the problem — it is what makes the story exciting and interesting.
- ●The story follows a structure: Orientation → Complication → Rising Action → Resolution → Conclusion.
- ●Use descriptive language to bring your characters and setting to life for the reader.