Assignment 3: Narrative Writing

Assignment 3 in your coursework portfolio is all about crafting a compelling narrative. To achieve top marks, you’ll need to create a well-developed and clearly defined plot, complete with features of fiction writing like engaging characterisation and vivid settings.

 

Overview

In this assignment, you’ll only be assessed on your writing skills. Your piece should be between 500 and 800 words, and there are 10 marks for content and structure and 15 marks for style and accuracy. Here's what the mark scheme looks for:

Content and Structure (10 Marks)

• Your writing should include well-defined and fully developed ideas and images.
• These ideas should work together to create a convincing overall picture with a variety of focus points.

Style and Accuracy (15 Marks)

• Use precise, carefully chosen vocabulary and vary your sentence structures to create specific effects.
• Ensure your language and tone suit the context of your story.
• Spelling, punctuation, and grammar should be almost entirely accurate.

Narratives can take any form that fits the task, such as the opening or closing chapter of a larger story or a self-contained short story. Whatever you choose, your ideas should be imaginative, well-developed, and engaging. Remember, a story that captures and holds the reader's attention is usually a successful one!

 

Assignment Examples

 Here are a few types of stories you might consider writing:

• Suspense and Atmosphere: Create tension and excitement by building suspense and keeping your readers on edge.
• Relationships and Emotions: Explore the complexities of human connections, from friendship to family to romantic relationships.
• Adventure or Achievement: Write about a thrilling adventure or a character overcoming obstacles to achieve something great.
• Unexpected Events: Craft a story with a surprising twist or an unforeseen turn of events.

 

Structuring Your Narrative

A good story takes the reader on a clear journey from beginning to end. To achieve this, your narrative should include:

• A clear structure: Stick to a simple and controlled storyline with one main event.
• Defined characters: Focus on one or two characters who develop throughout the story.
• A focused setting: Limit your story to one main location to keep it cohesive.
• Resolution: Plan how your story will end—whether with a resolution or a cliff-hanger.

 

Using Freytag’s Pyramid

 A straightforward way to structure your story is to use Freytag’s Pyramid, a five-part narrative structure:

 

Stage	What to Include
1. Exposition	Introduce the setting and mood. Use sensory details and hint at what is to come.
2. Rising Action	Build tension or drama. Develop your characters and hint at the story’s turning point.
3. Climax	The turning point where everything changes. Include a key decision or dramatic event.
4. Falling Action	Show the consequences of the climax. Reflect on how the characters are affected.
5. Resolution	Tie up loose ends or leave the story on a suspenseful cliff-hanger. Avoid clichés!

  

 

Crafting Characters

Your characters are the heart of your story. Focus on indirect characterisation—showing your reader what the character is like through their actions, thoughts, and interactions, rather than simply telling them.

• Appearance: Avoid unnecessary details unless they reveal something important about the character.
• Body language: Show emotions through movements or gestures. For example, “He clenched his fists, his shoulders taut with anger.”
• Dialogue: Use speech to convey relationships and character traits, but keep it purposeful and ensure it is punctuated correctly.

 

Setting the Scene

Your setting should enhance the mood and atmosphere of the story.

• Use sensory language to immerse the reader: What can your character see, hear, or smell?
• Reflect your character’s emotions in the environment (pathetic fallacy): For example, a stormy sky might reflect tension.
• Contrast settings to show development in the story.

 

Writing Techniques to Enhance Your Story

Use deliberate techniques to bring your narrative to life.

 

Technique	Purpose	Example
Repetition	Emphasises key ideas or themes.	“The forest grew darker, darker than he could imagine.”
Personification	Creates atmosphere by giving human traits to objects or nature.	“The wind whispered secrets through the trees.”
Imagery	Helps the reader visualise the scene.	“The golden light spilled over the horizon.”
Juxtaposition	Highlights contrasts for dramatic effect.	“The silence was deafening amidst the chaos.”
Pathetic Fallacy	Reflects characters’ emotions through the environment.	“The rain poured, mirroring her tears.”