Narrative Writing: How to Achieve Top Marks

 Section B of Paper 2 tests your ability to write with a specific purpose and in a specific form. To achieve the highest marks, it is essential that your writing meets the requirements of the task, demonstrating the appropriate tone, style, and register.

This means:

• Tone: The narrator’s “voice” should suit the mood and context of the story.
• Style: Use varied sentence structures and a clear, dynamic plot to engage the reader.
• Register: Your choice of vocabulary and phrasing should be appropriate for a narrative.

Planning is key to success. Spend 10 minutes brainstorming ideas before you begin. Here’s how you can produce an effective piece of narrative writing.

 

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.”

 

Tips for Exam Success

1. Read the task carefully: Choose the option you feel most confident about.
2. Spend five minutes planning: Use Freytag’s Pyramid or a mind-map.
3. Keep it focused: Stick to one main event and develop it fully.
4. Be original: Avoid clichés like “I woke up and it was all a dream.”
5. Show, don’t tell: Use description, action, and dialogue to reveal your story.
6. Use varied sentence lengths: Short sentences add tension, while longer ones create flow.
7. Leave time to edit: Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.