What Is A Narrative? | And Types of Narratives With Examples

What is a Narrative?

A narrative is a story. The term can also be used as a noun or adjective. As a noun, narrative refers to the story told. It contains facts, experiences and details. It also refers to the process of storytelling. As an adjective, it narratives the form or style of the story.

The adjective use of the word narrative is a Latin word, in narratives, which means "suitable for narrative." The noun use of the word was first published in French in the fifteenth (15th) century and is defined as "a story, a story". Narrative types allow students to see how reading types and types are connected.

Examples of Narrative

If you look at the narrative when you use it as a noun, you will find many examples. Most of the things written in the first (1st) person are narratives. A novel is a narrative written from the perspective of the main character. The article you wrote entitled "What I did on my summer vacation" was a narrative. An article written by a blogger about his/ her bicycle travel experience across the United States would probably be a narrative.

If you look at the narrative when you use it as an adjective, you will see that it complements any form of writing or art. There are narrative poems, or works of visual art, narrative essays or narrative dances. If you can tell a story, it's a narrative. More Examples of Narrative.

What are The Types of Narrative?

Narrative, instead of being the “type” of narrative, acts as an adjective, transforming other things. Descriptive voice or style can be used to transform virtually anything into a story.

For example:

• Other forms of art can also be considered as narrative. You can choreograph a narrative dance or draw a picture of a narrative series. However, the important element is that your creation tells a story.
• The autobiography is largely narrative. These are written in the first (1st) person and narrate the events of the story-teller's life.
• Theatrical monologues tend to be narrative. In solo plays, the character tells an intimate story, often addressing the audience, asking questions and apparently seeking answers from them. In Hamlet’s famous solo play, which begins with “to be or not to be,” he seeks answers to the great philosophical question of life and death. He is discussing them with his audience, trying to puzzle them and inviting the audience to do the same.
• Articles can also be narrative. An essay is a literary essay on a single subject. You probably wrote a lot. A descriptive essay is simply an essay written in a style that tells a story. These are often personal, narrative and told from the author’s point of view.

How to Use a Narrative

Writing a narrative is the same as writing many other stories or essays. But, when using a narrative style, make sure. That you have included all the elements of a well-structured story in your writing.

• Include 'an introduction, characters, plot, climax, setting and conclusion'. Keep in mind that all of these elements are necessary in fiction or non-fiction.
• A narrative is usually written from the point of view of the writer or storyteller. The first (1st) or third (3rd) person perspective is the easiest to use for a narrative, although other perspectives are possible.
• Make sure there is a point in your story. Your audience needs a reason to listen to you.
• Describe the events of your story in the appropriate order.
• Make good use of the details.

When to Use a Narrative?

A narrative style is appropriate in most situations. It is always effective to present your information in a way that appeals to your readers. Moreover, always consider the expectations of your audience and/ or your ultimate goal. Sometimes a list of information is exactly what you need. Sometimes, simply reporting on someone else's narratives is what you want to do. Where your personal style comes into play. Will a story add information or weaken? If it improves the distribution of your information, use a narrative. If this distracts your audience from your main topic, don’t do it.

Function of Narrative

Listening to stories and telling stories is part of human instinct. Therefore, authors use narrative techniques in their writings to attract readers. Readers not only get entertained, they also learn some underlying message from the narrative.
Moreover, a narrative tends to be set in a specific cultural context. Readers can gain a deeper insight into that culture and build an understanding of it. Thus, narrative can serve as a compelling force in uniting humanity.