Narrative Writing

Narrative writing — storytelling — is the form of creative writing most commonly tested in the CSSE 11+ exam. The extended writing task in the English paper often asks you to write a story, and the examiners are looking for a well-structured narrative with strong characters, rising tension, and a satisfying ending. In this lesson, you will learn how to build a narrative that impresses.

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What Is Narrative Writing?

Narrative writing tells a story. It has characters, a setting, a problem (or conflict), and a resolution. Unlike descriptive writing, which paints a picture, narrative writing is about what happens — the events, the choices characters make, and how things change.

A strong narrative has:

• A clear beginning, middle, and end
• At least one well-developed character
• A problem or conflict that drives the story forward
• Tension that builds to a climax
• A satisfying ending

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Story Structure: The Narrative Arc

Every great story follows a shape. The most common structure is the narrative arc: