Writing Effective Narratives

AQA GCSE History includes narrative account questions, typically worth 8 marks. These questions ask you to "write an account" or "write a narrative account" of a sequence of events. Despite the name, this is not simply storytelling — the examiner wants an analytical narrative that explains how events are connected and shows cause and consequence. This lesson teaches you how to write effective narrative answers.

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What Does a Narrative Account Question Look Like?

Narrative account questions typically use this wording:

"Write an account of how [event/development] led to [outcome]." [8 marks]

Examples:

• "Write an account of how the Great Fire of London spread in September 1666."
• "Write an account of how the Exclusion Crisis developed between 1679 and 1681."
• "Write an account of the events leading to the Treaty of Versailles, 1919."

Key Concept: The word "how" is crucial. You are not just listing events — you are explaining how one event led to or caused the next. The narrative must show a chain of cause and consequence.

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The Difference Between Narrative and Description

Understanding the difference between narrative and description is essential for achieving top marks.