Writer's Choice Grade 7

Unit 4: Narrative Writing

Overview

Narrative writing tells a story. Every story has three basic elements: the plot, the characters, and the setting. The plot is what happens, the events that take place. The plot of most stories centers on a problem that one or more of the characters is facing. The characters are the people or animals that take part in the action of the story. The setting is the time and place in which the events occur. The setting can have an important effect on the characters and the plot.

A story should be organized by time order, the order in which events take place. Transition words, such as first, before, after, then, next, and finally, can help readers keep track of the order of events.

Dialogue can add a lot to a story because it often reveals what the speakers are like. It can tell the reader about the characters' moods, interests, and personalities.

A good story begins by grabbing the reader's attention. If the beginning of the story is dull, the reader may not continue. If the beginning is interesting or exciting, the reader will keep reading to find out what happens.