A narrative text is a type of text that contains a series of events. In general, the stories in the narrative text are fictional. So the story is from the writer’s imagination only, and is not inspired by a true story.
Different types of narrative text in English. Examples include myths, fairy tales, myths, legends, science fiction, and short stories. However, many people think that the text is similar to a short story. In fact, short stories are only one type of narrative text.
So, in order for you to understand the narrative text deeply, this article provides you with a complete explanation. Here we will discuss various matters about narrative text, starting with the meaning of narrative text, the purpose of narrative text, and examples of narrative text and its structure.
Definition of narrative text
Narrative text means a story based on a certain flow of events using the English language. The plots are linked to each other, thus creating cause and effect.
The main purpose of text is to deliver messages and entertain the reader. Therefore, writing narrative texts must be coherent, clear, and rich in information.
The purpose of the narrative text
The English narrative text has a main function, which is the social function. The social function in question is that of providing entertainment to readers. Because narrative texts are entertaining, they can be read by all groups, from children to adults.
The difference between narrative text and explanatory text
Explanatory text is text that explains something in depth. Many people think that narrative text is the same as expository text. They both have many differences because these two types of text have their own characteristics. Here are the main differences.
1. How to tell a story
Narrative text is presented sequentially. In narrative texts, stories are presented sequentially. Therefore, one event is related to another event. This creates a unified narrative. At the same time, expository text does not focus on the sequence of events, but on detailed descriptions of objects.
2. Story model
If you pay attention, narrative texts always tell a theme played by characters with specific personalities. This differs from explanatory text, which is structured and detailed. It should also be noted that there are no specific characters in the explanatory text.
3. Personality description
In a narrative text, the author writes a complete story that includes the sequence of events and character traits. Explanatory texts differ from narrative texts, as they do not explain descriptions of characters, but rather explain descriptions of things.
4. Objectives
The purpose of narrative text is not only to entertain readers, but also to provide useful messages and lessons from the events experienced by the story’s characters. Meanwhile, expository text aims to provide the reader with a detailed explanation about something.
Ciri-ciri narrative text in English
There are several special characteristics that only narrative texts possess. These characteristics distinguish narrative texts from other types of texts. Therefore, you can easily distinguish this text from other texts if you understand the following characteristics.
1. Structure of the past sentence
Narrative text contains narrative sentences that use tense sentence structures. This is because narrative texts focus on narrating an event that happened in the past or has already happened.
By using the past tense, the narrative text can sound better and unique. It also improves the reader experience. The past tense also explains the plot and how events might unfold.
Writing stories using the past tense can help emphasize context, so readers can clearly understand the relationship between actions and consequences. Readers will more easily feel the story the characters are experiencing.
To make the matter more clear, we provide an example of writing the past tense.
“Once upon a time, there was a kind old man in a small village.”
This example uses the “was” form to show the reader that the story takes place in the past.
2. Time information
The temporal information used in the narrative text is also an important point in improving the reader’s experience. Therefore, temporal information helps readers understand when events occur, how the events are connected, and how the story unfolds.
With this time information, readers can imagine themselves at the time the story takes place. This helps readers understand the plot easily. An example of the use of time information in narrative text is like this.
“Sarah decided to go for a walk in the park. While she was running, the sun started to rise. Then Sara met her friends and shared her morning adventures with them.”
In this sentence, it can be seen that the author is using time information in the form of “morning” to provide the context in which the incident occurred in the morning. This can help readers understand when the activity occurred.
3. Attributes
Adjectives are words that describe nouns. In other words, adjectives are words that give a lot of information about the properties of an object. Examples include color, shape, size, etc.
The adjectives used in narrative text bring the story to life. Example as follows.
“A brave man has entered a mysterious forest. He is ready to face any enemies that may come there.”
The author uses the word “brave” to refer to a quality of the story’s character. Which increases the reader’s knowledge of the character’s condition and the events that that character went through.
4. Noun phrases
A noun phrase is a group of words consisting of a noun and a word that describes an object. So, there is a quality to this phrase. By using these noun phrases, the things in question can make the story more interesting.
Noun phrases are also used to illustrate detailed story descriptions. Therefore, certain parts can be explained in more depth using these phrases. Look at the following example to understand the use of noun phrases in narrative text.
“The bright morning sun shines on the calm waters of the lake, creating a breathtaking view.”
The noun phrases in the sentence are “bright morning sun” and “calm lake water.” These two phrases make the sentence more clear.
“Bright Morning Sun” means the state of the sun in the morning, while “calm lake water” describes the calm state of the lake.
Narrative text structure
If you are familiar with reading fiction, you will recognize the structure of narrative texts. In the text, there are several key elements that make up the story. Below are the main components that make up the structure of a narrative text.
1. Orientation
The direction is written at the beginning of the story. Therefore, guidance is also called introduction. In the first part, the author writes the first scene to introduce the main character (the protagonist). So that readers can understand the background of the story and the characters.
2. Complications
This is where the conflict or problem in the story begins to be explained. Readers can feel the tension of the story because the main character faces different problems that are difficult to solve. There are three parts that make up the conflict in the story.
- The problem escalates.
- climax.
- Problems begin to decrease as the characters try to find solutions.
3. Resolution
The solution is the part that explains the solution to the problem. In this section, the characters find solutions to the problems they face. This process does not occur only because the character goes through different personal developments that make him able to find solutions to his problems.
The decision ends the story. This decision is what leaves an impression on the reader. Therefore, writers should focus on climax and resolution to make readers interested in narrative reading.
4. Redirection
Redirection or evaluation is a useful additional element to reinforce the ethical message. This part is written at the end of the story. This redirection becomes the basis for creating the story summary. The author provides commentary on the experiences the characters have had and the consequences of the characters’ behavior.
Explanations are what help readers understand the story. Therefore, readers can understand the message or lesson conveyed in the story. This message is the author’s goal in telling the story.
A fictional text you wrote
Below are the stories included in narrative texts in English. By understanding the following example of narrative text, you can better understand the structure of the text.
1. The cat and the fox
One day, there were a fox and a cat in the forest. “I know at least 100 tricks to escape our common enemy,” said the fox.
“I only have one trick,” said the cat. “Tell me something about you!” The cat said again.
“I don’t have the trick, but I’ll think about it later.”
At that moment the cat heard dogs barking. The barking grew louder and more loaded. The cat ran to a big tree and climbed a branch.
“That’s the only trick I know,” said the cat from the top of the tree. “So what’s your trick, fox?” The cat asked the fox. The fox was sitting quietly under the tree. He was thinking about what tricks to use. Before he could perform the trick, the dogs came to him. The dogs jump on the fox and tear it apart. She just saw the cat from the tree.
2. The dove and the ant
The ants were looking for water on a hot day after wandering around for a while. She wanted to climb the grass. Unfortunately, she slips and falls into the water.
However, a dove saw her. When the pigeons saw the ants in trouble, they tore the leaves from the trees and threw them into the water.
Then the ant climbed on that leaf. That dove carried her to safety and to dry land. A few days later, a hunter came to that forest. He wanted to catch the dove.
The ant knew that. So, the fisherman’s foot was bitten. When the fisherman felt pain and dropped the net, the dove flew out of the net.
Of course there are many other examples of narrative text that you can understand. If you often read narrative texts, of course you can create your own narrative texts. Also pay attention to the use of words in it to make the story more interesting. It is best to use words that are interesting and fit the structure of the narrative text.