Narrative paragraphs tell a story, real or fictional, by introducing a topic, adding more detail, then ending with a reflection or transition to another paragraph
Being able to properly write narrative paragraphs is an important skill for anyone who wants to write or tell a story, from writers to journalists to advertisers. Learning the essential elements (introduction, important details, and conclusion) and how to put them all together in a succinct way will enable you to create a short, complete story for your readers. Plus, you'll also become a better and more confident writer!
Step
Part 1 of 3: Introducing the Story
Step 1. Plan to tell the narrative paragraph from a first-person or third-person perspective
Use "I", "I". "he", "this", or "them" as the subject of the storyteller. Although narrative paragraphs are most often told from a first-person point of view-as it relates to a story that happened to the narrator-it can also be told from a third-person perspective.
You can relate things that happened to other people, even fictional characters
Step 2. Use a consistent form of time
Look at the writing guidelines, if any, to determine which tense to use. If there is no specific command, you can choose to use the past tense or the present tense. Make sure you only use 1 tense consistently throughout the paragraph, and avoid alternating tenses.
Exceptions can apply if you move away from conversation (using the present tense) and narrative of events (past tense)
Step 3. Write an interesting topic sentence
Draw the reader's attention to your narrative paragraph by creating an opening sentence that brings excitement or suspense. This sentence should introduce the purpose of the paragraph-the story-and make the reader want to continue reading further.
For example, a good first-person topic sentence might say, “I will never forget the moment I picked up my new puppy.” If you're using a third-person perspective, the same topic sentence could be written like, "She will never forget the moment she picked up her new puppy."
Step 4. Show the main characters involved in the story
Introduce all the characters who will play an important role in the story so that readers understand who is part of the narrative. You don't need to introduce all the characters you're going to tell, but introducing the people who will be involved in the story can be helpful.
For an example of a first-person perspective on buying a new puppy, your story could be continued with, "My mom drove me to the rancher, it's a 45 minute drive."
Step 5. Set the mood for the story
Provide a setting for your story and direct readers to the time of the story. This helps them position themselves as storytellers and understand their thoughts for each scene in the story.
- You might write, “I'm 11, so traveling by car seems like a long time. We live in Wisconsin, and the rancher lives in Chicago.”
- All background information after the topic sentence, such as other characters and where the story takes place, should be 1-4 sentences long.
Step 6. Plan to write a narrative paragraph of at least 9 sentences
Write 1 topic sentence, 1-4 sentences of background information, 2-4 sentences to open the story, 3-5 sentences to present the conflict, 1-3 sentences to resolve the conflict, and 1-2 sentences to describe the conclusion.
While paragraph lengths can vary based on the content, a standard five-sentence paragraph likely won't provide enough detail to tell the full narrative
Part 2 of 3: Providing Narrative Details
Step 1. Tell the story chronologically from the beginning
Begin the story by describing the problem or idea behind the actions of the characters in the story. For example, a phone call or a desire to get milk. The prefix for this story should be 1-4 sentences long.
For example, “When I arrived at the farmer, I was disappointed. I haven't seen any puppies at all."
Step 2. Connect the core conflict of the story
Add narrative details to explain later events in the story. With 3-5 sentences, the details written should lead to the main point of the drama or conflict.
You can then continue,” The rancher whistled. I was relieved too when the puppies turned the corner and ran from the entrance. I saw a puppy in my favorite color-white-with two black spots. 'Mom, can we take care of him?' I asked hopefully. He paused for a moment, looking to reconsider raising a puppy.”
Step 3. Provide a conflict resolution for the story
Give the reader details about the ending of the story. In a good story, the ending is often a surprise or simply a happy moment. If the storyteller has special consequences, relate that to your story as well.
- You can end with, “Then, Mom smiled. ‘Only if we name him Oreo.’ I hugged Mom, and Oreo licked me, signaling her approval.”
- Conflict resolution can be as short as 1 sentence or as long as 3 sentences.
Part 3 of 3: Concluding the Story and Checking the Paragraphs
Step 1. End the story with a conclusion that reflects the events in the story
Use the conclusion to give your opinion on the story. For example, provide insight into how the incident affected the presenter (perhaps yourself) or how it affected the choices the storyteller has made since the incident. Usually, the conclusion is written in 1-2 sentences.
- Regarding the puppy story, you might write, “This is the happiest day of my life.”
- The conclusion you make depends largely on the tone, content of the story, and the point of view of the narrator.
Step 2. Examine the paragraphs for spelling and structure errors
Research your paragraphs to make sure they are legible and there are no spelling or structural errors. Print paragraphs on a piece of paper instead of trying to edit them on a computer.
- Reading your story aloud is a great way to hear about structural issues and less-than-flowing parts of the story.
- Don't rely on the spell checker tool, because it can't catch all errors!
Step 3. Reread the paragraphs to make sure the story is strong
Read your paragraph one last time to make sure the story makes sense. If someone came to you and told you the story, would you need additional information? If so, provide any additional details needed to make the story easier to understand.
Tips
- To make your narrative paragraphs interesting, pitch your story ideas to a friend before you start writing. Focusing the story on special and transformative moments for you and the storyteller is better than connecting the story to everyday events.
- The sentence parameters described here are guidelines only, not standard rules. If needed, narrative paragraphs can be written shorter or longer to fit the content.
