Learning English through Drama Week 8
Narration
One of the things that defines us as human is universal desire and ability to create narrative.
“Tell me the story,” the child implores, and we willingly oblige by reciting an old favoritepassed down
through the generations or by making one of our own. We are naturally curious creatures, wanting to
know what happened, when, and to whom – even if none of it is true. Perhaps that is why we feel
compelled to create mythologies on the one hand and to report the news or write history on the other.
Some narratives contain long evocative descriptions of setting. Others present fascinating
characters whose predicaments rivet our attention or whose lives mirror our own. Still others seem
more like plays, heavy with dialogue by which writers allow their characters to reveal themselves.
Whatever combination of techniques authors use, all stories – from the briefest anecdotes to the longest
novels – have a plot. They recount events in a more or less chronological order. They reveal what
happened and in most cases, allow readers or listeners to draw their own conclusions about the
significance of those events.
Narration, sometimes referred to as storytelling, is used in everyday life to explain events,
preserve history and to entertain. Descriptive details, which help to make a description clear and
interesting, do the same for a narration. Well-chosen details help the reader envision what is being
described. Other important elements of a narration that keep the reader interested are inviting
introductions and essential story features such as conflict, climax and resolution.
Narrative in the Real World
Every day, people use narratives to communicate with one another. We tell others about our
daily experiences, and we share local world news events. We often share these events to entertain, to
share information, to build relationships with others, or to explain and understand our world.
Often, stories are told as part of the oral history of a group of people. In the United States Native
American cultures have used stories, legends, and folktales to explain the creation of the earth, the
beginning of human beings, and people’s relationships to each other and to their environment. Like
other cultural groups, Native American cultures respect good storytellers, whose talents help to
preserve each group’s stories for future generations.
Identifying Audience and Purpose
Some of the many purpose for narratives are to entertain, to explain, to teach, to record
important events, or to share personal experiences. How a story is told may change, depending on the
intended readers. For instance, if you were telling story to someone who knew about your topic, you
would tell it differently than you would to someone who didn’t. You might also consider the age and
experience of your audience.
Characteristics of a Narrative Text
A narrative text invariably contains the following elements:
1. any order of time (chronological order, flashback, flash-forward)
2. a plot (background or introduction, conflict, climax, resolution)
3. the details answering the wh- question (who, what, where ,when, and why)
The success in reading a narrative text is measured from the ability to identify and understand
the above elements.
Chronological Connectors as Cohesive Devices
Writers use special devise to show the order in which things happen. These chronological
connectors include words such as first, then, next, later, afterward, and finally. These connectors help
the reader follow the flow of events – that is, they can show that something is beginning, continuing, or
ending. Other chronological connectors are used when one event happens in relationship to a specific
time or to another event.