Narrative Writing
1. Captivating Introduction (The Hook)
A great story grabs the reader’s attention immediately.
Start with action, dialogue, or a compelling description.
Avoid boring openings like "One day..." or "This is a story about...".
Example: The ice cracked beneath my feet, and I knew I had seconds to react.
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2. Well-Developed Characters
Readers connect with believable, relatable characters.
Give them depth: Include emotions, thoughts, and motivations.
Show, don’t tell: Instead of saying "John was scared," show it: "John’s hands trembled as he
took a step back."
Flaws make characters real: A perfect character is boring.
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3. Vivid and Sensory Descriptions (Show, Don’t Tell)
A+ narratives paint a picture for the reader.
Use the five senses: What does the setting look, sound, smell, taste, and feel like?
Example: Instead of "The cave was scary," write "The cave’s walls were slick with dampness,
and the air reeked of moss and old earth."
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4. Strong Plot Structure (Story Mountain)
A well-structured narrative follows a clear flow:
1. Exposition (Beginning) – Introduce the character, setting, and situation.
2. Rising Action – Introduce the conflict or challenge; build suspense.
3. Climax (Turning Point) – The most intense moment where something big happens.
4. Falling Action – Things start resolving, and the character reflects.
5. Resolution (Ending) – A satisfying conclusion; the character has changed or learned
something.
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5. Engaging Conflict and Climax
Conflict keeps the story exciting and meaningful. It can be:
Internal Conflict: Fear, self-doubt, guilt (e.g., Overcoming a fear of heights).
External Conflict: A difficult situation or an antagonist (e.g., A climber facing a dangerous storm).
The climax is the most dramatic moment—the “edge-of-the-seat” part.
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6. Meaningful Theme (Deeper Message)
A strong narrative teaches a lesson or explores an idea.
Examples of themes:
Perseverance leads to success
Courage overcomes fear
Friendship can help us through challenges
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7. Natural and Effective Dialogue
Good dialogue makes characters feel real and moves the story forward.
Use realistic speech patterns (but not too much slang).
Avoid info-dumping ("As you know, Mom, today is my birthday.").
Use action to break up long dialogue.
Example:
"I can’t do this," Jack whispered. His fingers tightened around the climbing rope. "Yes, you can,"
Sarah said, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder.
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8. Smooth Transitions and Sentence Variety
A+ writing flows naturally without choppy or repetitive sentences.
Use a mix of short and long sentences for rhythm.
Transition words help: Meanwhile, As the storm raged on, Later that day, Suddenly, Without
warning.
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9. Powerful Conclusion
The ending should be satisfying, thought-provoking, or emotional.
Avoid abrupt endings like "And then I woke up" (unless it’s cleverly done).
End with a reflection, a twist, or a final image that lingers in the reader’s mind.
Example:
"As I stood at the mountain's peak, breathless and victorious, I realized—fear had been the only
thing keeping me from reaching new heights all along."
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10. Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation Perfection
Even the best story loses marks if it’s full of errors. Before submitting:
✔ Proofread carefully.
✔ Check for sentence fragments and awkward phrasing.
✔ Ensure correct punctuation (especially in dialogue).
