ELA · Writing Lab

Narrative Writing

A narrative is a story — true or made-up. Every one needs a plot (beginning, middle, end) and a conflict that pulls readers along.
⛰️The Story Mountain (Plot)
Exposition setting + characters Rising Action conflict builds ↑ ★ CLIMAX ★ Falling Action things settle ↓ Resolution problem solved ◀ beginning middle end ▶
🧩Story Building Blocks
🗺️SETTING
WHERE WHEN
What it isWhere & when the story happens
🏰 "Long ago, in a stormy castle…"
🧑CHARACTER
who?
What it isA person, animal, or being in the story
🔎 Shown through actions & words
CONFLICT
a problem!
What it isThe challenge that drives the story
🎯 Every story needs one!
💬Dialogue Brings Characters to Life
Watch out! she shouted.
🗣️ How to write what they say
Wrap the spoken words in quotation marks “ ”
Add a tag like she shouted so we know who's talking
Real talk makes characters feel alive!
Paint the Scene with Sensory Details
👁️ Sight what you see 👂 Sound what you hear 👃 Smell what you smell 👅 Taste what you taste Touch what you feel
🔑Key Terms
📖Narrative A story — a written account of connected events.
🪜Plot The sequence of events that make up a story.
🎭Characterization How an author reveals a character — through actions, dialogue, and descriptions.
Conflict The challenge or problem that drives the story.
🏔️Climax The most exciting, decisive moment of the story.
Resolution How the story's problem is solved at the end.
Remember: build your story up to the climax — dialogue and sensory details make every scene feel alive and keep readers hooked to the end!
✏️ ELA Anchor Chart · Narrative Writing
From ClickClass — hundreds of free printables at clickclassedu.com/printables