Narrative Requirements

• Narrative story must have at least six paragraphs.
  • First paragraph should introduce characters (no more than three) and setting
  • Second paragraph should introduce the problem that sets the story into motion
  • Third paragraph should include a few events that happened after the problem
  • Fourth paragraph should feature the most exciting or suspenseful event (climax)
  • Fifth paragraph should include two failed solutions.
  • Sixth paragraph should resolve the problem.

 

• Story must begin with one of the following three beginnings:
  • mid-action
  • mid-dialogue
  • mid-description

 

• There should be dialogue in only one paragraph and it should be formatted in the following ways:
  • Dialogue must include quotation marks and appropriately placed commas
  • Dialogue must include a speaker tag before, after, or within the quote.  Speaker tag includes the name of the speaker, and the way that the quote is being said. 
    • Mrs. Koldyk announced excitedly, “We are writing a story today!”
    •  “I cannot wait to read your narratives,” Mrs. Stroh pronounced. 
    • “Your stories must include,” Mrs. Koldyk continued, “at least six paragraphs.”
  • “Said” may not be used in your speaker tags

 

• Story must include figurative language.
  • Two examples of similes
  • One metaphor
  • Three very descriptive imagery examples

 

• Sentence structures should be varied.
  • You should include at least five complex or compound sentences.
  • There should be no run-on sentences or sentence fragments.
  • Sentence starters should be different.