Characteristics of the narrative text

Characteristics of the narrative text

Within literature, you know that there are many forms of text. One of them is the narrative, which is also the most used that exist. But, What are the characteristics of narrative text?

If you are writing this type of text and want to do it well, then we are going to explain as thoroughly as possible everything you need to know about narrative text. Go for it.

What is narrative text

What is narrative text

We can define the narrative text as a story in which a series of events and actions are told in a sequential manner, that is, telling the story from the beginning to the end. That does not mean that it is not limited to a specific space and time, it may be so.

In general, the real or fictional story is told in which the characters, places, actions, emotions are recreated...

The crux to consider a narrative text is none other than the one that links the events that are happening in such a way that it is possible to differentiate between the beginning of the story, the knot (problem, critical point, etc.) and the outcome.

What structure follows

What structure follows

The last thing we have commented on in the previous point is that a narrative text is characterized by having a beginning, middle and end. And the truth is that the structure that all narrative texts follow is this:

  • Home: we can see it as the presentation of the story, of the characters. The reader is placed in time and space, while the characters and their context are introduced to give them an idea of ​​how they are at that moment.
  • Knot: it is the development of the story, and it is the longest part of the text because it is where a series of events occur that cause problems or conflicts to arise that the characters must face and come out of them successfully.
  • Outcome: Do you remember the conflicts? Well, in this part is where the problems are solved. Of course, you have to differentiate between minor problems and "the big problem, or central problem." The minors can be several and be resolved throughout the story, but there always has to be a "big problem" that is the one that is resolved in the outcome, or is left open if there is a continuation.

Characteristics of the narrative text

Characteristics of the narrative text

Do you want to know what are the characteristics of narrative text? We will discuss it below.

They have a narrator

All narrative texts have a character who is the one who carries the voice, which tells the story. This does not have to be a third person but one of the characters can also act as a narrator.

For example, he can be the protagonist, a witness (usually a secondary character) or an omniscient narrator, that is, he does not participate as a character in the story but he does know everything that happens.

The characters are one of the important parts of the story.

Not only that, but they are the ones who are going to carry out the different actions that take the reader from the beginning to the middle and from there to the end.

Now, we are going to have both main characters and secondary, tertiary characters... Actually, there is no limit to the number of characters.

Descriptions

One of the characteristics of narrative texts is, without a doubt, the fact that there are Many descriptions throughout the text. In fact, they are important because you have to develop the scenario and what each person experiences.

On the one hand, you have to place the reader where he is. On the other hand, you have to tell him each and every one of the movements that character makes so that he can think and even imagine in his mind each and every one of the steps that the person is going to take.

limited temporary space

In addition to the above, it should be noted that events cannot be narrated in a disjointed way. That is, there must be a relationship between them and a chronological order.

For example, we cannot start narrating an event at Christmas and then talk about Halloween (unless it is specified that time has passed). Or we cannot talk about how they have received a character when he has not yet arrived at that house.

They can be classified into different literary genres.

And it is that narrative texts can be write in different genres. Even the same text can frame different genres. Therefore, within this, we can differentiate between stories, novels, biography...

Morals and teachings

Although it does not occur in all narrative texts, there are some of them that can leave that teaching, reflection so that readers think about what they have read and can apply it to their day to day.

The intention of narrative texts

As narrative texts are described, their objective is to relate, tell stories to entertain, amuse...

In other words, They are stories that seek a final goal, which can be classified as information, entertainment, self-knowledge...

Two types of structure

After what we have told you, narrative texts have two types of structures:

  • External: in which it is organized by chapters, parts, etc. That is, we talk about issues related to the title, introduction, prologue, chapters, etc.
  • Intern: related to the events that occur in history. Here it can happen chronologically, linearly, with flashbacks... Here we can frame the theme, action, time, space or aspects that are part of the history of the text.

The use of verbs

When writing narrative texts, verbs are normally used in different conjugations, but three of them stand out above all: the past indefinite, the present and the past imperfect.

In other words, the story is usually narrated either in the present (occurring that same day) or in the past. Most opt ​​for this option since it leaves a little more freedom and makes the story fit into a space – past or future time.

Now that you know a little more about what the characteristics of the narrative text are, it is a matter of getting down to work to create one of your own.


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