Narrative text

By Neri Andik Setiawan, S.Pd., Gr.

ENGLISH CLASS WITH MR. NERI

What exactly is a narrative text?

A narrative text is a kind of text that tells a story. It can be

based on true events, completely made up, or even a mix of
both. The main purpose of a narrative text is to entertain and
sometimes to inform or teach a moral lesson.

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NARRATIVE TEXT

A narrative text usually presents a sequence of events that are connected by

characters, conflict, and a meaningful resolution. When done right, it pulls the
reader into another world—one where they can feel, think, and imagine right
alongside the characters.Think of your favorite stories, whether it’s Harry
Potter, The Lion King, or a childhood tale told by your grandparents. They’re
all narrative texts!

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 mr. nery’s english class

What are the

characteristics of
narrative text?
1. Using past tenses

Narrative texts are typically written in the past tense because they talk about
events that already happened. This helps to give the story a clear sense of time
and progression.
Example:
“Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a kind, generous old man.
One day, as he was walking through the forest, he stumbled upon a giant
squash. Amazed, he inched closer.”
In this example, you can spot the past tense verbs: lived, was walking,
stumbled, amazed, and inched. These help place the story in the past and give
it a traditional storytelling tone.

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2. Using adverbials of time

Adverbials of time are expressions that show when something happened.

They’re used a lot in narrative texts to help guide the reader through the
sequence of events.
These could be specific: last week, yesterday morning, in 2001, or more
general and story-like: long ago, one day, suddenly, later that evening.
Example:
“Early one morning, Sarah decided to go for a jog in the park. As she jogged,
the sun began to rise, casting a golden glow over the trees. Later that day, she
met her friends for lunch and shared her morning adventure with them.”
Using time markers like early one morning and later that day helps the reader
understand the timeline of the story.

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3. Using adjectives

Adjectives help describe nouns—they add detail, emotion, and flavor to the
story.
They answer questions like:
What kind?
How many?
Which one?
Example:
“The brave knight entered the dark, mysterious forest, ready to face any
challenges that lay ahead.”
In this sentence, the adjectives brave, dark, and mysterious create a vivid
image and set the mood.

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4. Using noun phrases

A noun phrase is a group of words that acts like a noun and gives more detail
about a person, place, or thing. In narrative texts, these make descriptions
richer and more engaging.
Example:
“The bright morning sun cast a golden glow on the calm waters of the lake,
creating a breathtaking view.”
Here, the bright morning sun and the calm waters of the lake are both noun
phrases that enhance the visual imagery of the scene.

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What is the purpose and social function
of a narrative text?
The main purpose of a narrative text is to tell a story in an interesting and
engaging way. But it doesn’t stop there—narrative texts can also:
Teach moral lessons (like in fables)
Share personal experiences
Preserve cultural traditions and history
Entertain readers with creative plots and exciting twists
Narrative texts also serve a social function—they help people connect through
shared stories, understand different perspectives, and learn about values and
traditions from different cultures.

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 what does the
structure of a
narrative text
look like?

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1. Orientation

The orientation sets the stage for the story. This is where the characters,
setting (time and place), and background information are introduced.
When reading the orientation, we should be able to answer:
Who is involved in the story?
Where and when does the story take place?

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2. Complication

This is where the story starts to get interesting!

The complication introduces the problem or conflict. It’s what makes the story
exciting and gives the characters a challenge to overcome.
This part usually includes:
Rising action – tension builds as the problem grows
Climax – the peak or most dramatic part
Falling action – the problem begins to resolve

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3. Resolution

In this part, the problem or conflict is solved. The resolution shows how the
characters respond to the situation and what happens as a result.
Sometimes, the resolution may be happy, other times it might be sad or even
open-ended.

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4. Re-orientation / Evaluation

This is an additional (but helpful) part that reflects on the story. It might
explain the lesson, theme, or moral of the story.
Think of it like the author stepping in to say, “And here’s why that mattered.”
Not all narrative texts include this section, but when they do, it helps reinforce
the message or takeaway.

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Types of narrative texts

1. Fictional Narrative
These are imaginary stories, often created purely for entertainment. They can
be fairy tales, fables, fantasy, or adventure stories.

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Types of narrative texts

2. Autobiography
An autobiography is a narrative written by a person about their own life, from
a first-person perspective.

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Types of narrative texts

3. Biography
A biography is a narrative about someone else’s life, written by another
person.

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Types of narrative texts

4. Memoir
A memoir is similar to an autobiography but focuses on specific moments or
experiences in a person’s life.

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Types of narrative texts

5. Legend
A legend is a traditional story passed down through generations. It often
contains elements of truth mixed with imagination and explains cultural
origins or heroic deeds.

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Example of a Narrative Text
Luna and the Beast

In a magical forest lived a gentle deer named Luna, known for her kindness
and healing touch. The forest was peaceful—until one morning, a terrifying
beast arrived, shaking the earth with every step. Fear spread among the
animals, and the forest fell into chaos.
Seeking answers, the animals turned to Luna. Calmly, she said, “Let me speak
with the beast.” Though others warned her, Luna believed that anger often
hides pain.
At dawn, she followed the beast’s trail and found it wounded, a thorn lodged
in its paw. Gently, Luna removed the thorn and soothed the injury. The beast,
no longer angry, sighed with relief.
From then on, the beast changed. It helped rebuild the forest and protected its
creatures. The animals, once fearful, grew to trust it.
Example of a Narrative Text
Luna’s compassion became a legend, teaching all that empathy can transform
fear into friendship, and that true strength comes from kindness.
Now that you’ve learned all about narrative texts—from their definition,
characteristics, and structure, to the types and a complete example—it’s your
turn to explore, analyze, and even create your own stories! What’s the
structure of the story above?
Whether you want to write an epic fantasy, a heartwarming childhood
memory, or a story inspired by your favorite pet, the tools are now in your
hands. The best part? There’s no single “correct” way to write a story. All you
need is a spark of imagination and a willingness to start.
 thank you

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