History, Wonder Tales, Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends How to Write A Good Fairy Tale | Page 3

ABOUT NARRATIVES
Types of Narrative
There are many types of narrative. They can be imaginary, factual or a combination of both.
They may include fairy stories, mysteries, science fiction, romances, horror stories, adventure
stories, fables, myths and legends, historical narratives, ballads, slice of life, personal
experience.
Features
• Characters with defined personalities/identities.
• Dialogue often included - tense may change to the present or the future.
• Descriptive language to create images in the reader's mind and enhance the story.
Structure
In a Traditional Narrative the focus of the text is on a series of actions:
Orientation:
Introduction in which the characters, setting and time of the story are established.
Usually answers who? when? where? E.g. Mr Wolf went out hunting in the forest one
dark gloomy night.
Complication or problem:
The complication usually involves the main character(s) (often mirroring the
complications in real life).
Resolution:
There needs to be a resolution of the complication. The complication may be resolved
for better or worse/happily or unhappily. Sometimes there are a number of
complications that have to be resolved. These add and sustain interest and suspense
for the reader.