NARRATIVE TEXT

 

NARRATIVE TEXT MATERIAL FOR GRADE 12 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

1. Definition of Narrative Text

A narrative text is a type of text that tells a story with the purpose of entertaining, inspiring, or teaching moral values. It may be based on real events or fictional stories. Narrative texts usually involve characters, conflicts, and resolutions.

2. Social Function

- To entertain readers with imaginative or real-life stories.

- To teach moral lessons or values.

- To share human experiences.

- To stimulate emotional responses.

3. Types of Narrative Text

Some common types include:

- Fairy tales                             - Legends

- Personal experiences             - Folktales

- Science fiction                      - Myths

- Historical fiction                   - Fables

4. Generic Structure of Narrative Text

a. Orientation:

   Introduction of characters, setting (time and place), and initial situation.

b. Complication:

   Problems or conflicts arise that the characters must face.

c. Resolution:

   The conflict is resolved. The ending can be happy or sad.

Optional Elements:

- Reorientation: A closing statement or moral value.

- Evaluation: The writer's comment about the story.

5. Language Features

- Past tense verbs

- Action verbs

- Adjectives to describe characters and settings

- Time connectives (once upon a time, then, suddenly, finally)

- Direct and indirect speech

- Adverbs of manner, time, and place

6. Detailed Explanation of Narrative Elements

a. Characters: The people or animals involved in the story.

b. Setting: Time and place where the story occurs.

c. Plot: The sequence of events including beginning, conflict, climax, and ending.

d. Theme: The central message or moral.

e. Conflict: Internal or external struggle faced by characters.

 

7. Example of Narrative Text

Title: The Legend of Lake Toba

Orientation: Once upon a time, in North Sumatra, there lived a young man who made his living by fishing. One day, he caught a beautiful golden fish, which magically transformed into a woman.

Complication: The woman agreed to marry him under one condition: he must never reveal her true identity. They lived happily and had a son, but the boy was very naughty. One day, out of anger, the man shouted that the boy was the son of a fish.

Resolution: The woman was heartbroken. She returned to her original form and disappeared into the lake. Suddenly, heavy rain fell, and the area was flooded, forming Lake Toba.

Moral Value: We must keep our promises and control our emotions.

8. Writing Techniques for Grade 12

- Create strong and believable characters.

- Use vivid descriptions for settings.

- Build tension through conflicts.

- Use varied sentence structures.

- Use dialogues to show character personality.

9. Common Mistakes

- Writing in present tense instead of past tense.

- Missing conflicts or weak plot.

- Too much narration, not enough action or dialogue.

- Confusing sequence of events.

10. Exercises

1. Identify the orientation, complication, and resolution in the provided story.

2. Rewrite a short story using past tense verbs.

3. Create a plot diagram based on a narrative text.

4. Write your own narrative text in 4–6 paragraphs.