Narrative Text

A. Definition of Narrative Text

Narrative text is a story with complication or problematic events and it tries to find the resolutions to solve the problems. An important part of narrative text is the narrative mode, the set of methods used to communicate the narrative through a process narration.

B. Purpose of Narrative Text

Generally, narrative text has two purposes such as:
⭐ to amuse or entertain the readers, and
⭐ to add the power of imaginary.

C. Kinds of Narrative Text

⭐ Fable
A story about animal which behave like human. Example: The Mousedeer and The Crocodile.
⭐ Legend
A story which relates to on  how a place is formed. Example: Story of Toba Lake.
⭐ Myth
A story that are believed by some people but the story can not be true. It was told in an ancient culture to explain a practice, belief, or natural occurrence. Example: The Myth of Nyi Roro Kidul.
⭐ Fairytale
Story which relate much which magic things. It written specifically for children. Example: Snow White and Seven Dwarfs.

D. Generic Structure

⭐ Orientation
The introduction of the characters who involve in the story, time and the place where the story takes place.
⭐ Complication
A paragraph that contains the description of the appearance of a conflict or problem that arises in a narrative text.
⭐ Resolution
The ending of the story containing the problem solution.
⭐ Re-orientation or Coda
This is a closing remark to the story and it is optional. It consists  of  a  moral  lesson,  advice  or  teaching  from  the writer.

E. Linguistic Features

⭐ Using Past Tense.
⭐ Using Nouns. Example: the king, the queen, the mouse, etc..
⭐ Using Adjective. Example: long black hair.
⭐ Using Time Connectives and Conjuctions. Example: then, before, after, soon, etc..
⭐ Using Adverbs and Adverbial Phrase to show the location of events. Examples: here, in the mountain, ever after, etc..
⭐ Using Action Verb to shows an action. Example: ate, climbed, killed, etc..
⭐ Direct Speech. It is to make the story lively. The direct speech uses Present Tense. Example: Snow White said, “My name is Snow Whit

F. Elements in Narrative Text

⭐ Theme
What is the theme/message the writer is attempting to communicate?
⭐ Plot or Synopsis
What is going to happen?
⭐ Characterization
Who are the main characters? What do they look like?
⭐ Setting
Where will the story take place? When will the story take place?
⭐ Structure
How will the story begin? What will be the problem? How is the problem going to be resolved?
⭐ Point of View
Using first person (subject: I or we) or third person (subject: she/he or they)?
⭐ Moral Value
What can you learn from this story?

Example!!

The Mouse Deer and The Tiger

One day,  there was a mouse deer. He was thirsty so he wanted to drink on the river.

When the mouse deer came next to the river, a tiger approached him and wanted to eat him. Of course the mouse deer tried to escape, but the tiger ran faster and caught him. In that dangerous situation the mouse deer thought hard how to escape the tiger. Then he got idea and said to the tiger, “Listen! Your mightiness and toughness are all great! But I have my own king. He has a greater strength than yours! I am sure that nobody can match his powers!”  Because the tiger felt taunted, he declared that he would challenge the mouse deer’s king.

Next the mouse lead the tiger to the river, and said, “Now Look at the water. You will see my king.” Foolishly the tiger looked in the river and surely saw another tiger in the water. Then he growled, but the tiger in the river imitated to growl too. Because of his too high self pride, the  tiger jumped into the water, and wanted to fight. He was believing there was another tiger in the water.

The mouse deer took that opportunity to escape. After fighting with himself in the river, the tiger realized that he was fooled by the mouse deer.