NARRATIVE TEXT
Definition of Narrative Text
A narrative text is a type of text that tells a story through a series of connected events. The story can be based on imagination, traditional stories, legends, myths, or fictional situations.
Narrative texts usually have characters, a setting, a problem, and a sequence of events that leads to an ending.
Some common examples of narrative texts include:
- Fairy tales
- Legends
- Fables
- Myths
- Folktales
- Adventure stories
- Mystery stories
- Science-fiction stories
Examples of Narrative Stories
- Cinderella
- Snow White
- Malin Kundang
- The Legend of Lake Toba
- The Tortoise and the Hare
Purpose of Narrative Text
The main purpose of a narrative text is to entertain the reader by telling an interesting story.
However, narratives can do more than entertain. A story may also help readers understand different experiences, values, and lessons.
A narrative text can be used to:
- entertain the reader;
- create an interesting reading experience;
- introduce moral values;
- teach lessons through the characters’ experiences;
- encourage readers to think about the consequences of actions; and
- preserve traditional stories and cultural values.
Therefore, a narrative story can provide both entertainment and meaningful lessons.
Generic Structure of Narrative Text
A narrative text generally develops through four main stages:
Orientation → Complication → Resolution → Re-orientation
Each stage has a different function in building the story.
1. Orientation
Orientation is the opening part of the story. It provides the background information that readers need before the main problem begins.
This section usually introduces:
- the main characters;
- the place where the story happens;
- the time when the events take place; and
- the initial situation of the story.
Example:
Once upon a time, a young farmer lived with his mother in a small village near a forest.
From this sentence, we can identify the main character, the setting, and the initial situation.
2. Complication
Complication is the part where the main problem or conflict begins.
The characters may face difficulties, challenges, misunderstandings, or unexpected events. As the story continues, the problem may become more complicated and create tension.
The complication is important because it makes readers curious about what will happen next.
In some stories, the conflict develops until it reaches its most important or tense moment, called the climax. The climax is part of the story’s conflict development rather than a separate generic structure.
Example:
One day, the farmer went into the forest to collect firewood. However, he suddenly realized that he had lost his way and could not find the path back home.
The character now faces a problem that needs to be solved.
3. Resolution
Resolution is the part where the main problem or conflict is solved.
The main character may find a solution, receive help from another character, overcome a challenge, or face the consequences of previous actions.
A narrative does not always have to end happily. The ending may be positive, negative, or left partly open.
Example:
After walking for several hours, the farmer found a small river. He followed the river and eventually reached the village.
The character successfully finds a way out of the problem.
4. Re-orientation
Re-orientation is the closing part of a narrative text. It is optional, which means that some narrative texts may not include it.
This section can provide:
- a final comment;
- a reflection on what happened;
- information about what happened to the characters afterward; or
- a moral lesson from the story.
Example:
From that day on, the farmer always remembered to be careful whenever he entered the forest.
The sentence shows what the character learned from his experience.
Language Features of Narrative Text
Narrative texts have several language features that help writers tell stories clearly and vividly.
1. Simple Past Tense
Narrative texts commonly use the Simple Past Tense because many stories describe events that happened in the past.
Examples:
- The girl visited her grandmother.
- The king lived in a large castle.
- They found a mysterious box.
- The boy ran into the forest.
- She opened the door slowly.
Regular verbs usually use -ed, while irregular verbs have different past forms.
Regular verbs:
- walk → walked
- visit → visited
- open → opened
- play → played
Irregular verbs:
- go → went
- find → found
- see → saw
- take → took
- run → ran
Time Expressions
Narrative texts often use time expressions to show when events happen and to connect one event to another.
Common expressions include:
- once upon a time
- one day
- one morning
- a long time ago
- then
- later
- after that
- suddenly
- finally
- the next day
Example:
One morning, Rina went to the market. Then, she met an old woman. After that, they walked together to the village.
Time expressions help readers follow the sequence of events.
Adjectives
Writers use adjectives to describe characters, places, objects, and situations.
Adjectives make a story more descriptive and help readers imagine the scenes.
Examples:
- a brave soldier
- a beautiful princess
- a dark forest
- a mysterious house
- a kind old woman
- a dangerous animal
Compare these sentences:
The girl entered the forest.
and:
The brave young girl entered the dark and mysterious forest.
The second sentence provides more information and creates a clearer picture for the reader.
Noun Phrases
A noun phrase is a group of words centered around a noun. It provides more detailed information about a person, animal, object, or place.
Examples:
- a beautiful young princess
- the old wooden house
- a large black horse
- the dark forest near the village
- a small village beside the river
Noun phrases make descriptions more specific and help readers visualize the story.
Action Verbs
Narrative texts often use action verbs to show what the characters do.
Examples:
- walked
- ran
- opened
- climbed
- shouted
- looked
- carried
- found
- entered
- escaped
Example:
The boy ran across the field and entered the old house.
Action verbs make the events in the story easier to follow and create a sense of movement.
Direct Speech and Dialogue
Narrative texts may use direct speech or dialogue to show what characters say.
Dialogue can make a story more natural and interesting.
Example:
“Where are you going?” the mother asked.
“I am going to the forest,” the boy replied.
Dialogue also helps readers understand the characters’ feelings, personalities, and relationships.
Understanding the Story Flow
A narrative story can be understood as a sequence of events:
1. ORIENTATION
The story introduces the characters and setting.
↓
2. COMPLICATION
A problem or conflict appears.
↓
3. RESOLUTION
The problem is solved or comes to an end.
↓
4. RE-ORIENTATION
The story closes with a reflection, comment, or lesson. (Optional)
In a simple formula:
Beginning → Problem → Solution → Ending/Lesson
Example of a Narrative Text
The Lost Wallet
Orientation
Last Saturday, Rina went to the market with her mother. She carried a small wallet containing some money. The market was crowded, and many people were buying vegetables and fruit.
Complication
After buying some vegetables, Rina suddenly realized that her wallet was missing. She looked around the market but could not find it. She became worried because the wallet contained her mother’s money.
Rina returned to the places she had visited earlier. She checked the vegetable stall and the fruit stall, but the wallet was nowhere to be found.
Resolution
A few minutes later, an old man approached Rina. He had found a wallet near a fruit stall and wanted to find its owner.
Rina checked the wallet and discovered that it was hers. Fortunately, all the money was still inside. She thanked the old man for his honesty.
Re-orientation
Rina was relieved and happy. From that experience, she learned to be more careful with her belongings and to appreciate honest people.
Analyzing the Example
| Part | Information |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Rina goes to the market with her mother. |
| Complication | Rina loses her wallet. |
| Resolution | An old man finds and returns the wallet. |
| Re-orientation | Rina learns to take better care of her belongings. |
Language Features Found in the Text
Simple Past Tense:
- went
- carried
- realized
- looked
- became
- returned
- found
- approached
- checked
- thanked
- learned
Time Expressions:
- Last Saturday
- After
- A few minutes later
- From that experience
Adjectives:
- small wallet
- crowded market
- old man
- honest people
Action Verbs:
- went
- looked
- returned
- checked
- approached
- found
Key Points to Remember
When reading or writing a narrative text, remember these four main questions:
ORIENTATION
Who? Where? When?
Who are the characters? Where and when does the story happen?
COMPLICATION
What is the problem?
What difficulty or conflict does the main character face?
RESOLUTION
How is the problem solved?
What happens to solve or end the conflict?
RE-ORIENTATION
What happens at the end or what can we learn?
What is the final situation or lesson from the story?
NARRATIVE TEXT = ORIENTATION + COMPLICATION + RESOLUTION + RE-ORIENTATION