Narrative

The narrative genre is the hallmark of literature. A narrative is simply another word for a story. The art of storytelling encompasses a vast array of techniques. So many in fact that it is the subject of an entire course - AP Literature. Nonetheless, the study of language requires a working knowledge of some seminal literary terms. Click here to download the AP Language Basic Literary Terms handout.

A misconception that many students maintain is that authors simply tell stories. In fact, good writers dwell on language and its ability to communicate. View the video below to listen to an important American author, Philip Roth, discuss his writing as a process of work and storytelling.

Reading Assignment: "A & P" by John Updike

The basic objective of a narrative essay is to convey a story. These are written from a well-defined point of view, which is often the writer's own. The writer gets the freedom to incorporate feelings and sensory details that immerse the reader in the sequence and elements of the essay. The verbs used are precise and vivid. As a narrative essay is generally about personal experiences, they are often written in the form of a story. It uses all features of storytelling, such as character, plot, setting, and ending.

As with descriptive writing, the core purpose of writing a narrative is to make a connection with the reader. While descriptive writing invites the audience to experience with their senses, narratives often adopt a tone to provide an emotional atmosphere for the reader. The tone may attempt to elicit sympathy for a character or the tone may create an emotional reaction to a circumstance. This quality of writing is also sometimes called "mood." As you read the story "A & P" by John Updike, take note of how the word choice, or diction, creates the tone of the narrative. The title of this story, "A & P," is the brand name for a chain of grocery stores.

Click here to read "A & P. by John Updike"

The next two genres are closely linked to the conventional understanding of the essay. The term "essay" derives from the French word for "an attempt or a try." Generally, the attempt is to either explain or persuade.

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