Narrative writing often follows Freytag’s Pyramid, a five-part structure consisting of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This framework ensures that the story has a clear arc of tension and development.
The Exposition introduces the setting and characters, while the Rising Action presents a conflict or 'inciting incident' that drives the plot forward. Without a clear conflict, a narrative can feel aimless and fail to engage the reader.
The Climax is the turning point of highest tension, which is then followed by the Falling Action, where the consequences of the climax are explored. The Resolution provides a sense of closure, though in GCSE writing, an 'open ending' or a 'circular ending' can also be highly effective.
While both forms require structure, their primary goals differ significantly. Descriptive writing focuses on spatial organization and sensory immersion, whereas narrative writing focuses on temporal progression and character development.
| Feature | Descriptive Structure | Narrative Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | To create a vivid picture/mood | To tell a story with a conflict |
| Movement | Spatial (Wide to Narrow) | Temporal (Beginning to End) |
| Key Element | Sensory details and imagery | Plot events and character arcs |
| Ending | Atmospheric reflection | Resolution of conflict |
Students should choose their structure based on the prompt. A picture prompt often lends itself better to a descriptive structure, while a written title prompt (e.g., 'The Journey') may be better suited to a narrative arc.
The 'Hook' Opening: Start your writing in medias res (in the middle of the action) or with a striking sensory detail. Avoid long, slow introductions that delay the main focus of the task.
Paragraph Purpose: Every paragraph should have a specific structural job. One paragraph might build atmosphere, the next might introduce a character, and the third might provide a shift in tone. If a paragraph doesn't serve a purpose, it should be revised.
Tense Consistency: One of the most common ways to lose marks is 'tense slipping' (switching between past and present without reason). Choose a tense and stick to it, unless using a deliberate structural device like a flashback.
The 'Circular' Ending: To show high-level structural control, try to link your ending back to your opening. This could be a repeated phrase, a return to the same location, or a reflection on how a specific object has changed.
Over-reliance on Dialogue: Students often use dialogue as a 'filler' when they are unsure how to progress the plot. In GCSE writing, dialogue should be used sparingly and only if it reveals character or moves the story forward.
The 'And Then' Trap: This occurs when a narrative is simply a list of events happening one after another without any tension or structural variety. To avoid this, use 'shifts' and 'zooms' to vary the pace and focus.
Vague Settings: A common mistake is failing to ground the writing in a specific place. Structure your setting by using 'pathetic fallacy' (weather reflecting mood) and sensory details to make the environment feel like a character in itself.
