9. NARRATIVE TEXT

Definition
Narrative text is a text to entertain, to gain and hold a reader’s interest. It’s usually like a fable, myth, legend, folklore, etc. However narrative can be also written to teach or inform, to change attitudes/social opinion.

The Generic Structure :

a. Orientation : Sets the scene and introduces the participants.

b. Complication : A crisis arises.

c. Resolution : The crisis is resolved, for better or for worse.

d. Re-orientation : (optional)

The Typical Elements :

a. Setting : When and where the story occurs.

b. Characters : The most important people or characters in the story.

c. Initiating Event : An action or occurrence that establishes a problem and/or goal.

d. Conflict : The focal point around which the whole story is organized.

e. Events : One or more attempts by the main character(s) to achieve the goal or solve the problem.

f. Resolution : The outcome of the attempts to achieve the goal or solve the problem.

g. Theme : The main idea or moral of the story.

The Characteristics of Narrative Text :

a. Using the Simple Past Tense.

b. It’s started with adverb, such as long time ago, once upon a time, in a faraway land, etc.

c. Using the conjunctions, such as then, after, that, before, etc.

The example of narrative text

Putri Kemuning

Putri Kemuning and her mother lived in a jungle. They were poor. Putri Kemuning helped her mother collect woods in the jungle and sell them to the market.

In the jungle, Putri Kemuning had animal friends. One day, Putri Kemuning's mother was very ill. Putri Kemuning was very sad because she did not have enough money to buy medicine. She then collected many woods and plans to sell them. She wanted to spend the money to buy medicine.

While She was collecting the woods, Putri Kemuning met her animal friend, the rabbit. He was worried because Putri Kemuning looked very sad. Putri Kemuning told the problem to the rabbit. "I can help you. Take this ring and then sell it," says the rabbit. "Is this your ring?" asked Putri Kemuning. "No. This is the King Ngarancang Kencono's ring. It fell when he was hunting here." Putri Kemuning hesitated. She really needed the money but it was not her ring. Finally she said, "No, I have to return this ring to the king."

Putri Kemuning then went to see the king at his palace. "What is your name and what is your purpose here?" said the king. "My name is Putri Kemuning. I want to return your ring," said Putri Kemuning. "Thank you very much. Now, I want to give you something. What do you want?" "I don't anything. I just want to go home. My mother is very ill," replied Putri Kemuning. "You are a very kind girl. Now, take this gift," said the king.

Putri Kemuning went home. When she arrived, Putri Kemuning told her mother about the king's ring. Her mother was very proud of her. When they opened the gift, they saw a bag full of gold coins. They were very happy because they can buy medicine.