NARRATIVE TEXT

Lecturer :
Khoirunnisa ,[Link]

Compiled By :
Janesha Permata (24551011)
Alfhinda Natasya (24551019)
Tiopema Pernando (24551023)

PROGRAM STUDI TADRIS BAHASA INGGRIS

FAKULTAS TARBIYAH
INSTITUT AGAMA ISLAM NEGERI CURUP
2025

A. Definition of Narrative Text

Narrative text is a story about something interesting that has purpose to amuse,
entertain or the readers. The using narrative when you tell a friend about something
interesting that happen to you at work or at school, when you tell someone a joke. Anderson
states that a good narrative uses wird to paint a picture in our mind of:
a. What characters look like (their experience),
b. Where the action is taking place (the setting),
c. How things are happening (the action).

The characteristics of narrative texts among others:

a. It tells us about a story of an event or events.
b. The events are usually arranged in chronological order- that is, in the order in which they
occurred in time.
c. The narrator has a purpose in mind in telling the story. There are some points the narrator
wishes to make, or some impression he or she wishes to convey to the reader. Therefore, the
details of the narrative are carefully selected for purpose.
1

B. Characteristics of Narrative Text

1. Using past tenses

1 Lubis Rayendriani Fahmei, Narrative Text (July 2016, Vol. 4, No. 2) p. 3-4.
Narrative texts often contain past tense because they typically recount events or
stories that have already occurred. Using the past tense helps to create a sense of time and
sequence, which enables the reader to follow the plot and understand the progression of
events. Also, writing in the past tense gives context and shows a clear link between actions
and their results, which helps the reader get into the story and understand what the characters
are going through.

Here’s an example:
“Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a kind, generous old man. One day, as he
was walking through the forest, he stumbled upon a giant squash. Amazed, he inched closer.”

In this example, the use of past tenses such as “lived”, “was walking”, “stumbled”, “amazed”
and “inched” is used to describe past events.

2. Using adverbial of time

Narrative texts often use adverbials of time to provide a clear structure and sense of
progression to the story. These time expressions help the reader understand when events are
happening, how they are related to one another, and the overall flow of the narrative. By
providing a context for the sequence of events, adverbials of time create a more vivid and
engaging reading experience.
They enable the reader to follow the plot more easily and immerse themselves in the
story, as they can visualize the events unfolding within a specific timeframe.

Here’s an example:
“Early one morning, Sarah decided to go for a jog in the park. As she jogged, the sun began
to rise, casting a golden glow over the trees. Later that day, she met her friends for lunch and
shared her morning adventure with them.”

In this example, adverbials of time such as “early one morning,” “as she jogged,” and “later
that day” are used to provide context and indicate the sequence of events, helping the reader
understand when each action took place.

3. Using adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, or, put it simply, adjectives are
words that give more information about a noun such as its color, shape, size, characteristics,
etc. In narrative text, adjectives help create a more detailed and vivid story.

Example: “The brave knight entered the dark, mysterious forest, ready to face any challenges
that lay ahead.”

In this example, the adjectives “brave,” “dark,” and “mysterious” add depth to the
description, giving the reader a clearer sense of the knight’s personality and the atmosphere
of the forest.
4. Using noun phrases
A noun phrase is a group of words that contains a noun along with any accompanying
modifiers, such as adjectives, adverbs, or other nouns that provide more information about
the main noun. Noun phrases help create detailed and vivid descriptions in stories. In
narrative texts, noun phrases can be used to give more detailed descriptions, highlight certain
parts of a character or setting, or explain complicated ideas concisely.

Example: “The bright morning sun cast a golden glow on the calm waters of the lake,
creating a breathtaking view.”

In this example, the noun phrases are “the bright morning sun” and “the calm waters of the
lake.” These phrases provide more detailed descriptions, with “the bright morning sun”
referring to the sun and “the calm waters of the lake” highlighting the lake’s peaceful
appearance.
2

C. Types of Narrative Text

There many different types of narrative texts, among others:
a. Humor
b. Romance
c. Crime
d. Real Life Fiction
e. Theoretical fiction
f. Mystery
g. Fantasy
h. Science Fiction
i. Diary Novels
j. Adventure

There can be a combination of narratives within each of this different types.

Sometimes, the term genre is used for the type of narrative. A genre is some kind of a
category. The notion of genre is to help to generate story ideas. Here are some examples of
the different type (or genre) of narrative showing typical features:

a. Humor
A humorous narrative is one of that aims to make audience laugh as a part of telling a
story. Here is typical structure:
1) Orientation: the narrator tells the funny characters names in unusual settings.
2) Complication: in this part, something crazy happen.
3) Sequence of event: there are many imaginative ideas here funny
things said by characters and extraordinary things happening to
ordinary people.
4) Resolution: All‟s well that end well.

2 McCormick Anthony, Narrative Text - definition, characteristic, functions, types, and example (2022). p. 2
b. Romance
The romance narrative typically tells of two lovers who overcome difficulties to end
up together. Here are the usual fetures:
1) Orientation: it contains hunk male and female who is looking for
love, exotic setting, sun set, beaches, and moonlight.
2) Complication: boy meets girl.
3) Sequence of event: it contains the development relationship,
jealously, love, hurt, pian, warm, sharing, and overcoming
problems.
4) Resolution: boy gets girl, marry and live happy ever after.

c. Historical Feature
Here are the feature of a typical historical fiction text:
1) Orientation: a setting in the past and description of a period in history.
2) Complication: good meets evil.
3) Sequence of event: action related to a period in history, character‟s
lives affected by the events of history, description of live at the time.
4) Resolution : characters survive the chaos of the time (for example,
the war ends)

d. The Diary Novel

This type of narrative has the text presented like diary entries. Here are the features of
a typical diary- novel:
1) Orientation: main character is the narrator. Time setting is given by
diary entries.
2) Complication: given one of diary entries. It can be related to
romance, adventure, humor, mystery, or other type.
3) Sequence of event: diary entries tell of feelings, hopes, and
happening.
4) Reorientation: the narrator tells what happens to solve the
complication.

e. Fantasy
Below are the features of a typical fantasy narrative:
1) Orientation: setting may be in another dimension with goals,
witches, wizard, and so son. Hero who may have magical power.
2) Complication: evil forces affect the goodies.
3) Sequence of event: use of magic. Action includes elves, dragons
and mythical beasts, heroism.
4) Resolution: God defeats evil forces.

f. Science Fiction
Science fiction narratives ese the setting involving science and technology. Here are
the typical features of the text type:
1) Orientation: a feature setting and a world with technology.
2) Complication: an evil force threatens the world.
3) Sequence of event: imaginative description. Action involves
technology, science, and super invention.
4) Resolution: good defeats evil.
5) Coda: take care that science is used for good, not evil.
3

D. Structure of Narrative Text

1. Orientation (introduction)
It contains the thesis of the text. In this level, the character of the story introduces the
students. In the story happened and who is involved in the story. In this level also used to
produce atmosphere so that makes the student are persuaded to follow the story. In other
words orientation of narrative text tells who the character was / where, where it happened,
when it happened.

2. Sequence of Events (complication)

This part tells the sequence of the story. The problem faced by the character. The
complication makes they story more interesting because the Character is prevented to reach
his or her wants. It is in the middle of story.

3. Resolution
It tells the reader (students). How the problem was solved is also called solving
problem. A satisfying narrative will give the resolution of the problem.

4. Reorientation
It tells what the story has told or tells again the character and contains the message of
moral value to the readers. Those elements must exist in narrative text. It gives more
explanation in order to make the story clear and understandable. But sometimes the students
find more than one complication and resolution. It can be seen in the following example.

5. Evaluation
This part can be joined in orientation part. It contains the narrative beginning.
Evolution tells about the time and place of the event being [Link] elements must exist
in narrative text. It gives more explanation in order to make the story clear and
understandable. But sometimes the students (readers) find more than one complication and
resolution. It can happen when the problem (complication) was still arisen or unsolved in
scheme.
4

E. Example of Narrative Text

3 Lubis Rayendriani Fahmei, Narrative Text (July 2016, Vol. 4, No. 2) p. 6-9.
4 Sulistyo, Irwan. "An analysis of generic structure of narrative text written by the tenth year students of SMA
Yasiha Gu." ETERNAL (English Teaching Journal) 4.2 (2013). p. 172
Cinderella.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl named Cinderella. He lived with
his step mother and two sisters. They were arrogant and bad tempered. They treated
Cinderella very badly. Her stepmother made Cinderella do the hardest job in the house, such
as scrubbing the floor, cleaning the pot and pan and preparing food for the family. Her step
sisters, on the other hand, did not work on the house. Their mother gave them many pretty
dresses to wear.
One day, a king invited all girls in his kingdom to attend a ball in his palace. They
were excited about this and spent so much time choosing the dresses they would wear.
Cinderella could not stop crying after they left. “Why are you crying, Cinderella?” the voice
asked.
She looked up and saw a fairy standing beside her. Then Cinderella told her why she was
crying. Well the fairy said, “you’ve been such a cheerful, hardworking, uncomplaining girl
that I will see that you go to the ball.” The fairy turned a pumpkin into a coach and mice into
a smooth two coach man and footman then tapped Cinderella’s dress with her wand, and it
became a beautiful ball gown.
Then he gave her a pair of pretty glass shoes. Now, Cinderella, she said, “you have to
leave the ball before midnight”. Then he drove away a wonderful coach. Cinderella had a
marvelous time either. She danced again and again with the prince. Suddenly the clock began
to strike twelve, she ran toward the door as fast as he could do. In her hurry, one of her glass
shoes was left behind.
A few days later, the prince declared that he would marry the girl whose feet fitted the
glass shoe. Cinderella’s stepsisters tried on it but it was too small for them, no matter how
hard they squeezed their toes into it. In the end, the king’s page let Cinderella try the shoe.
She stretched his legs and slipped the shoe on the page. It fitted perfectly. Finally, she was
ushered into a magnificent palace and height. The prince were glad to see her again. They
married and lived happily ever after.

Penjelasan:
- Paragraf pertama berisi Orientation, yaitu pengenalan tokoh-tokoh yang ada pada
dongeng Cinderella.
- Paragraf kedua berisi Complication, yaitu masalah muncul ketika Cinderella tidak
boleh pergi ke pesta dansa (ball).
- Paragraf ketiga berisi Resolution, yaitu masalah terpecahkan ketika seorang peri
menolongnya.
- Paragraf terakhir, berisi Re-Orientation, yaitu akhir cerita yang bahagia dimana
akhirnya Cinderella menikah dengan pangeran.5

5 Susanto Eko, Narrative Text and Tenses (Sumatera Selatan : Oktober 2019) p. 5