Narrative

writing
techniques
Troy Williamson

This week:

We will be starting our narrative writing plans.

We have gone through:
Narrative structures (linear and non-linear)
Events that go in order vs. events in mixed order
Different ways to describe words (synonyms and
examples)
Angry, sad, loud, dark

Todays lesson

Today we will be looking at specific narrative techniques

to use in your narrative writing, including:
Similes
Metaphors
Personification
Onomatopoeia and
Symbolism

Similes
Similes are when words are compared to other words,
specifically using phrases as or like.
For example:
Don ate his salad like a vacuum cleaner.
His arms were weak and felt like noodles.
The thunder was as loud as fireworks.

The underlined words are the words being compared to

each other and the words as and like are bolded to
show that a simile is being used.

Similes
Lets practice with the following phrases (choose one):
He was fast . . .
She was slow . . .
I was hungry . . .
It was scary . . .
They were loud . . .
Think of examples to compare the word to, then use
as or like to make the comparison.

Metaphors
Metaphors compare words, like similes, but instead of saying one
thing is like something else, a metaphor says something is
something else.
A metaphor can sometimes use words like is, are, was or
were, but will never use the words like or as to compare
words.
For example:
You are my hero.
The the
sun underlined
was a furnace.
Again,
words are the words being
compared, with the bolded words showing a
metaphor is being used.

Metaphors
Lets practice with the following starters (choose one):
He . . .
She . . .
I...
It . . .
They . . .
Think of examples to compare them to, but avoid using
as or like to make the comparison. Instead use words
like is, are, was or were.

Personification
Personification is describing or giving nonliving things human characteristics.
For example:
Our house is an old friend of ours. Although he
creaks and groans with every gust of wind, he
never fails to protect us from the elements. He
wraps his arms of bricks and mortar around us
and keeps us safe. Hes always been a good
friend to us and we would never leave him.

Each underlined phrase is an example of

personification.

Personification
Lets practice with the following objects (choose one):
The jackhammer . . .
The table . . .
The dress . . .
The car . . .
The bike . . .
Finish the sentence while giving or describing the object
with a human characteristic.

Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the use of words that attempt to
imitate or describe sounds.
For example:

Onomatopoeia

Lets practice with the following sounds (choose one):

An aeroplane flying overhead.
A car burnout.
A man being punched.
A rat in the walls.
An explosion.
Describe that sound with a word that comes to your head.

Symbolism
Symbolism is when an object is
used to represent something,
usually immaterial and something
significant for the story.
They can help convey deeper
meaning, show the
motivations/feelings of a character
or represent a theme or idea.
Something that is concrete (real or
you can see) that represents
something that is abstract (an idea

Symbolism

Darkness symbolises both the secret love and death in

Romeo and Juliet.
How else could you symbolise secrets or death?

Symbolism

Blood symbolises the characters guilt and uncleanliness of

murder in Macbeth.
How else could you symbolise guilt or murder?

Narrative writing template

Now that you know:
Narrative structure
Different descriptions/examples and
Narrative techniques

Complete the different worksheets on narrative

techniques to practice using them, then start planning
your narrative writing text.
Follow the narrative writing template as a plan for your
story. Once you have finished your template, have it
checked by me or Ms. Parker and you can start writing.