Improving the structure of narrative writing involves focusing on several key elements that
help organize their ideas and make the story more engaging and coherent. Here are some
strategies:
1. Start with a Clear Story Arc
• Beginning: Introduce the main character(s) and the setting. A good beginning often
includes a hook, like an intriguing detail or question, to grab the reader’s attention.
• Middle: Develop the plot by introducing a problem or conflict that the character must
face. This is where the events build up towards the climax.
• Climax: The most exciting part where the problem reaches its peak. This is the turning
point for the character’s situation.
• End: The resolution where the character solves the problem or learns a lesson. This
should tie up loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion.
2. Use Paragraphs to Organize Ideas
• Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or event. Teach students to start a new
paragraph when:
• A new character enters the scene.
• A new event or action occurs.
• The setting or time changes.
• This helps keep the writing clear and makes it easier for readers to follow.
3. Include Descriptive Details
• Encourage students to use show, don’t tell. Instead of saying, “It was a scary night,”
they could describe the scene: “The wind howled through the trees, and shadows danced in
the moonlight.”
Show, don’t tell is a technique in writing that encourages using vivid description and action to
convey a character’s feelings, setting, or situation instead of stating it directly. Here are
several examples to illustrate the concept:
1. Emotion Example: Fear
• Tell: Sarah was scared.
• Show: Sarah’s hands trembled, and her breath came in quick, shallow gasps. She
pressed her back against the cold wall, her eyes darting to the shadows that seemed to creep
closer with every heartbeat.
In the “show” example, instead of saying she was scared, her physical reactions (trembling
hands, shallow breathing) and actions (pressing against the wall) convey her fear.
2. Setting Example: A Stormy Night
• Tell: It was a stormy night.
• Show: The wind howled through the trees, bending their branches until they creaked
like old floorboards. Raindrops pelted the windows, sounding like pebbles against glass,
while flashes of lightning lit up the dark sky, followed by the rumble of thunder that shook
the house.
Here, the “show” example describes the sounds, sights, and effects of the storm, allowing the
reader to imagine the scene rather than just being told it was stormy.
3. Character Description Example: Happiness
• Tell: Jake was happy.
• Show: A wide grin spread across Jake’s face, and he couldn’t stop bouncing on his toes.
He laughed, a sound that bubbled up from deep inside, and his eyes sparkled like the morning
sun.
Instead of simply saying Jake was happy, the description of his actions (grinning, bouncing,
laughing) and his expressions (sparkling eyes) gives the reader a clearer picture of his joy.
4. Mood Example: Tension in a Room
• Tell: There was tension in the room.
• Show: The room was thick with silence, broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the clock
on the wall. No one met each other’s eyes, and even the air seemed heavy, pressing down on
their shoulders. Fingers tapped nervously on the table’s edge, and a bead of sweat rolled
down Tom’s temple.
The “show” version conveys tension through the lack of conversation, the heavy atmosphere,
and the physical reactions of the characters.
5. Action Example: Running Late
• Tell: She was late for school.
• Show: She sprinted down the sidewalk, her backpack bouncing against her back. Her
sneakers slapped the pavement as she glanced at her watch, muttering under her breath. The
school bell rang in the distance, and she quickened her pace, heart pounding in her chest.
In this case, rather than stating she was late, the rushing movements, the glances at her watch,
and the sound of the distant bell convey her urgency and lateness.
Using “show, don’t tell” helps make writing more vivid and engaging, allowing readers to
experience the story rather than just being told about it. This technique is especially useful in
narrative writing to create more immersive scenes and deeper emotional connections.
• Use the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) to create a vivid picture in the
reader’s mind.
4. Use Dialogue Effectively
• Dialogue can move the story forward, reveal character traits, and create tension. Make
sure dialogue sounds natural for each character.
• Remind students to start a new paragraph each time a different character speaks. This
makes the text clearer and easier to read.
5. Vary Sentence Length and Structure
• Mixing short and long sentences can add rhythm to writing. For example, short
sentences can build tension, while longer ones can describe scenes more richly.
• Teach the use of different sentence starters to avoid repetitive structure. For example,
instead of always starting with “He,” “She,” or “They,” students can start sentences with time
phrases (e.g., “After a while”), action phrases (e.g., “Running through the woods”), or
descriptions (e.g., “With a nervous glance”).
6. Use Transition Words
• Words like meanwhile, later, suddenly, after that, and finally help connect events
smoothly. They guide the reader through the sequence of the story.
• Transition words help make the narrative flow better and clarify the order of events.
7. Focus on Character Development
• A well-structured narrative often involves character growth. Encourage students to
think about how their character changes throughout the story.
• For example, how does the character feel at the beginning, and how do their
experiences change their feelings or attitudes by the end?
8. Revise for Clarity and Coherence
• Encourage students to read their stories out loud or to a peer. This helps catch
confusing parts or areas where the story might jump too quickly.
• Focus on one aspect at a time during revisions (e.g., checking for descriptive
language, ensuring dialogue is formatted correctly, looking for transitions).
By following these strategies, students can develop narrative writings that are better
structured and more engaging for readers. These tips align well with the requirements of
IGCSE-level writing, emphasizing clarity, coherence, and creativity in storytelling.
