This lesson introduces genre and explains how narratives are built. Understanding genre helps writers recognize the expectations of a writing situation, while understanding narrative elements helps them shape events into a meaningful story.
Over time, people have developed distinctive ways of writing for particular rhetorical situations—situations involving a writer, an audience, a purpose, and a context. These recognizable ways of writing are called genres. A genre is not limited to publishing categories such as novels or memoirs. It can refer to any type of writing that follows recognizable forms and benchmarks.
All flashcards
What is a genre?
A genre is a recognizable type or way of writing shaped by the expectations of a rhetorical situation, including its audience and purpose.
What is plot?
Plot is the sequence of events in a story. In nonfiction, events often follow a comparable pattern of introduction, development, climax or discovery, and aftermath.
What does a story's setting include?
Setting includes where and when the story takes place and the culture in which its characters or real people are immersed.
What is a story arc?
A story arc is the narrative's beginning, middle, and end. Events may be told chronologically or arranged in another order, such as beginning in the middle of the action.
How do problems function in narratives?
Problems create tension for characters. That tension often builds toward a climax and is addressed through a resolution near the end.
Quiz questions
What does showing rather than merely telling help a narrative writer do?Answer: Use concrete details so readers can experience and interpret a scene.
How can a precise date function in a narrative?Answer: It can situate events in time, focus attention, and foreshadow a climax.
What should a narrative's significance help readers understand?Answer: What the events suggest and why they matter.
How should a writer choose which events and details to include in a narrative?Answer: According to the intended audience and purpose.
In narrative writing, what does diction refer to?Answer: The language and word choices a writer uses.
Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.