GCSE narrative writing?

How do you write a good narrative story when aiming for a grade 8/9??
I just dont get it??

Reply 1

u still haven't done your english exam?? what exam board r u omg
anwyays for a good narrative story ( I did ocr so their preference is for stories that have a realistic setting, and are more a memory than an actual fantasy) I was told to ensure I had a build-up, main event, aftermath, and kind of end on a note of what purpose/importance my story had for me. Make sure you don't go overboard with your description, you need a balance between dialogue, description of events, the transition between events and the actual you know procession through the story (sorry that's a bit confusingly worded)
idea of a story (what I ended up writing )

I'm nervous so I pull up to school and meet friend ( gave myself the opportunity to build up tension)
ended up in the dressing room and then performing on stage with lots of nerves ( description of the stage lighting, audience, signing, etc)
finished w extreme joy bc it went well and celebrated w my class mates
won the competition ( celebrated with family )
moral of story: felt amazing to win this competition bc it proved my singing journey to be successful and mum also happy bc she supported me along the way

(make sure to choose a narrative that gives you opportunities for an abundance of description on either surroundings, feelings or both even)

does depend slightly on what ur exam board prefers tho

hope that helps?

Reply 2

Super Sprinkles

Original post

by lilpux

How do you write a good narrative story when aiming for a grade 8/9??
I just dont get it??

I recommend making a (relatively simple) plot that you can just adapt in the exam. That way you can memorise some phrases & good vocabulary that can wow the examiner and dump them in your writing.

Also, unless you REALLY like writing descriptions, I say do the story question if you get the choice (which, at least as far AQA is concerned, all the past papers have had a description & a story) as Mr Salles on Youtube thinks it's easier to get a higher mark.

As above, learn some good vocabulary and practise using them in your writing. First Rate Tutors on Youtube has many videos on this.

Remember to use a range of sentence lengths & punctuation for those SPaG marks.

For structure, my school taught us drop, shift, zoom and link:
Drop into the action (in-media res)
Shift in time, place or character
Zoom in to a character's feelings
Link to the beginning e.g. a physical object like a wallet/glove or a word/idea that you repeat (cyclical narrative)

You might find it easier to use quotations from the texts you learn in English literature, since you're already revising those. They're often quite good for techniques as well - "half-formed ghost", "merciless iced east winds that knive us", "blood shadow", "some consequence yet hanging in the stars", "hang, beg, starve, die in the streets", "fire and blood and anguish", "solitary as an oyster" etc. (bonus points if you know which texts these come from!)

Watch English Youtubers as well for other tips, time management ideas etc. Mr Everything English, as well as those mentioned above, are pretty good.