EngagingPlotforNarrativeWriting-1.power point

Writing an engaging plot in narrative writing

1. Engaging Plot Learning Goal: Understand and explain elements of plot that entertain a reader.

2. Reminder: What’s the difference between plot and narrative? All traditional narratives follow a formula: Equilibrium Agent of Change Conflict Resolution/New Equilibrium

3. Shaping The Narrative- The Plot The most engaging novels always grab readers’ attention in the first paragraph of the first chapter and hold their interest until the very last word. Description Medias res Begin at the end

4. Strong Characters–Good and Bad Develop: background personality relationships appearance- facial expressions, clothing etc

5. Conflict - Without a rising action, narratives can become stagnant. There can be multiple. - Don’t wait too long to introduce the climax. - This is where you really have to vary sentence and paragraph length. - Sentence fragments work well to increase the pace of your writing. Of course, fragments are frowned upon in the writing world, yet the judicious use of them can be quite effective. Always. Every time. Like this. (Use discretion, however, for you can lose control if you’re not careful. The moral is exercise caution when writing in sentence fragments.) -Use active voice. Passive voice is a slower read. “He was planning to do the work,” reads slower and with less strength than, “He planned to do the work.”

6. - Include verbs and adverbs.consider the difference between someone who “falls” to someone who “collapses”. - Review your four or longer syllable words and consider replacing them with diminutive, or rather, shorter and easier to pronounce synonyms. For example, you might reconsider the use of the word, “antagonism,” when “anger” will suffice.

7. Concluding Resolution can serve as peace of mind, or a moral can be learned. Cliffhangers- work if there is to be a sequel, if you think the reader should decide what’s best- not for when you cannot agree on an ending. It’s disappointing. A new problem?