What are narrative features?

Narrative features or elements are the text components and characteristics that should be
included in most narratives. They help to make the story come to life.

Some examples of important narrative features include:

setting

characterisation

plot

viewpoint

We are going to focus on developing settings

and characters.
 Setting
The setting identifies the time and place of a story. The setting of
a narrative will often answer the questions of ‘When?’ and
‘Where?’ the story takes place.

The time of a story may be set in the past or future, summer or

winter, daytime or night time.

The place refers to the specific location, such as a school, the city,
a desert, a jungle or even outer space. The place can be anywhere!

The setting of a story will have a big impact on the events of the
narrative’s plot. Also, the actions and decisions of the characters
will be affected and determined greatly by the setting. For
example, a story set on a pirate ship would most likely include
pirates as characters.
 Describing and Developing a Setting
A good way to develop and flesh out the setting for your own story writing is to use your 5
senses. Check out the example below:

Hear: waves crashing and hissing against the shore

See: clear blue water laps at the golden sand, scattered with a rainbow of shells

Feel: a gentle sea breeze rustling through your hair

Smell: the salty sea air

Note: Taste has not been included this time as it can be a little bit tricky to use when describing
a story setting and it will often be similar to smell.
 Your Turn!
Have a go at describing this setting using your senses

Imagine you are there…

What can you see?

What can you hear?

What can you smell?

What can you feel?

 Character
Characters are one of Characters are the people, animals or
the most important creatures in the story. They can think, feel
story elements. They and act.
help to drive the plot
and move the story
along with their
actions and decisions.

Developing characterisation in your Your character’ feelings and emotions will

narrative, by including detailed
description about the characters
appearance and feelings will help to make
your characters feel real and relatable.
This will hook the reader in!
play an important role in helping you (the
writer) to decide how they would respond to
events in the story. That will then support
moving the plot forward.
 Describing and Developing
a Character
Developing the characters in your story will help to bring your narrative writing to life.
Remember to use lots of describing words to help the reader to imagine the character clearly
in their head.

For example, rather than simply stating that a character in your story is a bear, you should
aim use adjectives to make the bear come to life.

Fuzzy Welcoming Tall

Huge Round
Friendly
Brown Happy
 Your Turn!
Discuss with the
person next to you and
use as many adjectives
as you can to describe
this character.

Hint: Think about

adjectives you might
use to describe the
shape, size, colours,
and especially the
feelings of this
character.