narrative composition by eguriase s. m okaka

Narrative Composition

By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Writing: Paragraphs/Connectives/ Features of Narrative Composition A paragraph is a part of a piece of writing which starts from on a new line and contains a series of sentences that are related. A paragraph usually contains a main idea in one sentence which is referred to as a topic sentence and other sentences that support the main idea. This means that sentences in a paragraph are about the same thing. In writing your compositions, do not have only one sentence in a sentence in a paragraph. Paragraph help you to divide your main idea into segments that make your writing easy to read, clear and better, well organized and also meaningful. A paragraph should have closing sentence, that is, the last sentence. You need to indent all paragraphs – remember the first name rule. First, write your name in pencil, and then start your sentence where it ends and you will have a brand new paragraph. Ensure that subsequent paragraphs falls in line with first one. Later, clean off your first name. Try to use paragraphs all the time so as not to lose marks in your compositions. Example of a Paragraph Mrs. Udoh slept for five hours as a result of ill health. She fell ill the previous day and her doctor advised her to rest. Mr. Udoh, her husband, kept watch over his wife and ensured that the children, especially young Enah, did not get into the room to disturb her. She needed to rest in order to get well soon. Connectives When you write more than one paragraphs, you link them with connectives (linking words and phrases). Remember that a composition is about one main idea divided into segment or paragraph. Connectives help to keep these segments together so that one paragraph flows into the next in a smooth progression. Connectives are also used to show comparisons, cause and effect, contrast and emphasis. Below are examples of connectives: • To show sequence or the order in which something happens: first, firstly, second, secondly, third, thirdly, next, finally, in addition, furthermore, moreover, also in summary, in conclusion. • Relationship: also, similarly, likewise, not only, but, also, just as. • Cause: because, since, as. • Effect: consequently, therefore, due to, as a result. • Contrast: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, although, but, yet, despite, in spite of, in contrast, in conjunction on the other hand, on the contrary. • Emphasis: generally, particularly, indeed, especially, obviously. • To show example: for instance such as, including, that is. Feature of Narrative Composition A story should have: a) An interesting beginning: A good beginning makes the reader want to keep reading. b) A body: The body should be made up of many paragraphs, all of which should link to the main idea. The story should be told in a way that it gets to the climax (the most interesting or saddest part of your story). Always the body in an exciting way to continue to keep the interest of the reader. Nobody would want to stop reading an interesting story. c) A good conclusion: The conclusion should be brief and catchy. You should summarize the main idea and create a lasting impression in the minds of the readers. If you are narrating events that happened in the past ensure you use the past tense. Do not keep changing between past tense and the present tense. Make good use of action, verbs, adverbs, and descriptive words or phrases. Use these to give vivid descriptions of persons, places, and events. You will get more marks by doing this. Examples of descriptive sentences: • John ate his food hungrily. • The interviewer is a tall, fair-complexioned amiable young man. Be careful when you are writing stories based on sayings/proverbs. Ensure that your story stays focused on the saying/proverb so as not to write inaccurately. You lose all the marks for content and organization and a lot in expression when you write irrelevant points. Do not tell fairy tales. Your story must be credible enough. To do well in narrative writing, you should visit places of interest, be a good listener, and take down notes. Do not have many characters in your story and avoid too many details on one aspect of the story to the detriment of the other parts. Remember, as in order types of compositions, you need to plan your work before writing. Write your first draft, proofread, edit and rewrite. Exercises • Discuss with your partner the features of a narrative essay without looking at your note or textbook. • Narrate to your partner a story about a memorable day in your life. Listen to your partner’s story too. • Read the well-written sample composition below, and then form your own outline on a memorable day in your life. A Memorable Day in my Life The most memorable day in my life was the day I received a letter saying that I had been granted a 50th Independence Anniversary Scholarship to study in a famous secondary school in Abuja. I was very excited but at the same time worried. I was excited because this had always been my dream. I had always wanted to study in Labinton College, a private secondary school in a highbrow area in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. I just could not think of why God would not let it come to pass. All I did was to have faith in God and He granted my request. On the other hand, I was worried because it was not a full scholarship. My parents still had to pay of the school fee, accommodation and travel expenses. I was also meant to pay specified amount of money a week from the day I received the letter. I knew my parents financial condition and I knew it might be too sudden for them to meet the terms of the scholarship award. I counted the hours and waited anxiously to hear from my Dad. Just a few minutes before he retired to sleep, he dropped the bombshell. He said the amount of money to be paid was still too much and he could not raise it within the specified time. I felt bad. I could not sleep for hours but I later consoled myself with the fact that I was still young and could still get better scholarship awards that would not require my parents to pay any fees at all. I resolved to work harder at my school work. In all, I was sad but still grateful to God for granting me the scholarship even though my parents could not meet the conditions. I believe that God who gives good things will grant me better one. By Eguriase S. M. Okaka