The narrative text is the textual type that tells a sequence of facts, whether real or imaginary, where the characters act in a certain space and for a certain time.
The main characteristics of the narrative text are:
1. Presence of a narrator
The narrative text is characterized by someone who can tell the story. This is the role of the narrator when telling the action that involves characters, times, spaces and conflicts.
The narrator can be an observer and tell the facts only from his perspective, but he can also be inserted in the story as a character.
Learn more about Storyteller Types.
2. has a plot
The narrative is also characterized by a plot that presents the development of the story, with the appearance of characters and the existence of conflicts. The plot can be linear, non-linear, psychological and chronological.
The plot has a structure that also allows the text to have a fluidity when read. It is composed of:
- Presentation or introduction, where the author of the text presents the characters, the place and the time where the plot will develop;
- Development, where much of the story is told with a focus on the characters' actions;
- Climax, which is the part of the development where the story reaches its most emotional point in the narrative;
- Outcome, where history comes to an end and all conflicts and events have their conclusions.
See also the meaning of Plot.
3. Has characters
The narrative text also has characters, who are those who make up the story being told. The characters are key elements in the narrative, as they are responsible for the actions that develop the story.
they rank in main characters, who play an important role in the plot of the story; and secondary characters, which have an auxiliary role to the main character or are in the background in the main story.
4. Has a specific time
The narrative also has a specific period to perform, which is the time when the story takes place. It is related to timekeeping within the narrative.
Time, within the narrative, can be chronological, following the order of events or psychological, which is characterized by a period where the action has already taken place and the narrator only remembers the facts.
5. It takes place in a certain space
The narrative text needs a place for the story to take place. This space, in the narrative, can be a physical environment, such as a house, a city or a social environment, such as a party.
Both are spaces where the story can be developed, involving the characters and presenting conflicts.
6. Speech
The narrative can also have a specific type of discourse, which can be direct, when the character speaks, or indirect, when the narrator interferes with the character's speech.
Know more:
- Narrative
- Narrative text
- Text Types
- omniscient narrator