Narrative Structure Terms

When the narrative reveals

important information about

a character’s background,

which happened before the

narrative began.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

When the narrative ends on a

dramatic event. This doesn’t

mean the end of the narrative

– just that it has paused. It is a

device commonly used at the

end of chapters to ensure the

reader continues.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

When events in the future are

hinted at

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

When an episode from earlier

in the story or before the story

began is recounted. This could

be to explain a character’s

backstory, or it could show us

an important plot point.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

When the narrative fast

forwards to a point in the

future.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

When a story has another

story around it, or ‘framing’ it.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

When a story starts in the

middle – often at the point

of climax. The narrative may

then return to the beginning

of the story using flashback.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.5

A false clue which has the

reader believing one thing,

when in fact another is true

When something completely

unexpected and different

to what has been hinted at,

happens within a story.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.11-12.3