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Study Section 13: Narratives

13.1 Connect

Go back to study section 2 and reread the paragraph on narrative essays. Narratives will be a
fundamental part of any sermon because this is what makes a message personal for most people. There
is a reason Jesus preached using narratives about people in His parables. These stories speak not only to
the mind but to the heart as well.

13.2 A narrative tells a story.
Narratives may include description, but are not solely descriptive. They cover a series of events over
some time period. This is called a plot.

Good narratives have an objective and try to lead the reader to a conclusion.
A narrative essay might tell the story of how one family experienced the independence of Zambia. The
story might lead the reader to the conclusion that a great struggle may have unexpected benefits.

A memoir is a personal account.
This is an account of one’s personal life or a record of events written by someone having knowledge based on
personal observation. As with any narrative, a memoir should have an intended conclusion or lesson the reader is
left with.

Rules to Make Narratives More Powerful
1. Do not tell your reader what to think, make them think it through the writing.
Telling: He was tired.
Showing: Sweat poured from David’s brow. He could not lift his feet for one more step.

2. Use strong verbs.
Weak: The message greatly affected her.
Strong: She wept as she listened to the messenger.
Weak: The roof was weak.
Strong: The roof sagged and leaked.

3. Avoid using very or really.
It was a very long concert.
The concert droned on and on.
It’s really cold outside.
I could see my breath and my fingers moved slowly.

4. Use specific rather that general names.
Shop: Walmart, Target
Restaurant: Pete’s Place, Pizza hut
Sport: football, basketball
Tree: jacaranda, pine

5. Use dialogue to show rather than tell.
Telling: My teammate was happy.
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