English /Text Types /Narratives

This collection of narrative writing worksheets helps teach narrative structure, language elements, how to write sizzling starts and more. Narratives are stories. They all follow a similar structure: orientation (the introduction), complication (the problem) and the resolution (solution). As well as following this structure, authors also use several language features to help make their stories interesting. Vivid verbs add excitement and interest to stories. Adjectives and adverbs add detail to storylines and events the draw the reader into the story. Time connectives and pronouns help the writing flow and move the story along. Watch our Narrative Video Series. and our video on Building Tension in writing.

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Varying Sentence Length: Use Short Sentences

Short sentences have been overused. Rewrite, using long sentences to help express more intense action.

Varying Sentence Length: Use Long Sentences

Short sentences have been overused. Rewrite, using long sentences to help express a slower, more relaxed feeling.

Personify Abstract Nouns

Personifying abstract nouns can be a great way to build tension in stories.

Identify Tension Building Techniques in a Story

Read the text and colour code parts of the text to show where and how the author has built tension.

Five Senses to Build Tension: Race

Write a paragraph to describe a car race.

Five Senses to Build Tension: Skydive

Write a paragraph to describe a person skydiving.

Five Senses to Build Tension: Boat

Write a paragraph to describe a crew on board a small fishing boat during a violent storm.

Tension Building Match Up

Identify different tension building technique examples.

Tension Building Techniques

An overview of 6 tension building techniques.

Tension Building Brainstorm

Brainstorm examples of how you could use each technique in your own writing.

Building Tension Poster Set

A set of 6 posters showing different ways to build tension in writing.

Sizzling Starts Poster Set

A set of 7 posters showing different ways to get a story off to a sizzling start!