Narrative Text

 

Definition of Narrative Text (Pengertian Teks Narasi) :

A narrative text is an imaginative story to entertain people.

Social Function of Narrative text :

It is to entertain people so people can enjoy the story.

It is to amuse, entertain, and to deal with actual or vicarious experience in different ways. 

Narratives deal with problematic events which lead to across or turning point of some kind, which in turn to find a resolution.

Language Features :

• Use simple past tense and past continuous tense
• Use action verbs, linking verbs, and etc
• Use adjectives to describe people, animals, things, places, or etc
• Use  adverb of time such as once upon a time, yesterday, etc
• Use dialogue 
• Use direct and indirect speech
• Written as the first person point of view, or third person point of view.

Generic Structures :

• Orientation : It is about the opening paragraph where the characters of the story are introduced.(berisi pengenalan tokoh, tempat dan waktu terjadinya cerita (siapa atau apa, kapan dan dimana).
• Complication : Where the problems in the story developed. (Permasalahan muncul / mulai terjadi dan berkembang).
• Resolution : Where the problems in the story is solved. Masalah selesai, secara baik “happy ending” ataupun buruk “bad ending”.

Example :

Orientation :

John slumped in the armchair, his arms crossed and his face with a gloomy frown. He was a new kid in town, but no-one knew he was even there. John didn't like anybody and they didn't like him. All day he sat in the armchair, staring out the window.

Complication :

Through the window he saw a gigantic hollow tree in vacant lot. The tree seemed to call him. He stood slowly up, then started to walk towards the tree. Its branches were very thin and its roots dug into the ground like claws. The tree had thorns all over it. John tried to turn away from the tree but he couldn't. A mysterious force was pulling him into the hollow. 

Resolution :

John never reappeared, but no-one noticed or cared.

(Adapted from Derewianka, 1990)

Another example :

Beauty and the Beast

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Beauty. She lived with her father and her sisters in a small village. Beauty was a beautiful girl. She was also hard working. She always helped her father on the farm.

One day, he father set out for the city. He saw an old castle and went in. No one was in, but there was food on the table. Then, he walked around the castle. He picked a rose from garden for Beauty. Suddenly, an angry beast appeared. He got very angry because the man picked his flower. He wanted to kill Beauty’s father unless Beauty was brought to him. Beauty’s father told her daughters what had happened. Beauty’s sisters told her to see the beast.

Beauty went to see the beast and had to stay at the castle. She felt scared, lonely, and sad. She tried to run away, but was stopped by the beast. The beast treated Beauty well and soon, she began to like him.

One day, through the beast’s magic mirror, Beauty saw that her father was sick. The beast allowed her to go home. Her father was happy to see her. One night, Beauty had a dream. A fairly told her that the beast was sick. Beauty hurried back and saw the beast dying. She began to cry. Tears fell into the beast. Suddenly, the beast changed into a handsome prince. Beauty and the beast got married and lived happily ever after.

Source :

Widiatmoko, dkk. 2016. Modul Guru Pembelajar Bahasa Inggris Kelompok Kompetensi Profesional F. Jakarta.