WRITING NARRATIVE

Definition
Generally, writing about an event in a personal way. Narrative writing is a style of writing in which a story is told from a particular point of view. It is generally fictional prose, though there are some narrative poems. Essentially, a narrative tells a story. In this respect it differs from, say, introsepctive writing. Writing that tells a story.Narrative writing, be it any type or genre, always follows a specific structure.
The five elements that form this structure are:
1. Setting - When and where the story takes place
2. Characters - Main character (protagonist) and other important people in the story
3. Problem - What challenge does the main character face
4. Events - How the protagonist tries solving the problem
5. Resolution - How is the problem ultimately solved
The general characteristics of writing narrative include:
• Plot - a literary term for the events a story comprises, particularly as they relate to one another in some type of pattern, a progression or a sequence, through cause and effect, or by coincidence.
The structure of the plot includes the introduction, some type of rising action, a climax, then the falling action, followed by the resolution.
• Conflict - is an opposition of people, forces, or other entities. When thinking about conflict, it's important to be clear about how the character deals with conflicts, by focusing on the contradictory emotions within a person that make them behave the way they do.
• Characterization - is the process of passing on information about characters in narrative or dramatic works of art. Characters may be presented by means of description through their actions, speech, or thoughts.
• Setting - is where the story takes place and is an important part of telling a story. The setting gives the story distinctiveness and is as important as the characters.
• Theme - is the unifying subject or idea of a story. It is the main idea, moral, or message, whether it be about ones life, or society in general.
Themes usually explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. Along with plot, character, setting, and style, theme is considered one of the fundamental components of fiction.
• Point of View - focuses on who it telling the story. There are the views of the first person, second person and third person as well as the alternating person view.
While the general rule for novels is to adopt a single approach to point of view throughout the story, there are exceptions. Many stories, especially in literature, alternate between the first and third person. In this case, an author will move back and forth between a more "all knowing" third-person narrator to a more personal first-person narrator.
• Sequencing - a symbolic linear depiction known as a sequence or time line on how things and events unfold in a story. On occasion, novels will have flashbacks or flash forwards that disrupt the normal sequencing of a storyline.
• Transitions - a process or period in which the story undergoes a change and passes from one stage, action or activity to another.
I love to write fiction and am often asked how to get better at narrative writing and my answer is always the same.
By taking online creative writing courses, you become more accountable and creative writing ideas become a part of your day. These classes also offer creative writing tips that will do wonders for you as you set your writing goals.

Purpose
The basic purpose of narrative is to entertain, to gain and hold a readers’ interest. However narratives can also be written to teach or inform, to change attitudes / social opinions eg soap operas and television dramas that are used to raise topical issues. Narratives sequence people/characters in time and place but differ from recounts in that through the sequencing, the stories set up one or more problems, which must eventually find a way to be resolved.
Conclusion
Narrative writing is style of writing. most of that tell about story, fiction, short stories, etc. It has purpose amuse to gain and hold a readers’ interest.

Useful Source
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/narrative-writing.html
http://www.freelance-writing-success.com/narrativewriting.html