Narrative texts can take different forms to tell a story.
Here are common examples:
Fiction texts are created from imagination.
Here are the main features of common fiction narrative forms.
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Nonfiction texts are based on facts.
Here are features of common nonfiction narrative forms.
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Main Features |
Specific Features |
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Record of events and experiences |
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Main Features |
Specific Features |
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Record of events and experiences |
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Main Features |
Specific Features |
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Recount of a person’s life experiences |
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Main Features |
Specific Features |
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Recount of a person’s life experiences |
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Main Features |
Specific Features |
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Recount of a person’s life experiences |
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Genres are categories of storytelling with their own characteristics and features. A story can be labeled with several genres as it rarely fits only one.
Here are some of the main features of different genres
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Examples of stories matching more than one genre:
The Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien (1954)
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Fantasy |
Features magic and/or supernatural elements |
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Adventure |
Features action and danger |
Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1865)
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Fantasy |
Features magic and/or supernatural elements |
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Science fiction |
Explores the unknown |
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Adventure |
Features action and danger |
Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)
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Horror |
Creates a feeling of fear or dread |
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Romance |
Features a romantic relationship |
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Adventure |
Features action and danger |
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Fantasy |
Features magic and/or supernatural elements |
Literary devices are techniques authors use to improve storytelling. The techniques make the story more interesting by evoking moods, creating emphasis and engaging the reader.
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A phrase with a meaning different from its literal meaning. |
“He was a mine of irrelevant information and unasked-for good advice.” A Brave New World (Huxley, 1932). Mine is used as a metaphor to express a large quantity. |
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A repeated element in a story with a symbolic meaning. |
The yellow brick road in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Baum, 1900) symbolizes a life journey. |
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The central idea or topic of a story. |
The theme of friendship in The Outsiders (Hinton, 1967), expressing the importance of having friends you can count on. |
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An element that suggests meaning beyond its literal sense. |
Fire and light in Frankenstein (Sheley, 1818), representing knowledge and danger at the same time. |
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An unexpected event in a storyline. |
The ending of The Lottery (Jackson, 1948), where the tottery’s outcome is unexpected. |
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The narrator’s voice, the person telling the story. |
The Martian (Weir, 2011) is told in the first person, by the main character. |
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A storytelling convention often used and easily recognizable. |
The main character is the chosen one who will save the day, whatever the dangers. Harry Potter (Rowling, 1997-2007), |
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A break in a story's chronology, taking place at an earlier time. |
Frankenstein (Sheley, 1818), is told as a flashback through Captain Walton’s letters. The letters recall his meeting with Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. |
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A hint given of things to come later in the story. |
In Holes (Sachar, 1998), Mr. Sir says “This isn't a Girl Scout camp” and repeats variations of the phrase a few times when speaking of Camp Green Lake. At the end, the reader is told that Camp Green Lake will be turned into a Girl Scout camp. |
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An unresolved story ending, like to be continued ... |
The ending of Catching Fire (Collins, 2009), when the main character learns she is now the face of the rebellion and will need to fight on. |
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A repetition of similar sounds in phrases. |
Star light, star bright |