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Snap Language

Getting Smarter through Language

Modes of Organization
Narration Mode

Narration Mode of Organization

Writers use narrative mode of organization to organize the information through storytelling.

They present a series of events, or a story, in chronological order. Narrative texts generally include characters, plots, settings, conflicts, and conflict resolutions.

 

The central point of a narrative text is commonly known as “the moral of the story.” That is what the writer expects the reader to get out of or learn from the story. Instead of telling their readers what the main point is, the writer shows it through the plot and how the characters interact with each other within the plot.

Topics or ideas that call for the narration mode of organization include, for example, “a personal experience,” “a significant life moment or change,” or “a memorable experience.”

Example narrative mode of organization

The following paragraph is written using the narrative mode of organization:

As I walked to the front of the classroom, I could feel my the palms of my hands getting sweaty and my heart pounding in my chest. I had worked on my presentation for weeks. “You’ve got this,” I cheered myself on, but then I remembered I had not practiced my presentation the days leading up to it. When I looked down at my notes, I froze. The silence in the room felt growingly uncomfortable while my classmates stared at me awkwardly, and my face turned red with embarrassment. After a few long, painful minutes, I finally managed to get started. I stumbled through the rest of the presentation. As I returned to my seat, I couldn't help but regret staying up late the whole weekend playing video games instead of practicing. I learned a valuable lesson about keeping my priorities straight so I would not be in a situation like that ever again.

The writer’s main idea, or moral of the story, is that sometimes you need to put off doing something pleasurable to avoid unpleasant consequences.

Note. The above paragraph is used for instructional purposes only. Search the topic for accurate information on it.

Types of Text Using the Narrative Mode

The narrative mode is frequently used in personal narratives, fiction, and some types of nonfiction writing such as newspaper, magazine, or blog articles.

Transition Words Used in the Narration Mode

Transitions commonly used in the narration mode include:

  • First, next, then, when, as, at that point: These transitions help your readers keep track of the order of events in the story.
  • Meanwhile, while, at the same time, in the meantime: These transitions signal events happening at the same time.
  • Finally, in the end: These transitions signal a final or concluding event in the narrative.

Note for Readers

When you read, it is important to identify the mode of organization as narrative because it focuses your reading and improves comprehension.

You should pay attention to the elements of the narrative mode of organization, that is, the characters, setting, plot or sequence of events, and so on. You should then interpret the story or narration to understand the message the writer is trying to convey.

Up Next: Description Mode

Continue the lesson to learn about the description mode of organization.