Key Aspects of the Narrative Arc
If you are going to write a story, it is important that you know how to effectively write a narrative arc. It is an integral part of the writing process, and you should know how to use it well, if you want your writing to be as polished and ordered as possible. What is a narrative arc though? What makes it so important? How should you use it? This article will answer these questions.
· What is a narrative arc?
A narrative arc is technically the path that your story follows. It is the framework of your story, and it holds everything together. A narrative arc is very important because it gives form and order to your overall storyline. It is very important during the writing process, because it will make it easier for you to keep track of your overall storyline.
Elements of a narrative arc
If you are going to use the narrative arc properly, it is important that you know the stages of a narrative arc. The narrative arc was first created by a German novelist and playwright known as Gustav Freytag. He patterned his narrative arc after Greek plays and William Shakespeare’s five-act plays. Here are the elements of a narrative arc.
· Exposition
The exposition is the introduction to your story. It is the part where you give the key aspects of the story. You will tell the reader who the characters are. You will also tell the reader where the events occur, and why they are happening.
During this part of the story, it pays to be detailed. Remember that you are explaining the story to your readers, and the better you explain the plot, setting, and character motivations, the better.
· Rising Action
The rising action is technically the spark that lights up the powder keg of the story. It is the time where the conflict in the story appears, and sets the overall story into motion. The rising action usually takes some time to write, because you will have to set up a series of events that will ramp up your main character’s ordeal.
· Climax
The climax is the highest point in the story. While the rising action is meant to escalate the events of the story, the climax is meant to bring all the conflicts and characters. It must be an uproarious event that will have your readers excited at every turn of the story.
· Falling Action
This is technically the cooling off portion of the story. Once the climax has occurred, the most important thing to focus on is a satisfying resolution. It is during the falling action that you will slowly tie any potential loose ends.
While it is not the final part of the story, you should show readers that the main conflict has already passed, so you should no longer add any potential conflicts to the story. Instead, it is best that you taper it off, and make sure that there is a satisfying transition to the final conclusion of the story.
· Resolution
The resolution is the last part of the story where all the potential loose ends are tied, and it is meant to give the readers a sense of satisfaction, peace and most importantly closure. When you write your resolution, it is important that you don’t leave any details out. Nothing annoys readers more, than an open ended story.
Tips for writing an efficient narrative arc
· Identify the main events and details in your story
Before you start writing narrative arc, it is important that you identify the main events and details in your story. This should include the beginning, the middle part, and the ending of your story. You should also identify the key characters, and the timeline that your story will follow. By identifying the key events and details for your story, you will be able to fill out your narrative arc more effectively.
· Fill out your narrative arc
Once you identify the main events and details of your story, it is now time to fill out your narrative arcs. The narrative arc should act as the framework of your story, and it is up to you to fill it up with the right details. The end result will act as a sort of guide for you. By having a rough outline of your story, it will be a lot easier to notice details and concepts that don’t fit into the narrative arc.
· Don’t be afraid to make changes to the narrative arc
After you finish filling up your narrative arc, you should check it for any inconsistencies. Should you find any, you should not be afraid to make the necessary changes to the narrative arc. Remember that the story is yours to write, so you should have the freedom to make any change you see fit.
Conclusion
When it comes to writing a narrative arc, you should know its key characteristics and how to use it properly. With this article, you will be a lot more informed about narrative arcs, and their importance to the writing process.
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