Narrative Text (Concept - Example)

Level: English for Junior and Senior High School
24-hours online learning.

Explanation

Social Function	To amuse, entertain and to deal with actual or vicarious experience in different ways; Narratives deal with problematic events which lead to a crisis or turning point of some kind, which in turn finds a resolution.
Generic Structure	Orientation: sets the scene and introduces the participants. Evaluation: a stepping back to evaluate the plight. Complication: a crisis arises. Resolution: the crisis is resolved, for better or for worse. Re-orientation: optional.
Significant Lexicogrammatical Features	Focus on specific and usually individualized participants. Use Material Processes (and in this text, Behavioral and Verbal Processes.) Use of Relational Processes and Material Processes. Use of temporal conjunctions and temporal circumstances. Use of Past Tense.

Example

Read the text below attentively.

Kyai Jegod

Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled Mataram Kingdom. His name was Amangkurat IV. He was the grandfather of Sultan. He often meditated in a nearby forest, called Garjitawati.

One day, when a gardener was gathering grass for his cattle in the forest, he looked for some water because it was so hot. He found a small pond and when he was going to drink some water from it, a dragon came out of the under-water, but it was so friendly to him. The dragon said that if Sultan wanted to build his palace, it was supposed to be located in that forest. Then it disappeared.

The Sultan started to build the palace in that forest. He demanded strong and old woods and the forest where those woods lied was said to be home of genies and spirits. His lumberjacks could not find anything to eat and the only thing they could have were some rice and water for three days, or sometimes they could not have anything.

The Sultan ordered that the main pole in the palace's hall had to be built from special wood, which would give strong impression. One night, a servant who was sleeping in the forest heard loud and deep voice. The voice introduced itself as Kyai Jegod. The servant saw Kyai Jegod was an old, tall, and massive tree. He said that he would voluntarily let himself be cut to make the main pole so that he could stay inside it forever.

The servant told it to Sultan and Sultan let Kyai Jegod stay inside it forever, while Kyai Jegod became the protector of that palace since then.

Source: http://www.st.rim.or.jp