Chatman classified narrative text into four basic elements as follows:
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a. Characters In every story, there must be characters that play in it. There are two
characters take place within a story. They are main characters and secondary characters. A character is the single most important element in
the narrative text. It describes physical of the character such as age, weight, height, even personality traits including the strength and
weaknesses.
23
A character is the one who acts in the story itself. He or she plays the role of the story
b. Settings Settings are what author writes to describe the reader where and when
the story takes place. The setting addresses the location where and the period when of the story whether the story tells a reader among realistic,
historical fiction or fantasy. c. Plot
The plot includes a series of episodes or events written by the author to hold the reader’s attention and to build excitement as the story progresses.
The plot contains an initiating event, starting the main character of the series of events toward problem solving. A good author will make the
reader drown to the plot of the story that he writes. d. Conclusion
The writer ends up the story by summarizing and telling the solution of the problems in the story. This part is called by conclusion.
2. The Purposes of Narrative Text
Basically, a narrative is written to amuse the readers. So, the readers are expected to enjoy the text which being read. It is in line Andersons who stated
that the purpose of narrative that is to present a view of the world that
22
Chatman, S., and B. Attebry, Reading Narrative Fiction. New York:McMillan, 1993, p. 23
23
Ibid., p. 23
entertains or informs the reader or listener.
24
In addition, the aim of narrative, other than providing entertainment, can be to make the audience thinks about
an issue, teach them a lesson, or excite their emotions.
25
3. The Schematic Structures of Narrative Text
In constructing narrative text, there are several steps that should be considered by the author. The elements of them are also provided to guide the
readers in reading the text.
a. Orientation This is the part which narrator tells the audience about who is in the
story, when the story is taking place and where the action is happening.
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It can also be called as introductory part of a story. So the reader can figure out what will happen next and who are involved in it.
b. Complication This is the part of the story where the narrator tells about something that
will begin a chain of events. These events will affect one or more of the characters. The complication is the trigger.
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From this part the story begins. This is the part where the characters totally play their role.
c. Sequence of events This is where the narrator tells how the characters react to the
complication. It includes their feelings and what they do. The events can be told in chronological order the order in which they happen or with
flashbacks. The audience is given the narrator’s point of view.
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d. Resolution In this part of the narrative where the complication is sorted out or the
problem is solved. It means that how is the problem that is created in the complication finally solved.
24
Mark Anderson and Kathy Anderson, Text Types in English 3, South Yarra: Macmillan, 1997, p. 3
25
Ibid., p. 6
26
Ibid., p. 8
27
Mark and Kathy Anderson, Text Types in English 2, p South Yarra: Macmillan, 1997, p. 12
28
Ibid,. p. 12
In the following is the example of schematic structure of narrative text:
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The Smartest Parrot
Once upon time, a man had a wonderful parrot. There was no other parrot like it. The parrot could say
every word, except one word. The parrot would not say the name of the place where it was born. The name of the
place was Catano. The man felt excited having the smartest parrot but
he could not understand why the parrot would not say Catano. The man tried to teach the bird to say Catano
however the bird kept not saying the word. At the first, the man was very nice to the bird but
then he got very angry. “You stupid bird” pointed the man to the parrot. “Why can’t you say the word? Say Catano
Or I will kill you” the man said angrily. Although he tried
hard to teach, the parrot would not say it. Then the man got so angry and shouted to the bird over and over; “Say
Catano or I’ll kill you”. The bird kept not to say the word
of Catano. One day, after he had been trying so many times
making the bird say Catano, the man really got very angry. He could not bear it. He picked the parrot and threw it into
the chicken house. There were four old chickens for next dinner “You are as stupid as the chickens. Just stay with
them” Said the man angrily. Then he continued to humble; “You know, I will cut the chicken for my meal. Next it
29
Josephine S.M., English on Sky SMP Book VIII, Jakarta: Erlangga, 2007, p. p. 124.
Title
Orientation
Sequence of Events
Complication
