NARRATIVE TEXT

Narrative text is a text which contains about story (fiction/non fiction/tales/folktales/fables/myths/epic) and its plot consists of climax of the story (complication) then followed by the resolution.

A narrative text is a text amuse, entertain and deal with actual or vicarious experience in different ways. Narrative deal with problematic events which lead to a crisis or turning point of some kind, which in turn finds a resolution.

The generic structure of narrative text :

Orientation : It sets the scene and introduces the participants (it answers the questions; Who, What, When and Where)

Complication: A crisis or a problem arises. It usually involves the main characters.

Resolution: Solving problems. The contents of the story, can end up with joy (happy ending) or could also end up with sadness (sad ending).

Reorietiation (optional) : The change which happens to the participants and the lessons we can learn from the story.

The kinds of narrative text :

Myth
A tradisional story which may describe the origins of the world, a place, and / or of people. It is considered a true sacred in he remote past.

Legend
A true story primarily about human heroes in the recent past and may feature some religious reference.

Folktale
A story which is regarded as fiction. It can be a non-sacred fictional story that occurs “once upon the time“ and features human and nonhuman characters.

Folklore A collection of fictional tales about people and / or animals. It include myth and tales.

EXAMPLE OF NARATIVE TEXT:

LUTUNG KASARUNG

PRABU Tapa Agung was an old king. He had two daughters, Purbararang and Purbasari. Prabu Tapa Agung planned to retire as a king. He wanted Purbasari to replace him as the leader of the kingdom.

Hearing this, Purbararang was angry. "You cannot ask her to be the queen, Father. I'm older than she is. It's supposed to be me, not her!" said Purbararang. But the king still chose Purbasari to be the next queen. Purbararang then set a bad plan with her fiance, Indrajaya. Together they went to a witch and asked her to put a spell on Purbasari. Later, Purbasari had bad skin. There were black dots all over her body. "You are not as beautiful as I am. You cannot be the queen. Instead, you have to leave this palace and stay in a jungle," said Purbararang. Purbasari was very sad. Now she had to stay in the jungle. Everyday she spent her time playing with some animals there.

There was one monkey that always tried to cheer her up. It was not just an ordinary monkey, he had magical power. And he also could talk with humans. The monkey's name was Lutung Kasarung. He was actually a god. His name was Sanghyang Gurumina.

Lutung Kasarung planned to help Purbasari. He made a small lake and asked her to take a bath there. Amazingly, her bad skin was cured. Now she got her beautiful skin back. After that, she asked Lutung Kasarung to accompany her to go back to the palace.

Purbararang was very shocked. She knew she had to come up with another bad idea. She then said, "Those who have longer hair will be the queen." The king then measured his daughters' hair. Purbasari had longer hair. But Purbararang did not give up. "A queen must have a handsome husband. If my fiance is more handsome than yours, then I will be the queen," said Purbararang.

Purbasari was sad. She knew Purbararang's fiance, Indrajaya, was handsome. And she did not have a fiance yet. "Here is my fiancé, Indrajaya. Where is yours?" asked Purbararang. Lutung Kasarung came forward. Purbararang was laughing very hard. "Your fiance is a monkey, ha ha ha." Suddenly, Lutung Kasarung changed into a very a handsome man. He was even more handsome than Indrajaya.

Purbasari then became the queen. She forgave Purbararang and her fiance and let them stay in the palace.