TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE NARRATIVES OR ARTICLES PLEASING TO WAEC/NECO ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXAMINERS

WAEC AND NECO ENGLISH EXAMS:HOW TO WRITE NARRATIVES OR ARTICLES

A little library, growing larger every year, is an honourable part of a man’s history. It is a man’s duty to have books. A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessaries of life.
Henry Ward Beecher

university_of_toronto_library (photo)

NARRATIVES

1. Definition: Narrative essays can be described as short stories or reports of an event that took place be it fictional or true. The focus is on creativity and dynamics of the events from the perspective of the narrator.

2. Layout: The short story should have a title, an introduction, starting date (month or year) ,a place of event and a conclusion which emphasizes the impressions and recommendations by the narrator on how to confront or avoid re-occurrence of any particularly untold event. The name of the narrator is usually also required at the end.

3. Narrative technique: Since the narrative story is to be told from the perspective of one or more people that can range from the writer acting as a participant (first person narrative), to a farm girl who witnessed the event(third person narrative), the use of “I said” and “she said” or “he said” comes to play. Knowing when to apply the correct term depends on the perspective of the writer.

4. Language & Style:

a). Essays are usually past events so the tense of the verbs and adverbs must also be in past tense. Words are often emotion laden, so imagery should be used to give the words extended meanings. Proverbs and humor can be used for special effects. Dialogue should be used to bring the characters alive and suspense to hold the interest of the examiner or reader.

b). For reported events, this should be less emotive and more factual than a story. The writer should more objective than suggestive.

c). The narration can be divided into the situation before the event, the real event, causes and effects of the event, the post-event situation. Remedies can also be mentioned.

d). Stay on the main thread of the narration and don’t introduce too many irrelevancies

e). Avoid frequent use of words like “NEXT “and ”THEN”.

f). At the same time, don’t be in a hurry. If there is need to describe the scenery or weather please do so.

g). The student should aim at simplicity and let the story unfold itself.

h). Don’t forget the climax of the story.

i). Students using dialogue should be careful about punctuation marks.

j). A good story should have a mixture of long and short sentences as well as a variety of sentence patterns.

k). The story must be built up to point out the moral or lesson to be learnt This must be restated in the conclusion.

ARTICLES:

1.Nature: Students must learn how to distinguish between an article for publication in a national daily or magazine (which calls for expository or descriptive prose) and a letter to the school editor which is like any formal letter(notes to be provided on this later)

2). Layout: It follows the standard format of an essay: with an introduction, a body and conclusion.(after deciding if it is a descriptive prose or formal letter)

3). Language & Style: When asked to describe a celebration the student witnessed only once or by chance, he or she must use the past tense and not the habitual tense which should be used to describe an annual event that is usually celebrated e.g. new yam festival in a village.