Writing: Narrative Writing Techniques Flashcards

Which dialogue tag is most effective at showing a character's emotion?

Answer: "Leave me alone," she whispered, her voice cracking.

A precise verb plus a descriptive detail reveals emotion through action.

Why might a writer end a chapter with a cliffhanger?

Answer: To leave readers in suspense so they keep reading

Cliffhangers create unresolved tension that motivates readers to continue.

Which sentence contains a metaphor?

Answer: The classroom was a zoo after lunch.

A metaphor makes a direct comparison without 'like' or 'as'.

A narrative's resolution should mainly:

Answer: Show how the conflict is settled and its effect on the characters

The resolution wraps up the central conflict and shows its outcome.

Which revision best improves this sentence: "It was a nice day and we had a nice time at the nice beach"?

Answer: It was a warm, cloudless day, and we spent hours building sandcastles on the quiet beach.

Replacing vague, repeated words with specific details strengthens description.

Which is the most effective use of a first-person narrator?

Answer: To give readers close insight into one character's experiences and feelings

First person offers an intimate view through one character's eyes.

In a narrative, what is the setting?

Answer: The time and place in which the story happens

Setting is where and when the story takes place.