Resolution of a Narrative

Narrative Structure

  • Focus on the resolution of a narrative.
  • Narrative structure includes the beginning, middle, and end.

Charlotte's Web Narrative Structure

  • Story elements covered so far include the beginning, middle, and end.

Resolution Paragraphs

  • Purpose: Describes actions the characters take to solve the problem.
  • Structure:
    • Character response to the problem (dialogue/emotion).
    • Plan to solve the problem.
    • Series of actions or attempts the character makes to solve the problem, resolving end.

Charlotte’s Web Example of a Resolution Paragraph

  • The county fair arrives, and Wilbur is led to the fairgrounds, his heart pounding.
  • The largest pig contest looms, and Wilbur knows this is his last chance.
  • Charlotte, though tired, gathers her strength for one final masterpiece.
  • As Wilbur stands in his pen, Charlotte spins her last message: Humble.
  • The crowd murmured in awe, and the judges took notice.
  • Mr. Zuckerman, beaming with pride, declared Wilbur too special to be turned into Christmas dinner.
  • Relief flooded Wilbur as he realized that Charlotte’s plan had worked.
  • But as he turned to thank his friend, he saw her curled in the corner of her web, her energy nearly gone.
  • “You did it, Charlotte,” Wilbur whispered. “You saved me.”
  • Charlotte, with the last of her strength, smiled. “That’s what friends do.”

Mentor Text Resolution Paragraph Example

  • Thunder reared up and charged toward the open, swaying barn door.
  • With a mighty push, he pressed his muscular body against the door and held it shut, keeping the wind from tearing the barn apart.
  • “Hurry! Help the farmer!” Ollie hooted.
  • The frightened sheep and nervous cows worked together, guiding the smaller animals to safety while the farmer rushed outside, hammering and reinforcing the weakened fence.
  • Finally, the storm calmed, and Thunder stepped back, exhausted but proud.
  • This paragraph could include failed attempts.

Structure of the Resolution Paragraph

  • First sentence(s):
    • Set the place and time the resolution takes place.
    • Explain the characters’ response to the problem and their plans.
  • Next Section:
    • Give details about how the characters resolved the problem; this may include failed attempts.
  • The final sentence(s):
    • Explain the outcome of their actions:
      • How the characters feel?
      • What happened to the characters?

Structure of Charlotte’s Web Resolution Paragraph (Breakdown)

  • 1. Setting the scene/characters’ response to the problem:
    • As the county fair arrived, Wilbur was led to the bustling fairgrounds, his heart pounding.
    • The largest pig contest loomed ahead, and Wilbur knew this was his last chance.
    • Charlotte, though tired, gathered her strength for one final masterpiece.
  • 2. Actions to resolve:
    • As Wilbur stood in his pen, Charlotte spun her last message: Humble.
    • The crowd murmured in awe, and the judges took notice.
    • Mr. Zuckerman, beaming with pride, declared Wilbur too special to be turned into Christmas dinner.
  • 3. Characters’ feelings after resolution:
    • Relief flooded Wilbur as he realised that Charlotte’s plan had worked.
    • But as he turned to thank his friend, he saw her curled in the corner of her web, her energy nearly gone.
    • “You did it, Charlotte,” Wilbur whispered. “You saved me.”
    • Charlotte, with the last of her strength, smiled. “That’s what friends do.”

Purpose of the Resolution Paragraph

  • To describe how the characters solve the problem.

Language Features

  • Adverbials: (when) (where) (how) (why)
  • Adjectives: describing words
  • Example: "As the county fair arrived, Wilbur was led to the bustling fairgrounds, his heart pounding. The largest pig contest loomed ahead, and Wilbur knew this was his last chance. Charlotte, though tired, gathered her strength for one final masterpiece. As Wilbur stood in his pen, Charlotte spun her last message: Humble. The crowd murmured in awe, and the judges took notice."
  • Conjunctions: words used to join clauses
  • Verbs: thinking, feelings, saying, actions
  • Character dialogue
  • Example: "Relief flooded Wilbur as he realised that Charlotte’s plan had worked. But as he turned to thank his friend, he saw her curled in the corner of her web, her energy nearly gone. “You did it, Charlotte,” Wilbur whispered. “You saved me.” Charlotte, with the last of her strength, smiled. “That’s what friends do.”"

Planning the Resolution Paragraph

  • Characters’ response to the problem
  • Characters’ actions to resolve, including failures
  • Characters' words and feelings when resolved

Planning the Action Paragraph - Mentor Text

  • Resolution:
    • Actions to solve problem: T: held door shut; O: commanded animals to help (add dialogue)
    • Feelings when resolved: T: exhausted, proud
    • Response to problem: unafraid, bold, stepped up to protect animals

Planning Your Resolution Paragraph

  • How do the characters respond to the problem? How do they feel?
  • What is their plan?
  • What actions do they take?
  • What goes wrong?
  • How do they finally succeed?
  • What do the characters feel, do, and say when everything is resolved?
  • Discuss ideas with a partner and write notes.

Sharing Ideas

  • Do the characters have a plan to solve the problem or jump in without a plan?
  • Do things go wrong that build tension and drama?
  • How do they overcome their challenges?
  • Is it shown how they feel through their actions and dialogue?

Key Components of a Resolution Paragraph

  • Character response
  • Dialogue
  • Actions to resolve
  • Failed attempt

Focus of a Resolution Paragraph

  • It is important to show the actions the characters take to solve the problem.