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Writing Narrative Paragraphs I - Things Happening Over Time

Narrative paragraphs are often used to describe what a person does over a period of time. Read this example narrative paragraph, notice how words like 'later' are used to connect what happens.

Yesterday evening I got home from work at 6 o'clock. My wife had prepared dinner which we ate immediately. After I had cleaned up the kitchen, we watched TV for about an hour. Then we got ready to go out with some friends. Our friends arrived at about 9 o'clock and we chatted for a while. Later we decided to visit a jazz club and listen to some music. We really enjoyed ourselves and stayed late. We finally left at one o'clock in the morning.
Written Exercise I

Write out the following sentences on to a piece of paper to form a paragraph. Provide the correct form of the verb in the past and the correct prepositions. Click on the arrow to check your answers.

  • Yesterday evening Jack (get) home (preposition) half past five.
  • He immediately himself a cup (preposition) coffee and to read a book.
  • He the book (preposition) half past seven.
  • Then he dinner and to go out with his friends.
  • When his friends they to see a film.
  • He until midnight with his friends.
  • Finally he asleep (preposition) about one o'clock.
Written Exercise II

Now that you have a good feeling for the form of a narrative paragraph. Fill in the gaps in this paragraph with information about what you did yesterday evening.

Yesterday evening ______________ at ________ o'clock. I immediately ______________. After ______________, I (or we) ________________. Then I (or we) __________________________. I (or we) _________________a while. Later I (or we) _______________________________. I (or we) finally _______________.

Practice

Try to write a number of similar paragraphs about what you did last weekend, on your last holiday, etc.

Writing Descriptive Paragraphs
Writing Narrative Paragraphs II

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