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Writing a Story: Narrative Paragraph

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B1 (Intermediate)Writing

Writing a Story: Narrative Paragraph

A story, or narrative paragraph, tells about events in the order they happened. It is a favourite B1 task because it lets you use the past tense, sequence words, and description together. A good story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. This lesson shows you how to write one.

A story, or narrative paragraph, tells about events in the order they happened. It is a favourite B1 task because it lets you use the past tense, sequence words, and description together. A good story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. This lesson shows you how to write one.

1. The shape of a story

Part Job
Beginning set the scene: who, where, when
Middle what happened, in order — the main events
End how it finished + how you felt

2. Use the past tense

Stories are usually written in the simple past (walked, went, saw). You can use the past continuous (was/were + -ing) for the background action that was already happening.

  • Background: The sun was shining and the birds were singing.
  • Main events: Then I opened the door and saw a letter.

3. Sequence words keep order clear

Guide the reader through time with sequence words: first, then, after that, later, suddenly, finally, in the end.

Word Use
First / At the beginning start the events
Then / After that / Later continue
Suddenly a surprise moment
Finally / In the end the ending
“Suddenly” adds excitementThe word suddenly is powerful in stories — it signals a surprise or a turning point: “Everything was quiet. Suddenly, the lights went out.” Use it once, at the key moment, for maximum effect.

4. A model story paragraph

Model storyLast summer, I visited my grandparents in the countryside. On the first morning, the sun was shining and the air smelled of flowers. After breakfast, my grandfather and I went for a walk in the hills. We were talking and laughing when, suddenly, we saw a small lost dog by the road. We took it home and gave it food and water. In the end, my grandparents kept the dog, and I felt very happy that we had helped it.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersKeep your tense consistent — stay in the past for the whole story; do not slip into the present. Use the simple past for the main events (“we went, we saw”) and the past continuous for what was already happening in the background (“the sun was shining”). Sequence words like then, after that, and finally are your roadmap — they make the order of events crystal clear.

Examples from EduCareer

  • Beginning: Last week, Aisha was studying in the library when the power went out.
  • Middle: First, everyone was quiet. Then, a teacher brought candles.
  • End: In the end, they studied by candlelight and laughed about it.
Common mistakes

I walk to the shop and I see a dog. (present in a past story)  →  I walked to the shop and saw a dog.

(events out of order, no sequence words)  →  First… Then… Finally…

Suddenly this. Suddenly that. Suddenly again.  →  Use “suddenly” once, at the key moment.

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1.What does a story/narrative paragraph do?
It narrates events in time order.
2.A story has:
Beginning, middle, and end.
3.What does the beginning do?
It sets who/where/when.
4.Stories are usually written in the:
The simple past is the main narrative tense.
5.The past continuous (was/were + -ing) is used for:
Background: "The sun was shining."
6.Which is a sequence word?
"After that" sequences events.
7.Which word signals a surprise moment?
"Suddenly" marks a turning point.
8.Fix: "I walk to the shop and I see a dog." (past story)
Keep it in the past: walked, saw.
9.How often should you use "suddenly"?
Once, for maximum effect.
10.Which ends a story?
"In the end," signals the ending.
11."The sun was shining" is:
Past continuous background action.
12.Which keeps the order clear?
Sequence words map the order.
13.Why keep the tense consistent?
Consistent past tense avoids confusion.
14.Best beginning sentence:
Sets when/who/where.
15.Which sentence mixes tenses correctly?
Past continuous background + simple past event.
16.Which is a main event (simple past)?
"We opened" is a completed main event.
17.A good story ending includes:
Resolution + feeling.
18.What is wrong with "Suddenly this. Suddenly that. Suddenly again."?
Overuse removes the impact.
19.Which is the correct order of a story?
Beginning \u2192 middle \u2192 end.
20.Best mini-story:
Clear past tense, sequence words, beginning-middle-end.

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