Rules of Narrative Writing: Consequences and Benefits for Not Adhering and for Adhering

Report Writing/Law
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1. Briefly describe the Five Rules of Narrative Writing.
Narrative writing guidelines are powerful investigative tools that ensure a report is completed and the best possible outcomes are obtained. The five most important rules of narrative writing are writing the first person, the past tense, the active voice, a logical progression of events, and specific, concrete language (Biggs, 2016). The following paragraphs will provide a high-level overview of these regulations.
First and foremost, always use the first person when you write.
The use of the first person is essential for effective narrative writing. There are some straightforward explanations for this. Using the first person makes the report more transparent and straightforward to read and comprehend. While the third-person narration is the norm in academic and professional writing, it cannot be easy to follow while composing reports. It is because, unlike when using the first person, it is complicated for another person to determine who was involved in an occurrence and who was not.
No. 2: Use the past tense
Since a narrative takes place in the past, it stands to reason that it should be written in the past tense. It ensures that the report is factual and clear of ambiguity or misinterpretation. Using the past tense can also be beneficial in defending the reliability of the report in the courts, which is important because the courts can test the report's accuracy. For example, if there are differences between the date of the report and the actual condition of affairs, the reliability of the events will be reliable to the extent that the report date is reliable.
Rule No. 3: Write in Active Voice
As a result of the fact that each activity is delegated to a specific law enforcement official, police reports are required to be written in the active voice. It affords the officer involved the opportunity to authenticate his or her report in court, ensuring that it is accurate and pertinent. For instance, a police officer may be required to explain in front of the court which was responsible for placing the handcuffs on the suspect when multiple police officers were engaged (Yu & Monas, 2020). Suppose this information is written clearly and highlighted in the report. In that case, the defense attorney or the court will challenge the accuracy of the specifics of the arrest, which could result in the trial being postponed until the arresting officer is available to testify.
No 4: Everything Happens in Time Order
A police report details the incident from beginning to end in chronological order. It makes it more straightforward and precise for the report's reader to follow. Additional evidence, such as text messages and emails, should also be presented in a time-stamped sequence. It is so that anyone using the report will know when the events described began and when they concluded.
No 5: Use Concrete Words That Are Easy to Understand
The person responsible for writing the report needs to use clear, straightforward language that is easily digestible and should avoid ambiguity. Only the most pertinent details of the incidents should be included in the report; in o...