Writing the Narrative Essay

A narrative essay tells a story, usually of a personal experience, that makes a point or supports a thesis.

The purpose of narrative writing is to recreate the experience for your readers so that your readers can imagine events andshare your experience.

DEFINITION:

Qualities of a Good Narration Essay

• Limited Focus• Thesis/Main point• Lively, Specific Details• Natural use of language• Clear Story Structure or Organization

Limit Your Focus• Decide where your story should begin

and where it should end.

• Limit your story. Can you narrow it down to a single event or a single day?

• Fill in the blanks: The time I realized

______ all started when _________.

Good Narrative Focus? • The night I got arrested was the most

harrowing night of my life. • My trip to Spain changed my life in so

many ways. • The day my dog Buddy died was the day I

realized that pets really are part of the family.

• Being in the army was an experience I’ll never forget.

Know the Point of Your Story

• The point of your story is also your thesis

• Your thesis is the main idea that you wish to convey to your readers.

• Your thesis should be supported with plenty of details and examples.

Winning Thesis Statements:

The night I got arrested was the most harrowing night of my life. While I was sitting in my cell, I realized that my life was headed down a dangerous path and if I didn’t turn around quickly, I might lose myself forever.

Winning Thesis Statements:

On the train that night as I traveled through Spain, I realized that the world was full of mystery and beauty, and I was excited to be a part of it.

Winning Thesis Statements:

Although the first week of boot camp was filled with discipline and suffering, I believe that I finally grew up that week—though I wouldn’t have admitted it at the time.

USE DETAILS• Describe the place

--describe in “snapshots”--Use all your senses

• Describe people --use dialogue, when appropriate--describe significant features and

gestures

Caution: Don’t go overboard! Choose details wisely.

Use Clear, Natural Language

Avoid being too informal or using slang:

Oh, man, let me tell you, as I got close to the top of that mountain, I looked up to the top, and I thought, “Whoa, dude…this is so awesome.” It was the coolest thing I ever saw. I knew right then that if could conquer that sucker, I could conquer any damn thing.

Avoid being too formal or too stuffy:

As I labored to trudge to the pinnacle of the great mountain peak called Mount Whitney, I paused for a wondrous moment to cast my eyes upon the top of that snowy, lustrous peak, and imagined that if I could accomplish this amazing feat, I could, perhaps climb any mountain on earth.

Improved:

As I approached the jagged, snow-covered peak of Mount Whitney, I felt a surge of pride—I knew if I could do this, I could do anything.

Organization

Your paper will contain an Introduction, Body, and Conclusion, just like most essays, BUT

--Your thesis can appear anywhere in the essay

--Your Introduction may begin the story. --Your Introduction may include some

background information

SAMPLE OUTLINE

Thesis: On the train that night as I traveled through Spain, I realized that the world was full of mystery and beauty, and I was excited to be a part of it.

I. Introduction: Background InformationA. Why I was in SpainB. Who I went withC. When this happened

II. My first day in Spain when I felt overwhelmed and a littlescared.A. Finding my way around the subwayB. Getting lost

III. Discovering the most beautiful ChurchA. Feeling closer to GodB. Admiring the beauty of the medieval church

IV. Going to the art museum in MadridA. Seeing that famous painting by Picasso

1. Describe the look of agony on the man’s face2. I never realized how a painting can capture so much emotion!

B. Seeing the paintings by Velasquez1. Describe the portrait of King Phillip and his family2. Explain how there is something creepy about the picture.

V. Traveling by train at night to the coastA. Staring out the window at the starry landscapeB. Realizing how the trip has changed me

VI. CONCLUSIONA. Now I would like to find a job in SpainB. I want to travel more and be a part of the world.

Narrative Essay Assignment—Choose ONE of the prompts below and write a 2-3 page essay. All papers must follow MLA formatting. First draft due Friday 9/13

1. Have you or anyone you’ve ever known purchased a product because you thought it would change your life? Tell about your encounter with this product and explain whether or not this product met your expectations.

2. Tell about a time when you found school to be a sanctuary or the opposite. Be sure to describe the place and tell what people did and said there.

3. Write about a life lesson you learned in high school. Show in detail how particularEvents in your experience led to these specific effects.

4. Write about the first time you ever tried a food from another country or culture. After describing the specific situation with details about when and where (and how the food tasted, of course), explain what insights –if any—you gained about the culture through its food.