Debating in class or composing a persuasive paper is a fruitful intellectual practice. Doing so, participants and writers are expected...
Read MoreWe regularly engage with literature and creative writing through our studies, work, or leisure activities. Essays are among the most common assignments, each with a particular set of requirements.
Instead of delving deeper into various essays (descriptive, expository, persuasive, analytical), we’ll solely examine how to write a personal narrative essay.
Narrative Essay Basics
To begin with, we must outline some associated terms to define a narrative essay properly.
Narration is presenting something to an audience; it is a sequence of events (real or imaginary) organized in a specific way to instigate an emotional response. The writer tells or writes the narrative essay, usually from a personal point of view.
Narrative essays are not simple short stories and are still defined as essays, so don’t deviate significantly from the structure when writing one.
How to write a narrative essay? In general, some stories can incorporate atypical storytelling methods, like unreliable narration; this is the first thing you must avoid when writing a narrative essay. Your goal is not to develop a creative method of storytelling but rather to get the point across by linearly establishing your plot.
You can pick any topic and use our essay generator to help you write it.
How Long Are Narrative Essays?
There is no standard regarding the length of narrative essays; they can be quite long. Usually, a total of 5 paragraphs is the norm.
Remember to ask your professor about the word count when you receive your narrative essay assignment. Also, ask your college and high school professors for writing samples. This will give you some ideas on how to begin.
Narrative Essay Format
A narrative essay is not just a story; it is an essay that makes a point by telling a story. Thus, the information needs to be compressed and easily accessible.
How to start a narrative essay? Since narrative essays are usually nonfiction, choose a topic grounded in reality. However, nothing stops you from asking your professor if going the fantasy route is possible.
Steps for Writing a Narrative Essay
Here are some steps that students need to do when creating most narrative essay papers.
-
Choosing a Topic for the Narrative Essay
Choosing the right topic is crucial when writing a narrative essay. It sets the foundation for your entire story and determines the level of engagement for your readers. The key is to select a topic that captivates both you and your audience. Look for events, experiences, or moments in your life that have changed you in some way or left a lasting impression. Consider themes such as personal growth, overcoming obstacles, or a significant life lesson learned. Reflect on your own unique experiences to find a topic that resonates with you. Additionally, think about the potential emotional impact of the story on your readers. Ultimately, the chosen topic should allow for a compelling narrative and ample opportunities for character development and storytelling. If you need further guidance, consider reaching out to assignment writers in the USA who can help you craft a narrative that truly stands out.
Possible Narrative Essay Topics:
- A life-changing travel experience.
- Overcoming a fear or phobia.
- The day I heard about my role model,
- A lesson learned from a mistake.
- An unforgettable family gathering.
- A challenging academic achievement.
- A volunteer experience that impacted me.
- The most memorable concert I attended.
- A childhood memory that shaped me.
- How did I discover my passion for a hobby?
-
Creating a Narrative Essay Outline
Creating a well-structured outline is essential to write a narrative essay effectively. It helps the writer to organize your thoughts, ensures a logical progression of ideas, and provides a roadmap for your storytelling. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an effective outline:
Introductory paragraph:
- Hook to grab the reader’s attention to the narrative essay topic.
- Background information to set the context.
- Topic choice, outlining the main idea or theme of your narrative.
Body paragraphs:
- Start with the main plot or event of your personal story.
- Introduce characters and provide essential details about them.
- Include vivid descriptions and sensory details.
- Build tension and conflict to keep the reader engaged.
- Incorporate dialogue to make the story dynamic and authentic, and use some commentary.
- Show the story’s progression and impact on the characters in the middle of the essay.
- Consider using flashbacks or foreshadowing techniques to enhance the narrative.
Last words:
- Reflect on the story’s significance and impact on the characters or readers.
- Summarize the main points and lessons learned.
- End with a thought-provoking statement, an unexpected moment, or a call to action.
Following this outline form ensures that your narrative essay flows smoothly and engages the teacher and reader. Remember, while an outline provides structure, be open to adjusting it as your story unfolds during the writing process. Proofread it after finishing!
-
Creating an Engaging Introduction.
The form of introduction of a narrative essay sets the stage for the rest of the story. It serves as a hook to grab the reader’s attention and establish the tone and direction of the narrative. Don’t be afraid to add some examples or specific prompts, especially in the first paper’s draft. Every example and open-ended prompt makes your essay interesting. You can rewrite the paper at any time if you want.
- Start the first paragraph of the paper with an intriguing question.
- Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the setting or scene.
- Introduce the first person.
- Write a few words about the context.
- Establish the central conflict or problem that will be explored in the narrative.
- Engage the reader’s emotions by sharing a relatable experience or highlighting a universal theme.
- Create anticipation. Write about the outcome or foreshadowing future events, and add examples.
- Use dialogue to make the narrative more descriptive, coherent, and dynamic.
- Consider starting in the middle of the action for a creative, dramatic, and attention-grabbing opening.
- End the introduction with a powerful thesis statement highlighting the main theme or idea to explore in the essay.
By incorporating these elements, writers can hook and compel readers to continue reading their narrative essays.
-
Structuring Body Paragraphs.
Writing effective body paragraphs of the paper is crucial for compelling descriptive essays. The body should contain the bulk of the story and provide ample detail and description to engage the reader. Here are some tips for structuring your essay:
- Start with a clear topic sentence and point of view that relates to your personal experience and sets the stage for the rest of the paragraph.
- Use descriptive language and storytelling techniques during essay writing to produce a creative story and engage the reader’s imagination.
- Write a descriptive essay chronologically to ensure a logical progression of events and keep the reader engaged.
- Include dialogue to add depth and authenticity to the characters and their interactions.
- Use transitional phrases and understandable language to link ideas and signal changes in time or place.
- Include reflections and personal insights to deepen the narrative and convey meaning to the reader.
- Vary sentence structure and length to maintain the reader’s attention and create a dynamic narrative flow.
- Use strong concluding sentences to wrap up the paragraph and lead into the next one.
Make sure to revise things after writing!
-
Incorporating a Final Part
A conclusion is an essential element of any essay, including a narrative essay. It is the final opportunity to convey the story’s significance and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Here are some tips for incorporating an effective conclusion:
- Restate the thesis statement to remind the reader of the narrative’s central theme or idea. Provide a key example of the paper.
- Summarize the main points of the written story and the journey the person took.
- Offer a final reflection or insight that provides closure and meaning to the narrative.
- Use descriptive language to create a lasting impression on the reader.
- End with a thought-provoking statement or a call to action that encourages further reflection or exploration.
- Avoid introducing new information or plot points in the conclusion.
- Consider ending with a quote or reference to a shared cultural experience related to the narrative.
The conclusion should leave the reader feeling satisfied and understanding the journey’s significance. By incorporating these elements, you can effectively create a memorable and impactful conclusion for your narrative essay.
-
Style
Here are some ways to improve the quality of written paper:
- Attain the rhythm of written text by varying the length of sentences and changing their structure.
- Use interrogative, declarative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences to add personal flair.
- Add narrative essay examples. A good story and narrative writing always help the reader focus on the essay text and explore and analyze the first-person perspective.
- Fit the tone of the writing and the written example to the topic. Proper tone also helps students get the audience on their side.
- Flow is closely tied to rhythm, but it mostly refers to the meaning of writing and the stories a narrative essay tells.
Last but not least, good presentations and a well-written narrative essay are not enough if the story has no emotional effect on your audience and no example. You need it to be engaging!
A Couple of Additional Suggestions for Narrative Essays
Here are some check-points to make your narrative essay flawless:
- Your narrative essay writing has a point.
- You describe the first person of the story.
- You use vivid language and detailed descriptions to create a sense of place. This helps explain what your narrative essay tells the audience of your descriptive essay.
- You draw relevant and proper conclusions to your narrative essays.
- You know the dialogue in the students’ narrative essays is allowed, and it is a big plus.
- When considering the events to use as the basis for the essay, you chose something special, momentous, or significant.
Once your essay is done, don’t forget to proofread it. The last thing you need is to lower your grade due to an unfortunate typo.
Resources:
- https://miamioh.edu/howe-center/hwc/writing-resources/handouts/types-of-writing/narrative-essays.html
- https://www.westerntc.edu/narrative-and-reflection-writing-samples
- https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/Expository_and_Narrative_Essay_Template30234.pdf
- https://www.nova.edu/tutoring-testing/study-resources/forms/planning-narrative-essay.pdf