Narrative Essays

What is a narrative essay?

When writing a narrative essay, one might think of it as telling a story. These
essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal—allowing students to
express themselves in a creative and, quite often, moving ways.

Here are some guidelines for writing a narrative essay.

 If written as a story, the essay should include all the parts of a

story.

This means that you must include an introduction, plot, characters, setting,
climax, and conclusion.

 When would a narrative essay not be written as a story?

A good example of this is when an instructor asks a student to write a book

report. Obviously, this would not necessarily follow the pattern of a story and
would focus on providing an informative narrative for the reader.

 The essay should have a purpose.

Make a point! Think of this as the thesis of your story. If there is no point to
what you are narrating, why narrate it at all?

 The essay should be written from a clear point of view.

It is quite common for narrative essays to be written from the standpoint

of the author; however, this is not the sole perspective to be considered.
Creativity in narrative essays often times manifests itself in the form of
authorial perspective.

 Use clear and concise language throughout the essay.

Much like the descriptive essay, narrative essays are effective when the
language is carefully, particularly, and artfully chosen. Use specific language to
evoke specific emotions and senses in the reader.

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  The use of the first person pronoun ‘I’ is welcomed.

Do not abuse this guideline! Though it is welcomed it is not necessary—

nor should it be overused for lack of clearer diction.

 As always, be organized!

Have a clear introduction that sets the tone for the remainder of the essay.
Do not leave the reader guessing about the purpose of your narrative.
Remember, you are in control of the essay, so guide it where you desire (just
make sure your audience can follow your lead).

Conventions of Narrative Essays

In writing your narrative essay, keep the following conventions in mind.

 Narratives are generally written in the first person, that is, using I.
However, third person (he, she, or it) can also be used.
 Narratives rely on concrete, sensory details to convey their point. These
details should create a unified, forceful effect, a dominant impression.
More information on the use of specific details is available on another
page.
 Narratives, as stories, should include these story conventions: a plot,
including setting and characters; a climax; and an ending.

Here are some popular essay topic examples for your narrative essay type:

 First Day at College

 The Moment of Success
 A Memorable Journey

The essay topic you choose should be interesting and important to you,
because the best essays are written on the topics that really matter to the
writer.

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 Narrative essay topic ideas

1. EXPERIENCE

Typically, an aim of the narrative essay is to teach you how to tell about your
experiences in a literary manner. So, to write a good essay you have to
brainstorm all thoughts concerning your life experiences. It can be both
negative and positive examples. Try to describe them in as many details as
possible to attract readers’ attention.

 The most embarrassing experience of your life.

 Tell about a frightening experience that you had.

 An experience that showed you real life values.

 An experience that taught me you to appreciate life more.

 An experience that helped me to fight cowardice.

2. CHILDHOOD

A childhood is a period of bright impressions and first experiences. As

children are naive and sincere, they have a tendency to get involved in
ridiculous situations. We are sure that you have something interesting to tell
about your childhood years. Let the next topic ideas call your memories of
situations from childhood that can make a good basis for your narrative essay
writing. 

 Write about a time when you got hurt on the playground. What
happened?

 Tell about a childhood experience that helped you to grow up.

 Did you have a memorable birthday party? Share about what made it
memorable.

 Whom you dreamed to be when you were a kid?

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 What was your favorite game in childhood and why?

3. SCHOOL YEARS

The school is a path to the adulthood. A person gets essential knowledge and
experience there. School years present challenges that contribute to the
development of personality. Your school experience and the challenges you
overcame are unique. That is why if you write about studying at a school in
your narrative essay you have a chance to be original.

 What was/is your favorite subject t school and why?

 Did some teachers happen to become your role models? Show some
examples.

 Tell about first time you took part in mass school event

 The most disastrous event happened at the lesson

 Tell about a teacher you would like to be a friend with

 4. Relationships

The life of every person is closely connected with relationships. Everybody

has personal memories about family, friends and beloved people. Your story
about them will always have a private character, so if you are asked to write a
narrative essay, relationships is an eternal source of unique ideas. 

 Write about friendship breakup you experienced.

 A person you are afraid to lose the most.

 An occasion when you experienced a rejection.

 A comic or ridiculous misunderstanding with another person.

 Tell about the worst quarrel with parents.

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 5. INTERESTS

Your interests determine the manner of everything that you create. Usually,
the sphere of person interests consists of hobbies and things that attract the
person. To write a narrative essay about your interests ask yourself “What do
I enjoy doing?” , “What music do I like to listen”, “How do I prefer to spend my
free time?”. It is one of the topics about which you can write with passion.
Mind that people enjoy reading texts written passionately.

 Tell about the movie you watched that impressed you significantly.

 Tell about the song that usually touches you emotionally.

 What talent have you always wanted to have and why?

 With which book character do you associate yourself?

 If you were a director, what movie do you want to shot?

6. TRAVELING

Every spot in the world has a story. When you have a trip, the very stage of it
is filled with impressions. No matter how many times people visited the
seaside or mountains. You have your own journey and you have impressions
about it. Why not share it with your readers? Narrative essay format allows
you to write even the second Odyssey. Briefly, of course.

 Tell about your first visit to the countryside (or large city, depending on
where you from).

 Your favorite transport for traveling.

 Without what things in your suitcase you cannot imagine any trip?

 Where would you like to travel if you had a solid sum of money?

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 7. STUDENT LIFE

Life in college differs from school years. It is more adventurous and enriched
with impressions. You are introduced to new people, subjects, a system of
education and living conditions. So, it is a great basis for various epic stories!
Starting from situations that happen particularly in college and life twists that
tend to occur only during the student years. Student years are considered to
be the best in the lifetime, why not to write about them in your narrative
essay?

 Tell about the most exhausting exam.

 Speak about the lecture that put much impression on you.

 Tell about the first day you moved in a dorm.

 What was the most impressive hang-out during your college years?

 Tell about what made feel depressed in college.

8. IMAGINE IF…

In narrative essay topic that starts with the words “Imagine If...” usually
require creating a story that is possible from your point of view in future. This
subtopic is one of the most popular among the students. Because it allows
them to make up everything they wish. The entire freedom of imagination!

 Imagine if you had a time machine. What time would you travel?

 Imagine if you were an animal. What animal would you like to be and
why?

 Imagine if you were born in another country. Where would you like to
be born and why?

 Imagine if you were filthy rich. On what would you spend your money?

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 Imagine if you were a comic book character. What superpower would
you like to have and why?

TIPS ON NARRATIVE ESSAY WRITING:

1. Focus on specific details that are essential to cover the topic. Try to avoid
mentioning irrelevant for the topic information.

2. Do not lie or embellish facts. Dig deep into your experience. Readers value
the sincerity.

3. Connect your ideas. Use transition words to make your text coherent and
easy to read.

4. Do not omit the conclusion. No matter what your topic is, you write a
narrative essay to state what you got from the experience.

5. Write in such a manner, that you will be interested to read it. If you won't
like reading it, the text does not worth the attention of the audience.

6. See the limits of your writing. It is obvious that you can tell much about
your experience, but you must not overload the reader with information.

7. Be creative. In the narrative essay, you can write in the first person and use
different stylistic devices.

8. Follow instructions of your tutor attentively. Because even being a flexible

writing genre, the narrative essay needs to be written according to stated
patterns.

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Sample of a Narrative Essay

Sources:

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https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/04/