Tips for Writing a Stellar Narrative Essay

Purpose: to inform

Write a essay using narration as the chief method of development. Make sure that you have viewed the MLA Sample page for formatting purposes. Also, please visit the Writing Lab for an example of a narrative essay. It is located in the ENGL 1301 Hub.

Writing Assignment

Purpose: to inform

Method of Development: narration

Choose your own topic, but make sure that the topic allows you to be able to narrate it. Quite often a narrative is written in first person point of view. You want your narrative to have a point as well. Was there a conflict among individuals? Are you narrating a story about a day spent with a two year old child? You can choose to tell a story about a place you went to, your first day at a new job, or an event that may have changed your perception of a person. If you have something in mind but you are unsure if it will work as a narrative essay, please send me a message through the Messages link for assistance. 

Reminders

1.Brainstorm for topics.

2.Organize your ideas.

Check the syllabus for due dates

1.Identify the conflict of an event. Every good story contains drama and tension that is used to hook a reader

2.Identify the point of the narrative. This is the thesis! Why are you writing about this particular story? What is the overall message that you are sharing? These are questions to consider.

3.Develop only those details that advance the narrative point. You do not want to include too much background information or too many descriptive elements about one element of the narrative or your reader can get quickly lost in the sequence of the events and the context of the story. Make each including point count!

4.Organize the narrative sequence. You want to determine how to you want to deliver the chain of events. Perhaps you want to group information in a chronological sequence, or you may choose to use flashback. You must include a solid organizational pattern so your reader does not get lost!

5.Make the narrative easy to follow. Although a narrative may not always have traditional topic sentences for each body paragraph, there should still be a defined and clear focus for each body paragraph. Group like ideas together.

6.Make the narrative vigorous and immediate. Include strong sensory imagery and relevant details to help your reader experience the event just as you did.

7.Keep your point of view and verb tense consistent. Make a deliberate decision if you plan to use first or third person point of view. Also, you want to choose only one tense and be consistent with your verbs throughout. Considering checking with your instructor on these points to ensure you are following all guidelines for point of view and tense!

Write a essay using narration as the chief method of development. Make sure that you have viewed the MLA Sample page for formatting purposes. Also, please visit the Writing Lab for an example of a narrative essay. It is located in the ENGL 1301 Hub.

Method of Development: narration

Choose your own topic, but make sure that the topic allows you to be able to narrate it. Quite often a narrative is written in first person point of view. You want your narrative to have a point as well. Was there a conflict among individuals? Are you narrating a story about a day spent with a two year old child? You can choose to tell a story about a place you went to, your first day at a new job, or an event that may have changed your perception of a person. If you have something in mind but you are unsure if it will work as a narrative essay, please send your instructor a message through the Messages link for assistance.