NARRATIVE ESSAY vs. SHORT STORY

NARRATIVE ESSAY SHORT STORY You will focus on telling a true story, usually something that happened in your past, so it relies on your own memory. So it is written in the first person. You create fictional characters and a plot. You will make up the content, creating characters and events that suit the story. It can be written in the first or third person.

NARRATIVE ESSAY SHORT STORY It needs a thesis statement (main idea) in the first paragraph, e.g.“After I passed my driver’s test, I learned how difficult it is to be a good driver.” As you tell the story throughout your essay, you will work towards proving or showing the accuracy of your thesis statement. It does not have a thesis statement, but many short stories do have a central theme. Perhaps the writer aims to show the impact of loss, love or another concept, so they will show this through the characters, plot and other story elements.

BOTH NARRATIVE ESSAYS & SHORT STORIES These two types of writing contain: Characters Setting Plot Climax / turning point Resolution of the story

BOTH NARRATIVE ESSAYS & SHORT STORIES You may also choose to put dialogue into your essay or short story. ‘You got me wrong’, she said, ‘This is not what I meant’. Use narrative tenses properly. Make sure you include a wide range of adjectives and adverbs for detailed descriptions and to make your story more vivid. Don’t forget to use linking words and time phrases. You can use contractions.

IDEAS TO GET STARTED Tell the story of a scar, whether a physical scar or emotional one. You / your character discovers the lie of their whole life. A moment in the past you / your character wish/es you / they could return to. You / a character unexpectedly bumps into his or her soulmate, literally. You / your character is on a journey. However, they are interrupted by a natural disaster OR an accident.