Writing a Personal Narrative

What is a Personal Narrative? A Personal Narrative is a form of writing in which the writer relates an event , incident, or experience in his or her own life.

The events of a personal narrative are most often presented in chronological order, the order in which they actually occurred in time. The personal narrative incorporates vivid descriptive details as well as the thoughts,  feelings, and reactions of the writer.

Your purpose is not to merely tell an interesting story but to show your readers the importance and influence the experience has had on you.

Leave no question unanswered! Any time you render a full account of a personal experience, you answer what is commonly known as "reporter's questions"--the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions reporters ask themselves to make sure their reports of news stories are complete.

Your personal essay will contain the similar elements: a character (who?) to whom something happens (what?), in some place (where?), at some time (when?), for some reason (why?), told from a particular perspective (how?). 

Parts of a Personal Narrative A beginning that background information and a hint about the meaning or importance of the event. A middle that tells about important events, describes people and places, and tells the writer's thoughts and feelings. An ending in which the writer explains the meaning of the experience (what they learned from it). 

Characteristics of a Personal Narrative  focuses on one experience  shows the purpose clearly in that the importance of the event is clear  to the reader  expresses the writer's thoughts and feelings throughout is written in first person "I" has manly relevant sensory details (things for the reader to see. hear, feel, smell, taste)   must have dialogue in order for the reader to feel like they are there must have why it is important and/or how it affected the writer 

Characteristics of a Personal Narrative clear purpose (why this event is important to you) first person account (help us understand the narrator) opening sentence (question, interesting observation, or summary of purpose) organized facts and events explanation of need and how addressed sensory description conclusion (what was learned or accomplished/effect on self )