Narrative Essay

Narrative Essay Shows a story Every time you tell a joke, trade gossip, invent a ghost story or tell what you did on the weekend, it is a narrative Your idea/thesis may be formed by experience, so a clear account of that experience will help others understand and believe your point Eg. The experience of war through story. The experience of growing up in a story. Use story to prove a point Often written in 1st person as it is based on a personal story

Elements of a narrative essay Sensory details- show don’t tell!!! Eg. (telling) I got into a fight. (showing) The fist hit me square in the nose. (telling) I love to help others. (showing) The elderly lady smiled when I held open the door for her. I felt a warm glow fill my body. 2. Time order- time is your organizer. Mostly chronological but it can have flashbacks or begin in the middle of the story 3. Thesis- the controlling idea. Some are stated explicitly, some implicitly.

Since this is a story, the narrative essay needs everything a story needs (these are known as the story elements): Has characters Has a plot (beginning/middle and end) Has a problem Has a climax Can use dialogue

To consider when writing narrative Choice of scope- where does your story logically begin and end? Include only parts that develop your point. Eg. I became a Canadian citizen when I walked through the courthouse doors. Choice of details- Which details count and what do not? Ever read a story where they give you every detail about their lunch? Brushing their teeth? Who cares! Unless it adds to your argument. Use vivid details. You want the reader to see, hear, feel and smell or taste your experience. Choice of connection- readers love to be swept along by narrative. Use connecting words such as “at first, next, then, immediately, later, finally, at last”. Choice of narrator- first person (your experience) or from a third person perspective (someone else’s story)

Thesis- Step #1 Determine your purpose The foundation of your essay Your opinion about the topic Weak Thesis Why it is weak Revised thesis In this essay I will discuss my family’s move to Canada Not an opinion Not specific My family’s move to Canada was a distressing experience from which I learned that not all Canadians are hospitable and to survive this country, you have to stand up for yourself The birth of my brother, Mark. Not a complete sentence The birth of my brother, Mark, brought joy and renewed energy to our household.

How to introduce your narrative Start with a conversation: Eg. “You will not believe what I did last night!” I whispered to Ella in class. Start in the action Eg. Her fingernails pierced my skin as she grabbed my arm in a death grip. Start with how you feel or the setting Eg. I remember it was cold. Set the stage with some personal information Eg. I was ten and very mischievous.

Conclusion Give the reader a sense of satisfaction. They should feel that the story is complete, loose ends tied up. Ideas for a concluding paragraph: Come full circle- return to your introduction and its material Summarize the lesson you learned from the experience Remind your readers of the thesis by stating it in different words Consider placing the thesis in the conclusion . Sometimes you may want to do this if you want it to be a surprise.