1. MLA Format Times or Arial, 12 point font Double-spaced
Header with last name and page number
Proper Class Heading
Title doc LastnameNarrative
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2. Introduction:
HOOK OPTIONS

6. Introduction: Rhetorical Fragments
Anxiety. Fear. Can’t breath.
Slowing sinking.

7. Introduction: Background Who, Where, and When
Anxiety. Fear. Can’t breath.
Slowing sinking. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but two years ago I decided that swimming was an important skill that I should learn. So, I went to my local YMCA and took on the task.

8. Introduction: Thesis Implied Meaning
However, what I didn't realize was that learning to swim would also make me a more confident person.

9. Introduction:
Anxiety. Fear. Can’t breath. Slowing sinking. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but two years ago I decided that swimming was an important skill that I should learn. So, I went to my local YMCA and took on the task. However, what I didn't realize was that learning to swim would also make me a more confident person.

10. Main Body Paragraph #1 (The Beginning): Topic Sentence
It all began when I made my way into the locker room of the YMCA.

11. Main Body Paragraph #1 (The Beginning): Details
After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly by the side of the pool waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. After a couple of minutes, the teacher came over. She smiled and introduced herself, and two more students joined us. Although they were both older than me, they didn't seem to be embarrassed about not knowing how to swim.

12. Main Body Paragraph #1 (The Beginning): Closing Statement
As a result, I began to feel more at ease and made my way to the pool.

13. Main Body Paragraph #1: The Beginning
It all began when I made my way into the locker room of the YMCA. After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly outside of the locker room waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. After a couple of minutes, the teacher came over. She smiled and introduced herself, and two more students joined us. Although they were both older than me, they didn't seem to be embarrassed about not knowing how to swim. As a result, I began to feel more at ease and made my way to the pool.

14. Main Body Paragraph #2 (The Middle): Topic Sentence
Concluding Statement for Main Paragraph #1:
As a result, I began to feel more at ease and made my way to the pool.
We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly colored water wings to help us stay afloat.

15. Main Body Paragraph #2 (The Middle): Details
I was really nervous and unsure of what to do. However, I was not alone. The other student, Jerry, and I were told to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for the breaststroke. One by one, the teacher had us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it through the water and we kicked. Pretty soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, traveling at a fast clip across the short end of the pool. Unfortunately, it didn’t come as easy to me.

16. Main Body Paragraph #2 (The Middle): Closing Statement
So, I waited patiently until the teacher could help me.

17. Main Body Paragraph #2
We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly colored water wings to help us stay afloat. I was really nervous and unsure of what to do. However, I was not alone. The other student, Jerry, and I were told to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for the breaststroke. One by one, the teacher had us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it through the water and we kicked. Pretty soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, traveling at a fast clip across the short end of the pool. Unfortunately, it didn’t come as easy to me. So, I waited patiently until the teacher could help me.

18. Main Body Paragraph #3 (The End): Topic Sentence
Concluding Statement for Main Paragraph #2:
So, I waited patiently until the teacher could help me.
The teacher was very understanding and helped me a lot.

19. Main Body Paragraph #3 (The End): Details
After what seemed like hours of the teacher helping me, I seemed to get the hang of it. I eventually caught on with my legs, and she taught me the arm strokes. Now, I had two things to concentrate on, my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly uncoordinated because my arms and legs were not cooperating at the same time, and I know that I had to look completely ridiculous! Sooner than I imagined, however, things began to feel "right" and I was able to swim! It was a wonderful free feeling - like flying, maybe - to be able to shoot across the water.

20. Main Body Paragraph #3 (The End): Closing Statement
After that, there was no stopping me; I was swimming laps around the pool with pride.

21. Main Body Paragraph #3 (The End):
The teacher was very understanding and helped me a lot. After what seemed like hours of the teacher helping me, I seemed to get the hang of it. I eventually caught on with my legs, and she taught me the arm strokes. Now, I had two things to concentrate on, my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly uncoordinated because my arms and legs were not cooperating at the same time, and I know that I had to look completely ridiculous! Sooner than I imagined, however, things began to feel "right" and I was able to swim! It was a wonderful free feeling - like flying, maybe - to be able to shoot across the water. After that, there was no stopping me; I was swimming laps around the pool with pride.

22. Topic Sentences & Closing Statements (Review of Structure)
It all began when I made my way into the locker room of the YMCA. As a result, I began to feel more at ease and made my way to the pool. We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly colored water wings to help us stay afloat. So, I waited patiently until the teacher could help me. The teacher was very understanding and helped me a lot. After that, there was no stopping me; I was swimming laps around the pool with pride.

23. Conclusion: Express the Meaning – What You Learned
INTRO. THESIS STATEMENT: However, what I didn't realize was that learning to swim would also make me a more confident person.
Learning to swim was not easy for me, but in the end my persistence paid off. Not only did I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water, but I also learned that when I am faced with a new situation I should not be so nervous.

24. Conclusion: Final Impression –
INTRO. THESIS STATEMENT: However, what I didn't realize was that learning to swim would also make me a more confident person.
I may feel uneasy to begin with, but I know that as I practice being in any situation and as my skills get better, I will feel more and more self-assured.

25. Conclusion:
Learning to swim was not easy for me, but in the end my persistence paid off. Not only did I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water, but I also learned that when I am faced with a new situation I should not be so nervous. I may feel uneasy to begin with, but I know that as I practice being in any situation and as my skills get better, I will feel more and more self-assured.