1. Narrative Essay

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.