Narrative Essay As a mode of expository writing, the narrative approach, more than any other, offers writers a chance

to think and write about themselves. We all have experiences lodged in our memories, which are worthy of sharing with readers. Yet sometimes they are so fused with other memories that a lot of the time spent in writing narrative is in the prewriting stage. When you write a narrative essay, you are telling a story. Narrative essays are told from a defined point of view, often the author's, so there is feeling as well as specific and often sensory details provided to get the reader involved in the elements and sequence of the story. The verbs are vivid and precise. The narrative essay makes a point and that point is often defined in the opening sentence, but can also be found as the last sentence in the opening paragraph. Since a narrative relies on personal experiences, it often is in the form of a story. When the writer uses this technique, he or she must be sure to include all the conventions of storytelling: plot, character, setting, climax, and ending. It is usually filled with details that are carefully selected to explain, support, or embellish the story. All of the details relate to the main point the writer is attempting to make. To summarize, the narrative essay

is told from a particular point of view makes and supports a point is filled with precise detail uses vivid verbs and modifiers uses conflict and sequence as does any story may use dialogue

The purpose of a narrative report is to describe something. Many students write narrative reports thinking that these are college essays or papers. While the information in these reports is basic to other forms of writing, narrative reports lack the "higher order thinking" that essays require. Thus narrative reports do not, as a rule, yield high grades for many college courses. A basic example of a narrative report is a "book report" that outlines a book; it includes the characters, their actions, possibly the plot, and, perhaps, some scenes. That is, it is a description of "what happens in the book." But this leaves out an awful lot. What is left out is what the book or article is about -- the underlying concepts, assumptions, arguments, or point of view that the book or article expresses. A narrative report leaves aside a discussion that puts the events of the text into the context of what the text is about. Is the text about love? Life in the fast lane? Society? Wealth and power? Poverty? In other words, narrative reports often overlook the authors purpose or point of view expressed through the book or article.

Once an incident is chosen, the writer should keep three principles in mind. 1. Remember to involve readers in the story. It is much more interesting to actually recreate an incident for readers than to simply tell about it. 2. Find a generalization, which the story supports. This is the only way the writer's personal experience will take on meaning for readers. This generalization does not have to encompass humanity as a whole; it can concern the writer, men, women, or children of various ages and backgrounds. 3. Remember that although the main component of a narrative is the story, details must be carefully selected to support, explain, and enhance the story. Conventions of Narrative Essays In writing your narrative essay, keep the following conventions in mind. Narratives are generally written in the first person, that is, using I. However, third person (he, she, or it) can also be used.

Narratives rely on concrete, sensory details to convey their point. These details should create a unified, forceful effect, a dominant impression. More information on the use of specific details is available on another page. Narratives, as stories, should include these story conventions: a plot, including setting and characters; a climax; and an ending.

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A Brief Guide to Writing Narrative Essays Narrative writing tells a story. In essays the narrative writing could also be considered reflection or an exploration of the author's values told as a story. The author may remember his or her past, or a memorable person or event from that past, or even observe the present. When you're writing a narrative essay, loosen up. After all, you're basically just telling a story to someone, something you probably do every day in casual conversation. Use first person and talk it through first. You might even want to either tape record your story as if you were telling it to someone for the first time or actually tell it to a friend. Once you get the basic story down, then you can begin turning it into an essay.If you feel that you lack life experience, then you may choose to write about someone else or write about an observation you've made about a recent event. You could write about your children, your parents, or your favorite sport or hobby. The important aspect to remember is that you should have a story. In a successful narrative essay, the author usually makes a point. Features 1. The story should have an introduction that clearly indicates what kind of narrative essay it is (an event or recurring activity, a personal experience, or an observation), and it should have a conclusion that makes a point. 2. The essay should include anecdotes. The author should describe the person, the scene, or the event in some detail. It's okay to include dialogue as long as you know how to punctuate it correctly and as long as you avoid using too much. 3. The occasion or person described must be suggestive in that your description and thoughts lead the reader to reflect on the human experience. For instance, I read an excellent student essay that told the story of a young woman forced to shoot several wolves that were attacking her cattle. She told her story and included the inner struggle she faced as she made the choice of saving the cattle or saving the wolves. She shot the wolves, but learned that whatever her choice had been, she would not have been comfortable with it. One of life's lessons is that sometimes there is no right choice, and that was the point of the essay. 4. The point of view in narrative essays is usually first person. The use of "I" invites your readers into an intimate discussion. 5. The writing in your essay should be lively and show some style. Try to describe ideas and events in new and different ways. Avoid using clichs. Again, get the basic story down, get it organized, and in your final editing process, work on word choice. Copyright 1988 Jennifer Jordan-Henley http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Narration.html

How to Write a Narrative Essay Narratives are stories. Narratives are plots. They are essays that tell a story hopefully in an interesting way that also convey themes. Often, if you are asked to write a narrative essay, you will not be asked to research a theory or topic. Rather, you will be asked to use your imagination instead of a bibliography. You may need to research for this narrative essay; nonetheless, the writing of it may come more easily to you for you do not need to quote specific words from primary sources. Here is a short reference guide on how to write the narrative essay. Decide on a topic Discuss the topic with your teacher/professor and peers either in class or in a group discussion or private tutorial 3. Brainstorm several different ways the narrative can go (see spider diagram below) 4. Start writing 5. Do not stop writing. Let your writing flow onward in a stream of consciousness type of way. 6. Reread the essay. 7. Edit for grammar and the technical rules of writing. 8. Let someone else edit/read over your essay for content and grammar.
1. 2.

Before you begin writing your narrative essay, it helps to brainstorm ideas for where you want your narrative to go. Because you are able to invent plot, you can write anything your imagination invents. As a result, you will want it to appear coherent and plausible. Many narrative writers use diagrams to begin. Start with the main idea (person, subject, object), and circle it. Then, write lines from the circle for descriptive words for that one main idea. Let each spoke continue outward farther and farther, until you have a spider-looking diagram with many thoughts. You can pick any of those for your narrative and follow it. Ultimately, you will have written a narrative (story) that reads more pleasurably than academically. Because of the nature of the narrative essay, you will usually be assigned to write one only in creative writing or literature seminars. Often in composition and freshman writing courses, people also are assigned narrative essays to write. If you are given this assignment, it is important to remember that a narrative essay is still an essay. It is not a novel excerpt or a novella. It is a self-contained essay with a theme (or thesis) still at the focus of the writing. And even though it is more creative than academic, grammar and syntax are still vital to the success of the essay. http://www.bookrags.com/articles/7.html

Guidelines for Writing Narrative Essays Writing narrative essays can be fun, and at the same time, improve your writing skills. Let's skim through some of the guidelines for writing narrative essays.

Many people write narrative essays, and pursue writing as a hobby. This in turn, improves their thought process and their communication skills. Writing narrative essays helps the writer keep his imagination going, and come up with interesting ideas and stories. There is a huge difference between telling a story verbally, and writing a narrative essay. An essay may be a reflection of the author's views and personal values, molded in the form of a story. However, there are some guidelines that are to be kept in mind before writing a narrative essay. Before you start writing, just relax for a moment, collect your thoughts, and try to write the essay steadily. Use clear and simple language which should be easy for the reader to understand. Ensure the story is introduced in such a way that would distinctly indicate if it is a personal experience or just an observation. You may start the introduction with a quote or a proverb, if you want. If you want to write about an experience, understand why it was important. Try and sort out the recollections of the experience, and create an outline based on it. You can certainly describe the essay in a better way using the outline. You may also use dialogs is some cases, but largely try and avoid their use. Write an essay which should seem realistic. Mention sensory details that should attract the reader's attention. Try to inject some humor in your essay to help lighten the mood of the reader. Build your essay around a central idea and revolve around a point to provide clarity to the readers. Don't change ideas often, or switch between conclusions, as it may confuse the reader. Put yourself in the shoes of the main characters, so as to elucidate on your thoughts. Put an 'I' in the place of the protagonist of the story, and start writing. Don't bother about the number of times 'I' appears in the essay, or how much unfocused and unordered the points are. Write whatever you feel is correct. This is known as freewheeling essay writing. When you've finished writing or have written the concluding paragraph, read the essay all over again and try to put all points into place, and replace the 'I' if needed. If it is an essay of your experiences, you need to keep the 'I'.

After you have gone through the essay thoroughly, and have eliminated all the possible errors, spend some time away from the essay. This should give your mind a break, which is necessary to find mistakes which may go unnoticed, if you read the essay immediately after you write it. If you are still not satisfied with the essay, get a second opinion. This should help you improve. Scan the essay and ponder over the details. Try and remove redundancy and any possible mistakes. Conclude the essay properly and logically and tie up any loose ends. There are many other tips that are to be followed for writing a narrative essay. With constant practice, I'm sure you'll be a successful writer. By Stephen Rampur Published: 5/29/2009 http://www.buzzle.com/articles/guidelines-for-writing-narrative-essays.html

THE BEST SAMPLE OF NARRATIVE ESSAY VIERNES 9 DE MAYO DE 2008 MY FIRST DAY IN THE UNIVERSITY (NARRATIVE ESSAY) Do you remember your first day in the university? Well, I remember my first day I was waiting all the summer to enter at the university. I felt excited and at the same time I was very nervous because it was my first day in the university and I didn't know any person. My first day in the university was good. I didn't know how to arrive to my classroom. I was lost and I had to ask one person about the building where I was going to take classes. This person was very nice and told me the right direction. I walked to the building, and when I arrived I saw some people and I felt strange. I approached to one girl and I asked for the classroom and we discovered that we where in the same group and I felt less nervous. I introduced myself and She also did it, her name was Yuriko. We came in the classroom and the time to start classes began. When we began our classes, all our classmates were quiet, nobody talked. the teacher arrived early. she started the class and after that we introduced ourselves. Then I saw my others classmates and I looked at two girls they were Greta and Eli. I approached with them and I talked with Greta and Eli . I introduced myself, then they did the same and we began to know more about each other, like where we were from or what we did. After that, we spent the rest of the day together until we had to go home. I am always going to remember that day because I had the opportunity to meet more people and the most important I met the best friends that I have ever had. Finally, I think that it is natural that on the first day we feel nervous, but the things always have a happy ending, that's why I say that my first day in the university was very good. http://sharingouressays.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-first-day-in-university-narrative.html 333 words

Sample Narrative Essay

Senior Prom Passage taken from Theodore Johnston and James Gonzales, The Writers Advice Book, Ginn Press, Massachusetts, 1987, p. 14 My senior prom night became a comedy of errors when I was asked to represent the Drama Club. I expected it to be a night that dreams are made of; instead, I was provided with a less than perfect evening. I wanted to give Richard, my date and escort, a dazzling first impression by meeting him at the door in my beautiful Southern belle dress. When Richard arrived, he was met at the door by my father instead of me, and he found my mother lying at my feet on the living room floor, sewing the hem in my formal. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, my mother announced that she was finished and that we were late for the prom. I decided to relax and compose myself in the car, but instead of a comfortable coach, I found a cramped pumpkin awaiting me in the form of a Fiat. As I got inside the car, I realized that most of my dress was still outside. Quickly, I began piling layer after layer of fabric on my lap until it reached the ceiling and obscured my view out of the car windows. Arriving at the prom in silence, my escort and I were quickly ushered into position behind the other representatives. The procession started; I felt like Cinderella at the ball. While the announcer introduced the representatives and their escorts, I visualized myself walking gracefully up the ramp as the audience looked on. Before I knew it, the spotlight was on us. As we slowly made our way up the ramp, the announcer introduces us as Judy and Juan. Hearing the names of someone else shocked both of us. Then it happened- as we turned, our feet became entangled in my formal; with a hop, skip, and jump, we tripped down the ramp towards the stairs. Determined to climb the stairs gracefully, I started a slow ascent. Upon reaching the top step, I realized I had also climbed up the inside of my dress and was now on my knees. My escort had to carefully back me down the steps until we could once again make our climb. As the evening concluded, I realized that with all that happened, only my friends knew the true identity of the two clowns in the procession. Everyone else thought it was Judy and Juan.

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