“A good story is like a road. If it's well put together, you don't notice the road at all; you just enjoy the ride. If the road is bad, you notice the whole way.” ― Ken MacGregor
English I Narrative Essay
The purpose of a narrative essay is to tell a story. It is important to have a beginning, middle, and an end. Think about the stages of a narrative: exposition, rising action including a conflict, climax, falling action, and resolution. However, a narrative does NOT have to be a novel. A writer can compose an effective narrative in a couple of pages as long as there is a strict focus. Additionally, an excellent narrative makes the audience feel as if s/he is in the story with the characters. Consider sensory details: smells, colors, sounds, textures, tastes, and visual images. Convey emotion and incorporate dialog.
Your task: Choose one of the options below to compose a narrative essay.
Option 1: Bland Sentence (creative people, this one is for you!)
Prewrite:
Begin by writing a “bland sentence” at the top of your page. An example might be “The car went down the street.” Next, think about images that would make that sentence come alive. What kind of car is it? Was the car speeding, creeping? Is it day or night? What’s the weather like? Where’s the car going? Is there a character in the scene? Pay close attention to word choice, choosing vivid, strong words. Think about adding references to the five senses, too.
ASSIGNMENT FOR OPTION 1
Write a 2 page narrative essay using the original sentence as a springboard. Type that sentence at the top of the page, then double space and begin your paper.
Option 2: Describe a time when you felt out of your comfort zone.
Prewrite:
Begin by brainstorming situations and feelings you experienced while in this situation and after. How did this situation impact you? What did you learn? Why were you uncomfortable?
ASSIGNMENT FOR OPTION 2
Write a 2 page narrative telling the story of this situation. Make sure you have an engaging opening that will draw in the reader and end with a reflection, observation, or resolution to the story.
Requirements:
Areas to pay close attention to:
Your task: Choose one of the options below to compose a narrative essay.
Option 1: Bland Sentence (creative people, this one is for you!)
Prewrite:
Begin by writing a “bland sentence” at the top of your page. An example might be “The car went down the street.” Next, think about images that would make that sentence come alive. What kind of car is it? Was the car speeding, creeping? Is it day or night? What’s the weather like? Where’s the car going? Is there a character in the scene? Pay close attention to word choice, choosing vivid, strong words. Think about adding references to the five senses, too.
ASSIGNMENT FOR OPTION 1
Write a 2 page narrative essay using the original sentence as a springboard. Type that sentence at the top of the page, then double space and begin your paper.
Option 2: Describe a time when you felt out of your comfort zone.
Prewrite:
Begin by brainstorming situations and feelings you experienced while in this situation and after. How did this situation impact you? What did you learn? Why were you uncomfortable?
ASSIGNMENT FOR OPTION 2
Write a 2 page narrative telling the story of this situation. Make sure you have an engaging opening that will draw in the reader and end with a reflection, observation, or resolution to the story.
Requirements:
- Correct MLA formatting and title page
- 2 pages in length
- Times New Roman size 12 font
- Incorporate dialog (Click HERE to learn more about properly punctuating dialog)
- Have a clear beginning, middle, and end
Areas to pay close attention to:
- run-ons
- commas as separators
- spelling
- word choice (use vivid words, especially verbs)
- variety of senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound)
- narrow focus
- transitions
Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing a narrative paper:
Use sentences that show and don’t tell.
Examples:
BORING: Dad was mad at me when he caught me sneaking around the house.
EXCELLENT: A vice-like grip on my forearm spun me around as I tried to steal into the house unobserved. Dad’s crimson face and bulging eyes told me we were about to have a “little talk.”
BORING: The sand was white and filled my shoes as I walked on it.
EXCELLENT: Sand crystals snuck into my flip-flops, burning my feet and clogging my toes.
Choose words carefully. If, for example, a phrase or word comes to you easily, be suspicious; it might be overused. “Cold as ice” is an example of an overused phrase. Strive for fresh words.
Look at the changes with these words:
Examples:
BORING: Dad was mad at me when he caught me sneaking around the house.
EXCELLENT: A vice-like grip on my forearm spun me around as I tried to steal into the house unobserved. Dad’s crimson face and bulging eyes told me we were about to have a “little talk.”
BORING: The sand was white and filled my shoes as I walked on it.
EXCELLENT: Sand crystals snuck into my flip-flops, burning my feet and clogging my toes.
Choose words carefully. If, for example, a phrase or word comes to you easily, be suspicious; it might be overused. “Cold as ice” is an example of an overused phrase. Strive for fresh words.
Look at the changes with these words:
- brown→ bronze, mahogany, chestnut
- black→ ebony, charcoal, sullen
- green→ sea green, emerald, olive
- run→ darted, scurry
- talked→ whispered, raged
- looked→ glanced, stared
- hot→ fiery, smoldering
- cold→ icy, frosty
- To add information: and, also, besides, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, next, too, first, second, another, as well, finally, likewise, additionally, again, along with
- To show time: about, after, afterward, as soon as, before, during, finally, first, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, now, second, soon, then, till, today, tomorrow, yesterday, until, since, when, while
- To give examples: for example, for instance, to illustrate, in fact, specifically
- To compare: also, in the same manner, similarly, likewise, like
- To contrast: although, but, even though, however, still, yet, on the other hand, otherwise, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary
- To show location: above, across, against, along, among, around, away from, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, down, in back of, in front of, inside, into, near, off, on top of, onto, outside, over, throughout, to the right, under, nearby, close
- To emphasize a point: in fact, especially, truly, to repeat, to emphasize, for this reason
- To clarify: that is, in other words, for instance, put another way
- To indicate logical relationship: if, so, therefore, consequently, thus, as a result, for this reason, because, since
BLAND SENTENCES FOR OPTION 1
1. My teacher is strict
2. There were scary costumes at the party.
3. The house looks haunted.
4. Spring is here.
5. My mother is nosy.
6. The school had great school spirit.
7. My school lunch was bad.
8. He looked embarrassed.
9. The children were having fun.
10. The girl thought class was boring.
11. The principal is mean.
12. My dad was mad.
13. The dance was fun.
14. She’s the school’s best athlete.
15. It is a cold winter.
16. The old man is lonely.
17. The substitute teacher was strange.
18. He was tired.
19. It was a mean dog.
20. She looked worried.
21. The car looked broken.
22. The school bully was in trouble.
23. The coach was nice.
24. The school had poor school spirit.
25. It was a hot summer.
2. There were scary costumes at the party.
3. The house looks haunted.
4. Spring is here.
5. My mother is nosy.
6. The school had great school spirit.
7. My school lunch was bad.
8. He looked embarrassed.
9. The children were having fun.
10. The girl thought class was boring.
11. The principal is mean.
12. My dad was mad.
13. The dance was fun.
14. She’s the school’s best athlete.
15. It is a cold winter.
16. The old man is lonely.
17. The substitute teacher was strange.
18. He was tired.
19. It was a mean dog.
20. She looked worried.
21. The car looked broken.
22. The school bully was in trouble.
23. The coach was nice.
24. The school had poor school spirit.
25. It was a hot summer.