How to Write a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is a form of writing telling a tale while providing analysis and criticism on a particular topic. It is written from the first point of view and reflects the writer's inner feelings. An essay has a standardized structure: introduction, narrative essay thesis, main body, and conclusion.

Purpose. While reading the essay, the audience should see the world through the eyes of the writer. The readers should feel the author's vibe and understand the values and views on life through the narrator's experience. Following them, they are gradually part of the writer's narrative story.

Types

  1. Descriptive essay narrative characterizes the rendering of descriptive imagery, concepts, and details.
  2. Viewpoint essay narrative shows the world through the inner world of the creator.
  3. Historical essay narrative presents such genres as biography or autobiography.
  4. Linear essay narrative describes the events in the order of how they happened.
  5. A non-linear essay narrative contrasts with a linear narrative. The author tells a tail without specified chronology.

Occasions for the narrative essay

Sometimes, we don't notice how often we face the narrative essay. Here, we prepared examples of events when it is required to express our thoughts in writing form:

● Applying for university. Before submitting the documents to the university, you need to prepare a cover letter. It is an excellent opportunity to describe your wish to become a part of this big family, including why you chose this specialization and profession.

● Being awarded. Imagine you have become the contest winner, award ceremony, and your friends and relatives here. All audience waits for your speech. It is time for the narrative story!

● Preparing a class assignment: At school, a teacher may give a prompt for a narrative essay. Students can get a letter grade or feedback on improving their written communication skills.

How to outline and prepare for the narrative essay?

The writing of a narrative essay is like a house's building. Word by word, we are constructing the complex of the sole essay. However, how to create a house without the scheme? We have the same issue with the narrative essay, but we need the outline. To your attention, the five simple steps:

● Choose a topic. Consider your readers' interests to create a compelling tale. Narrow your subject to fit assignment requirements. You can make a list of the wished topics to observe them. Your criteria are about which of your life experiences match the narrative essay.

● Outline how you narrate your story. Once you know your topic, give each key point its paragraph. Since a narrative essay has more than one paragraph, the outline can make it easier for you to develop your layout and finish the essay.

● Grammar. The next step is to make sure your essay is correct. You should take a break and return to the paper later if you are exhausted, or you can ask for essay help. Use your computer's special tools (Grammarly, LanguageTool) to find punctuation or grammar mistakes.

● Since a narrative essay is about you, you must write from your viewpoint. Use "I," "me," and "we."

● Narrative style. Your storytelling style can make your narrative essay more interesting to read. This stage opens your opportunity to develop your personal narrative style. This step is essential for your career as an author or writer because you start to work on your personal brand.

How to write a narrative essay?

If you read this paragraph, you already know what is a narrative essay, but what about the structure? We emphasize the peculiarities of each sector and what you need to write.

The narrative essay has a standardized structure: introduction, narrative essay thesis statement, main body, and conclusion. We gathered not only theoretical information but prepared the example:

  1. How to make the hook in your text?
  2. How to intrigue your readers?
  3. How to create a unique atmosphere for your readers?

We care about your understanding, and that's why we share our knowledge with you.

Introduction

Description: The goal is to bring up the topic and the event to discuss. Explain to your targeted audience why this theme is actual.

Recommendations:

1. Use a hook to get people interested in your story. You can make a strong hook by starting with a question, a fact, a quote, or an interesting statement.

Example

The MMWR says the prevalence of major depression increased with age, from 2.8% among people aged 18 to 24 to 4.6%. When I was 21, I had that experience…

2. Intrigue your readers. Don't tell the culmination of the story, but implement the click-bate.

Example

It was a simple school assignment. I went to the teacher to present my topic. Once I felt a significant threat to the audience.

3. Identify the narrative purpose. Your introduction should summarise the story and gives the ground for further thoughts.

Example

The trigger for depression could be anything in this world, from the sudden fear of speaking in high school to a conflict with your mum. I want to share my experience of struggling with anxiety and depression.

Narrative essay thesis statement

Description: It is a primary argument that threads the whole essay. Its purpose is to present the issue or conflict to own your audience's attention.

Recommendations:

  1. Apply it in the introduction to strengthen the article.
  2. Good examples of a thesis are a fact, general truth, suggestion, or query.
  3. Don't make this sector too long because you risk the audience's attention.

Main body

Description: The main body is the most critical part of your publication. This sector is where you tell the story and give facts and plots.

Recommendations:

  1. A narrative essay creates an atmosphere for the readers. The main body builds the plot bridge to the reader's soul and mind. But remember the facts and axioms. Even the most significant essay writers might spend time incorporating facts and science.
  2. Make the dialogue with your reader. Implement the interaction part. It could be the questions or déjà vu situations.
  3. Write private experiences in the first person. If this is a friend's tale, use the third person.

Conclusion

Description: This is the part where you sum up all the results indicated in the main body and thesis. In another way, it is the final lesson where you share how to solve the problem or conflict in the thesis.

Recommendations:

● The main question is: "What are the benefits of reading your narrative essay?"

Example

After having public speaking anxiety in school, I understood my issue was deeper. I asked my parents whether I'd experienced anything similar. Mom remembers how one girl laughed when I performed a poem in kindergarten. At that time, I recognized that it was a flashback. My parents helped me understand my fear's nature. Don't accept your childish fear, and try to get over it.

Example of a narrative essay and tips

Congratulations! We are in the final stage. Here we left the narrative writing example to ensure that our theoretical base matches the practical issue. Our essay writing services prepared two essays: one was formed due to all the requirements, and the other example was breached.

A good example of a narrative essay

Topic: My hobby is reading

I loved looking at the beautiful princess pictures in coloring books when I was a little girl. Even though I could spend hours poring over the pages, I was still missing information—the words and letters. At the age of six, my grandparents taught me to read. After six years, I tried to write my first poem. On my 16th birthday, my first collection of poetry came out. So my childhood hobby gave rise to my vocation and profession - a writer.

Conclusion:

● It is a good example of a linear narrative essay where the voice is a little girl who has become the writer.

● The text is set out in chronological order, with an excellent conclusion about a child's development into a writer. We, as readers, can get a lesson: all we need to reach the dream is patience and a little effort.

● All criteria match the narrative essay.

Bad example of narrative writing

Topic: My life

My life is extraordinary. I wake up at seven o'clock. I brushed my teeth and took a shower. I went to school and met my friend Brandy. Brandy loves animals! She found a bird with a broken wing. She brought her home and nursed her for three days. I'm proud of Brandy.

Conclusion:

● It is a bad example because the structure of the narrative essay was breached.

● The author talks about his daily routine, which has nothing to do with his personal experience.

● Then, the writer abruptly introduces the character of Brandy, who does not continue the primary story but begins her line. Her line has no logical end. As a result, we have a set of proposals that are practically unrelated to each other. Consequently, we aren't able to get the lesson from this story.

We hope that after a practical case, you understand the peculiarities of the narrative essay; However, we prepared some valuable points to consolidate your knowledge:

● More practice. Choose one of these topics and write an essay: The book which inspired me or about the happiest moment in your life. More training, more skill.

● Additional help. Be brave and ask your friends to read your work, get some recommendations, or put up essay help.

● Concentrate on your feelings to create an exclusive atmosphere. Don't mess you with other unrelated details.

● Live your story! Show your incredible inner world!

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