Narrative Essays

English 201
Pontifical Catholic University of P.R
Prof. Miguel A. Arce Ramos

1
Types of Essays

Exposito
ry

Descripti
ve

Narrativ Persuasi
e ve

 Narrative Essays

A narrative essay is a story written about

a personal experience.

Itsmain objective is to provide an

opportunity to get to know and
understand yourself better.

 Narrative Essays
Narratives can do the following:
Create a sense of shared history, linking
people together.

Provide entertainment.

Provide psychological healing.

Provide insight.

 Narrative Essays
Narrative essays describe specific
experiences that changed how you felt,
thought, or acted.

Your purpose is not to merely tell an

interesting story but to show your readers
the importance and influence the
experience has had on you.

 Characteristics

presents important includes detailed

changes, contrasts, observations of Involves readers in
or conflicts and people, places, and the story.
creates tension events.

focuses on
Makes a point,
is told from a point connection
communicates a
of view--usually the between past
main idea or
author's point of events, people, or
dominant
view. places and the
impression.
present.

 Planning the Narrative
Essay
The first thing you have to do is:
first, select an incident worthy of writing about

second, find relevance in that incident (writers

might ask themselves what about the incident
provided new insights or awareness)

finally, describe details in which it will make the

incident real for readers.

Narrative Essay

are generally rely on

written in the
first person, that concrete,
is, using I. sensory
However, third details to
person (he, she,
or it) can also
convey their
be used. point.

Should as stories, should

provide details include these
should create story conventions:
a plot, including
a unified, setting and
forceful effect, characters; a
a dominant climax; and an
impression. ending.

 Example Topics
Did you ever have a long-held belief or
assumption shattered? Can you trace the
change to one event or a series of
events?

Is there a particular experience that you

observed that has had a profound
influence on your life?

 Example Topics
Is there a person that who has greatly
influenced you?
Is there a decision that you had to make,
or a challenge or an obstacle that you
faced?
Was there ever a moment in your life
when you decided to reform, to adopt a
whole new outlook?

 Example Topics

Think of a topic in which we can write a

narrative essay on.

We will begin to write a narrative essay

on Wednesday.

Essay will be due on Monday.