Narrative Essays

Narrative Essays
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 attmepting to make.

Narrative Essay--Summary Points
A Narrative Essay:
(1) Is told from a particular point of view
(2) Makes and supports a point
(3) Is filled with precise detail
(4) Uses vivid verbs and modifiers
(5) Uses conflict and sequence as does any story
(6) May use dialogue

Narrative Essay--Tips
(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.

Narrative Essay--Conventions
(1) Narratives are generally written in the first person, that is using “I”. However, third person (he, she, it, etc.) can also be used.
(2) Narratives rely on concrete, sensory details to convey their point. These details should create a unified, forceful effect, a dominant impression.
(3) Narratives, as stories, should include these story conventions: a plot, including setting and characters; a climax; and an ending.

*Source: Essayinfo.com