How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips
A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal
experience you had. This type of essay, along with the descriptive essay, allows you
to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing. Narrative essays test your
ability to express your experiences in a creative and compelling way, and to follow an
appropriate narrative structure. They are often assigned in high school or in
composition classes at university. You can also use these techniques when writing a
personal statement for an application.
What is a narrative essay for?
When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my
teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the
important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way
you tell it. A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear
and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and
ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace. These
skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance,
in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of
figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.
Choosing a topic
Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given
about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to
work with.
Specific prompts
Write a story about your first day of school.
Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.
You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.
Open-ended prompts
Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and
how?
