Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Narrative Essay 1010

The Narrative Essay
English 1010
Hasting




Narration is the telling of a story. Your essay will most likely tell a story about what once really happened to you or to people you know. The essence of a narrative essay is a point and a story to back it up. Tell your own story in your own way.

The story must have a thesis, but the story itself is what gives life to the paper.
(Remember the thesis is the last sentence in your introduction paragraph.)

Write a story, not a sermon. Avoid preaching, lecturing, or moralizing, especially in your conclusion.

A good story needs a conflict.
Conflicts can occur between people, between people and their environments, and between a person and himself.

A good story needs a lot of details, specific ones that give the reader a rich picture of what is taking place.

A good story is real. No one is totally good or totally evil. Life is much more complex than that, and we all know it!

Check your handout that covered the College Essay.

*Use MLA style heading and page numbers

*500 words, typed, and double-spaced using size 12 font

*Introduction must be at least 6-10 sentences

*A thesis must be in the last sentence of the introduction paragraph

*Each body paragraph (3 is the minimum number) must begin with a topic sentence. Each topic sentence must directly support the thesis. And each topic sentence must be supported by all of the rest of the sentences in the paragraph.

*Your conclusion should restate the thesis using different words. Use your conclusion to remind your reader of the main points you made in the body of your essay.

Type on one side of your paper only.

No cover sheet.

Staple

No contractions, no use of the personal pronoun “you”

Your essay must contain a title.

Narrative Essay DSPW 0800

Writing a Narrative
DSPW 0800
Hasting


When you write a narrative essay, you are writing a story. Your story may be personal, historical, or even fictional (made up). Stories are almost always told in chronological order. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end. Narratives need a thesis as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. The three body paragraphs should begin with a topic sentence (which introduces the topic of that paragraph). The conclusion of your narrative should summarize the main points of your story and/or restate your thesis using different words.

See page 175 in Writing First for examples of transitional words and phrases that will help your readers follow your story. For example: After, finally, now, meanwhile. These transitional words indicate that time is passing, so they are useful for keeping your narrative organized.

Read the narrative “Reflections” on pages 175-76 if you would like to see an example.
Handwrite or type a one-page narrative essay on the topic “your idea of a perfect day.” Follow the rules of writing found in the handout Requirements of the College Essay. The narrative is due on Tuesday, February 3. This essay is only a homework grade.