Writing Practice

I. A Brief Introduction

A Brief Guide to Writing Narrative Essays

Narrative writing tells a story. In essays the narrative writing could also be considered reflection or an exploration of the author’s values told as a story. The important aspect to remember is that you should have a story. In a successful narrative essay, the author usually makes a point.

Features

1) The story should have an introduction that clearly indicates what kind of narrative essay it is (an event or recurring activity, a personal experience, or an observation), and it should have a conclusion that makes a point.

2) The essay should include anecdotes. The author should describe the person, the scene, or the event in some detail. It’s okay to include dialogue as long as you know how to punctuate it correctly and as long as you avoid using too much.

3) The occasion or person described must be suggestive in that your description and thoughts lead the reader to reflect on the human experience.

4) The point of view in narrative essays is usually first person. The use of “I” invites your readers into an intimate discussion.  

5) The writing in your essay should be lively and show some style. Try to describe ideas and events in new and different ways. Avoid using clichés. Again, get the basic story down, get it organized, and in your final editing process, work on word choice.

II. A Sample Essay

Henry’s Big Break

My great-grandfather, Henry A. Benson, is the most famous person in our family. He rose from delivering newspapers in his small hometown of Cross Plains, Texas, to becoming the editor in chief of one of the biggest papers in the state. He tells many stories about his days as a reporter, but his favorite one takes place on a late spring afternoon in 1941. That’s the day great-granddad got his big break.

Inside the offices of the Center State Chronicle, 15-year-old Henry took a deep breath. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his worn-out jeans so that the paper’s editor, Mr. Walsh, wouldn’t see how nervous he felt.

      “Mr. Walsh,” Henry said, “I’ve delivered your paper for three years now. I’ve never missed one day. If you make me a reporter, I won’t let you down.”

      “Henry,” Mr. Walsh replied, “there’s a big difference between being a delivery boy and being a reporter. Maybe after you’ve finished school.”

Trying not to let his disappointment show, Henry left the newspaper office. What was he going to do? He got his battered bicycle and pedaled across town toward home. Near an old bridge, Henry saw skid marks on the pavement. Tire tracks showed where a car had recently left the road. Henry spotted a sedan lying at the bottom of the ravine.

Henry flagged down a passing car to fetch an ambulance. Then he scrambled down the ravine. The car’s right front tire was shredded, which must have been why the car ran off the road. The driver lay slumped over the steering wheel. He was a middle-aged man wearing a rumpled brown suit.

“Are you all right?” Henry asked the man.

“… Can’t move my right arm,” the driver mumbled.

Henry tried to talk to the injured man to keep him awake, but the man passed out anyway. Henry understood the seriousness of the situation and stayed with the man until an ambulance came. Only when the man was safely on his way to the hospital did it occur to Henry that the accident was newsworthy. Maybe this was the story that could make him a real reporter!

He raced home and typed up an account of the accident. Then he pedaled as fast as he could back to the Chronicle offices. Editor Walsh ran the story and began to realize that Henry had the right stuff to become a reporter.

In the years that followed, my great-grandfather learned to be a great reporter. Later, he became one of the most respected newspaper editors in Texas. No matter how famous he became, though, he always loved to tell about the day he got his big break. His story still inspires me whenever I think about what kind of job I would really love.

III. Homework

Narrative Paragraph Writing

A narrative paragraph tells a story or a part of a story.  It can be based on fact, on imagination, or on a combination. The purpose of a narrative paragraph is to tell about something that happened.  It may be a personal account of something the writer has experienced.  In a narrative paragraph, the writer (narrator) tells a story by sharing the details of that experience.

Like all types of paragraphs, a narrative paragraph must have a topic sentence, details about the event, and time order.

Assignment:

Write a narrative paragraph of at least 8 sentences, of something you have seen or had happened to you or someone you know lately, that others would find interesting.  It can be fiction if you choose, but must be written in a narrative style.

Helpful Hint — To make sure you have included all the important details in your narrative paragraph, ask the following questions:  Who?  What?  When?  Where?  Why?  How?

Reference:

In an instant he had fallen into the rushing water.  The current sucked at his trembling legs and he lost his balance as he reached for the canoe.  One hand clutched the broken gunwale of the vessel, and he dragged himself up to it.  From then on it was a struggle of sheer will power against the brute power of the river.  In a daze he fought, inch by inch, toward the shore while the water-logged canoe tugged and hauled away from him.  Several times he lost his foothold and both he and the canoe swung back toward the fatal journey.  Each time he managed to arrest the progress in the nick of time.  At last, he felt the canoe grate against the shore.  Dizziness overwhelmed him.  He stumbled forward on his knees, thinking how glad he was to be alive and then fainted dead away.