NARRATIVE ESSAY
Think of a story that either happened to you or someone you know. Why do you remember it? Probably because it has a sequence of events that builds to a conclusion. Something happened that caused something else to happen, etc. A story is a chain reaction.
Remember that if the events you’re describing in your third paragraph have no connection to the events you’re describing in your first or second paragraphs, then you have no story.
Read Chapter 14 in your textbook. Note that just because we’re writing an essay that has a story, doesn’t mean that we should ignore the essential elements of the five-paragraph essay structure, such as a thesis statement, topic sentences, etc.
Remember that what we’re writing an essay, not a short story. Below are some helpful hints from Daniel Kies (College of DuPage) http://papyr.com/hypertextbooks/comp1/narrativ.htm
1. Build your essay around a central point, a main idea that your story then supports and explains. This is crucial, and perhaps the defining characteristic between a narrative-as-story and a narrative-as-essay. This main idea will be the thesis of your essay, will say something that the story itself then illuminates and shows to be true. This generalization can be quite personal; it does not have to capture a truth about humanity as a whole or about the essence of the human condition. It simply needs to capture a truth about your life and use the story, the narrative experience, to illustrate its importance to you. In this way, it then has meaning to the readers as well.
2. You are writing an essay, not simply telling a story. Remember to incorporate details of your story that not only illuminate your thesis, but also engage your readers’ imaginations and make the story “real” for them as well.
Below is a very simple five-paragraph narrative essay.
The Birthday Party
The biggest, best birthday ever…that would describe my eighth birthday! My parents surprised me with a party at the zoo. Grandmother baked my favorite cake. There were many gifts from friends and family. It was a wonderful celebration that I’ll remember for the rest of my life..
It all began with a surprise party at the zoo thrown by my parents. No one mentioned my birthday all morning so I figured everyone had forgotten it. I was shocked when my mom drove me to the zoo parking lot, and everyone jumped from behind cars shouting, “Surprise.” Only close family was invited.
After that we went to my Grandma’s house. She had made my favorite cake. It was a triple-layer chocolate delight. I blew and blew at the candles until I finally realized they were trick candles. Grandma gave me the biggest piece! Later my parents gave me the best gift of all. It was a fuzzy golden retriever puppy. I named him Goldy. He is still my best friend today.
My eighth birthday was a most memorable celebration. The party at the zoo, a delicious cake, and a very special gift made it a memorable birthday. I think it was a superb way to remember the day I was born.
I don’t want you to be this simplistic, but notice how this essay, written by a child, hits all the points we’ve discussed in class.
GRAMMAR
Note: The grammar exercises below are NOT DUE UNTIL WEDNESDAY. For Monday concentrate on writing the first draft of your essay. DO NOT FORGET to print out at least one copy of your essay and TWO copies of the FEEDBACK FORM (one for each member of your group) and bring them to class.
The exercises below WILL BE GRADED! Before you do the exercises, click on the ADJECTIVE and ADVERB hyperlinks to refresh your knowledge.
What is an ADJECTIVE? http://www.arts.uottawa.ca/writcent/hypergrammar/adjectve.html
What is an ADVERB?
http://www.arts.uottawa.ca/writcent/hypergrammar/adverbs.html
Exercises
exercisesduewednesday.doc
ASSIGNMENTSNarrative Essay. 1st draft due in class on Monday.
Hard copy. Copies of Feedback Form.
Hard copy. Copies of Feedback Form.
