Narrative Essays A narrative essay tells a story. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end to the story. Remember: the best narratives focus on a specific event that happened – one event. Do NOT write about several days or several years of events. ONE EVENT

Introduction Your introduction should start with a hook – a sentence that capture’s your reader’s attention. You need to be sure to give background – including SETTING and CHARACTERS Your thesis needs to hint at what the lesson of the story is going to be or hint at what may happen in the story (good or bad)

Body Paragraph Body paragraph are where you tell the story. You may have more than three paragraphs…remember dialogue? Write your story in chronological order. Remember to use specific details. SHOW your reader what happened; don’t just tell them. Give your reader IMAGES they can see

Dialogue You MUST include dialogue in your narrative essay! “I don’t know how to do this!” yelled Brian. “Don’t worry about it. I will show you in case you forgot,” his best friend, Ryan, smiled. “Okay.” “This is how you hold the football. Grip it lightly and remember to throw from your shoulder,” Ryan instructed.

Conclusion You must make sure that your last paragraph tells the reader the end of the story. DO NOT leave your reader hanging! Be sure to state what you learned from the experience.

Your Narrative Essay Putting a correct heading on your paper: Assignment: Narrative Essay Once you put your heading on your paper, skip a line under the date and on the next line (in the middle of the page) write the word “Title” or if you know what you want to use as your title of your essay – write the title.

Introduction Your first sentence should be your hook: Question Quote Fact or statistic A false statement Indent your paragraph!!!!

Introduction Background: Tell your reader about the setting and characters in your story. You should be writing about yourself, so tell the reader what he or she needs to know about you to understand the story. 3-4 sentences long!!!!

Introduction Thesis – main idea of your essay You need to hint to your reader whether the tale you are about to narrate is good or bad: Example: I thought the day was going to go so well, but it turned out to be the worse day of my life.

Body Paragraphs Your body paragraphs needs to include: dialogue action images details description “showing” How many body paragraphs do I need? However many it takes to tell the story!!!!!!

Conclusion Restate your thesis: Example: I really felt that my day was going to be perfect, but it turned out to be a horrible day. Answer your “So What?” What did you learn from the experience? What do you expect your readers to learn from the experience?

Lastly Go back and title your story if you have not already!