narrative essay definition

narrative essay definition

Exploring the Definition and Elements of a Narrative Essay

1. Introduction to Narrative Essays

Various “how to write a narrative essay” articles state that a narrative essay is intended mainly to tell readers a story, which is related to the larger topic of the essay. It is a writer’s way to write about his experience the way he sees it. A narrative essay has to have a point, so you don’t want to tell just any story, but rather one that will have a purpose. Narrative essays tend to focus on a small story. You do not need to create an argument. This means you cannot argue about a topic because of the nature of narrative essays. The structure of the essay is very clearly described. In text, the structure is presented in the form of an important element. In essence, the author is trying to tell his or her story, and it is up to the reader to decide what he or she can take away from it.

Introduction to Narrative Essays The narrative essay is very close to a story and is used to teach the student how to use certain key elements that are pivotal to provoking emotion in the reader over and over. While writing this type of essay, most of the essays follow the basic structure. The structure of the essay may be written according to the writer’s preference. There is a universal structure inherent in the more imaginative business of writing a narrative essay, which enables the writer to approach the matter at hand. These inherent values suggest that the essay will be something that will be interesting to read. That is the main advantage of the narrative essay. However, keep in mind that essays, in general, are very structured, so strong web development and writing structure are no way subpar to a short story. In turn, a subpar essay will take arguments that do not have any logic behind them or assume a meaning behind an action without any background. The best narrative essay will satisfy the reader, while subpar essays will not.

A narrative essay is a type of essay that has a single motif, or a central point, around which the whole narrative revolves. The events that are narrated, the setting, characters, and the important episodes that are described in the entire essay must have something to do with the subject of the essay. These essays are similar to stories; they use a writer’s imagination and are written in the first person. Here is a quick and easy method to do a narrative essay right and complete the task efficiently. To learn more about the different aspects of a narrative essay, just continue reading.

2. Key Elements of a Narrative Essay

The reader should easily understand the actions of the characters for one to write a narrative essay. The writer should express clear views and opinions about the event that has taken place. These expressions should not exceed the character’s used action. Some common traits of a narrative essay include a plot, the introduction, setting, other characters, climax, and the conclusion. The plot then revolves around the three stages. The introduction equips the readers with a clear account of what the reader is to expect. This part should be captivating in order to grip the reader into reading the rest of the essay. Details are crucial. The use of vivid memories increases the reader’s perception of the events at hand. Descriptive details should form the bulk of the sections in the middle. Details are used to support setting and build the reader’s focus on the issue.

The purpose is to show the simple process of recalling memories. A narrative essay is a form of writing that describes an event or a person. It is through this form of writing that a writer tells a particular story to the audience. A first person (I) is usually used, and three consequent stages follow in the storytelling stage, i.e., beginning, middle, and end. These stages determine the story about to be told. In the end stage, a summary is given which brings in the moral lesson learned or the significance of this experience.

3. Structuring a Narrative Essay

Authentic narrative essays relate actual events taken from the writer’s experience. Events that really happened form the foundation of these narratives. These stories can just as easily be about small events as life-altering events. As long as the story has meaning to the writer or reader, it is a narrative essay. However, the writer must keep in mind that the instructions of the assignment must be followed carefully. Each prompt will touch on different narrative elements. Even so, whatever the requirements, any narrative essay should have only three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The essay should be driven by time, or be time-oriented. Optional persuasive essays have the choice of all writing strategies. However, a narrative must communicate a personal view and perspective of the events involved. The reader should see, hear, and feel character actions and reactions. A narrative should be weighted with details. Outlining a narrative essay is necessary since an effective essay must be constructed in logical order. An experienced writer arranges events so that the reading has a smooth and, most often, clear structure. Quoting incidents and controlling tone places the reader in the story. However, inexperienced writers often struggle because they underrate certain recurring activities involving composition. Items dealing with these activities include narrowing, organization, and style.

Structuring a narrative is usually a matter of time, whether past, present, or future. Humans are storytelling creatures, and all of us tell stories frequently. Many of the conversations we hold on a daily basis are about how events might unfold or have already transpired, much as we might tell a story. Everyone has had the experience of recounting an event, using their speaking voice, but thinking inwardly as they circulate new details and set-in scenes. Viewed this way, narrative essays start to assume the shape of traditional essays that engage in history, biography, and journalism.

4. Effective Techniques for Writing a Compelling Narrative Essay

A quick review of the important elements of a narrative essay is appropriate. The subject of a narrative essay is less concerned with classification or generalization than it is with individuality. This focus can determine a text’s point of view and, in turn, the essay’s organizational pattern. Like any other essay, you need to appeal to your reader’s emotions, to be persuasive, and to create a point of view that is clear. Inserting dialogue that moves the essay forward to understanding that point of view, to more clearly express the emotions felt in that point of view, is also an important component in narrative writing.

The narrative essay affords the writer to employ effective writing techniques such as actively involving the audience, character development, setting, descriptions of emotion, a consistent point of view, and dialogue. The very essence of a bucket list includes the quest for life-enriching experiences. Describing the narrative essay in his book entitled “The Essay Connection,” Mr. Bloomsbury states that a narrative essay’s defining characteristics, as he describes a narrative essay, “include the obvious fact that it tells a story. Experiences in our lives provide the material for stories that lend themselves to making a very good and interesting essay.