Writing a Narrative Essay
English 100
Ms. Esther Floyd
Spring 2007Think about the essays in Strategies that you have read and then think about a similar situation that you have experienced or that you have observed and write a narrative essay, an essay in which you tell a story that has a point.
Think about your audience. The experience that you are writing about should have universal appeal. After reading your essay, your reader should not ask, "So what?" The reader should feel as though he or she has gained useful knowledge from reading your writing.
After your topic has been approved, generate ideas through brainstorming, clustering, questioning, freewriting, or a combination of these and other invention strategies. Include details that will re-create the experience for the reader.
Organize the details in a logical manner. (Write an informal outline.)
In class: Following your outline, draft the narrative.
Then, think about the point of the story. Mentally, take the subject and turn it around like a cube. Look at it. Think about the role that race, gender, economics and so on may have played in this experience.
Find a controlling idea for the essay and revise.
After you have revised, edit, print, and proofread your essay before turning it in for feedback.
In your first drafts, focus on getting the meaning "right." Be sure that the essay says exactly what you want it to say. The drafts that you give to me for feedback should adhere to the conventions of Standard American English.
The essay should be approximately three pages (double-spaced) and typed or word-processed (Courier New, 12-point font). See LBH, pp. 687-688, for MLA document format. Assemble in the following manner: prewriting on bottom, rough drafts, final draft (secured with a paper clip), writer's memo (at least one page of double-spaced text) on top. Turn in papers in a folder with a pocket.
In your writer's memo, discuss the theme of the essay (the point of the story). Discuss the strengths of the essay, the weaknesses. Discuss problems that you had and how you solved those problems (if you solved them). Also, identify specific parts of the essay that you would like me to pay special attention to. Think of the writer’s memo as an opportunity for you to talk with me about your writing.
The essay will be evaluated on thesis development, organization, grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage, mechanics, and presentation. Your essay's introduction and conclusion should be well developed and energetic (see LBH, pp. 102+) for ideas on developing introductions and conclusions).
Be proud of your work. Proofread carefully and present your work to your audience in a professional manner.