Narrative Essays

National Geographic explorers Beverly and Dereck Joubert are in Duba

Plains, Botswana. Their accomplishments include launching the Big Cats
Initiative, a global awareness program to protect lions, tigers, cheetahs,
leopards, and jaguars.

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Objectives To learn how to write a narrative essay
To use connectors and time relationship
words To understand adjective clauses

Can you write a story about

a person who has done
something inspirational?
What Is a Narrative Essay?
A narrative essay tells a story. In fact, narrative is another word for story. In this unit, you
will learn how to organize and write a narrative essay. Even though the narrative essay has the
same basic form as most other academic essays, it allows the writer to be a little more creative
than academic essays usually do. Narratives can tell long stories or just a few minutes’ worth of
excitement. While the narrative essay has a particular structure, narrative ideas are often used in
different writing tasks, such as argument or compare-contrast.

structure of a story
Several important elements make up a good story:
Setting The setting is the location where the action in a story takes place.
Theme The theme is the basic idea of the story. Very often the theme will deal with a
topic that is common in life or human nature, such as independence, envy,
courage, failure, and success.
Mood The mood is the feeling or atmosphere that the writer creates for the story. It
could be happy, hopeful, suspenseful, or scary. Both the setting and descriptive
vocabulary create the mood in a narrative.
Characters The characters are the people in the story. They are affected by the mood of
the story, and they react to the events in which they are involved.
Plot The plot is what happens in the story, that is, the sequence of events. The plot
often includes a climax or turning point at which the characters or events change.
Just like other types of essays, an effective narrative essay also includes these elements:
• a thesis that sets up the action in the introduction
• transition sentences that connect events and help the reader follow the story
• a conclusion that ends the story action and provides a moral, prediction, or revelation

40Unit 2 • Narrative Essays

the introduction
The introduction of a narrative essay is the paragraph that begins your story. In the
introduction, you describe the setting, introduce the characters, and prepare your audience for the
action to come. Of course, the introduction should have a hook and a thesis.

The Narrative Hook

You learned in Unit 1 that the hook in an essay is the part of the introduction—usually the first
few sentences—that grabs readers’ attention. Hooks are especially important in narrative essays because
they help set the stage for the story. The hook makes readers start guessing about what will happen next.
Let’s look at the hook from Essay 8 that you will read in Activity 2.
I had never been more anxious in my life. I had just spent the last three endless hours
trying to get to the airport so that I could travel home.

Does this hook make you want to know what happened to the narrator? The hook should make
the reader ask wh- questions about the essay. You may have thought of questions like these when you
read the preceding hook:

• Who is the narrator and why is he or she anxious?

• Where is the airport?
• What made the trip to the airport seem endless?
• Why is this person going home?

Activity 1 identifying Hooks

Read the sentences below. Which three sentences would not be good hooks for a narrative essay?
Put a ✓ next to these sentences. Be ready to explain why you think these sentences do not work well as
hooks for narrative essays.
1. The roar of race-car engines ripped through the blazing heat of the day.

2. It was freezing on that sad December day. Because it is not interesting and does not make you want to continue
reading.

3. After my brother’s accident, I sat alone in the hospital waiting room.

4. My friend and I should not have been walking home alone so late on that dark
winter night.

5. Whales are by far the largest marine mammals.

6. She gave her friend a birthday gift.

7. The gleaming snow lay over the treacherous mountain like a soft white blanket, making
the terrain seem safe instead of deadly.

8. The Russian dictionary that we use in our language class has 500 pages. because it is only one piece of
information

9. Amber never expected to hear the deadly sound of a rattlesnake in her kitchen garden.

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 10. A shot rang out in the silence of the night.
because it is only one piece of information
The Thesis
In most types of essays, the thesis states the main idea of the essay and tells what the
organization of the information will be. However, in a narrative essay, the thesis introduces the
action that begins in the first paragraph of the essay. Look at these example thesis statements:
Now, as I watched the bus driver set my luggage on the airport sidewalk, I realized that
my frustration had only just begun.

I wanted my mother to watch me race down the steep hill, so I called out her name and
then nudged my bike forward.

Because his pride would not allow him to apologize, Ken now had to fight the bully, and
he was pretty sure that he would not win.

These thesis statements do not tell the reader what happens. They only introduce the action
that will follow. The paragraphs in the body will develop the story.

the body
The body of your narrative essay contains most of the plot—the supporting information. The
action in the plot can be organized in many different ways. One way is chronological or time order.
In this method, each paragraph gives more information about the story as it proceeds in time—the
first paragraph usually describes the first event, the second paragraph describes the second event,
and so on.

Transitional Sentences
In an essay with chronological organization, each paragraph ends with a transitional sentence.
Transitional sentences have two purposes: (1) to signal the end of the action in one paragraph, and
(2) to provide a link to the action of the next paragraph. These sentences are vital because they give
your story unity and allow the reader to follow the action easily. The following example is from
Essay 8 on page 43, Paragraphs 2 and 3. Notice how the ideas in the last sentence of Paragraph 2
(the transitional sentence, underlined) and the first sentence of Paragraph 3 (underlined) are
connected.

2 This was my first visit to the international terminal of the airport, and nothing was familiar. I
could not make sense of any of the signs. Where was the check-in counter? Where should I take
my luggage? I had no idea where the immigration line was. I began to panic. What time was it?
Where was my plane? I had to find help because I could not be late!

3 I tried to ask a passing businessman for help, but my words all came out wrong. He just
scowled and walked away. What had happened? I had been in this country for a whole
semester, and I could not even remember how to ask for directions. This was awful! Another bus
arrived at the terminal, and the passengers stepped off carrying all sorts of luggage. Here was
my chance! I could follow them to the right place, and I would not have to say a word.

the conclusion
Like academic essays, narrative essays need to have concluding ideas. In the conclusion, you
finish describing the action in the essay. The final sentence can have two functions:
1. It can deliver the moral of the story by telling the reader what the character(s) learned
from the experience.
2. It can make a prediction or a revelation (disclosure of something that was not known before)
about future actions that will happen as a result of the events in the story.

41
42 Unit 2 • Narrative Essays
 Look at these examples:
Moral The little boy had finally learned that telling the truth was the most
important thing to do.

Prediction I can only hope that one day I will be able to do the same for another traveler
who is suffering through a terrible journey.

Revelation Every New Year’s Eve, my wife and I return to that magical spot and remember
the selfless act that saved our lives.

Writer’s Note
Storytelling Tip
If you describe the sights, smells, and sounds of the story, you will bring the story alive for
the reader. Try to include a few adjectives in your sentences. The more descriptive the
information, the more the reader will connect with the story you are telling. Make readers
feel that they are there with you as you experience what you are describing.
In the following example, the writer uses adjectives (underlined) to add depth to the story
by giving additional information.

I walked into the noisy classroom and looked for a place to sit down. In the back of the well-lit room, I saw
an old wooden desk and walked toward it. After a few moments, the
anxious students quieted down when they observed the prim English teacher enter the room.

Activity 2 studying a narrative essay

Discuss the Preview Questions with a classmate. Then read the essay and answer the questions that
follow.

Preview Questions
1. Have you ever had trouble getting from one place to another while traveling? Where were you going?
What happened that made this travel difficult?
I have never been in trouble when traveling somewhere.

2. Can everyday people be considered heroes? What do you consider to be a heroic act?
I believe anyone in your mind can be a hero, they could do the smallest act like a favor that is really important to you and
you can consider them a hero. Also life changing acts like saving someone’s life is definitely a very heroic act.

Essay 8

43
 Frustration at the Airport

1 I had never been more anxious in my life. I had just spent the
last three endless hours trying to get to the airport so that I could
travel home. Now, as I watched the bus driver set my luggage on the
airport sidewalk, I realized that my frustration had only just begun.
2 This was my first visit to the international terminal of the
airport, and nothing was familiar. I could not make sense of any of
the signs. Where was the check-in counter? Where should I take my
luggage? I had no idea where the immigration line was. I began to
panic. What time was it? Where was my plane? I had to find help
because I could not be late!
 3 I tried to ask a passing businessman for help, but my words
all came out wrong. He just scowled and walked away. What had to scowl: to frown
happened? I had been in this country for a whole semester, and I could
not even remember how to ask for directions. This was awful! Another
bus arrived at the terminal, and the passengers came out carrying all a terminal: an arrival
sorts of luggage. Here was my chance! I could follow them to the right and departure point
place, and I would not have to say a word. for some forms of
mass transportation
4 I dragged my enormous suitcase behind me and followed the
group. We finally reached the elevators. Oh, no! They all fit in it, but to despair: the
condition of having
there was not enough room for me. I watched in despair as the
no hope
elevator doors closed. I had no idea what to do next. I got on the
elevator when it returned and gazed at all the buttons. Which one to gaze: to look at
slowly and steadily
could it be? I pressed button 3. The elevator slowly climbed up to
the third floor and jerked to a stop. A high, squeaking noise to jerk: to move
announced the opening of the doors, and I looked around timidly. with an abrupt
motion
5 Tears formed in my eyes as I saw the deserted lobby and realized timidly: hesitantly,
that I would miss my plane. Just then an elderly airport employee shyly
shuffled around the corner. He saw that I was lost and asked if he could deserted: empty
help. He gave me his handkerchief to dry my eyes as I related my
predicament. He smiled kindly, and led me down a long hallway. We elderly: older; mature
walked up some stairs, turned a corner, and, at last, there was customs! He to shuffle: to walk
led me past all the lines of people and pushed my luggage to the by sliding one’s feet
inspection counter. along the ground
a predicament: a
6 When I turned to thank him for all his help, he was gone. I troubling situation
will never know that kind man’s name, but I will always remember his
unexpected courtesy. He helped me when I needed it the most. I can a courtesy: a kind or
only hope that one day I will be able to do the same for another traveler polite action
who is suffering through a terrible journey.

44Unit 2 • Narrative Essays 43

Post-Reading
1. What is the narrative hook?
I had just spent the last three endless hours trying to get to the Airport so that I could travel home.

2. Do you think the hook is effective? In other words, did it grab your attention? Why, or why not?

In my opinion,n this hook did grab my attention because I feel like a lot of people can relate to airport problems and
maybe could find a solution to a maybe similar problem in the future.

3. Where is the setting of this story?

The setting of the story is at the airport

4. What is the theme, or the basic idea, of “Frustration at the Airport”?

The theme, or the basic idea of this story is that it is a new setting of the airport, never been to the international side and
was having trouble adjusting to where to find and the check-ins and the people weren’t too friendly.

5. Read the final sentences in Paragraphs 2, 3, 4, and 5. How does each one prepare the reader for
the action to come?

The final sentences of each paragraph try to grad the reader’s attention and make them want to
know if the flight was missed. If the narrator found the place they were looking for. If they got to
the correct floor and if the person that helped was really any help at all.

6. What do you think the mood of the story is? What feeling or atmosphere does the writer create?

I think the two moods of this story are frustration and a little bit anxious because the narrator is timid and doesn’t
speak up about not knowing where the places are, and also not knowing if the narrator missed the flight o made it on
time.

7. List the characters in this essay.

The characters in the essay are the narrator, the businessman, and the elderly airport employee.

8. What verb tense is used in “Frustration at the Airport”? . Write five verbs that
the writer uses

 Asked, followed, got on, pressed, looked around

9. This essay is arranged in chronological order. In a few words, describe what happens first, second,
third, and so on.

The narrator arrived at the airport. Since it was their first time at the international airport, they tried
to ask for help. They followed a group of people that had just arrived at the terminal. Then they got
on the elevator and went the third floor of the airport. They cried of frustration, about possibly
45
 missing their flight. Finally they found a very helpful elderly airport employee and got to their flight
on time.

46 Unit 2 • Narrative Essays

10. Underline the transitional sentences.

11. Does the story end with a moral, prediction, or revelation? Write the final
sentence here.

In my opinion I think this story ends with a Moral because the narrator learned that there is
good people in this world, and learned to be grateful for that kind man’s help

Building Better Sentences: For further practice, go to Practice 8 on page 196 in Appendix 1.

Activity 3 Outlining Practice

Below is an outline for “Frustration at the Airport.” Some of the information is missing. Reread
the essay beginning on page 43 and complete the outline.

Title: Frustration at the Airport

I. Introduction (Paragraph 1)

A. Hook: I had never been more anxious in my life. I had just spent the last three endless
hours trying to get to the airport so that I could travel home.

B. Thesis statement: Now, as I watched the bus driver set my luggage on the airport sidewalk, I realized that my frustration
had only just begun.

II. Body

A. Paragraph 2 (Event 1) topic sentence: This was my first visit to the international terminal
of the airport, and nothing was familiar.

1. The signs were confusing.

2. I began to panic.
suPPorT

3. Transition sentence: I tried asking a passing businessman for help

B. Paragraph 3 (Event 2) topic sentence: I had been in this country for a whole semester, and I couldn´t remember how to ask
for directions.

1. He scowled and walked away.

2. I could not remember how to ask for directions.

suPPorT

3. Another bus had arrived to the terminal

4. Transition sentence: I could follow them and not have to say a word

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 C. Paragraph 4 (Event 3) topic sentence: I dragged my enormous suitcase behind me and
followed the group.

1.We reached the elevators but there was not enough room for me
suPPorT
2. I got on the elevator and looked at the buttons.

3.I pressed button 3

4. Transition sentence: I looked around timidly.

D. Paragraph 5 (Event 4) topic sentence: Tears formed in my eyes as I saw the deserted lobby
and realized that I would miss my airplane.

1. An airport employee offered to help.

2. He gave me his handkerchief, to dry my eyes

suPPorT

3. We walked up some stairs, turned a corner and at last we made it to customs.

4. Transition sentence: He led me past all the lines of people and pushed my luggage to the
inspection counter.

III. Conclusion (Paragraph 6)

A. Close of the action: When I turned to thank him for all his help, he was gone.

B. I will never know his name, but I will always remember his unexpected courtesy.

C. He helped me when I needed it the most.

D. Final sentence (moral, prediction, or revelation): I can only hope that one day I will do the same for another suffering
traveler.

48 Unit 2 • Narrative Essays

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