Use specific language to evoke specific emotions and senses in the reader. Much like the descriptive essay, narrative essays are effective when the language is carefully, particularly, and artfully chosen. Use clear and concise language throughout the essay.Creativity in narrative essays oftentimes manifests itself in the form of authorial perspective.

It is quite common for narrative essays to be written from the standpoint of the author however, this is not the sole perspective to be considered.

The essay should be written from a clear point of view.

If there is no point to what you are narrating, why narrate it at all? Make a point! Think of this as the thesis of your story. Obviously, this would not necessarily follow the pattern of a story and would focus on providing an informative narrative for the reader.

When would a narrative essay not be written as a story?Ī good example of this is when an instructor asks a student to write a book report.

This means that you must include an introduction, plot, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion.

If written as a story, the essay should include all the parts of a story.

Here are some guidelines for writing a narrative essay. These essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal-allowing students to express themselves in a creative and, quite often, moving ways. When writing a narrative essay, one might think of it as telling a story.

Although these genres have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the widespread use of these approaches and students’ need to understand and produce them. The Modes of Discourse-Exposition, Description, Narration, Argumentation (EDNA)-are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes.

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