Slidedoc for ENGL 208

2. Introduction
• Everything we read in this course will be a personal essay of
some sort.
• The word “essay” means “an attempt or effort” (from the French
word essai, meaning “to try”). And this is exactly what writers do
when they write essays: they attempt to uncover or understand
something.

3. Definition of a Personal Essay
• A personal essay is typically defined as a narrative (story)
grounded in real experience, in which the author writes about an
experience or incident that is significant and reveals some insight
or truth to them.
• However, personal essays always aim beyond the personal
(otherwise, they’re diary entries). Personal essays typically rely on
literary techniques to create powerful resonances with a reader.

4. Key Elements of Personal Essays
• They are lively and conversational.
• They invite the reader in to explore a topic along with the author.
• They use literary techniques like narration, scene, character, and
atmosphere to connect to readers.
• The writing is descriptive and full of concrete detail.
• Their point of view (POV) is typically first person (i.e., it uses “I”)
• They are deeply personal and individual.
• They can be on any topic.
• Something must be at stake in them.

5. • The best personal essays don’t aim to feature the teller as the
hero of the story, and don’t focus on grand, sweeping events.
• Rather, they arise from a genuine sense of curiosity about
yourself and the world, a capacity and desire for honest self-
reflection, and a healthy sense of adventure. Be prepared to
nurture these qualities over the course of the semester!