The document outlines the assignment for a descriptive narrative essay, explaining its purpose, requirements, and grading criteria. Writers are encouraged to tell a story using sensory details and personal experiences, and the essay should be 2 to 3 double-spaced pages long. Focus areas for grading include narrative structure, audience engagement, word choice, logical organization, and adherence to formal writing conventions.

1. Descriptive Narrative Essay Assignment Sheet
Descriptive Narrative Essay
What is a descriptive narrative essay?
In these essays, the writer tells a story using the senses of taste,
sight, smell, hearing, and touch to help the readers experience
the story and events surrounding it.
What is the purpose?
Often you will be asked, “What happened?” and daily you
experience through what you taste, what you listen to, what you
see, what you smell, and what you touch. If someone asks you
to describe something, you want to do so in the best, fullest
way. If someone asks you to “What happened?”, you should be
able to tell the story in an organized way. Often police officers,
nurses, social workers, and many others are asked to give case
studies or explain what happened in a particular event. They
must communicate these events (i.e. stories) often in writing.
Where do I find a topic?
Think of events that have shaped who you are. Is there a
moment when you realized what field you wanted to study in
college? Did you go on a vacation that changed your view about
a culture or place?
Whatever you choose, you should not need secondary research.
Real or Imaginary?
Either is fine.
How long does it have to be?
2 to 3 double-spaced pages
What am I graded on?
Focus and development
Author provides an appropriate and interesting title.
Author tells a story in chronological order and gives detailed

2. descriptions, using multiple senses.
Essay is 2 to 3 pages.
Audience and voice
Author writes to a target audience, and this audience is
appropriate for the subject.
The voice is appropriate for and engages the audience.
Word choice is appropriate for the audience.
Author uses effective and interesting sentences throughout the
essay.
Cohesion and coherence
Transitions (connections between ideas, sentences, and
paragraphs) guide the readers.
Essay and ideas within are organized logically.
Sentence structures and beginnings are varied.
Formal elements of academic discourse
Author uses correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
Writing process
Author follows a process that includes some prewriting,
drafting, revising, and editing.