a discussion about narrative essay

1. QUARTER 3
Narrative
ESSAY
E N G L I S H 1 0
M I S S A I K S

2. A narrative essay tells a story, often from the writer’s
perspective, to entertain, inform, or reflect on an
experience. It typically includes elements of storytelling,
such as characters, plot, setting, conflict, and resolution.
Purpose of a Narrative Essay
The primary purpose of a narrative essay is to:
1.Share Personal Experiences: Provide insights,
lessons, or reflections through a story.
2.Engage the Reader: Captivate the audience with a
compelling narrative.
3.Convey a Message: Highlight a specific theme, moral,
or lesson derived from the story.
NARRATIVE ESSAY

3. Example:
Topic: "My First Day at School"
A narrative essay on this topic would recount
the writer’s personal experience of the first day
at school, detailing emotions, challenges,
interactions with peers and teachers, and key
moments. It would follow a chronological
structure and include reflections on how the
experience shaped the writer.
NARRATIVE ESSAY

4. writing an
engaging
exposition
creative writing skill

5. the skill:
The first few sentences, paragraphs or pages of a
story are the reader's entry point into a new
world. Often, a reader will decide whether or not
to continue reading based purely off a story's
exposition!
The exposition is an opportunity to introduce
your writing style, set the scene and establish
your central characters and conflict. It's
extremely important that we practice the skill of
grabbing a reader's attention straight away
through an interesting and engaging
introduction.
Try to avoid boring cliche openings and instead
consider the following:
a thought-provoking question or
comment about your central theme
a surprising, strange or unexpected
statement or detail to intrigue the reader
a powerful piece of dialogue or
conversation to set the scene
jumping right into the action to create
tension or suspense
a foreshadowing clue about the
character's potential fate to make the
reader wonder
01
02
03
04
05

6. the
practice:
You might draw inspiration from the suggestions on the skill slide or
from the examples. If you have time, use the same prompt and
complete another practice experimenting with a completely different
style of opening.
In walks the new
company director
A shoplifter who
was spotted
An elderly woman
peering through
her window
A strange
neighbour who
does the same
thing every day
A woman who has
been hiding
something from her
partner
A 3:00 am
phone call
An ambulance
races through the
streets
A student waiting
to enter the
principal's office

7. using direct &
indirect
characteriZatio
n
creative writing skill

8. the skill:
When describing the characters in your story, try to use a combination of direct and indirect
characterisation, focusing slightly more on indirect characterisation to make your story interesting and
engaging. A simple rule to remember is 'show, don't tell'.
Direct
Characterization
Tells the reader about a character's personality explicitly and
directly. It is usually quite general and concise. E.g. She was easily
annoyed / He was a kind man.
Using lots of descriptive detail through indirect characterisation can keep your readers engaged in your
story, making characters true-to-life and interesting through creating plenty of imagery.
Indirect
Characterization
Shows a reader what a character is like or communicates their traits
without explicitly telling them. They might do this in various ways
such as describing their appearance (facial features, body type,
clothing etc.), speech or dialogue, actions or behaviours, thoughts,
and how they interact with or respond to, or are treated by other
characters.

9. The street artist strolled down the sidewalk, his skinny jeans hugging
his legs and his thrifted flannel shirt hanging loosely over his lanky
frame. His unruly curly hair was pulled back into a messy bun, and
his thick-framed glasses perched atop his nose. As he walked, he
hummed a tune and twirled a spray paint can in his hand, creating
a rhythm with the clinking of the metal ball inside.
Graffiti adorned the walls around him, evidence of his artistic
prowess. He stopped in front of a blank brick wall, his movements
deliberate and fluid. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a burst of
color onto the surface, creating a masterpiece before the eyes of
passersby. The aroma of spray paint filled the air, and the sound of
the can spraying was like a symphony. He was a true creative force,
making the world a little more beautiful one stroke at a time.
the
sample:

10. the
practice:
Try to use a mix of direct and indirect characterization describing elements such as appearance, speech,
thoughts, actions or behaviors and interactions with others.
A ballerina
obsessed with
perfection
A frustrated
businessman
A laid back
surfer
An elderly
gentleman with a
sharp mind
A curious
five-year-old
A public speaker
with anxiety
A teenager who is
the class clown
An exhausted
waitress

11. using
sensory
detail to
establish
setting

12. the skill:
The setting of a narrative includes the
time and place in which the events of
the story take place (and these can be
chosen for various reasons) but it also
embodies a sense of mood and
atmosphere that can be crucial in
setting the scene for the events to take
place.
Effective writers bring their settings to
life by adding detail upon detail and
creating sensory imagery that
immerses the reader in the story.
Some key tips for effectively describing
your settings are:
Be specific by naming and describing everything you can
about a scene. E.g. Instead of saying, “the car drove down
the road” say, “the sleek and shiny red convertible sped and
swerved down Anywhere Street"
Include sensory imagery that evokes all of the senses
including visual (sight), aural (sound), olfactory (smell), tactile
(touch), gustatory (taste) and kinaesthetic (movement).
Ensure you know the world of your story really well. If it's
based on a real place, ensure you read, research or view
pictures to help you visualise your setting so you can convey
it authentically.
Experiment with using some figurative language such as
similes, metaphors and personification. This can help create
memorable details through abstract comparisons.

13. As he entered the gym, the smell of sweat and leather filled his nostrils and the
thudded sound of gloves hitting punching bags echoed all around him. He
scanned the walls that were lined with mirrors, reflecting the grit and
determination on the faces of the boxers as they trained. The ropes of the ring
creaked and groaned as two fighters sparred.
He threw his bag onto the scuffed wooden floor and crossed the room,
noticing the pungent aroma of liniment and ammonia mingling with the musk
of the fighters. He knew the gym was a place of discipline, where the sound of
heavy breathing and the sight of sweat pouring down faces were as common
as the sight of battered gloves and broken noses.
It was a place where he knew his human spirit would be tested and the limits
of his body would be pushed to their breaking point, but it was also a place
where the sweet science of boxing would be practiced with reverence and
respect.
the sample:

14. using verbs to
create action
& movement

15. the skill:
Verbs are used to create action and movement and the careful selection of verbs can result in
conveying specific moods, ideas and/or imagery.
Although the character, setting and order of events are similar, consider how changing the verbs
(as well as some adverbs and adjectives) can alter the mood and meaning of the following
passages.
Passage 1
Passage 2
She reluctantly picked up her car keys and slowly trudged out the front
door, leaving it to close softly behind her. She sat in her car, the engine
slowly idling as she contemplated the day before her. After a minute or
so had passed she cruised out her driveway onto the quiet street.
She snatched her car keys and stormed out the front door, leaving it to
slam behind her from the impact. She slid quickly into her car, revved
the engine and tore down her driveway onto the busy highway,
narrowly missing the oncoming traffic.

16. The two boys lunged towards each other, their hands
grasping at the same brightly-colored lollipop.
They tugged and pulled at each others limbs and clothes,
their bodies swaying back and forth as they vied for control.
Their eyes widened with determination as they pushed and
shoved, each refusing to give up their hold on the sugary
prize.
The lollipop bounced between their fingers, the stick
wobbling dangerously as they jostled for position.
Finally, with one sharp yank, one of the boys triumphantly
pulled the lollipop free, thrusting it high above his head like
a victory prize, leaving the other boy to stare dejectedly at the
empty wrapper.
the sample:

17. Writing an effective narrative requires you to juggle a number of
skills and techniques depending on the style of story you are aiming
for.
The most important things to remember are to use lots of
descriptive detail, create imagery for your reader and make the story
interesting and engaging for them to read.
Hopefully you can utilise some of these skills the next time you write
a narrative.
Happy writing!
to conclude

18. NARRATIVE
ESSAY
OUTLINE

19. I. Introduction
1.Hook: Begin with an intriguing sentence to grab the
reader’s attention (e.g., a surprising statement,
question, or vivid detail).
2. Background Information: Briefly set the scene and
introduce the story’s context.
3. Thesis Statement: Indicate the purpose of the story or
the lesson learned.
NARRATIVE
OUTLINE

20. II. Body Paragraphs
Each paragraph represents a part of the story, often following a
chronological sequence.
A. Setting the Scene
 Describe the setting and introduce the characters involved.
 Use vivid details to immerse the reader.
B. Building the Conflict
 Present the main challenge or conflict in the story.
 Show how the conflict affects the characters and drives the narrative
forward.
C. Climax and Resolution
 Highlight the turning point of the story (climax).
Resolve the conflict and explain its outcome.
NARRATIVE
OUTLINE

21. III. Conclusion
1.Reflection: Share what the story taught you
or how it changed your perspective.
2.Connection: Relate the story to a broader
theme or lesson.
3.Closing Thought: Leave the reader with a
memorable or thought-provoking ending.
NARRATIVE
OUTLINE

22. Example:
Topic: "My First Day at School"
A narrative essay on this topic would recount
the writer’s personal experience of the first day
at school, detailing emotions, challenges,
interactions with peers and teachers, and key
moments. It would follow a chronological
structure and include reflections on how the
experience shaped the writer.
NARRATIVE
OUTLINE

23. TOPIC: "Overcoming Stage Fright“
T.S. : Facing my fears head-on makes me stronger.
I. Introduction
1.Hook: The spotlight blinded me as I stood on the stage,
heart pounding and palms sweating.
2.Background Information: This moment was the school
talent show, where I had chosen to sing in front of my
classmates, something I had never done before.
3.Thesis Statement: Facing my fears head-on makes me
stronger.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
OUTLINE

24. II. Body Paragraphs
A. Setting the Scene
1. Introduce the event: The school talent show.
2. Describe the moment before going on stage: nervousness and fear.
3. Introduce the emotional conflict: the internal battle of fear and self-doubt.
B. Building the Conflict
4. Describe how stage fright took over: shaking hands, shortness of breath, overwhelming
thoughts.
5. The moment I saw my mom in the audience, her encouraging smile.
6. Realizing that I couldn’t back down.
C. Climax and Resolution
7. The turning point: deciding to move forward despite fear.
8. The performance: shaky at first but gaining confidence with each note.
9. The overwhelming feeling of accomplishment when the performance was over.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
OUTLINE

25. III. Conclusion
1.Reflection: The experience showed me that
courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the ability
to face it.
2.Connection: I now know that challenges are
opportunities for growth.
3.Closing Thought: That night, I learned that
stepping outside my comfort zone was the first
step toward overcoming my fears.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
OUTLINE

26. I DID IT!
The spotlight blinded me as I stood on the stage, heart
pounding and palms sweating. The auditorium, usually a place of
comfort, now felt like a vast, unfamiliar space. This was the school
talent show, and I had chosen to sing in front of my classmates—
something I had never done before. The moment felt like a dream
I couldn’t wake up from, but in that overwhelming fear, I realized
something important. That experience taught me an invaluable
lesson: facing my fears head-on makes me stronger.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
ESSAY

27. As I stood backstage waiting for my turn, I couldn’t help but
feel a rush of nervousness. The sound of students chatting and
cheering from the audience only amplified my anxiety. I had
practiced for weeks, but nothing prepared me for the gravity of
performing live. My heart raced with each second that passed,
and my mind was consumed with thoughts of failing. What if I
forgot the lyrics? What if my voice cracked? The internal battle
between my desire to perform and my overwhelming fear of
failing raged inside me.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
ESSAY

28. When my name was finally called, my legs felt like jelly as I
stepped onto the stage. The lights shone brightly on me, making
it hard to see the audience. My hands shook as I gripped the
microphone. For a moment, I wanted to run offstage and
disappear. The fear almost took over. But then, through the sea of
faces, I spotted my mom in the front row. Her smile was warm
and reassuring, her presence grounding me. I realized that she
believed in me, and that belief sparked something inside me. I
couldn’t back down—not now.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
ESSAY

29. Taking a deep breath, I began to sing. At first, my voice
was shaky, and I felt vulnerable under the spotlight. But
with every word, I grew a little more confident. I felt my
nerves begin to fade as the music took over. By the time I
reached the final note, I had found my rhythm. The
applause that followed was deafening, and for the first
time, I felt a rush of accomplishment, not just for finishing
the song, but for facing my fear and conquering it.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
ESSAY

30. That experience taught me that courage isn’t the
absence of fear, but the ability to face it despite the fear. I
learned that challenges, like performing in front of an
audience, are not obstacles but opportunities for growth. I
had stepped outside my comfort zone and discovered that
on the other side of fear is strength. That night, I learned
that overcoming my fears wasn’t about being fearless—it
was about moving forward in the face of fear.
SAMPLE NARRATIVE
ESSAY

31. Using the format given in the discussion
create an outline on the topic below:
Topic: Most Memorable/Unforgettable
Experience
ACTIVITY 1

32. Write a narrative essay that talks about
the topic in your outline. Use the skills
and techniques that you have learned in
this lesson. Write a minimum of five
paragraph essay. Make your title creative
and enticing.
Topic: Most Memorable/Unforgettable
Experience
ACTIVITY 2