THE NARRATIVE ESSAY

DEFINITION:
A narrative presents a connected series of events, either imaginary or based on the writer’s own experience
A good narrative should consist of:
A. An introduction: - which sets the scene: the place, time, character(s);
- creates an interesting mood / atmosphere;
B. A main body: - consists of two or more paragraphs which develops a series of events clearly (the
plot) and in their logical sequence;
C. A conclusion: - which completes the narration and contains the end of the story, the final
paragraph;
- contains reference to moods, consequences, people’s reactions, feelings, comments
appropriate to the topic / title given in the task.

Tips:
 Do not use personal statements: (I do not like this topic …)
 Use Past Continuous to set the scene; Past Simple and Past Perfect to narrate the main events; it is
always better to relate events in the order in which they happened;
 Use sequence words: before, after, then, later, until, while, in the beginning, finally, etc;
 It can be written in the first person or the third person;
 Descriptions of people, places, objects or events can be used to emphasize specific parts of the
narration;
 The beginning of a narrative story should usually give the reader a clear picture of what is happening;
 Vivid description is important when beginning stories;
 Use inversions: (Never had he imagined …)

Structure:
Introduction: set the scene (who/what/when/where)
Paragraph 1 – 2 – 3: develop the story (describe incidents leading up to the main event and the event itself
in detail; describe people/place/emotions/actions)
Conclusion: end the story (complete the plot, describe feelings/reactions; explain the consequences)

Techniques for beginning or ending stories

You can start your story by:
 Describing the weather, place, people, etc. using the senses;
 Using direct speech;
 Asking a rhetorical question;
 Creating mystery or suspense;
 Referring to feelings or moods;
 Addressing the reader directly.

You can end your story by:

 Using direct speech;
 Referring to feelings or moods;
 Describing people’s reactions to the events developed in the main body;
 Creating mystery or suspense;
 Addressing the reader directly.

Tasks:
1. Write a story entitled: “The Locked Door”.
2. Write a story beginning with the words: “He sat down, unable to believe what had happened”.
3. Write a story which ends with the words: “She knew the events of the day would change her life
forever”.
4. Write a story entitled “The Party”.
 5. Write a story that begins with: “She took the piece of paper out of her pocket and reached for the
phone”.
6. Write a story that ends with: “At last he was free”.

Write a narrative essay entitled: “An Unforgettable Journey”

An Unforgettable Journey
by Jane Feldon

I stood on the deck, staring at the huge waves. From the moment we had left port and sailed into the English
Channel, the weather had got worse and worse. Now, lightning flashed across the sky, which was covered in
dark clouds.

Suddenly, the noise of the engines stopped. The ship slowed rolling heavily in the rough sea. A voice over the
loudspeakers told us to remain calm - then added that a fire had started in the engine room, and said that all
passengers must go immediately to the nearest lifeboat station.

We all ran onto the deck, following the signs to the lifeboats. The ship's officers arrived, made sure we had
life jackets and showed us how to put them on.

I looked again in horror at the wild, stormy sea. The thought of being out there in a tiny boat was terrifying.
Minutes passed like hours, until at last a voice announced that everything was under control and the danger
was over. We all cheered as the engines started again and the ship moved forward into the waves.

I still couldn't believe it was over, though - not until we had reached port and I was standing on solid ground
again!

(204 words)

A popular magazine has announced a short story competition. The story must begin with the words: “Are you
sure it's safe?" Josh asked his friend. Write your story for the competition.

A Nasty Experience

"Are you sure it's safe?" Josh asked his friend Marty, who was just about to step onto the little rope bridge.
Josh looked down at the river far beneath them and swallowed hard. Unfortunately, it was
the only way to reach the other side, so he knew they had to get across before it began to get dark.

"Look, it's as safe as houses." said Marty confidently as he put his foot onto the bridge. Once Marty was
safely on the other side, Josh began to cross. The little bridge creaked under his weight, making him even
more nervous than he already was. He was almost half way across the bridge when suddenly one of the ropes
snapped.

Josh screamed as the bridge fell to one side, leaving him hanging over the fast-flowing river far below his
feet. Terrified, he clung to the other rope. "Keep calm! Hold on!" Marty called to him. Josh looked across to
where his friend stood. Slowly, hand over hand, Josh moved carefully along the rope until he was close
enough for Marty to grab him.

Safely on the other side, Josh lay panting on the ground. He felt exhausted, but he was glad to be alive. Marty
asked him if he felt he could go on. "Yes, I'm okay," he replied bravely. "We'd better go. It will be dark
soon". They both set off, leaving the bridge and the terrifying incident behind them.

(239 words)