Personal Narrative Essay Guide

A personal narrative essay is a story told from the writer’s point of view and recounts a personal experience. A good personal narrative essay will have a clear purpose, such as describing how an event changed your life or taught you a lesson. The essay should be written in the first person point of view and include sensory details to help the reader feel as if they are experiencing the events firsthand.

When writing a personal narrative essay, choosing a meaningful and memorable topic is essential. The essay writing should also be well-organized and flow smoothly from one event to the next. It is also important to use strong descriptive language so that the reader can visualize the events as they are happening.

In short, the characteristics of a personal narrative essay are as follows:

• Told from the writer’s point of view
• Recounts a personal experience
• Has a clear purpose
• Is well-organized
• Uses strong descriptive language
• Is meaningful and memorable

Note: If you want to learn more about writing narrative essays in general, take a look at our separate guide on this topic: How to Write Narrative Essays.

What to write about?

If you are having trouble choosing a topic or getting started with your personal narrative essay, consider these tips:

• Think about an event that had a significant impact on your life, such as a move to a new town or the death of a loved one.
• Consider writing about a time when you faced a challenge or overcame a difficult situation.
• Reflect on a memory that makes you laugh or smile.
• Write about a place that is special to you, such as your childhood home or a favorite vacation spot.

Developing your thesis statement

Providing a solid thesis statement is vital for any type of essay, but especially for a personal narrative essay. A thesis statement is one sentence that states the main idea of your essay. It gives the reader an idea of what to expect from the rest of the essay and sets up the event or experience you will recount.

Your thesis statement should be specific and reflect the type of experience you will share. For example, if you are writing about a time when you overcame a fear, your thesis statement could be something like, “I never thought I would be able to conquer my fear of heights, but by facing it head-on, I was able to overcome it.”

If you are having trouble developing a thesis statement, consider these questions:

• What is the main point of my essay?
• What am I trying to communicate with my essay?
• What experience am I going to share?
• What lesson did I learn from this experience?

Creating an outline of your essay

Once you have decided on a topic and developed a thesis statement, it is time to start planning the events of your personal narrative essay. An outline will help you organize your thoughts and make it easier to transition from one event to the next.

When creating an outline, you should start with a basic structure that includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Within the body paragraphs, you should include specific details about the event or experience you recount. These details should be arranged in chronological order so the reader can follow along easily.

Your introduction should set the stage for the rest of your essay writing and include your thesis statement. The conclusion should wrap up the story and leave the reader with a strong impression.

Here is a basic outline for a personal narrative essay about bullying:

Topic: Overcoming bullying in school

• I. Introduction
  • A. Hook sentence: Did you know that nearly one in five students report being bullied at school?
  • B. Thesis statement: I never thought I would be able to stand up for myself, but by standing up to the bullies, I was able to gain confidence and learn to be assertive.
  • A. Describe the bullying incident.
    • Note: Use vivid details to describe each specific moment so the reader can visualize what happened.
    • Note: Use strong emotional words to describe your feelings, convey the anxiety you felt, and create tension.
    • A. Wrap up the story.
    • B. Leave the reader with a strong impression.
    • C. Restate your thesis statement (paraphrase).

    Once you complete the outline, you can start writing your essay.

    Writing the introduction

    The introduction is the first paragraph of your personal essay and should introduce the topic of your paper. The introduction should also include your thesis statement, usually at the end.

    Your introduction should set the stage for the rest of your story and include a hook to keep the reader interested. A hook is a short, interesting sentence that draws the reader’s attention and makes them want to read more.

    Here is an example of an introduction paragraph for a personal narrative essay about bullying:

    Did you know that nearly one in five students report being bullied at school? I never thought I would be one of them, but when I was in sixth grade, I was bullied by a group of girls in my class. I was shy and withdrawn and didn’t know how to stand up for myself. But by standing up to the bullies, I was able to gain confidence and learn to be assertive.

    Notice how the introduction paragraph starts with a hook and ends with the thesis statement.

    Writing the body paragraphs

    The body paragraphs are where you will describe the events of your story in detail. Each body paragraph should focus on a different event or experience and be arranged chronologically.

    When describing the events, it is essential to use vivid language and include specific details so the reader can visualize what happened. You should also use strong words to describe your feelings for a better emotional impact.

    Here is an example of the first body paragraph for a personal narrative essay about bullying:

    I was walking to my locker when I heard someone laughing. I turned around and saw a group of girls pointing and laughing at me. I tried to ignore them, but they started calling me names and making fun of how I looked. I felt so embarrassed and humiliated. I wanted to disappear. I didn’t know how to stand up for myself, so I just kept my head down and tried to avoid them. But they would always find me and make fun of me. I felt so alone and helpless.

    Writing the conclusion

    The conclusion is the last paragraph of your personal essay and should summarize the events of your story and leave the reader with a strong impression. The conclusion should also restate your thesis statement, but in a different way than how it was stated in the introduction.

    Here is an example of a conclusion paragraph for a personal narrative essay about bullying:

    Standing up to the bullies was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but it was also one of the most empowering. I learned that I am stronger than I thought and that I can stand up for myself. I also learned the importance of standing up for others who are being bullied. By speaking out, we can make a difference and put an end to bullying.

    Finishing touches

    When you have finished writing your essay, read it carefully to ensure it is well-written and flows smoothly. You may also want someone else to read it to give you feedback. Once your essay is complete, proofread it for any grammar or spelling errors and make any necessary revisions.

    Here are some final tips on writing a personal narrative and key takeaways:

    • Stick to one main event or story. Covering too much ground will make your essay confusing and difficult to follow.
    • Use concrete, sensory details to bring your story to life. Readers should be able to picture the events that you describe.
    • Write in first person point of view. This will help make your essay more personal and relatable.
    • Be honest and genuine. Your readers will appreciate your candor and will be more likely to connect with you on a personal level.
    • Have fun! This is your opportunity to tell your story, so make the most of it!
    • Use transitional words to help the events of your story flow smoothly.

    Now that you better understand how to write a personal narrative essay, you can start working on your own story.

    Note: If you want to know how to write essays in general, check out our extensive guide on this topic: How to Write an Essay.

    FAQ

    What does it mean to have a clear narrative arc?

    A clear narrative arc is the basic structure of a story, which includes the exposition (introduction), rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. This structure helps to keep the story focused and ensures that it is enjoyable to read.

    What to do if I am stuck at some point in the writing process?

    If you are having trouble getting started or are stuck at some point, try brainstorming. This can help you to generate ideas and get a better understanding of what you want to write about. You can also try free writing, which is when you write continuously for a set period of time without stopping. This can help to get your creative juices flowing and may give you some ideas that you can use in your essay.

    Is it similar to a descriptive essay?

    A personal narrative essay is similar to a descriptive essay in that you are describing a personal experience. However, a personal narrative essay also has a purpose or goal, which is usually to tell a specific story from your own life. This makes it different from a descriptive essay, which can be more general in nature.

    Is it different from a personal statement?

    A personal narrative essay is different from a personal statement in that a personal narrative essay is usually based on a specific event or story from your own life, while a personal statement is more general and focuses on your overall goals or experiences.

    When are personal narrative essays useful?

    The ability to write personal narrative essays can be useful in many different situations. They can be used to communicate your personal experiences, share a unique story, or explain a particular event. They can also be required as a part of college applications or scholarships. No matter the reason, personal narrative essays can be a fun and rewarding experience to write.

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