what is a narrative essay

11 months ago 48
Nature

A narrative essay is a type of essay that tells a story. It is often personal and creative, allowing the writer to express themselves in a unique and engaging way. Narrative essays are often assigned in high school or in composition classes at university, and they can also be used when writing a personal statement for an application.

Some key features of a narrative essay include:

  • Structure: If written as a story, the essay should include all the parts of a story, such as an introduction, plot, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion.
  • Personal Experience: Narrative essays are often anecdotal and experiential, allowing the writer to share their personal experiences in a creative and compelling way.
  • Vivid Language: Both narrative and descriptive essays incorporate vivid figurative language to help readers visualize their subjects. However, in a narrative essay, the goal is to tell a story, and in-depth descriptions should support the narrative.

Narrative essays are a way of testing a writers ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. They can cover a wide range of topics, from the important to the trivial, and the point is often not the story itself, but the way it is told. Narrative essays can be a great way to freely express oneself within the structure of a traditional story.