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types of writing

Narrative

Kate F., Writing Center tutor and First Year Writing instructor

Please keep in mind that these are only general guidelines; always defer to your professor's specifications for a given assignment. If you have any questions about the content represented here, please contact the Writing Centers so that we can address them for you.

Introduction

Often times, an assignment may ask you to write a narrative specific to the course content, introducing you to critical thinking about how your past experiences have affected or influenced your perceptions and attitudes now. A typical narrative focuses on a specific event or series of events that led to some significant change in opinion, perception, or behavior. Plainly said, a narrative should be comprised of two parts: the story of the event and a reflection about the event.

Using a narrative can also be a strong way to introduce or conclude a larger work. When used in this manner, you may focus on your own experiences as they relate to the topic, or you may present a story about someone else to create an emotional appeal. Whatever type of narrative you decide to use, it should lend support to your larger purpose. The Norton Field Guide to Writing recommends telling an interesting story, simply by putting “them in a clear sequence, includ[ing] pertinent detail, and mak[ing] sure they are appropriate to your particular rhetorical situation” (343).

Because writing a narrative can be a personal experience – something that can feel foreign in the world of formal academic writing – we can sometimes feel lost as to how to begin the draft, what type of tone to use, and what information to include.

When Do We Write Narratives?

Most frequently, we write narratives in the First Year Writing program, which often focus on a literacy event. However, we might also be asked to write a narrative essay for an education course which is asking us to consider an important scholarly event; a religion class asking us to evaluate how our personal beliefs influence our behaviors; or a philosophy course which asks us to critique our values and behaviors. As mentioned earlier, narratives can also enhance the introductions and conclusions to longer works when they are related to the purpose of the text.

Beginning: Brainstorming

Before you start writing, consider what type of narrative you are being asked to write about. Brainstorm all the different experiences you have had related to this topic. For example, if you are writing a Literacy Narrative, you might start by thinking about your favorite book, the first book you read, or a favorite teacher… but Literacy Narratives don’t necessarily have to focus on the positive – maybe you had a troubling experience learning a new language, writing a paper, or taking a test. Sometimes, the negative experiences we have are more impactful in shaping our attitudes or feelings than the positive moments. Be careful, however. You do not want to choose a topic that is too sensitive for you to write about or to be read by your instructor. Make sure you choose a topic you are comfortable sharing with, at the very least, your professor. If peer review is an element of your course, make sure you feel comfortable sharing your narrative with your classmates as well.

Drafting

Once you have chosen a topic you feel comfortable talking about, spend some time free writing on the event from all angles. Keep in mind, a narrative is a story, so you want to make sure you are including details and descriptions to keep your reader entertained. You don’t simply want to tell them what happened; you want to show them through your words.

Some angles to consider describing:

  • Where did the event occur? Describe this setting.
    • What did it look like?
    • What did it smell like?
    • Was it hot, cold, humid or dry?
    • Was there anything out of the ordinary about this setting?
  • Who else was involved?
    • Describe the characters: who they are to you, what they look like, etc.
    • Was there any interesting or important dialog?
  • How did you feel?
    • Emotional responses
    • Physical feelings
    • Focus on when your feelings changed

Organizing Your Draft

Organizing your narrative is an important aspect of successfully telling your story. There are numerous options for presenting your narrative. You can tell your narrative using a chronological organization – beginning at the beginning, and describing the events sequentially, ending with the end.

Or, you could begin your narrative in the middle of the action with a snap shot or flashback of a specific moment in the story. This is done most effectively when this moment encapsulates the significance of your narrative. For example, if your narrative is about taking the ACT test, you might begin by describing the actual morning of the exam – the sweat dripping down your back, the feeling of the pencil in your hand, your mind becoming blank as you scan the questions throughout the book. After describing this opening scene, you can go back to the beginning and describe how you got to that moment of taking the test, and then detailing what happened after the test.

These are just some examples of how you can organize your draft. Try rearranging your organizational structure, and don’t be afraid to take risks – the idea is to tell a memorable and unique story!

Revising Your Draft

Like all writing, you should spend some time revising your narrative once you have completed your initial draft. As you revise, ask yourself:

  • Do you tell a story about a specific event?
  • Is there a clear reflection in the narrative, indicating its significance, or why you chose to tell the story?
  • Do you include relevant and pertinent details?
  • Are these details rich in their description?
  • Are any of your details unnecessary?
  • Does the organizational structure make sense? Is it clear why you presented it in the manner you did?
  • Have you met all the objectives of the specific assignment prompt?
  • Have you proofread for grammatical and mechanical errors?

Additional Resources on Narratives

The Purdue Online Writing Lab is a comprehensive site for all matters writing! This page outlines some of the major aspects of writing a Narrative Essay.

The Hacker Handbooks, a leading name in all things First Year Writing, provide a brief explanation of Narrative Essay assignments and even offers an example of a Narrative Essay: “Writing Assignments and Student Essays: Narrating an Event”

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