A narrative essay tells a story; it tells a story from a ...



A narrative essay tells a story from a defined point of view (usually 1st-person), using specific, sensory details and vivid, precise diction to develop the main point of the story. As a story, the narrative essay contains main story conventions:

• a plot, including setting and defined characters

• a climax (a peak experience often leading to the realization of the thesis idea)

• a resolution (explanation of how the incident resolved itself, alluding to how the thesis idea comes to its full realization)

As an essay, the narrative essay also contains essay conventions:

• an introduction, establishing the thesis concept that the story will address

• body paragraphs in support of the thesis idea that move the reader through the complexity of main ideas and evidence

• a conclusion, reflecting on the near and far significance of the event and the thesis concept

Narratives can detail a moment of insight, can explore a character, can illustrate an idea, can impart historical information, can argue for a course of action, or can simply exist for their own sake.

Importantly, the larger point (thesis) of the narrative essay does not have to capture a truth about all humanity; the truth can be very personal, revealing a truth about the writer’s own life or understanding of reality.

Essays (All are in The Writer’s Presence)

• Cooper, Bernard. “A Clack of Tiny Sparks: Remembrances of a Gay Boyhood.” Answer #1 or #2

• Staples, Brent. “Just Walk on By.” Answer #2 OR the questions posed in the italicized intro to “Another Version.”

• Silko, Leslie Marmon. “In the Combat Zone.” Answer #1 or #2

• White, E.B. “Once More to the Lake.” Answer #2

Compose all responses in analytical paragraph format, please.

Examine the range of prompts posed per question, choose a specific line of inquiry, and then craft complex responses that assert a claim, integrate specific textual references and provide commentary regarding the evidence.

***See the back for formatting requirements.***

Calendar

|8/24 | | |

| |Read Bourdain essay in-class; model analytical |Read Staples essay (both versions) |

| |paragraph response | |

|8/31 | | |

| |Staples ¶ due |Silko ¶ due |

| |Read Silko essay in-class |Read Cooper essay in-class |

|9/7 | | |

|NO SCHOOL |Cooper ¶ due |White ¶ due |

| |Read White in-class |Work on narrative essay |

|9/14 | | |

|Work on narrative essay |Work on narrative essay |Work on narrative essay |

|9/21 | | |

|NARRATIVE ESSAY DUE |NO SCHOOL | |

|Questions to Ask of a Narrative (when reading and when composing) |

|What is the purpose of this narrative? If a larger idea is being explored, what is that idea? |

|For what audience is this written? What seems to be the desired reaction from the audience? |

|How does this narrative move from its opening, gain momentum, and find resolution? |

|What is appropriate about the narrative perspective? |

|What tone has the writer chosen to adopt? Is the tone consistent, or does it change? |

|Useful Rhetorical Strategies for Thinking and Writing about Narratives |

|Point of view/vantage point |Varied syntax |Active verbs |

|Conflict |Concrete language |Figurative language |

|Motives/motivation |Sequence of action |Dialogue and dialect |

|Plot |Explicit and implicit commentary |Context |

|Irony |Setting |Sensory details |

Analytical Response Formatting Requirements

✓ 12 point-font

✓ Double-spaced

✓ 1” margins on all 4 sides

✓ Type your heading NOT in the header, but on the first line of the body. Double-space your heading

✓ Justify your heading on the left-hand side of the page

✓ Provide a title for the assignment that is centered on the first line below the heading

✓ Indent the first line of your paragraph 5 spaces. Your “tab” button might not be set for 5-spaces.

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|Your Name |

|My Name |

|Class and Period |

|Assignment due date |

|Title |

|Begin your paragraph… |

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