Dr. Mark Smith

First Essay--Narration

When writing narratives, we usually find ourselves constructing first-person accounts with events cited within a linear time frame. However, despite the narrators of our sample essays, do not feel bound to writing about personal matters if this makes you uncomfortable--try your hand at a fictitious narrative.

At the same time, do not underestimate the possibilities of your own experience. Most writers do not think that they have experienced anything worth writing about. However, what you might consider a mundane experience might be of great interest to another. The success of the essay lies not as much with the topic as with your treatment of it. You must have a purpose for writing the essay.

Your first task is to get the story on paper. Do not be overly concerned with organization at this point. Just write the story as you remember it. In your second draft, begin to shape the essay into a logical structure.

Most essays--even narratives--can follow a classical organization pattern:

I. Introduction (including the thesis)

II. Background

III. Body

(IV. Refutation)

V. Conclusion

The thesis states the essay’s purpose. For instance, in the sample introduction below, the writer tells us that the narrative conveys the loss of small-town innocence.

On the small island of Abaco, no one thought twice of leaving their doors unlocked at night, nor did they ever think that someone might want to kidnap their baby for money; it was an innocent little town full of innocent people. Unfortunately, seventeen years ago, something happened to change everyone’s concept of just how innocent our town really was. I was only a six-month-old baby at the time, and so, I only know what I have been told; the truth is, seventeen years ago, our home was broken into and my parents, my cousin, and I were kidnapped.

The second paragraph should give background information. In your narrative, you should set the essay in this paragraph so that the reader is aware of a context. In the sample essay, the writer supplies background about her home and family before relating the events. Consequently, the reader is familiar with the essay’s context and can appreciate the events more fully than if the writer had jumped into the narrative immediately following the introduction.

Keep in mind that writing is a process of prewriting, revising, editing, and rewriting. Likewise, I encourage you to view your essays as being shaped, defined, and redefined in pursuit of a final product. Few writers are happy with their first drafts; that is why you are working in writing and response groups.