A Narrative Essay Tells a Story; It Tells a Story from a Defined Point of View (Usually

Krause

A.P. English Language and Composition

Fall 2015

Narrative Essay

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

• Read Staples essay (both versions)

• Staples ¶due
• Read Silko essay in-class

• Silko ¶due
• Read Cooper essay in-class

• Cooper ¶ due
• Read White in-class

• White ¶ due
• Work on narrative essay

• Work on narrative essay

• Work on narrative essay

• Work on narrative essay

• 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?

• Point of view/vantage point
• Conflict
• Motives/motivation
• Plot
• Irony

• Varied syntax

• Concrete language
• Sequence of action
• Explicit and implicit commentary

• Setting

• Active verbs
• Figurative language

• Dialogue and dialect
• Context
• 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.