ELA 20 Personal Narrative Writing Assignment

Over the past weekswe have read different examples of personal narratives, discussed the important elements of a strong narrative, and written 6-word memoirs. Now you will write your own personal essay. A narrative essay is an essay that tells a story about a significant event in the author’s life and how that event has shaped his/her attitudes and identity.

Some possible prompts are:

Where you go to get away / Writing about a scar (emotional/physical)
Writing about a person important to you / Writing about a black sheep in your family or that you know
Telling a story behind a photo / Writing about an accomplishment you are most proud of
Writing about what occurred the day you were born / Writing about the significance of your name
An important event in your life / Any occasion that did not turn out as expected
Any humorous event, one you still laugh about, perhaps one that seemed awkward or embarrassing at the time / Any incident which challenged your basic values or beliefs
Any incident charged with strong emotions such as love, fear, guilt, anger, embarrassment, fear, pride, joy / Any firsts, such as when you first realized you had a special skill, ambition, or problem; when you first felt needed or rejected; when you first became aware of some altruism or injustice
Any event that shaped you in a particular way, making you perhaps independent, proud, insecure, fearful, courageous, ambitious / Any memorably difficult situation: when you had to make a tough choice, when someone you admired let you down, when you let someone down, when you struggled to to learn or understand something

Some things to keep in mind as you get started:

  1. A personal narrative:
  • Tells about a meaningful incident or journey in your life,
  • Relates events truthfully and in a clear order,
  • Is conversational in style and written from the first person point of view (I, we, us, our, me)…usually.
  • Uses vivid details to re-create people, places and events,
  • Suggests or explains the importance of the writer’s experience.

Guidelines

  • Write 3-5 pages
  • Typed
  • 12 font
  • single spaced
  • Strong, creative title
  • Compositions should attempt to use the following writing techniques
  • A strong lead
  • How are you engaging your reader?
  • story elements (setting, characters, rising action, climax, resolution)
  • Dialogue
  • Vivid descriptions
  • showing not telling
  • Sensory details (tastes, smells, sounds, sights)
  • Chronology
  • Flash forwards
  • Flashbacks
  • Inventing details that fit the spirit, intention and truth of the story
  • Meaning or significance of event is clear to the reader (‘so what’?)
  • Clarity and honesty