can a narrative essay be fictional

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What is a Narrative Essay — Examples, Format & Techniques

I was in the Amazon jungle the first time I wrote a narrative essay, enlightened and enraptured by the influence of ayahuasca. That’s not true. I’ve never been to South America nor have I ever taken ayahuasca. The purpose of that opening is to show how to craft a narrative essay intro — hook, line, and sinker. Narrative essays rely on hooking the reader, and enticing them to read on. But what is a narrative essay? We’re going to break down everything you need to know about these essays — definition, examples, tips and tricks included. By the end, you’ll be ready to craft your own narrative essay for school or for publication.

What’s a Narrative Essay?

First, let’s define narrative essay.

Narrative essays share a lot of similarities with personal essays, but whereas the former can be fictional or non-fictional, the latter are strictly non-fictional. The goal of the narrative essay is to use established storytelling techniques, like theme , conflict , and irony , in a uniquely personal way.

The responsibility of the narrative essayist is to make the reader feel connected to their story, regardless of the topic. This next video explores how writers can use structural elements and techniques to better engage their readers. 

Personal Narrative Essay Examples With Essay Pro

Narrative essays rely on tried and true structure components, including:

• First-person POV
• Personal inspiration
• Focus on a central theme

By keeping these major tenets in mind, you’ll be better prepared to recognize weaknesses and strengths in your own works.

NARRATIVE ESSAY DEFINITION

What is a narrative essay.

A narrative essay is a prose-written story that’s focused on the commentary of a central theme. Narrative essays are generally written in the first-person POV, and are usually about a topic that’s personal to the writer. Everything in these essays should take place in an established timeline, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. 

Famous Narrative Essay Examples

• Ticker to the Fair by David Foster Wallace
• After Life by Joan Didion
• Here is a Lesson in Creative Writing by Kurt Vonnegut

Narrative Writing Explained

How to start a narrative essay.

When you go to sleep at night, what do you think of? Flying squirrels? Lost loved ones? That time you called your teacher ‘mom’? Whatever it is, that’s what you need to write about. There’s a reason those ideas and moments have stuck with you over time. Your job is to figure out why.

Once you realize what makes a moment important to you, it’s your job to make it important to the reader too. In this next video, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker J. Christian Jensen explains the power of the personal narrative. 

Narrative Writing and the Personal Narrative Essay  •  Video by TEDx Talks

Anything and everything can be the topic of your essay. It could be as benign as a walk to school or as grandiose as a trip to the moon — so long as that narrative exists within reality. Give your thoughts and opinions on the matter too — don’t be afraid to say “this is what I think” so long as it’s supported by storytelling techniques. Remember, never limit yourself as a writer, just keep in mind that certain topics will be harder to make engaging than others.

Narrative Essay Outline

How to write a narrative essay.

First step, game plan. You’re going to want to map out the story from beginning to end, then mark major story beats in your document.

Like all stories, your narrative essay needs a clear beginning, middle, and end. Each section should generally conform to a specifically outlined structure. For reference, check out the outline below.

Narrative Essay Format  •  How to Write a Narrative Essay Step by Step

Make sure to reference back to this outline throughout the writing process to make sure you have all your major beats covered.

Purpose of narrative essay writing

Narrative essays give writers the ability to freely express themselves within the structure of a traditional story. Nearly all universities ask applicants to submit a narrative essay with their formal application. This is done for two reasons: they allow institutions to judge the linguistic and grammar capabilities of its applicants, as well as their raw creative side.

If you’re considering studying creative writing in an undergraduate or graduate program, then you’re going to write A LOT of narrative style essays. This process may seem indomitable; How am I supposed to write hundreds of pages about… me? But by the end, you’ll be a better writer and you’ll have a better understanding of yourself.

One thing that all successful essayists have in common is that they make radical, often defiant statements on the world at large. Think Ralph Waldo Emerson, Virginia Woolf, and Langston Hughes for example.

Being a professional essayist isn’t easy, and it’s near-impossible to be one who makes a lot of money. Many essayists work as professors, editors, and curriculum designers as well. 

This next video features the late, award-winning essayist Brian Doyle. He explains all the things you need to hear when thinking about writing a story.

Narrative Essay Examples “Lecture” via Boston University

We can learn a lot from the way Doyle “opens” his stories. My favorite is how he begins with the statement, “I met the Dalai Lama once.” How can we not be interested in learning more? 

This brings us all the way back to the beginning. Start with a hook, rattle off the line, then reel in the sinker. If you entice the reader, develop a personal plot, and finish with a resolute ending, you’ll have a lot of success in essay writing. 

 Up Next

Narrative essay topics.

We've curated a collection of narrative essay topics that will spark your creativity and bring your experiences to life. Dive into the rich tapestry of your memories, explore the unique threads of your life, and let your narrative unfold.

Up Next: Narrative Essay Topics →

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The system format you using on line is very concise ,I encourage to those who are talented to continue puplish their examples of essays so that we student we can crasp.

This site has one of the best narartive writing techniques anyone can need

This was really helpful and insightful

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Can an Essay be a Story? Short, Descriptive or Fictional one

How to Use Your Story to Write An Essay

An essay is a short piece of official writing that focuses mainly on a single subject. A typical academic essay consists of an introduction, which summarizes what to expect in the essay and incorporates an argument written as a thesis statement.

An essay also features a middle section that explains in detail the proof and suggestions that convince a reader to agree with the writer’s views.

Lastly, an essay ought to have a clear conclusion summarizing all the findings of the content discussed. A good essay focuses on a single idea, flows effortlessly, and has sensible organization.

Also Read: How to get IXL Answers: Tricks and Hacks How Students Cheat IXL

Can an Essay Be a Story?

Ideally, an essay can be a story if the contents are supposed to be a narration of an event, an experience, or life’s happenings relating to the author or a subject known to the author.

An essay can also be a fictional story in which the events are not real. However, most essays are narratives or descriptive of things related to the author.

A story essay or a narrative essay is where a writer has the chance to write about personal experience . The only thing that distinguishes it from other essays is that it follows a proper structure.

Moreover, this type of essay focuses on telling a story, while an ordinary academic essay has a deep narration of a specific concept, place, or object.

When narrating a story to the reader, focus on one particular perspective. The advantage a writer has is the fact that he or she can tell a real story witnessed in life or opt to be fictional.

A good essay story has sensory details that entertain the reader and make the story easy to understand.

If an essay has to be a story, the writer ought to come up with a particular point of view. Support all the claims made in the essay and endeavor to include precise information.

If your essay is a story, make use of good modifiers and vivid verbs.

 A dialogue style of writing is encouraged to make it easier for the reader to engage and connect with your writing. In addition, you can add conflicts and sequences to your storytelling.

How to Write a Story as an Essay?

In a story essay, you have the opportunity to share your own story. Because you are giving your own experience, the story should be in first person. A typical story essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. The following are outlined elements of the essay:

• The plot is mainly the incident or event you are going to base your story on. It should feature an orderly system of proceedings that your story involves.
• The setting of the story is the specific location where the event took place. Typical story settings can include a school, church, house, or the place where the action occurred.
• The characters or people who were involved in your events. In your story, talk about everyone involved, from the main character to the less involved ones.
• The element of conflict reflects the problems the characters in your events faced. If there was tension in a particular event, this reflects a conflict your story should resolve.
• The other element of your story is the theme that gives details of the whole purpose of the essay. The theme should also outline the main reason why the writer chose the topic.

1. Introduction

In your story essay, the introduction should tell the main story that will be discussed in the body.

With limited details, let your readers get a glimpse of what to expect. Simply introduce the topic with precise supporting lines and give the thesis statement.

2. Main body

After the author has gained the readers’ attention, they become eager to continue reading the main body, which is a decisive phase of storytelling.

Commence your story by unfolding the events that happened gradually. Here, your whole story should be outlined. For easier reading, you can discuss each idea in its own paragraph.  Bear in mind that readers find it easy to follow storylines written in logical patterns.

3. A catchy Conclusion

Terminate your story essay with a very strong conclusion. The mood of your conclusion depends on the type of story you were narrating. Ideally, the conclusion should have all the key points summarized. Try to remind the readers of the principal message of the story, then leave them with a question to ponder.

Also Read: Do College Essays Need Title? Tips on How to Write Good Titles

Tips To Make Your Narrative Essay Exciting

A good narrative essay should guide the reader and not sum up everything for him/her. Here are basic ideas to make the writing more exciting:

• Focus on clarity and avoid the use of syntax and complicated words that affect the clarity of your essay.
• Let your writing not be too clinical. As such, the vocabulary and idioms should be the same as you can use in everyday speech.
• Without a doubt, a good narrative story is defined by the topic, especially one that the writer will be excited to write about. Create a good title that revolves around special life experiences or real-life events that you faced. Events that will entertain the reader and make them laugh are the best.
• Aim to have a passionate impact on your readers. A good narrative essay can be considered exciting if it connects to the person reading it on an emotional level. Even more importantly, narrate a unique story that is going to inflame an empathetic reaction from the reader. This is the only way he or she will be connected to the scene you are describing. Imagery, as well as vibrant descriptions, gives your audience a better picture of the story you are narrating.
• Anecdotes, tales, and dialogues cannot be ignored.  Include them to give a clear picture of what the characters in the story said. 
• Use transitional words like “however” and ‘therefore” to connect sentences smoothly.

Dos and DON’Ts of Writing Your Essay Story

• Make the subject you are writing fun. Since it is not an academic or investigation paper, connect it to your life and have fun writing it.
• As the lead character, write from your own perspective.
• Narrate all events as they occur.
• Be honest and avoid exaggerating events in your story.
• Avoid the use of second person narrative because you experienced the events you are narrating
• Do not include citations when writing a story essay because it becomes disruptive. Simply explain your story and avoid referring your audience to your aforementioned statements.
• Do not go beyond the length limit. In essence, a writer does not have any reason to go beyond the stipulated word count in essay writing.

Also Read: Chegg Plagiarism: Review of Chegg Plagiarism Checker and its Service

What Makes A Narrative Essay Different?

Here are key points that make a narrative essay different:

• The writer is the storyteller. You simply tell a story you selected and avoid making an argument.
• They can be derived from fairy tales, jokes, movies, and stories.
• They include elements of plot, theme, character, and conflict.
• A personal narrator style of writing is used.
• A narrative is more imaginative and not rational.
• Unlike short stories, a narrative type of essay is purely non-fictional.

In summary, a narrative essay analyzes a complete story, while descriptive and argumentative essays usually describe concepts, specific places, or objects. The ultimate purpose of narrative essays is to tell the reader a captivating story.

Unlike in other essays, in narratives, imagination is used more than reason. As a student, it is important to study carefully what distinguishes a narrative essay from the other types of essays. In this way, you will have a clear understanding of the purpose of writing.

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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10.1 Narration

Learning objectives.

• Determine the purpose and structure of narrative writing.
• Understand how to write a narrative essay.

Rhetorical modes simply mean the ways in which we can effectively communicate through language. This chapter covers nine common rhetorical modes. As you read about these nine modes, keep in mind that the rhetorical mode a writer chooses depends on his or her purpose for writing. Sometimes writers incorporate a variety of modes in any one essay. In covering the nine modes, this chapter also emphasizes the rhetorical modes as a set of tools that will allow you greater flexibility and effectiveness in communicating with your audience and expressing your ideas.

The Purpose of Narrative Writing

Narration means the art of storytelling, and the purpose of narrative writing is to tell stories. Any time you tell a story to a friend or family member about an event or incident in your day, you engage in a form of narration. In addition, a narrative can be factual or fictional. A factual story is one that is based on, and tries to be faithful to, actual events as they unfolded in real life. A fictional story is a made-up, or imagined, story; the writer of a fictional story can create characters and events as he or she sees fit.

The big distinction between factual and fictional narratives is based on a writer’s purpose. The writers of factual stories try to recount events as they actually happened, but writers of fictional stories can depart from real people and events because the writers’ intents are not to retell a real-life event. Biographies and memoirs are examples of factual stories, whereas novels and short stories are examples of fictional stories.

Because the line between fact and fiction can often blur, it is helpful to understand what your purpose is from the beginning. Is it important that you recount history, either your own or someone else’s? Or does your interest lie in reshaping the world in your own image—either how you would like to see it or how you imagine it could be? Your answers will go a long way in shaping the stories you tell.

Ultimately, whether the story is fact or fiction, narrative writing tries to relay a series of events in an emotionally engaging way. You want your audience to be moved by your story, which could mean through laughter, sympathy, fear, anger, and so on. The more clearly you tell your story, the more emotionally engaged your audience is likely to be.

On a separate sheet of paper, start brainstorming ideas for a narrative. First, decide whether you want to write a factual or fictional story. Then, freewrite for five minutes. Be sure to use all five minutes, and keep writing the entire time. Do not stop and think about what to write.

The following are some topics to consider as you get going:

The Structure of a Narrative Essay

Major narrative events are most often conveyed in chronological order , the order in which events unfold from first to last. Stories typically have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and these events are typically organized by time. Certain transitional words and phrases aid in keeping the reader oriented in the sequencing of a story. Some of these phrases are listed in Table 10.1 “Transition Words and Phrases for Expressing Time” . For more information about chronological order, see Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” and Chapter 9 “Writing Essays: From Start to Finish” .

Table 10.1 Transition Words and Phrases for Expressing Time

The following are the other basic components of a narrative:

• Plot . The events as they unfold in sequence.
• Characters . The people who inhabit the story and move it forward. Typically, there are minor characters and main characters. The minor characters generally play supporting roles to the main character, or the protagonist .
• Conflict . The primary problem or obstacle that unfolds in the plot that the protagonist must solve or overcome by the end of the narrative. The way in which the protagonist resolves the conflict of the plot results in the theme of the narrative.
• Theme . The ultimate message the narrative is trying to express; it can be either explicit or implicit.

Writing at Work

When interviewing candidates for jobs, employers often ask about conflicts or problems a potential employee has had to overcome. They are asking for a compelling personal narrative. To prepare for this question in a job interview, write out a scenario using the narrative mode structure. This will allow you to troubleshoot rough spots, as well as better understand your own personal history. Both processes will make your story better and your self-presentation better, too.

Take your freewriting exercise from the last section and start crafting it chronologically into a rough plot summary. To read more about a summary, see Chapter 6 “Writing Paragraphs: Separating Ideas and Shaping Content” . Be sure to use the time transition words and phrases listed in Table 10.1 “Transition Words and Phrases for Expressing Time” to sequence the events.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your rough plot summary.

Writing a Narrative Essay

When writing a narrative essay, start by asking yourself if you want to write a factual or fictional story. Then freewrite about topics that are of general interest to you. For more information about freewriting, see Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” .

Once you have a general idea of what you will be writing about, you should sketch out the major events of the story that will compose your plot. Typically, these events will be revealed chronologically and climax at a central conflict that must be resolved by the end of the story. The use of strong details is crucial as you describe the events and characters in your narrative. You want the reader to emotionally engage with the world that you create in writing.

To create strong details, keep the human senses in mind. You want your reader to be immersed in the world that you create, so focus on details related to sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch as you describe people, places, and events in your narrative.

As always, it is important to start with a strong introduction to hook your reader into wanting to read more. Try opening the essay with an event that is interesting to introduce the story and get it going. Finally, your conclusion should help resolve the central conflict of the story and impress upon your reader the ultimate theme of the piece. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample narrative essay.

On a separate sheet of paper, add two or three paragraphs to the plot summary you started in the last section. Describe in detail the main character and the setting of the first scene. Try to use all five senses in your descriptions.

Key Takeaways

• Narration is the art of storytelling.
• Narratives can be either factual or fictional. In either case, narratives should emotionally engage the reader.
• Most narratives are composed of major events sequenced in chronological order.
• Time transition words and phrases are used to orient the reader in the sequence of a narrative.
• The four basic components to all narratives are plot, character, conflict, and theme.
• The use of sensory details is crucial to emotionally engaging the reader.
• A strong introduction is important to hook the reader. A strong conclusion should add resolution to the conflict and evoke the narrative’s theme.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

• Writing for Success: Narration

This section will help you determine the purpose and structure of narration in writing.

The Purpose of Narrative Writing

Narration means the art of storytelling, and the purpose of narrative writing is to tell stories. Any time you tell a story to a friend or family member about an event or incident in your day, you engage in a form of narration. In addition, a narrative can be factual or fictional. A factual story is one that is based on, and tries to be faithful to, actual events as they unfolded in real life. A fictional story is a made-up, or imagined, story; the writer of a fictional story can create characters and events as he or she sees fit.

The big distinction between factual and fictional narratives is based on a writer’s purpose. The writers of factual stories try to recount events as they actually happened, but writers of fictional stories can depart from real people and events because the writers’ intents are not to retell a real-life event. Biographies and memoirs are examples of factual stories, whereas novels and short stories are examples of fictional stories.

Know Your Purpose

Because the line between fact and fiction can often blur, it is helpful to understand what your purpose is from the beginning. Is it important that you recount history, either your own or someone else’s? Or does your interest lie in reshaping the world in your own image—either how you would like to see it or how you imagine it could be? Your answers will go a long way in shaping the stories you tell.

Ultimately, whether the story is fact or fiction, narrative writing tries to relay a series of events in an emotionally engaging way. You want your audience to be moved by your story, which could mean through laughter, sympathy, fear, anger, and so on. The more clearly you tell your story, the more emotionally engaged your audience is likely to be.

The Structure of a Narrative Essay

Major narrative events are most often conveyed in chronological order, the order in which events unfold from first to last. Stories typically have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and these events are typically organized by time. Certain transitional words and phrases aid in keeping the reader oriented in the sequencing of a story. Some of these phrases are listed here:

Chronological Transitional Words

Other basic components of a narrative are:

• Plot – The events as they unfold in sequence.
• Characters – The people who inhabit the story and move it forward. Typically, there are minor characters and main characters. The minor characters generally play supporting roles to the main character, also known as the protagonist.
• Conflict – The primary problem or obstacle that unfolds in the plot that the protagonist must solve or overcome by the end of the narrative. The way in which the protagonist resolves the conflict of the plot results in the theme of the narrative.
• Theme – The ultimate message the narrative is trying to express; it can be either explicit or implicit.

Writing a Narrative Essay

When writing a narrative essay, start by asking yourself if you want to write a factual or fictional story. Then freewrite, brainstorm, or mindmap about topics that are of general interest to you. For more information about pre-writing, review the materials in “My Writing Process – Prewriting and Draft.”

Once you have a general idea of what you will be writing about, you should sketch out the major events of the story that will compose your plot. Typically, these events will be revealed chronologically and climax at a central conflict that must be resolved by the end of the story. The use of strong details is crucial as you describe the events and characters in your narrative. You want the reader to emotionally engage with the world that you create in writing.

Keep the Senses in Mind

To create strong details, keep the human senses in mind. You want your reader to be immersed in the world that you create, so focus on details related to sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch as you describe people, places, and events in your narrative.

As always, it is important to start with a strong introduction to hook your reader into wanting to read more. Try opening the essay with an event that is interesting to introduce the story and get it going. Finally, your conclusion should help resolve the central conflict of the story and impress upon your reader the ultimate theme of the piece.

Narratives Tell A Story

Every day, you relate stories to other people through simple exchanges. You may have had a horrible experience at a restaurant the night before, or you may have had some good news you are ready to share. In each one of these experiences there’s a story, and when you begin to share a personal experience, you often communicate in a narrative mode.

Although narratives can vary widely, most share several common features. Generally, storytellers establish:

• Characters , the person/people (sometimes they are animals) the story is about, which may include the storyteller
• Conflict , or struggle in the story, that builds their audience’s interest
• Details , or descriptions, that appeal to the  senses  of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste
• A sequence  of  events  in a  plot , or order of what happens in the story, that keeps the audience engaged as the story unfolds
• Reflection of events around a  theme , or unifying idea, for telling the story

Narratives of Love and War

Consider two narratives that couldn’t be more different—a tale of love and a story of war: John Hodgman’s sweet, geeky tale of falling in love and Emmanuel Jal’s story of being a child soldier and learning to forgive his enemies. Review these videos below then engage in a discussion following the directions as listed.

John Hodgman: A Brief Digression on Matters of Lost Time

Emmanuel Jal: The Music of a War Child

Narrative Essay Example

Read the following example of a narrative essay. Note how it reflects the basic components and common features of narratives, as discussed above.

My College Education

By Scott McLean, in Writing for Success

The first class I went to in college was philosophy, and it changed my life forever. Our first assignment was to write a short response paper to the Albert Camus essay “The Myth of Sisyphus.” I was extremely nervous about the assignment as well as college. However, through all the confusion in philosophy class, many of my questions about life were answered.

I entered college intending to earn a degree in engineering. I always liked the way mathematics had right and wrong answers. I understood the logic and was very good at it. So when I received my first philosophy assignment that asked me to write my interpretation of the Camus essay, I was instantly confused. What is the right way to do this assignment, I wondered? I was nervous about writing an incorrect interpretation and did not want to get my first assignment wrong. Even more troubling was that the professor refused to give us any guidelines on what he was looking for; he gave us total freedom. He simply said, “I want to see what you come up with.”

Full of anxiety, I first set out to read Camus’s essay several times to make sure I really knew what was it was about. I did my best to take careful notes. Yet even after I took all these notes and knew the essay inside and out, I still did not know the right answer. What was my interpretation? I could think of a million different ways to interpret the essay, but which one was my professor looking for? In math class, I was used to examples and explanations of solutions. This assignment gave me nothing; I was completely on my own to come up with my individual interpretation.

Next, when I sat down to write, the words just did not come to me. My notes and ideas were all present, but the words were lost. I decided to try every prewriting strategy I could find. I brainstormed, made idea maps, and even wrote an outline. Eventually, after a lot of stress, my ideas became more organized and the words fell on the page. I had my interpretation of “The Myth of Sisyphus,” and I had my main reasons for interpreting the essay. I remember being unsure of myself, wondering if what I was saying made sense, or if I was even on the right track. Through all the uncertainty, I continued writing the best I could. I finished the conclusion paragraph, had my spouse proofread it for errors, and turned it in the next day simply hoping for the best.

Then, a week or two later, came judgment day. The professor gave our papers back to us with grades and comments. I remember feeling simultaneously afraid and eager to get the paper back in my hands. It turned out, however, that I had nothing to worry about. The professor gave me an A on the paper, and his notes suggested that I wrote an effective essay overall. He wrote that my reading of the essay was very original and that my thoughts were well organized. My relief and newfound confidence upon reading his comments could not be overstated.

What I learned through this process extended well beyond how to write a college paper. I learned to be open to new challenges. I never expected to enjoy a philosophy class and always expected to be a math and science person. This class and assignment, however, gave me the selfconfidence, critical-thinking skills, and courage to try a new career path. I left engineering and went on to study law and eventually became a lawyer. More important, that class and paper helped me understand education differently. Instead of seeing college as a direct stepping stone to a career, I learned to see college as a place to first learn and then seek a career or enhance an existing career. By giving me the space to express my own interpretation and to argue for my own values, my philosophy class taught me the importance of education for education’s sake. That realization continues to pay dividends every day.

Key Takeaways

• Narration is the art of storytelling.
• Narratives can be either factual or fictional. In either case, narratives should emotionally engage the reader.
• Most narratives are composed of major events sequenced in chronological order.
• Time transition words and phrases are used to orient the reader in the sequence of a narrative.
• The four basic components to all narratives are plot, character, conflict, and theme.
• The use of sensory details is crucial to emotionally engaging the reader.
• A strong introduction is important to hook the reader. A strong conclusion should add resolution to the conflict and evoke the narrative’s theme.
• Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : http://lumenlearning.com/ . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Successful Writing. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s14-01-narration.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• My College Education. Authored by : Scott McLean. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s19-02-narrative-essay.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• A Brief Digression on Matters of Lost Time. Authored by : John Hodgman . Provided by : TED Talks. Located at : http://youtu.be/8W51H1croBw . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• The Music of a War Child. Authored by : Emmanuel Jal. Provided by : TED Talks. Located at : http://youtu.be/nF_dHdNOgSA . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
• Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (Access Requires Login)

• Overview of Instructor Resources

An Overview of the Writing Process

• Introduction to the Writing Process
• Introduction to Writing
• Your Role as a Learner
• What is an Essay?
• Reading to Write
• Defining the Writing Process
• Videos: Prewriting Techniques
• Thesis Statements
• Organizing an Essay
• Creating Paragraphs
• Conclusions
• Editing and Proofreading
• Matters of Grammar, Mechanics, and Style
• Peer Review Checklist
• Comparative Chart of Writing Strategies

Using Sources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
• Formatting the Works Cited Page (MLA)
• Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA)
• APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines

Definition Essay

• Definitional Argument Essay
• How to Write a Definition Essay
• Critical Thinking
• Video: Thesis Explained
• Effective Thesis Statements
• Student Sample: Definition Essay

Narrative Essay

• Introduction to Narrative Essay
• Student Sample: Narrative Essay
• "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
• "Sixty-nine Cents" by Gary Shteyngart
• Video: The Danger of a Single Story
• How to Write an Annotation
• How to Write a Summary

Illustration/Example Essay

• Introduction to Illustration/Example Essay
• "She's Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D" by Perri Klass
• "April & Paris" by David Sedaris
• Writing for Success: Illustration/Example
• Student Sample: Illustration/Example Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay

• Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay
• "Disability" by Nancy Mairs
• "Friending, Ancient or Otherwise" by Alex Wright
• "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard
• Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast
• Student Sample: Compare/Contrast Essay

Cause-and-Effect Essay

• Introduction to Cause-and-Effect Essay
• "Cultural Baggage" by Barbara Ehrenreich
• "Women in Science" by K.C. Cole
• Writing for Success: Cause and Effect
• Student Sample: Cause-and-Effect Essay

Argument Essay

• Introduction to Argument Essay
• Rogerian Argument
• "The Case Against Torture," by Alisa Soloman
• "The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin
• How to Write a Summary by Paraphrasing Source Material
• Writing for Success: Argument
• Student Sample: Argument Essay
• Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons
• Mini-lesson: Subjects and Verbs, Irregular Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement
• Mini-lesson: Sentence Types
• Mini-lesson: Fragments I
• Mini-lesson: Run-ons and Comma Splices I
• Mini-lesson: Comma Usage
• Mini-lesson: Parallelism
• Mini-lesson: The Apostrophe
• Mini-lesson: Capital Letters
• Grammar Practice - Interactive Quizzes
• De Copia - Demonstration of the Variety of Language
• Style Exercise: Voice

The Difference between an Essay and Fiction

Unless you're taking a creative writing course, you probably won't be asked to write many fictional essays, although they do exist. Fiction is all about being creative, descriptive, and imaginative, so the most important part of writing fiction is to flex those storytelling muscles.

The difference between an essay and fiction is in the definition and what counts as an essay versus what counts as fiction.

Truth-Tellers and Where to Find Them

A fictional piece of writing is, by definition, a made-up story. Good fiction takes imagination and creativity, which can be used to write essays or any other type of fictional writing. If you pick up a book, essay, paper, or read a novel online and it falls under the category of "fiction," what you're reading is not a true account.

What Counts as an Essay?

An essay is a short, informative piece of writing that consists of an introductory paragraph, three or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Essays can be descriptive, expository, persuasive, or narrative. A writer only has the option to write fiction under the category of a narrative essay. Many narrative essays are true accounts from a writer's lived experience, but some are fictional accounts.

For an essay, certain requirements apply for each type that separate it from other fictional writings. While a fictional poem can be nearly any length and structured in any way that the writer feels is best used to express themselves, an essay should be short (around five to seven paragraphs including the introduction and conclusion) and include a thesis statement that lays out the point of the essay.

What Counts as Fiction?

Nearly any kind of writing can be written as fiction, although doing so with some forms can get you into trouble. You don't want your thesis in college or the personal statement you submit to potential employers along with your resume to be anything but true, for instance.

However, fiction is a popular genre that includes many mediums. Novels, magazine articles, children's books, movie and television scripts, and short stories can all be fiction. Any story, even ones based on a true story that add details for dramatic effect, fall under the category of fiction.

Whether you're writing a fictional essay or any other type of fiction, have fun with and get creative. After all, that's what good fiction is all about.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

9 Writing a Narrative

Shelly Rodrigue

Student Learning Outcomes

• Identify techniques of factual storytelling and descriptive writing, which will culminate in the writing of a personal narrative essay
• Use point of view, plot, transitions, characters, conflict, theme, and sensory details in an essay

What Is Narration?

Narration  means the art of storytelling, and the purpose of narrative writing is to tell stories. Any time you tell a story to a friend or family member about an event or incident in your day, you engage in a form of narration. In addition, a narrative can be factual or fictional. A factual story is one that is based on, and tries to be faithful to, actual events as they unfolded in real life. A fictional story is a made-up, or imagined, story; the writer of a fictional story can create characters and events as he or she sees fit.

The big distinction between factual and fictional narratives is based on a writer’s purpose. The writers of factual stories try to recount events as they actually happened, but writers of fictional stories can depart from real people and events because the writers’ intents are not to retell a real-life event. Biographies and memoirs are examples of factual stories, whereas novels and short stories are examples of fictional stories.

Ultimately, whether the story is fact or fiction, narrative writing tries to relay a series of events in an emotionally engaging way. You want your audience to be moved by your story, which could mean through laughter, sympathy, fear, anger, and so on. The more clearly you tell your story, the more emotionally engaged your audience is likely to be.

The use of strong details is crucial as you describe the events and characters in your narrative.

To create strong details, keep the human senses in mind. You want your reader to be immersed in the world that you create, so focus on details related to sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch as you describe people, places, and events in your narrative. For more information on sensory details, see the chapter on Description.

The Structure of a Narrative

Every day, you relate stories to other people through simple exchanges. You may have had a horrible experience at a restaurant the night before, or you may have witnessed a curious interaction between other people. In each one of these experiences, there’s a story, and when you begin to share a personal experience, you often communicate in a narrative mode.

There are two main types of narratives: narratives about a personal experience and narratives about other people’s experiences.

Narratives about the writer’s personal experience typically use the first-person “I” pronoun because the narrator is the person who was physically present for the events described. The writer chooses details and language that reveal the narrator’s feelings about the events that are taking place.

Narratives written about other people’s experiences typically use the third-person pronouns “he, she, it, they.” Some writers opt to report third-person narratives objectively to relay events in a way that is both accurate and dispassionate. Examples include history books, lab reports, and news stories.

Regardless of the narrator’s point of view , major narrative events are most often conveyed in chronological order, the order in which events unfold from first to last. Stories typically have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and these events are typically organized by time. Certain transitional words and phrases aid in keeping the reader oriented in the sequencing of a story. Some of these phrases are listed here:

Chronological Transitional Words

after/afterward       as soon as       at last before         currently        during eventually         finally         first, second, third later        meanwhile        next now         since         soon still         then         until when/whenever         while

Other basic components of a narrative are:

• Plot – The events as they unfold in sequence.
• Characters – The people who inhabit the story and move it forward. Typically, there are minor characters and main characters. The minor characters generally play supporting roles to the main character, also known as the protagonist.
• Conflict – The primary problem or obstacle that unfolds in the plot that the protagonist must solve or overcome by the end of the narrative. The way in which the protagonist resolves the conflict of the plot results in the theme of the narrative.
• Theme – The ultimate message the narrative is trying to express; it can be either explicit or implicit.

Writing a Narrative Essay

When writing a narrative essay, start by asking yourself if you are writing a factual or fictional story. Then freewrite, brainstorm, or mind map about topics that are of general interest to you.

Once you have a general idea of what you will be writing about, you should sketch out the major events of the story that will compose your plot. Typically, these events will be revealed chronologically and climax at a central conflict that must be resolved by the end of the story.

As always, it is important to start with a strong introduction to hook your reader into wanting to read more. Try opening the essay with an event that is interesting to introduce the story and get it going. Finally, your conclusion should help resolve the central conflict of the story and impress upon your reader the ultimate theme, or unifying idea, of the piece.

Professional Writing Example

“Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan is an example of a well-written personal narrative. As you read the following narrative, try to determine the narrative’s point of view, plot, characters, transitions, conflict, and theme. See if you can identify areas where the author has included descriptive details.

Fish Cheeks

I fell in love with the minister’s son the winter I turned fourteen. He was not Chinese, but as white as Mary in the manger. For Christmas I prayed for this blond-haired boy, Robert, and a slim new American nose.

When I found out that my parents had invited the minister’s family over for Christmas Eve dinner, I cried. What would Robert think of our shabby Chinese Christmas? What would he think of our noisy Chinese relatives who lacked proper American manners? What terrible disappointment would he feel upon seeing not a roasted turkey and sweet potatoes but Chinese food?

On Christmas Eve I saw that my mother had outdone herself in creating a strange menu. She was pulling black veins out of the backs of fleshy prawns. The kitchen was littered with appalling mounds of raw food: A slimy rock cod with bulging eyes that pleaded not to be thrown into a pan of hot oil. Tofu, which looked like stacked wedges of rubbery white sponges. A bowl soaking dried fungus back to life. A plate of squid, their backs crisscrossed with knife markings so they resembled bicycle tires.

And then they arrived – the minister’s family and all my relatives in a clamor of doorbells and rumpled Christmas packages. Robert grunted hello, and I pretended he was not worthy of existence.

Dinner threw me deeper into despair. My relatives licked the ends of their chopsticks and reached across the table, dipping them into the dozen or so plates of food. Robert and his family waited patiently for platters to be passed to them. My relatives murmured with pleasure when my mother brought out the whole steamed fish. Robert grimaced. Then my father poked his chopsticks just below the fish eye and plucked out the soft meat. “Amy, your favorite,” he said, offering me the tender fish cheek. I wanted to disappear.

At the end of the meal my father leaned back and belched loudly, thanking my mother for her fine cooking. “It’s a polite Chinese custom to show you are satisfied,” explained my father to our astonished guests. Robert was looking down at his plate with a reddened face. The minister managed to muster up a quiet burp. I was stunned into silence for the rest of the night.

After everyone had gone, my mother said to me, “You want to be the same as American girls on the outside.” She handed me an early gift. It was a miniskirt in beige tweed. “But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame.”

And even though I didn’t agree with her then, I knew that she understood how much I had suffered during the evening’s dinner. It wasn’t until many years later – long after I had gotten over my crush on Robert – that I was able to fully appreciate her lesson and the true purpose behind our particular menu. For Christmas Eve that year, she had chosen all my favorite foods.

Questions for Discussion

• What point of view does Amy Tan use in “Fish Cheeks”?
• Who are the characters in the narrative?
• Where does Amy Tan use transitions?
• What is the main conflict in the narrative? How is it resolved?
• What is the theme of “Fish Cheeks”?
• What are three examples of description from this narrative?

Student Writing Example

The following essay, “Bayou Monster,” was written by an English 101 student, who wrote this personal narrative to challenge the idea that a monk’s life is boring. As you read this story, look for places where the author has incorporated the same narrative techniques found in Amy Tan’s essay.

Bayou Monster

It was a scorcher that day. The wind and trees were no help. The shade was only being supplied so far off the bank. Baseball caps can only do so much to protect the head from the sun’s powerful rays. The mosquitoes were rampant, their feeble attempt at survival. There was a lack of warm-blooded animals for them to prey on. We were the likely targets, the only ones that would dare venture that far out into a swamp. In addition to the nagging pests, the feebleness of the body takes its toll on the mind. Doubts began to swirl in my head of when we would ever stop to rest. Thoughts of unrest, discomfort, and selfishness shot from my bones up to my brain, causing a disinterested taste on my part for this “lovely day out.”

Just as my thoughts became increasingly negative and the downward swirl of discomfort was reaching the highest degree, I heard, “Get ready; it’s our first one!” Suddenly a slight rush of energy came out of nowhere, pushing me forward onto my toes, ready for what came next. As the boat slowed for the approach, I snapped a quick glance around. I noticed the others received the same kind of rejuvenation that I had experienced. Their heads moved forward toward the front of the boat, their bodies posturing upward to get the best look. Suddenly, I found myself hanging halfway off the front bow reaching down for a rope that had spent most of its existence submerged in nature. After I grabbed the rope, the next hardest thing to get a handle on was my fear, which manifested itself in the form of unsteady hands. As I pulled the rope further into the boat, I thought, “This stuff only happens in movies.” The partner boat was only a few feet away, readied with cameras, and smiles behind the lenses.

What I saw next was unutterable. Coming up behind the rope was a massive net. The net wasn’t the problem, though; rather, what the net contained had my mind tangled a bit. At first glance, anyone would say, “It’s a fish.” It looked like a fish, moved like a fish, and it certainly smelled like a fish. Drawing closer to this mysterious creature, I tried to get a better look at it. Suddenly there was an eerie sound. Caused by a mix of fluid and air being pushed through a small hole at a high rate of speed. I told myself, “This beast has lungs.” As the rest of its body surfaced, it became clear that the creature I had helped pull from the water was not just any old fish. It was a prehistoric monster that made its way through the waters of history until now. It had teeth the size of my fingers, eyes that had seen little sunlight, and a head the size of my torso. It suddenly became difficult to breathe normally. I was in shock.

Thanks be to God and all that is good for our fearless boat captain. He had seen this sort of thing before. This became clear when I glanced up to find a smile bigger than the sun on his face. Though a few teeth were missing, it did not seem to stifle his cheer. Oh, the laughter that came from this large man. His amusement caused my discomfort. Sheepishly, I managed to ask, “What are we going to do with that thing?” His answer was clear, striking, and firm. Looking over the specimen wrapped in the net behind me, he said, “We’re going to kill it and eat it.” Indeed, we did. Carefully and with much fear, we pulled this living hunk of marsh onto the deck of the boat. Watching its every move as he untied what was left of the mangled nets. He then calmly requested his “special tool” from behind the steering wheel. With a crooked smile and a strange sense of confidence, he said smoothly, “Just a little amnesia.” Then the inevitable happened. Thud! Thud! Thud! He raised the hatchet high in the air and delivered several deadly strikes to the uppermost part of the beast’s head. After the third swing, the beast ceased to move about on the deck of the bayou cruiser. It let out its final breath, almost a sigh of relief. We all stood there in silence for a moment, trying to process the most eventful and mysterious five minutes of our lives.

Before we knew it, we had the monster back at the camp to be cleaned and packaged. Several grown men had to grab its slimy body to fashion a hoist over its snout to get it onto the deck of the cleaning station. As we grabbed it, our eyes were fixed on its massive teeth. We wondered if the beast would awake from its seeming lethargy seeking revenge. Once a few pictures were snapped of us with our accidental catch, we began to clean the alligator garfish with much frustration. Fish that large have skin like armor, making it difficult even for the experienced veterans. Research showed that although it is an exceptionally large fish, it wouldn’t have topped the world record holders. I like to share this fishing story from time to time with friends and men who tend to boast of their “biggest catches.” It is a fond memory to share with many, especially those who call my life “boring.” If they only knew.

• What point of view does the author use in his essay? How does it differ from Amy Tan’s essay?
• Who are the characters in this narrative? Which ones are major? Which are minor?
• Where does the author use transitions? Why do you think he placed them there?
• What is the theme of “Bayou Monster”? What is one sentence that reveals the narrative’s theme?
• What are three examples of description in this narrative?

What is an exciting or interesting true story you like to tell? Summarize it in one sentence.

Who are some characters that appear in your story?

What are some transition words you notice yourself using when you tell this story?

What might be a possible theme of this story?

• Point of view
• Transitions

Narration is the art of telling lively, engaging stories. Personal narratives are true stories that authors tell about either their lives or the lives of people around them. The elements common to most narratives include narration, description, point of view, transitions, characters, plot, conflict, and theme. By using these elements in your writing, you will be able to successfully complete a personal narrative essay.

Reflective Response

Now that your personal narrative is complete, reflect on the writing process. What was the most challenging part of composing your narrative? Which part would you consider the easiest?

Additional Chapter Sources

Amy Tan’s short essay “Fish Cheeks” first appeared in Seventeen magazine. ©1987. All rights reserved.

Student work, “Bayou Monster,” reproduced anonymously with permission. All rights reserved.

Storytelling; the written or spoken account of related events

The perspective through which a story is told; stories can be told in first person (I), second person (you), or third person (he, she, they)

The sequence of events in a story

People who appear in a story

The problem, challenge, or obstacle a character must face in a story; types of conflict include human vs. human, human vs. nature, and human vs. self

The underlying idea, message, or lesson in a story

Writing a Narrative Copyright © 2024 by Shelly Rodrigue is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How To Write A Fictional Narrative Essay

• Post category: Uncategorized
• Reading time: 12 mins read

A fictional narrative essay allows writers to create a compelling story. It’s a unique form of writing that merges the structure of a traditional essay with the imaginative elements of fiction. This guide will walk you through the steps of crafting a fictional narrative essay that captures the reader’s imagination and communicates a profound message.  

What Is A Fictional Narrative?

A fictional narrative is a piece of writing or story crafted from the writer’s imagination. Unlike factual narratives, these stories are not bound by truth or reality. They offer a canvas to explore diverse characters, settings, and plots, allowing the writer to express creativity and explore themes that resonate with readers.

Elements Of A Fictional Narrative

In storytelling, the elements play a unique role in shaping a compelling and engaging narrative. Here’s a breakdown of these elements:

• Characters: These are the people, animals, or even fantastical beings who take center stage in the story. They have their personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. Characters drive the narrative and make it relatable to readers.
• Plot: The plot is the story’s backbone. It’s the sequence of events that unfold, taking readers on a journey from the story’s beginning to its resolution. The plot keeps readers engaged by presenting challenges, conflicts, and resolutions.
• Setting: The setting is where and when the story takes place. It includes details about the physical environment, period, and even the culture of the world where the characters exist. The setting provides context and enhances the story’s atmosphere.
• Conflict: Conflict is the driving force of any narrative. It’s the challenges, obstacles, and problems that characters face. Conflict creates tension and keeps readers eager to know how the characters will overcome adversity.
• Point of View: The point of view is the perspective from which the story is told. It can be first person (narrator uses “I”), third person (narrator uses “he,” “she,” or “they”), or even second person (narrator uses “you”). The choice of point of view influences how readers connect with the characters and events.
• Theme: The theme is the story’s underlying message or central idea. It’s what the author wants to convey to the reader. Themes can be about love, friendship, justice, or any other concept that adds depth and meaning to the narrative.
• Symbolism: Symbolism involves using objects, characters, or elements in the story to represent deeper meanings or ideas. For example, a rose might symbolize love or beauty. Symbolism adds layers of complexity to the narrative and allows for deeper interpretation.

Steps to Writing a Fictional Narrative

Writing a fictional narrative is an exciting journey that involves several key steps to create a compelling story. Here are the essential steps to guide you through the process:

Become Familiar with the Text

Before you start writing your fictional narrative, take some time to acquaint yourself with the basics of narrative writing and storytelling. Understand that a narrative typically includes characters, a plot, a setting, conflict, and resolution. These elements form the foundation of your story.

Explore Potential Topics

Begin your creative process by brainstorming ideas and themes for your narrative. Think about the story you want to tell and the emotions or messages you want to convey to your readers. This is the stage where you let your imagination run wild.

Select a Topic with Substance

When choosing your narrative’s theme or topic, choose one that offers depth and complexity. A rich theme provides the material needed for character development, conflict, and plot progression. It allows you to delve into the nuances of storytelling.

Craft a Working Thesis

Develop a preliminary thesis statement that captures the central idea or message you intend to convey through your narrative. This thesis will serve as your guiding light throughout the writing process, ensuring your story remains focused on its core concept.

Compile a Wealth of Ideas

Create an extensive list of potential plot points, character traits, and symbolic elements that align with your chosen theme. Think of this list as a toolbox filled with storytelling tools. Having a broad range of options to draw from as you craft your narrative is essential.

Carefully Choose Your Elements

From your extensive list, carefully select the most relevant and compelling plot points, character details, and symbolic elements. Consider how each element contributes to the overall narrative and theme. Your choices should enhance the storytelling experience.

Refine Your Thesis

Refine your thesis statement based on the elements you’ve chosen and the direction your story is taking. Ensure it remains aligned with the story you’re developing and the elements you’ve decided to incorporate.

Organize Your Narrative

Begin structuring your narrative in a way that engages and captivates your readers. Determine the sequence of events, introduce your characters, and plan how to use symbolism and conflict to create suspense and maintain the reader’s interest.

Interpret Your Elements

As you write your narrative, analyze how the selected plot points, character traits, and symbolic elements contribute to your story’s overarching message or theme. Ensure that each element serves a purpose in advancing the narrative and conveying your intended message.

How To Develop Your Character For Fiction Writing

Developing well-rounded and engaging characters is crucial to crafting a compelling fictional narrative. Here’s how to effectively develop your characters:

• Set Clear Goals and Motivations: Give your protagonist a specific goal or desire that drives their actions throughout the story. This goal provides a sense of purpose. Explore the motivations behind your character’s goal. What personal reasons or experiences fuel their determination?
• Generate Conflict: Conflict is essential for character growth. Introduce obstacles and challenges that your character must face. Ensure the conflict is relevant to your character’s goal and pushes them to evolve and adapt.
• Establish Strengths and Weaknesses: Create well-rounded characters by giving them both strengths and weaknesses. Strengths make them capable, while weaknesses make them relatable. Consider how your character’s strengths help them overcome challenges and how their weaknesses create tension and obstacles.
• Reveal Character Slowly: Avoid overwhelming readers with too much information about your character all at once. Instead, reveal their personality, backstory, and traits gradually. Let readers get to know your character through their actions, dialogue, and interactions with others.
• Develop a Meaningful Past: Craft a backstory for your main character that informs their present actions and decisions. What life experiences have shaped who they are today? Your character’s past can include secrets, regrets, or transformative moments that add depth to their character.
• Describe Physical Attributes Purposefully: Do so with intention when describing your character’s physical appearance. Consider how their looks reflect their personality or background. Use physical attributes to convey information about your character rather than just listing their features.
• Create a Distinctive Voice: Define how your character speaks and expresses themselves. Each character should have a unique voice that aligns with their personality and background. The way a character communicates can reveal their education, social status, and emotional state.

Importance Of Using A Fictional Narrative Essay

Using a fictional narrative holds significant importance in various aspects of literature, entertainment, and even education. Here’s an exploration of why employing a fictional narrative is valuable:

• Fictional narratives are a potent vehicle for storytelling. They allow authors and creators to craft imaginative worlds, characters, and events that captivate and engage readers or audiences.
• Fictional narratives provide a safe and creative space to explore complex themes, issues, and emotions. Writers can address sensitive topics, moral dilemmas, and societal concerns within the context of a story.
• Engaging with fictional characters allows readers or viewers to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. Readers can put themselves in the shoes of characters from different backgrounds, cultures, or time periods.
• Fictional narratives offer an escape from the mundane and a portal into fantastical or thrilling adventures. They provide entertainment and allow people to unwind, relax, and experience excitement or joy.
• Writing or consuming fictional narratives stimulates creativity and imagination. It encourages individuals to think beyond the confines of reality and envision limitless possibilities.
• Fictional narratives are often used as educational tools. They can convey moral lessons, historical events, or scientific concepts in an engaging and memorable way.
• Fictional narratives invite reflection and catharsis. Readers and viewers can relate to the character’s struggles and triumphs, allowing them to process their own emotions and experiences.
• Fictional narratives have the power to showcase diverse representation. Authors and creators can introduce characters of different backgrounds, genders, orientations, and abilities, promoting inclusivity and representation in media.

Conclusion on Writing a Fictional Story

Writing a fictional essay is a creative process that involves essential steps such as understanding storytelling fundamentals, selecting compelling topics, developing characters, and using the power of fiction to entertain, educate, and inspire. Fictional narratives are powerful tools for conveying messages, exploring complex themes, and fostering empathy. They provide an escape into imaginative worlds and offer opportunities for both writers and readers to engage with diverse perspectives and experiences. 

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Macdonald DeWitt Library at SUNY Ulster

Eng 101 oer: narration.

• Reading to Write
• Why We Write
• Rhetorical Context
• Brainstorming
• Proofreading & Editing
• Paragraph Development
• Thesis Statements
• Introductions
• Conclusions

Transitions & Phrases

• Peer Reviews
• Exemplification
• Classification
• Cause/Effect
• Grammar Resources

Learning Objectives

• Determine the purpose and structure of narrative writing.
• Understand how to write a narrative essay.

The Purpose of Narrative Writing

The big distinction between factual and fictional narratives is based on a writer’s purpose. The writers of factual stories try to recount events as they actually happened, but writers of fictional stories can depart from real people and events because the writers’ intents are not to retell a real-life event. Biographies and memoirs are examples of factual stories, whereas novels and short stories are examples of fictional stories.

The Structure of a Narrative Essay

Major narrative events are most often conveyed in  chronological order , the order in which events unfold from first to last. Stories typically have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and these events are typically organized by time. Certain transitional words and phrases aid in keeping the reader oriented in the sequencing of a story. 

The following are the other basic components of a narrative:

• Plot . The events as they unfold in sequence.
• Characters . The people who inhabit the story and move it forward. Typically, there are minor characters and main characters. The minor characters generally play supporting roles to the main character, or the protagonist.
• Conflict . The primary problem or obstacle that unfolds in the plot that the protagonist must solve or overcome by the end of the narrative. The way in which the protagonist resolves the conflict of the plot results in the theme of the narrative.

Writing a Narrative Essay

When writing a narrative essay, start by asking yourself if you want to write a factual or fictional story. Then freewrite about topics that are of general interest to you.

Once you have a general idea of what you will be writing about, you should sketch out the major events of the story that will compose your plot. Typically, these events will be revealed chronologically and climax at a central conflict that must be resolved by the end of the story. The use of strong details is crucial as you describe the events and characters in your narrative. You want the reader to emotionally engage with the world that you create in writing.

As always, it is important to start with a strong introduction to hook your reader into wanting to read more. Try opening the essay with an event that is interesting to introduce the story and get it going. Finally, your conclusion should help resolve the central conflict of the story and impress upon your reader the ultimate theme of the piece.   

What makes a great story? For legendary filmmaker Ken Burns, the answer is both complicated and personal. In this short documentary about the craft of storytelling, he explains his lifelong mission to wake the dead. Recently featured on The Atlantic.

Ken Burns: On Story from Redglass Pictures on Vimeo .

Student Sample Essay

My College Education  

The first class I went to in college was philosophy, and it changed my life forever. Our first assignment was to write a short response paper to the Albert Camus essay “The Myth of Sisyphus.” I was extremely nervous about the assignment as well as college. However, through all the confusion in philosophy class, many of my questions about life were answered.

I entered college intending to earn a degree in engineering. I always liked the way mathematics had right and wrong answers. I understood the logic and was very good at it. So when I received my first philosophy assignment that asked me to write my interpretation of the Camus essay, I was instantly confused. What is the right way to do this assignment, I wondered? I was nervous about writing an incorrect interpretation and did not want to get my first assignment wrong. Even more troubling was that the professor refused to give us any guidelines on what he was looking for; he gave us total freedom. He simply said, “I want to see what you come up with.”

Full of anxiety, I first set out to read Camus’s essay several times to make sure I really knew what was it was about. I did my best to take careful notes. Yet even after I took all these notes and knew the essay inside and out, I still did not know the right answer. What was my interpretation? I could think of a million different ways to interpret the essay, but which one was my professor looking for? In math class, I was used to examples and explanations of solutions. This assignment gave me nothing; I was completely on my own to come up with my individual interpretation.

Next, when I sat down to write, the words just did not come to me. My notes and ideas were all present, but the words were lost. I decided to try every prewriting strategy I could find. I brainstormed, made idea maps, and even wrote an outline. Eventually, after a lot of stress, my ideas became more organized and the words fell on the page. I had my interpretation of “The Myth of Sisyphus,” and I had my main reasons for interpreting the essay. I remember being unsure of myself, wondering if what I was saying made sense, or if I was even on the right track. Through all the uncertainty, I continued writing the best I could. I finished the conclusion paragraph, had my spouse proofread it for errors, and turned it in the next day simply hoping for the best.

Then, a week or two later, came judgment day. The professor gave our papers back to us with grades and comments. I remember feeling simultaneously afraid and eager to get the paper back in my hands. It turned out, however, that I had nothing to worry about. The professor gave me an A on the paper, and his notes suggested that I wrote an effective essay overall. He wrote that my reading of the essay was very original and that my thoughts were well organized. My relief and newfound confidence upon reading his comments could not be overstated.

What I learned through this process extended well beyond how to write a college paper. I learned to be open to new challenges. I never expected to enjoy a philosophy class and always expected to be a math and science person. This class and assignment, however, gave me the self-confidence, critical-thinking skills, and courage to try a new career path. I left engineering and went on to study law and eventually became a lawyer. More important, that class and paper helped me understand education differently. Instead of seeing college as a direct stepping stone to a career, I learned to see college as a place to first learn and then seek a career or enhance an existing career. By giving me the space to express my own interpretation and to argue for my own values, my philosophy class taught me the importance of education for education’s sake. That realization continues to pay dividends every day.

Key Takeaways

• Narration is the art of storytelling.
• Narratives can be either factual or fictional. In either case, narratives should emotionally engage the reader.
• Most narratives are composed of major events sequenced in chronological order.
• Time transition words and phrases are used to orient the reader in the sequence of a narrative.
• The four basic components to all narratives are plot, character, conflict, and theme.
• The use of sensory details is crucial to emotionally engaging the reader.
• A strong introduction is important to hook the reader. A strong conclusion should add resolution to the conflict and evoke the narrative’s theme.

This is a derivative of  WRITING FOR SUCCESS  by a publisher who has requested that they and the original author not receive attribution, originally released and is used under CC BY-NC-SA. This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

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Can an Essay be Fiction: How to write Fictional Story with Examples

How to Write Fiction Essays

If you are pursuing a degree, an essay is a very important part of your studies. Primarily, it helps to improve your understanding by pushing you to seek more clarification on ideas and information.

By digging deep into the right source material for your essay, you are able to understand the ideas involved in the process of learning.  

Secondly, essays help to polish the writing skills of a student. In the end, you will be able to organize your thoughts and have creative thinking. Also, essay writing can improve the logical thinking of a student.

Can an Essay be Fiction?

An essay can be fiction if the content of the essay or the events it describes are not true in real life. Essays can be fictitious if the instructions require them to be own compositions and not real narration. Therefore, in a fictional essay, the writer needs to have great imagination and creativity skills so as to capture the attention of the audience.

A fiction essay involves imaginative creation. If you are writing this type of essay, your creative thoughts have to put together imaginary descriptions, events, and characters into writing.

You introduce to the reader through your piece of writing the fictional fantasy world

Since the story you are telling is not factual, the author has to devise means of making it engaging and interesting to the reader.

You have to identify a story and then imagine and analyze the plot, characters, and dialogues involved.

Fiction essays need an introduction of the theme to discuss. The introduction should also consist of a preview of devices to feature in the narration.

The essay implores the use of direct quotes that demonstrate how the devices in the essay are being elaborated by the writer.

Below are tricks on how to write a good fiction essay:

• The author ought to have a clear understanding and interpretation of the work. If a book is your source of inspiration, flip back to establish what interests you.
• Topic selection is arguably the most important part. It determines whether you will be able to come up with an interesting essay. As such, ensure you identify good topics then narrow down to remain with a topic that you can easily gather all the details.
• Proceed to establish a working thesis in line with the topic evidence you have gathered. After this, put down all ideas in a list with inspiration from the narrator’s remarks and interpretations. You can also get more inspiration from the characters in the book. It is important to understand elements such as setting, plot, point of view, and character as it helps the writer to gather more evidence.
• The evidence gathered for writing a fiction essay should feature facts that are closely related to the thesis statement selected by the writer. The best step if you want to have an easy time is to select evidence that has a large amount of content.
• Now that you are more familiar with the topic to write, revisit your working thesis and make sure it is matching your topic.
• At this stage, you have a clear thesis signaling the ideal time to organize your evidence. Put all the details together and identify all the possible claims that will feature in your fiction essay writing. Claims you include in your essay such as the conclusion should be strictly related to the evidence and be supportive of your thesis.
• Readers of fiction essays need clarity and easy choice of words for a better understanding. For this reason, confirm that your essay paper is not burdened with evidence from your story. Whenever there is a reference to a story, its significance in your essay should be explained in the writer’s own words.

Through these fiction essay writing strategies, your work will be simplified. You can come up with a fiction essay that is specific and simple to understand.

All the aspects of evidence gathered can make your writing more resonant and resounding. Gradually, you can master the art of fiction writing and be able to write captivating essays that no reader will want to miss.

Differences between Fiction Essays and Other Essays

The main difference that distinguishes the two is that fiction essays do not have real events but the other type of essays usually discusses true events. Below are some of the factors that distinguish these essays:

• Fiction essays are subjective in nature while the other type of essay is objective.
• In fiction type of writing, the reader has the responsibility of closely following and comprehending the presented theme. However, in other essays, it is the author who must give a direct presentation of the message.
• In most cases, you write fiction essays for the purpose of entertaining readers whereas other essays are to educate and inform the audience about a specific subject.
• References in fiction essay writing are not a must but in the other types of essays, they must be provided so as to enhance the credibility of the writing.
• A fiction essay is based on the perspective of the narrator or the main character that is being described. However, non-fiction essays are written from the perspective of the writer.
• As a fiction essay writer, you will enjoy the advantage of flexibility. You can navigate your story in any direction that will make your piece more exciting. This is simply because you are dealing with events that are not true. On the other hand, non-fiction essay writers do not have this freedom because they have to give only real and true information.
• In a fiction essay, you hide the theme and the audience has to follow keenly in order to understand. As a matter of fact, readers can have different interpretations of the essay depending on their understanding. Other types of essays are written with only one interpretation.
• Fiction writing is purely subjective. Before completing the write-up, the writer has the choice of adding his own perspective and opinion. Moreover, the characters, setting, and plot can be further elaborated by the writer as long as it fits his imagination.
• In the other category of essays, you cannot add your opinion because your presentation ought to be fact-based and straightforward. This condition does not have any room for a writer’s own imagination.

In the end, it is clear that fiction essays are utterly the opposite of the other type of essays. Fiction essays provide the reader with an avenue to break away from a boring day and get into a dreamland full of sheer imagination. As a reader, if you want to learn more, non-fiction essays will suit you.

9 Examples Fiction Essay of Topic Ideas

1. The evolution of dragons, a symbol of power

2. Dystopian fiction for the young

3. Swifter than light travel science fiction

4. Theme of death

5. Witchcraft fiction

6. The British Empire adventure       

7. Global warming fiction

8. A city getting ready for a heavy storm

9. Living in a remote village full of wild animals

There exist thousands of concepts you can base your essay on but these are some good ideas that can get you started on your fiction essay writing.

As a student progresses from elementary school going to college, the type of fiction writing metamorphoses from a simple one to a more complicated and in-depth style of writing . In elementary and middle schools, writing these essays is not complicated.

In essence, the writing focuses on essay progression and its plot. When they advance to high school and college, characters and emotions are the main focus. High school and college fictional essays have higher stakes.

James Lotta

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