A narrative essay

1. What is a narrative essay

A narrative essay is a story written in the past . It can be real or imaginary
and should have a crear beginning, middle and end . It usually involves an
unexpected event which is often frightening or funny .

2. Structure

Paragraph 1 Introduce and explain the

background and the characters.
TIP: use Past Perfect and Past
continous

Paragraph 2 Describe the main event

TIP: use time expressions and
sequences to make the order
clear , and use adjectives and
adverbs to make your story
interesting

Paragraph 3 Explain the end of the story

TIP : describe your thoughts and
feelings

Content
- Add detail. Think about character, background, feelings and atmosphere.
- Make sure that your story has a logical order. Give it a clear beginning,
middle and end.
- Try to make your narrative interesting. Use a variety of language,
including adjectives and adverbs.
- Use a range of narrative tenses. Useful tenses include: past simple, past
continuous, present perfect, past perfect, used to/would.

Vocabulary and useful language

Time expressions:
Main sequence: at first – by the time - eventually – finally – in the end
- next – then
Before and after: after a while – before – earlier – later – in the end
Simultaneous events: as – as soon as – during – when – while.

Adverbs:
Manner adverbs: angrily - apprehensively
Comment adverbs: luckily
Adverbs of certain: certainly – definitely
Adverbs of degree: absolutely – quite- rather - very

Adjectives
Atmosphere: dangerous – dirty – unusual – wild
Emotion: amazed – confused – embarrassed – shocked – thrilled –
worried
Comparisons: It was the best/ worst day of my life! – It was the most
frightening/ exiting thing I’ve ever done.

Linkers: also – although – as well – because – but – since – so – too

More useful expressions: - I will never forget it. - ... Was te most
exciting/frightening thing that has ever happened to me. – The
happiest/ scariest moment un my life was when.
 Examples

Last summer I went to Marselle to visit my French penfriend , Isabelle. It

was a great holiday.Isabelle showed me arraound the city , and we spend
a lot of time in the beach too! One day , after we had just finished a bit of
window shopping , an incredible thing happened. We met Johnny Depp!

I did not recognize him at first , as he was wearing dark sunglasses .

Luckily, he took them off while he was walking past . Before I could say
anything, Isabelle ran up to him and asked for nhis autograph he was
really friendly , and we even chatted for a few minutes.

Afterwards, I felt amazed and delighted , but a bit shocked too ! Johnny
Depp is my favorite actor , and meeting him was probably the most
exciting thing that has ever happened to me. I will never forget it , and
neither will Isabelle!

Use time and sequencing expressions

Use adjectives to describe events , people, places and feelings

Use different tenses and verbs forms

Make comparisons to show how interesting or important the event

was

Conclude your story