Personal Narrative Essay - Easy Guide & Examples

A personal narrative essay can be a fun way to share your life story with friends and family. However, most students have no idea how to write a personal narrative essay. This can be a challenge, and on top of that, it's one of the most common assignments in school.

Is this something that you are also dealing with? Fortunately, you don't have to worry anymore! I am here to simplify the process for you.

This guide will walk you through the process of writing a personal narrative essay step by step. Plus, you can find plenty of examples here to help you get started and avoid common writing mistakes.

So what are you waiting for? Take a step forward to make your essay shine!

Personal Narrative Essay Definition

What is a Personal Narrative Essay?

A personal narrative essay is also referred to as short storytelling. It depends on the type of story the writer wants to tell the readers. This type of essay can be composed of the personal experience of the writer.

A personal narrative essay is usually written in the first person. It helps to depict a clear narrative that’s focused on a specific moment.

Usually, high school students are assigned to write such essays. Writing these essays helps them enhance creative writing skills and provides insight into a student’s personal life.

To write a personal narrative essay, the writer specifies a plot around which the entire essay revolves. Moreover, the plot should also discuss the characters that have played some part in the story.

Sample Personal Narrative Essay (PDF)

How to Start a Personal Narrative Essay?

The personal narrative essay requires a balance between objectivity and subjectivity. To write about an event or situation with significance, you must first identify what's important to share with the readers.

As with other types of writing, there are some guidelines you need to follow. These are:

1. Choose the Right Topic

A good topic can not just make your essay look good, but also it will make the writing process much easier. Since personal narrative essays are written on personal experiences and thoughts, make sure you choose your most interesting experience.

Keep in mind that the topic you choose matches the intended audience. It is the reader who decides the scope and success of your essay.

2. Choose a Theme

You can also choose a theme for your essay. This will help you focus on what you want to say. You can use your personal experiences to explore the theme in depth. For example, if you choose the theme of love, you could talk about your experience of love with your sister(s). Alternatively, you can start writing out the story and see if any ideas might relate to a bigger theme. When you are writing, pay attention to any ideas that keep coming up. See if they might be related to a bigger topic.

3. Create a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the most important sentence and tells the reader what your essay will be about.

In a personal narrative essay, the thesis statement can briefly explore the story's events or tell the reader about the moral or lesson learned through personal experience. The thesis statement can also present the main theme of the essay.

For example, if you are writing an essay about your personal experience as a refugee, you may have a thesis statement that presents the theme of freedom.

Check out more thesis statement examples to learn how to write one!

4. Create an Outline

Once you have your topic, it is time to create an outline for your essay. The essay outline is an essential element of an essay. It keeps the whole composition in an organized order.

Also, it helps the reader through the essay. With the help of an outline, a writer can provide logic for the essay.

Personal Narrative Essay Outline

Being a student, you must know how important an outline is for an essay. It provides organization for the whole content.

To create an outline for a personal narrative essay, you need to follow the following traditional method:

1. Introduction

2. Body

3. Conclusion

These three major elements of a narrative essay are further elaborated down below.

Introduction

The introduction is the most important part of essay writing. It is the first impression on the reader; by reading this part, the reader decides the quality of the essay. This part should be the most attention-grabbing.

It should have an attention-grabbing hook and some background information about the topic. Moreover, it should include the thesis statement, which explains the main idea of your essay.

Keep in mind that the essay introduction should always end with a transition sentence. This will make a logical connection with the rest of the essay.

Personal Narrative Introduction Example

| "It was a beautiful day, the kind you can only find in summer. The sun shone brightly on my face as I stepped outside and took in the fresh air. I had been looking forward to this moment for weeks; today was finally the day that I would be going on an adventure of a lifetime! I had never done anything like this before, but I knew that it would be a life-changing experience regardless of how it turned out. With a deep breath and butterflies in my stomach, I started walking towards my destination - not knowing what was waiting for me ahead." |

Body Paragraphs

After the introduction, the body paragraphs are written. These paragraphs help you to explain the key elements of your personal narrative essay.

In a standard personal narrative essay, there are usually three body paragraphs. These paragraphs help the writer to describe the subject of the essay in all possible aspects.

With the help of these paragraphs, the writer describes their point of view to the readers. To support the essay, the time and place of the event happening are also mentioned. Moreover, these paragraphs have all the information about the characters.

Keep in mind that a body starts with a topic sentence. This sentence is a kind of introductory sentence for that particular paragraph.

Another important thing you need to keep in mind is the order in which you will present the details. Make sure that you use chronological order for this purpose.

Personal Narrative Body Example

| "It was a sunny summer day, and I was feeling particularly adventurous. I decided that I wanted to take a hike up the local mountain, so I gathered my supplies and headed out. I hiked up the mountain trail, taking in the beauty of nature all around me. Wildflowers were growing along the path, birds singing in the trees, and a cool breeze blowing through the air. Eventually, I reached the top of the mountain and stopped to take in the breathtaking view. I could see for miles in every direction and felt a sense of accomplishment from having made it to the top. I spent some time at the summit, enjoying my lunch and reflecting on my journey up the mountain. After that, I began my descent back down the trail. As I wound my way down the path, I kept an eye out for any wildlife I might spot on the way. Sure enough, I was rewarded with sightings of deer, rabbits, and even a fox! Finally, I reached the bottom of the mountain and headed back home. Although my legs were tired from all that walking, my heart was full from having experienced such a beautiful journey. I'll never forget that hike up the mountain, and I hope to do it again soon!" |

Conclusion

In conclusion, you need to provide the climax of the story.

In this section of a personal narrative essay, you should wrap up the whole story. Do it in such a way that you provide a summary of the entire essay.

Your conclusion should be just as impactful as your introduction. End with a memorable sentence or thought that leaves the reader with a lasting impression. You can summarize the main points of your essay or reflect on the significance of the experience in your life.

Make sure that you do not add any new points in this part. It will not give the reader a sense of accomplishment and will leave them in confusion.

Personal Narrative Conclusion Example

| "Reflecting on this experience, I am grateful for the lessons that it taught me. It was an important reminder to always be mindful of my surroundings and take time to appreciate all that life has to offer. Not only did I get a chance to observe nature in its finest form but also learn more about myself and what truly matters most in life. Even though it wasn’t easy at first, with the help of friends and family, I was able to overcome any obstacle standing between me and success. This journey will stay with me forever as a source of motivation when times are tough or things don't go my way; reminding me that no matter how hard something may seem, if you put your heart into it anything is possible!" |

How to Write a Personal Narrative Essay

A personal narrative essay is great when it is expressive, and the reader enjoys your story. The key to writing an amazing personal narrative is to use sensory details as much as possible.

A good narrative essay doesn't just tell what happened; it shows what happened and how you felt at that moment.

Here's how you can write a personal narrative essay:

• Start With a Good Hook

For any type of essay, a hook statement can make a big difference. But for a personal narrative essay, hook sentences are very important.

Usually, the introduction of the essay starts with this sentence. You can use a famous quote, a verse, or an interesting fact for this purpose. This sentence helps grab the reader’s attention and persuades them to read the entire essay.

• Vivid Description

For a narrative essay, it is essential to be vivid enough to let the reader imagine the whole scene. This is why the writer must use as much descriptive language as possible.

For example, if you are writing about a visit to the beach, you can describe how the sun felt on your face. Using strong verbs and adjectives will also help to provide an engaging experience for readers.

• Use Transition Words

For any essay, be it an argumentative essay, descriptive essay, or personal narrative essay, it is very important to have some transition sentences and words. These transition words help make a logical connection between all parts of the essay.

In other words, the transition words help link the storyline. You can use transition words like "this," "however," "whereas," "therefore," "moreover," etc.

• Add Emotions

The purpose of a personal narrative essay is to show the reader what and how you felt. Hence, don't forget to add the emotions, as you have to make the reader understand the feelings.

Describe all the emotions and feelings using very descriptive words.

• Be Consistent

Consistency is key to writing an essay professionally. Make sure you don't get distracted by any irrelevant details.

Stay focused on one single point, and add details related to your specific idea. Make sure you link all the events of the story regularly. This will help the reader relate to all the events. Also, use first-person impressions as you are writing a personal narrative.

You also want to show the reader that you are telling your own story. Make sure you follow the same perspective throughout the entire essay.

• Prove the Significance of Your Experience

You know that behind every event, there is a reason. Similarly, let your readers know the reason behind your essay and its significance.

Also, mention that the story you just told was important to share.

As it is a personal narrative, you don't have to provide evidence to prove the significance of your story. Instead, you have to convey a broader message through your story.

• Use Dialogue

Dialogue is an excellent way to bring life to your story and make it more engaging. It can reveal the characters' personalities and add a touch of realism to the essay.

When you use dialogue, make sure to punctuate it correctly and indicate who is speaking.

• Show, Don't Tell

When writing a personal narrative essay, avoid summarizing events and simply telling the story. Instead, use sensory details to help the reader experience the story with you.

Describe what you saw, heard, felt, tasted, and smelled to bring the story to life.

• Reflect on the Experience

Reflection is an important part of any personal narrative essay. It is an opportunity for you to reflect on the experience you are writing about and what it means to you. Take the time to think about what you learned from the experience and how it has shaped you as a person.

• Proofread

Once you are done writing your personal narrative essay, put in a little effort to make it error-free. Proofread the essay more than once and look for minor spelling mistakes and other grammatical errors.

This will ensure that you have written an essay like a pro. You can do this yourself, or you can ask a friend to do it for you.

Free Personal Narrative Essay Examples

Examples help you understand things better. Here are a few well-written narrative essay examples. Read them thoroughly and use them as a guide to writing a good essay yourself.

Personal Narrative Essay 750 words

Personal narrative essays can be long or short. It depends on how much you want to elaborate on things.

750 Words Personal Narrative Essay (PDF)

Personal Narrative Essay Examples for High School Students

Here are some amazing personal narrative essays for high school students. Feel free to refer to them and get inspired to write your own story.

Personal Narrative Essay Example for High School Students (PDF)

High School Personal Narrative Essay Example (PDF)

Personal Narrative Essay Examples for College Students

College students can refer to these examples to write their narrative essays. Reading these examples will help you know what makes a perfect narrative essay.

Personal Narrative Essay Example for College (PDF)

College Personal Narrative Essay Example (PDF)

Personal Narrative Essay Topics

It is important to choose a good topic before you start writing. Here are some interesting narrative essay topics you can choose from for your essay.

• My worst childhood memory

• My favorite summer activities are during vacation.

• The first time I had a serious argument with my best friend

• The first time someone broke my heart.

• Things I could tell myself.

• How I balance my family life and my professional life.

• The most important rule in life

• Teachers who inspired me in my college.

• Why I love to write a diary

• My favorite New York Times Article.

• My favorite movie.

• Personal advice for the youth of today.

• How I overcame my stage fear.

• The toughest decision I have ever made.

• What I regret most

Personal Narrative Essay Writing Tips

You need to follow a few things in order to start your narrative essay properly. Those significant things are as follows:

• Think of a memorable event, an unforgettable experience, or any that you want to tell the readers.

• Plan your narrative essay. Make yourself clear on the order you want to mention all the details.

• Start your essay with a hook sentence. This will help you to grab the attention of the readers.

• Use vivid language so that the reader can imagine the whole scene in mind. Describe the actions, mood, theme, and overall plot.

• Make sure that you use descriptive language.

• Use proper sentence structure.

In conclusion, writing a personal narrative essay can be daunting for many students.

So, If you need help with writing a college paper, consider using CollegeEssay. They have a specialized narrative essay writing service. They're committed to crafting compelling stories that capture and engage.

For added convenience and innovation, don't forget to check out their essay writer online, an AI tool designed to refine and elevate your writing experience.