Sometimes starting is the hardest part of writing an essay.
A narrative essay lets you write about any subject or experience from a particular point of view, either your own or that of another character. Narrative essays do not employ the same rules as other, more formal essay styles, such as prohibiting first person and requiring citations, but the overall structure of the essay is the same as other types of essays. In a narrative essay, you support your points with descriptive memories instead of historical facts, documents or literature. As with any essay, the opening paragraph must intrigue and engage the reader.
Instructions
1. Write a few intriguing descriptive sentences pertaining to your essay topic. For example, if your essay is about playing soccer, use the opening of the first paragraph to set the scene. Describe the smell of the grass, the positions of the team benches and the way your soccer cleats felt as you laced them tightly.
2. Write a startling sentence that seems incongruous, random or surprising, but still pertains to the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about working in an orange orchard, write a sentence that goes against what a reader might expect from an orchard worker, such as "I hate orange juice. Even as a young child, I would ask for milk or cranberry juice with my breakfast."
3. Write a few lines of dialogue relating the event or experience your essay narrates. Choose whether you want a single quote or a brief exchange of dialogue. Choose simple but powerful dialogue that draws the reader in without giving away the climax or central point. For example, if you are narrating working on an orange orchard, your opening lines could be the exchange you had with your supervisor during hiring.
"Can you hold a 50-pound box while climbing a ladder?"
"Yes," I replied confidently.
"OK, you're hired." And so began my job as an orchard worker.
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