Narrative essay:

Another word for narrative is “story” as it tells a story usually based on a personal
experience told from the author’s perspective. The essay always has a point or theme, which is the
message the author wants the reader to take away. Examples of narrative essay topics include: an
unforgettable experience, making a mistake and learning from it, or setting and achieving a goal.

Important elements of a Narrative Essay:

Certain elements are essential to a narrative essay. These elements engage the reader and
help the writer tell the story clearly.

1. The story is told from a first-person point of view.

2. The story includes sensory details (use of five senses: sight, touch, sound, taste and smell)
3. The story will have a point, often expressed as a lesson or theme. A theme is a central
message in a work of art or writing.
4. The story is typically told in chronological order (arrangements of events according to the
time the accrued i.e., from first to last)
5. Plot (main events of a story) elements move the story along.
6. The essay is clearly organized to allow the reader to follow the storyline.

Structure of a Narrative Essay:

A narrative essay follows the standard essay structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and
conclusion.

Introduction:

The introduction is where you begin to relate the personal story that illustrates the theme
of the narrative essay. Immerse the reader in your experience using crisp details. Be sure to balance
your introduction evenly by connecting your personal account to your thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs:

ADP/ADPCS PGC Kallur Kot Notes by Prof. Faria Maryam

 The body paragraphs are the part of the structure where you weave between expressing
your story and discussing how it fits into the significant theme. Be mindful of the transitions in
your narrative essay to avoid jarring the audience’s attention.

Conclusion:

1. The conclusion brings everything full circle for the reader.

2. Reminding the reader of your narrative essay’s thesis and main points by summarizing them.
3. Telling the audience what you learned from the experience.
4. Discussing why the audience should be aware of your topic.
5. Digging deeper into the theme of your narrative essay without offering new information.

Narrative essays:

Who am I?

My dad has never been the easiest man to impress but my brother Nick could always do it. When
Nick would play the drums, my father’s eyes would sparkle and light up like fireworks on the
fourth of July. I always wished my father would look at me like that but it was only my brother
who could generate that look of pride. My father is an amazing drummer, so watching his only son
take after him must have been great. My brother and my dad are the two people I adore and
respect the most in this world and all I wanted to do was be like then and make them proud.

After my brother died, I never saw that look of pure joy in my father’s eyes, I would try so
hard to impress him. I played the violin. Cello, piano, and even the flute hoping to please him but
it was all in vain. I never saw even a glimmer of pride in his eyes. I would often ask “Daddy are
you proud of me?” and he would sigh and say of course he was, but his tone sounded like that of
a tired old man whose daughter was exhausting him I just wished my brother were there to teach
me how to play as he did.

My freshman year in high school I joined marching band. Since I didn’t play an instrument,
I joined the color guard. My parents Would come to games to watch me but my father would never
glance at me once. He would always be completely focused on the Drumline with this look in his
eyes. This look like he had been cheated; he should have a son out there. A son who would stand

ADP/ADPCS PGC Kallur Kot Notes by Prof. Faria Maryam

out There in line with his head held high, looking like some god as he played, stick moving in
perfect unison with the rest of the line. But All he had was a little girl tossing a fag.

When I saw my father look like that, it really hurt me. I wanted to be Nick for him, but I
didn’t think I was capable Then my good friend Michelle who was in drumline convinced me to
try out for it although I had never even picked up a stick. I finally agreed and started going to
practice with her, and I don’t think I have ever been more intimidated in my life. I remember
walking into the room where the drums were kept. The room had a curious smell that I couldn’t
quite place, it was sort of like stale cotton candy and shoe polish. I would stand in there and watch
Brad, Tony, and Liz in absolute wonderment as they played (something I still do to this day). They
played like my brother used to, and that all I wanted to do.

So, I worked really hard for the next few months, I ended up playing the bass drum, and
my father was at the game to watch me play. I do not think I will ever forget the moment I saw his
face. It was about halfway through Beethoven’s 9th symphony, night at the part where the band
breaks in to Ode to Joy, I was almost like a movie, it seemed like it was in slow motion as looked
up into the stands and saw my father’s face with that same look of sheer pride he used to give my
brother. I don’t think all the happy, joyous words in the English language could describe just how
wonderful I felt

I thought I was going to start crying right there on the football field I was so happy. My
father was proud of me. I felt like that in some way I had brought a little piece of my brother back
to him. By being in drumline I am doing something, my brother would have done, and that makes
me happier than anyone will ever know. I wish he was here to see me play. I think he’d enjoy it.
And I although I will never be as good as Nick was, I’m going to keep working at it. I want to see
how many looks of pride I can get out of my father. And who knows, maybe I’m getting one out
of Nick too.

HOW I LEARNT SWIMMING

Learning something new can be a scary experience. One of the hardest things I’ve ever had
to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but I decided that swimming was
an important skill that I should learn. I also thought it would be good exercise and help me to

ADP/ADPCS PGC Kallur Kot Notes by Prof. Faria Maryam

become physically stronger. What I didn’t realize was that learning to swim would also make
me a more confident person

New situations always make me a bit nervous, and my first swimming. Lesson was no
exception. After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly by the side of
the pool waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. After a couple of minutes, the
teacher came over. She smiled and introduced herself, and two more students joined us Although
they were both older than me, they didn’t seem to be embarrassed about not knowing how to swim.
I began to feel more at ease.

We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly colored water wings to help us
stay afloat. One of the other students, May, had already taken the beginning class once before, so
she took a kickboard and went splashing off by herself. The other student. Jerry, and I were told
to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for the breaststroke One by one. The
teacher had us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it through the water and we kicked. Pretty
soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, traveling at a fast clip across the short end of the pool.

Things were not quite that easy for me, but the teacher was very patient. After a few more
weeks, when I seemed to have caught on with my legs, she taught me the arm strokes. Now I had
two things to concentrate on my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly uncoordinated Sooner than I
imagined. However, things began to feel right and I was able to swim! It was a wonderful free
feeling like flying, maybe to be able to shoot across the water,

Learning to swim was not easy for me, but in the end my persistence paid off. Not only did
I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water. But I also learned something about
learning. Now when I am faced with a new situation, I am not so nervous. I may feel uncomfortable
to begin with, but I know that as I practice being in that situation and as my skills get better, I will
feel more and more comfortable. It is a wonderful, free feeling when you achieve a goal you have
set for yourself.

ADP/ADPCS PGC Kallur Kot Notes by Prof. Faria Maryam