Descriptive (“Epiphany”) Narrative Essay Assignment
1st draft due (printed copy): ________
Final draft due (electronic on turnitin.com): ________
Your Assignment: Describe an event in your life wherein you experienced an epiphany. What is an epiphany? An
epiphany is simply a revelation of some reality. The revelation can be anything but it must be meaningful. Often, the
epiphany comes through during or after you have completed the narrative. (See sample essays for guidance). Your essay
will be 750-1000 words, and will include sensory details, dialogue, chronolgy of events, and description. Have fun with
this; use this as an opportunity to tell about a silly, scary, weird, life-altering event from your life!
Background: A typical short narration paper starts with a brief introductory paragraph consisting of two parts: the first is a sentence
or two stating the event you are going to narrate; you might even want to include the who, what, where, and when of the event in this
part. The second part is a simple statement that the paper you are writing is a narrative of this event.
In the body of the narrative, you break the event into several parts (use timeline)--one part per paragraph. Each paragraph would use
descriptive elements (including sensory details and adjectives) to show the reader what you experienced.
The conclusion can be very brief: just a final rewording of the overall event you have narrated, and a final interesting comment or two
about it, or perhaps a statement about how, where, or when this event fits into the larger flow of history around it. Your audience is
anyone who knows little or nothing about the event but can understand it easily once you explain it.
Basic Steps tp Writing of an Effective Descriptive Narrative Essay: See checklist
1.
Pick your event
2. Establish a Context (Exposition): Let the reader know where the action happened, when it happened, and to
whom it happened.
3. Details: Select figuratively-rich details that support your purpose and dominant impression (the emotion/s or idea/s
you are trying to convey—this should be connected to your epiphany). You should select your details with your
reason for telling the story in mind and with the aim of creating a single impression or theme.
4. Organization: A narrative, since it is a record of a compete action, should have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
All narrative naturally lends itself to chronological ordering, but you do not necessarily have to start with the
even that occurred first. For example, you could start midway through the story (or even the end) with the event
that is most important and use flashbacks to fill in what happened earlier or flashforwards to fill in what
happenes later.
5. Point of View: You should consider the point of view you wish to take in the narrative.
6.
Diction and Vocabulary (Descriptive Words). Do not use vague words or generalities (such as good, nice, bad,
or beautiful). Be specific and use powerful adjectives.
7. Sensory Details:
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Smells that are in the air (the aroma of freshly brewed coffee)
Sounds (traffic, honking horns)
Sights (“Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the
appearance of always leaning aggressively forward.”)
Touch (“The texture of the adobe hut’s walls resembled coarse sandpaper.”)
Taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, tart (“Giant goose bumps formed on my tongue when I accidently bit
into a sliver of lemon.”)
8. Figurative Language: See notes from class (examples are below)
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Simile Example: “…like the onset of some cold glaucoma dimming away the world.”
Metaphor Example: Stalking their prey, the deputies remained hidden in the bushes and ready to spring on
speeding motorists.
Personification Example: “The brown waves of fog toss up to me/ Twisted faces from the bottom of the
street.”
Overstatement or Hyperbole Example: “My clothes have failed me.”
Understatement/Verbal irony Example: Yesterday was a little cool. The high temperature was zero degrees.
Sound words or Onomatopoeia Using Examples: “Splat,” “Pow,” “Boom,” etc.
Symbol Example: A rock might be a symbol of strength; a wall might symbolize challenges or obstacles; a
road might symbolize a spiritual journey.
9. A Logical Conclusion. Create lasting images for the reader; again, why was this an important (humorous, etc.) event
Important Requirements & Dates: Your essay must be a minimum of 750 words, MLA
Formatted (font and spacing), typed, and submitted to www.turnitin.com
Essay topic selection date: ____________
Timeline due:_________
Brainstorming with details due:__________
Rough draft due: ____________
Final essay due: _______________