ENG 120 – NARRATIVE ESSAY
Due Dates:
Pre-Write
Rough Draft
Final Draft
9/1
9/6
9/8
Length:
3-4 pages, MLA format
Essay Prompt:
Choose one of the readings below that you identify with the most. How do the author’s struggles
compare to your own? Have you discovered similar life lessons and universal truths?
Write a narrative essay that explores a moment of disillusionment or a struggle to discover your
identity. Although you are to examine your own individual experiences, I am asking you to base
your response in the authors and texts we have read so far for class. You must show the connection
between your personal story and the reading of your choice.
Choose one of the following:
Hughes, “Salvation”
Bogan, “Miss Cooper and Me”
Alvarez, “A White Woman of Color”
Orwell, “Shooting an Elephant”
Cooper, “Burl’s”
Stegner, “The Town Dump”
Tan, “Two Kinds”
Pre-Write Assignment – Due 9/1
The pre-write should be a visual map, an outline, or a free-write of your story. Consider the
following questions: What are the situation (the exposition), the conflict, the struggle,
outcome, and the meaning of the story? How do you want your audience to react to the
narrative? What lesson or truth do you want them to get from your story?
Save a copy of the pre-write to reference while you work on your essay. If you do not turn in the
pre-write, your final grade on the paper will be docked 5%.
Rough Draft / Peer Review – Due 9/6
The complete typed draft must have a working thesis (conflict), substantial developmental
paragraphs, and a basic introduction and conclusion. If you do not have a complete typed draft
of your essay for the peer review, your final grade on the paper will be docked 5%. Print two
copies for the peer review in class. Turn in both rough drafts with your final draft.
Final Draft – Due 9/8
Submit your final draft to turnitin.com before the final due date. Failure to submit will result in a
5% deduction.
Rubric for Narrative Essay
A Paper
Student will demonstrate the following skills:
 The ability to select an appropriate topic for a short narrative essay
 The ability to implement the basic pattern of narrative writing—situation, conflict,
struggle, outcome, and meaning
 The ability to integrate the techniques of writing a narrative—description, dialogue,
transitional words, and consistent verb tense—into the essay assignment
 The ability to implement purpose and time frame to ensure logical order
 The ability to conform to the rules of standard written English
The A writer demonstrates exceptional abilities in conveying meaning (main idea) through the
use of appropriate, vivid details presented in a logical format. The writer clearly understands the
concept of “show vs. tell.” The essay usually conforms to the rules of standard written English
although grammar errors do not distract or hinder communication.
B Paper
Student will demonstrate the following skills:
 The ability to select an appropriate topic for a short narrative essay
 The ability to implement the basic pattern of narrative writing—situation, conflict,
struggle, outcome, and meaning although word count may be low
 The ability to integrate the techniques of writing a narrative—description, dialogue,
transitional words, and consistent verb tense—into the essay although student may
provide fewer details; verb form and tense errors are more frequent
 The ability to implement purpose and time frame to ensure logical order
 The ability to conform to the rules of standard written English although errors in
grammar—syntax, punctuation, spelling, etc.—are more frequent
The B writer demonstrates a strong ability to convey meaning through the use of appropriate
details presented in a logical format. The writer demonstrates an adequate understanding of the
concept of “show vs. tell.” The essay contains few serious grammar errors such as verb tense and
sentence boundary errors but not enough to distract or hinder communication.
C Paper
Student will demonstrate the following skills:
 The ability to select an appropriate topic for a short narrative essay
 The ability to implement the basic pattern of narrative writing—situation, conflict,
struggle, outcome, and meaning although word count may be low as a result of fewer
details/development
 The ability to integrate the techniques of writing a narrative—description, dialogue,
transitional words, and consistent verb tense—into the essay although student provides
fewer details; verb form and tense errors are frequent
 The ability to implement purpose and time frame to ensure logical order
 The ability to usually conform to the rules of standard written English although errors in
grammar—syntax, punctuation, spelling, etc.—are more frequent and may distract or
hinder communication
The C writer demonstrates an adequate ability to convey meaning through the use of details
presented in a logical format. The writer demonstrates some understanding of the concept of
“show vs. tell.” The essay contains grammar errors that may distract or hinder communication.