ENG 1301
Fall 2022
Wells
Narrative Essay
A narrative is a story. This narrative is YOUR story.
Assignment Purpose
Students should be able to write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose
and use academic American English in essays.
Skills: The purpose of this assignment is to help you practice the essential
skills that are vital to your success in this course and in professional life
beyond school:
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Find and locate main ideas, concepts, and patterns;
Organize, describe, and clearly indicate ideas and order;
Articulate, write, and evaluate the ideas of your own personal
experience;
Use standard American academic language in your writing.
Knowledge: This assignment will also help you become familiar with the
following relevant content knowledge in this discipline:
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Use descriptive verbs, nouns, and narrative rhetorical techniques in your writing;
Understanding, identifying, and incorporating audience and purpose in your writing;
Incorporating analysis and critical thinking in your writing.
Task
In “Uncle Rock,” Dagoberto Gilb writes about a moment in time for the narrator. From beginning to end, the author
incorporates, details, descriptions, and a narrative of a short moment in time. I would like you to do the same.
Write a descriptive narrative of a moment in time. This should be personal (really happened to you) written as a
story. It should have an implied or direct thesis of some kind of lesson or point you wish to make about the event. 5
Extra credit points available if you write about being “ghosted” or a ghost story, applicable to quiz/daily assignments.
A few tips:
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This essay will be 2-3 typed pages or 500-750 words long.
Follow the narrative structure. See pages 89-94 in Successful College Composition
Use freewriting or any prewriting strategy for brainstorming 😊
Visit the SAC Writing Center to get help with your writing: https://www.alamo.edu/sac/wctr/
Criteria for Success
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2-3 Pages long! MLA Format: Typed, double-spaced, turned in as an upload in Canvas.
Use descriptions, details, and transitions!
Make sure your essay has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Make sure your paragraphs follow your order.
Use polished, spell-checked, grammatically appropriate language.
Consider making an outline to stay organized & on topic.
Make sure you visit the Writing Center for help!!!
Follow the rubric! 😊
Narrative Essay Basic Rubric. See Canvas for specifics.
Your Paper
Total Per Section
Section and Required Information
25
Introduction
10
Addresses the Prompt
10
Presents information on what your story is going
to be about
5
Begins the story with enough detail and
description
30
Body Paragraphs
10
Includes 1-2 paragraphs of story (the middle)
10
Includes enough detail and description for each
paragraph
10
Each paragraph follows chronologically or in the
order the writer has presented the essay.
25
Conclusion
10
Ends the story with a good conclusion
10
Follows the order
5
Gives the reader something to think about
20
Style and Formatting
4
Follows coherence and unity of ideas
4
Includes transitions between ideas (in the
paragraphs and at the beginning or end)
4
All ideas pertain to the corresponding paragraphs
4
Uses a variety of word choice
4
Uses descriptive words
4
Uses sensory details
4
Grammar and Punctuation Errors (follows syntax)
100
Total
Helpful links:
https://peachyessay.com/blogs/how-to-write-narrative-essay/
Adapted from an assignment by Caroline Davis.