Narrative Essay
Choose a festive experience that happened during Christmas break to write a 3-paragraph essay about. This
might be a holiday meal, a family tradition or ritual, or an event such as a party. In your essay do the
following:
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
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Describe the sequence of events
Emphasize and describe details using sensory language (sights, sounds, smells, touch, tastes)
Include specific information about at least one person (actions, gestures, appearance, etc.)
Discuss the significance of the experience to you and/or your family
One thing to focus on in this essay is sentence structure. Vary the length of your sentences; they should not
all be the same length (some long, some short). Also, vary the construction of your sentences. For example,
you could begin some sentences with a clause: When we left the church, tiny, glittery flakes of snow were
gently falling. Another example: Handel’s Messiah, which happens to be the most beautiful Christmas
music I’ve ever heard, was gloriously playing on the radio. Another type of sentence structure that makes
reading interesting is parallel structure: We ate turkey, steamy hot and juicy. We drank nonalcoholic
champagne, cherry sweet and effervescent.
Besides having an introduction, middle, and conclusion, you will want to use one of three methods to
organize your essay: (1) Chronological (time order), (2) Spatial (reader will get the feeling s/he is there
viewing it with you), or (3) Order of importance (build up to what was most important about the
experience).
Pre-write: With your classmates, discuss particular holiday situations you were a part of over the last two
weeks. Listen to each other, but also ask questions that encourage more telling, more descriptions, about
the situations. Then, pick one of your situations and brainstorm by webbing or jotting down as much as you
recall about the event. Then write your essay!
Your essay will be due ______________________, when we will take turns reading them aloud! 
Narrative Essay Grading Rubric
Content & Ideas
Word Choice
Voice
Organization
Sentence Fluency
Conventions
Speaking
Focused, clear, specific; keeps reader’s attention; writer chose topic s/he has much to
say about but topic that was small enough to handle; point of the paper is clear and
events clearly described. Significance of experience (writer’s insight) shared
precisely.
1
2
3
4
Precise and effective word choice adds clarity to writing; words are not overdone,
cliché, or flowery but are colorful, vital, fresh; each word seems just right; energetic
verbs; strong use of sensory details.
1
2
3
4
Positive personality and conviction of the writer shows through the words; writes
with confidence and security; feelings appropriate to assignment come through in
details and chosen words.
1
2
3
4
Organizational structure enhances ideas and makes it easier to follow and
understand. Beginning grabs reader’s attention and gives clues about what is coming.
Details are in the right place. Strong conclusion leaves reader satisfied (not
wondering).
1
2
3
4
Sentences are delightful to read out loud; length & construction vary. Sentences flow
(not choppy). No excess/pointless sentences.
1
2
3
4
Essay is easy to read because there are very few errors to trip up the reader (such as
errors in punctuation, spelling, capitalization, usage, etc.). 1
2
3
4
Student orally delivered polished with enthusiasm, appropriate eye contact, tone,
pace, and volume. Fluent reading shows student practiced at home (no stumbling,
sentences flowed easily).
1
2
3
4
Narrative Essay Grading Rubric
Content & Ideas
Word Choice
Voice
Organization
Sentence Fluency
Conventions
Speaking
Name ________________________period___
Name ________________________period___
Focused, clear, specific; keeps reader’s attention; writer chose topic s/he has much to
say about but topic that was small enough to handle; point of the paper is clear and
events clearly described. Significance of experience (writer’s insight) shared
precisely.
1
2
3
4
Precise and effective word choice adds clarity to writing; words are not overdone,
cliché, or flowery but are colorful, vital, fresh; each word seems just right; energetic
verbs; strong use of sensory details.
1
2
3
4
Positive personality and conviction of the writer shows through the words; writes
with confidence and security; feelings appropriate to assignment come through in
details and chosen words.
1
2
3
4
Organizational structure enhances ideas and makes it easier to follow and
understand. Beginning grabs reader’s attention and gives clues about what is coming.
Details are in the right place. Strong conclusion leaves reader satisfied (not
wondering).
1
2
3
4
Sentences are delightful to read out loud; length & construction vary. Sentences flow
(not choppy). No excess/pointless sentences.
1
2
3
4
Essay is easy to read because there are very few errors to trip up the reader (such as
errors in punctuation, spelling, capitalization, usage, etc.). 1
2
3
4
Student orally delivered polished with enthusiasm, appropriate eye contact, tone,
pace, and volume. Fluent reading shows student practiced at home (no stumbling,
sentences flowed easily).
1
2
3
4