Senior Composition – ACP Credit Course
Lukowski, 2012
Personal Narrative Paper
First Rough Draft due:
Thursday, November 8th
Second Rough Draft due:
Optional conference with Ms. Lukowski (Monday, November 12th)
Final Draft due:
Wednesday, November 14th – DON’T FORGET TURNITIN.COM
Submitted in a pocket folder, including all outlines, rough drafts,
and revisions. Essay should be typed in 12 point, Times New
Roman font.
There is no set length for this paper, it must be long enough to tell the story. Please DO NOT get
hung up on the 5 paragraph format, 95% of you will need more than 5 paragraphs to completely
tell your story.
A personal narrative essay is exactly what it sounds like: a story about you. The catch is, the
whole story must be making ONE point. Good topics for personal narratives are things that have
altered your life. These do not need to be huge events; sometimes small things change the way
you look at the world. In fact, large or long-lasting events are usually difficult to describe in
enough detail. The narrative must be non-fiction, meaning it must be TRUE.
THE BIGGEST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WITH
PERSONAL NARRATIVE ESSAYS:
Telling a story that has no point or one that is extremely well disguised.
You know people who do this, they talk for twenty minutes and when they finally finish,
you have no idea why they started talking in the first place. Other people have a point, at
least you think they do but they are so vague you can’t quite figure it out. You leave the
conversation saying “I think he meant…” but you aren’t sure.
Telling a story that is boring or commonplace.
Certain things happen to almost everyone, they’re like a rite of passage. Almost
everyone has had a bad experience with a teacher. Almost everyone has had a painful
break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. I can’t think of anyone who has brothers and
sisters who hasn’t fought with them. It is challenging to make these events interesting.
Perhaps cleaning your room was a life-altering experience for you; that’s fine but most
people don’t like to read about room cleaning. You need to either describe the cleaning
in a fresh and interesting way (which would be a challenge) or chose a different event.
Senior Composition – ACP Credit Course
Lukowski, 2012
Telling too much or too little.
If your life changing event took place during your summer vacation, I don’t need to know
everything you did on June 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, etc. I only want to hear the details of the
DAY the event occurred. On the other hand, you’re going to need more than 2
paragraphs to describe the day you conquered your fear of dragons (or whatever).
Telling a story that is too personal.
Unfortunately many people have had some pretty traumatic experiences in their lives.
Some of these would make excellent essays. Some of these would make excellent essays
in about 10 years--after the writer has put some distance between him/herself and the
event. Keep in mind that other people will be reading this paper. Furthermore, other
people will be critiquing this paper. Hearing criticism can be painful in the best of
circumstances, hearing criticism about something that is intensely personal, something
that you are truly baring your soul to share can be a nightmare. For example, losing a
friend or family member is obviously a very powerful experience but is it an experience
that you want to be graded on?
WAYS TO GET STARTED
Think of the best and worst days in your life. Those days tend to change us the most. Think of
trips you’ve taken. What did you learn about yourself or other people or other cultures as you
traveled? (NOTE: A trip journal or day-by-day account of a trip is not a good topic, however,
trips usually contain significant events that could work).
For some people it’s easier to choose the change first, then determine what caused it. For
example, think about yourself as a freshman; how have you changed? What do you think caused
those changes?
Now, choose one of these events and outline exactly what happened. Try to list as many details
as possible.
Once you have both of these you are ready to start telling your story.
Senior Composition – ACP Credit Course
Lukowski, 2012
SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR OUTLINE
Introduction.
Relevant background about yourself. How were you before? What did you believe?
How did you act?
Background about the event or encounter. Where? When? Why? If you went on a trip,
how long were you there and who did you go with? It you took your driver’s test, when
did you and your parents decide it was time for you to take the test? If you got a new
puppy, did you do research before hand or what events led to this decision?
You MAY need a SECONDARY introductory paragraph in order to transition from your
introduction into the body of the work.
THERE WILL NOT BE A CLEAR THESIS! The thesis should be implied, developed,
and revealed through the work as a whole.
Body Paragraphs.
1. Set up the event, day, or defining moment for the reader. How did you set off on
your adventure? What happened when you got up that morning that was significant?
When did you hear the bad news?
2. –
5. Descriptive paragraphs that walk the reader through the event.
6. – 7. The final body paragraph should be the reveal of the “a-ha” moment. What
was it that so-and-so said that changed your perspective? How did you feel while
staring at such a beautiful national monument? What did you learn about yourself
and/or others in the moment? You MAY need TWO final body paragraphs to address
the “a-ha” moment.
Conclusion.
Describe your current state of mind? What lesson or mantra do you carry with you since
the event? How have you changed? What do you do different today than you would
have when you were younger? What point do you want the reader to walk away with
knowing?
REMINDER: You may use as many paragraphs as needed to fully develop your narrative. This
is just a guide! You will most likely need more than 5 paragraphs to tell your story.