NARRATIVE ESSAY CHECKLIST
Once you have a draft of your essay, you can begin to revise. Use this checklist as a starting point for
revision. Can you answer the following questions?
Introduction:
What am I trying to say?
Does my narrative thesis tell the reader what the story is going to be about?
Does it give away too much of the story? (it shouldn't)
Do I have a clear thesis in the first paragraph?
Body paragraphs:
Does my story go in chronological order?
Does each paragraph have a transition – either a time or place transition?
Does each paragraph have only one idea or action?
Is the story clear?
Conclusion:
Is there a meaningful significance to this narrative essay?
Can people who read the story relate to the message behind it?
What is my message, if there is one?
Basic notes on format:
Are paragraphs fairly short?
Are margins at one inch?
Is it double-spaced?
Do you have a title?
Is it the proper length?
Is your name and class at the top left of the page?
Is it written in a serif font, like Times New Roman?
When you turn in your paper, turn in your rough draft as well as your final draft, with your final
draft on top.