Now it is time to write a draft of your narrative/descriptive essay.
This essay will be a memoir (taking the form of a story) where you account an experience or incident from the past that has taught you something meaningful. As you write, keep in mind good storytelling techniques including strong first-person narration (using the personal pronouns I/we/us) and vivid description (describing events using the senses). Imagine yourself telling this story around a campfire or a similar venue. Read aloud!
Writing Strategies:
Structurally, the essay will have a definite beginning, middle and end (maybe not in that exact order) and if you may use characters and/or dialogue if it enhances the experience. Keep in mind that good writing is about showing versus telling (avoid saying that something was “amazing” — show it was “amazing” and let the reader decide that feeling). Be aware of building suspense & surprise by not revealing details too easily or quickly.
Think of the story unfolding in an introduction, three main parts and a conclusion that offers the story closure. The introduction should have an opening hook that draws the reader in (this can be a powerful statement, question or even a line of dialogue) and although this type of an essay does not typically have a traditional thesis statement like the other essays will, you can still convey to the reader what you’ve learned or what the moral will be (this can be explicit or implied).
A sample opening essay may begin like this:
I am going to tell you about the time I learned a lesson the hard way.
“Look out!” I heard the voice say.
The vegetation began to disappear the higher up we drove.
Be aware of tapping into universal themes and archetypes. For instance if you are writing an essay about your first trip to Europe, you might include the archetypal journey and the themes of coming-of-age and overcoming adversity to name a couple.
The essay should convey one or more universal themes/archetypes and should also clearly show (not tell) what lesson or morals were conveyed from the narrative.
The essay will use MLA. Although not a research paper, you need at least one source that informs your essay and that needs to be cited. For instance, if you are doing an essay where you visit Europe, you might include one example of European culture or history that informs the story you are telling. The essay needs to have correct formatting (first page replete with your name, date, course, etc. and a centered TITLE; double-spaced text), one citation (the parenthetical notation based on your research, which will be paraphrased or a direct quotation) and a WORK CITED page listing that one source at the end.
Submit in a WORD document (doc, docx). Avoid other formats like “pages.”
The essay should be a minimum of five paragraphs and, using MLA formatting between 2-3 full pages (shoot for 600-800 words).
Refer to the NHTI library database which uses Owl Purdue for MLA documentation:
https://www.nhti.edu/student-resources/library-research-and-other-resources/databases (Links to an external site.)
*Use the rubric below to guide you. This will be the same rubric for the revised essay. You will earn an automatic 100% for submitting this draft. I will then provide feedback and you will eventually revise this.
You will earn a score of 0-100% on the following rubric.
Content (The essay includes a definite voice through narration, descriptive details, themes, morals/lessons and tells a story with a beginning, middle and end): 1/3 of final score
MLA (correct overall formatting; one effective citation, properly formatted; A properly formatted WORK CITED page) 1/3 of final score
Writing Style (Grammar, Mechanics, Spelling, Syntax, Punctuation): 1/3 of final score
What Students Are Saying About Us
.......... Customer ID: 12*** | Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Honestly, I was afraid to send my paper to you, but you proved you are a trustworthy service. My essay was done in less than a day, and I received a brilliant piece. I didn’t even believe it was my essay at first 🙂 Great job, thank you!"
.......... Customer ID: 11***| Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This company is the best there is. They saved me so many times, I cannot even keep count. Now I recommend it to all my friends, and none of them have complained about it. The writers here are excellent."
"Order a custom Paper on Similar Assignment at essayfount.com! No Plagiarism! Enjoy 20% Discount!"
