some topics of narrative essay

Narrative Essay Topics: TOP 200 Choices for Students

some topics of narrative essay

Imagine yourself facing a blank page, ready to fill it with your memories and imagination. What story will you tell today?

As students, you often have to write narratives that capture people's attention. But with so many stories to choose from, where do you start? How do you find the perfect topic that will grab our readers' interest and make them think?

Join our essay service experts as we explore 200 topics for college where stories are waiting to be told, and experiences are ready to be shared. From everyday events to unforgettable moments, each topic is a chance to connect with your readers and make them feel something.

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Best Narrative Essay Topics: How to Choose the One That Resonates 

A narrative essay is a type of writing that tells a personal story, including characters, plot, setting, and the order of events. Its main goal is to connect with readers emotionally and share a specific message or insight through the retelling of a meaningful experience.

Students write narrative essays as part of their studies for several reasons. Firstly, it allows them to express themselves creatively by sharing their unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Secondly, it helps them develop important writing skills like organizing ideas and thoughts effectively.

Narrative Essay topics

Choosing good narrative essay ideas involves looking at personal experiences, interests, and the potential for engaging storytelling. Here's a simple guide to help you pick the right topic:

  • Think about significant moments in your life that had a lasting impact, such as personal growth or overcoming challenges.
  • Choose topics related to your hobbies, interests, or areas of expertise to make your story more engaging.
  • Consider what your audience would be interested in and choose topics that resonate with them.
  • Focus on a specific event or detail to make your narrative more focused and impactful.
  • Look for universal themes like love or personal transformation that connect with readers on a deeper level.
  • Brainstorm ideas and write freely to uncover compelling topics.
  • Decide on storytelling techniques like flashbacks or foreshadowing and choose a topic that fits.
  • Get feedback from friends, peers, or instructors to see if your topics are interesting and impactful.
  • Choose topics that evoke strong emotions for a more compelling narrative.
  • Select a topic that you personally connect with to make your story authentic.

Once you've chosen a topic, brainstorm ideas and create an outline for your essay. Follow your professor's instructions carefully and consider seeking help from our narrative essay writing service if needed.

Bring your stories to life with EssayPro. Select from a vast array of narrative essay topics and let our professionals help you weave your tales into captivating essays. Whether it's adventure, reflection, or imagination, we're here to assist.

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Ideas for Narrative Essay Topics

After exploring how students write narrative paragraphs, we've put together a list of narrative essay topics designed specifically for college and school students. This list covers a wide range of subjects, so pick one that speaks to you! If you want to see how to develop a topic into a written essay, check out our narrative essay example . 

Literacy Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

How about delving into captivating literacy narrative essay topics designed specifically for college-level writing? Exciting, isn't it?

  • How did learning to read change my perspective on the world?
  • What was my favorite childhood book and why?
  • How did writing my first story impact my love for storytelling?
  • What challenges did I face when learning a new language?
  • How did keeping a journal help me improve my writing skills?
  • How did my family influence my attitude toward reading?
  • What role did literature play in shaping my identity?
  • How did participating in a book club enhance my reading experience?
  • How did technology affect my reading habits?
  • What was the most memorable book I read in school?
  • How did my favorite teacher inspire my passion for literature?
  • What impact did reading diverse perspectives have on my worldview?
  • How did overcoming a reading difficulty shape my relationship with books?
  • What lessons did I learn from writing my first poem?
  • How did storytelling traditions in my culture influence my literacy journey?

Personal Narrative Essay Topics on Relationships

Take a moment to reflect on your past experiences and craft compelling personal narratives with these essay ideas.

  • How did my relationship with my best friend change over time?
  • What lessons did I learn from my first romantic relationship?
  • How did my relationship with my sibling influence who I am today?
  • What challenges did I face in maintaining a long-distance friendship?
  • How did a conflict with a family member teach me about communication?
  • What role do my pets play in my life and relationships?
  • How did volunteering together strengthen my bond with a friend?
  • What impact did a mentor have on my personal growth?
  • How did a betrayal affect my trust in relationships?
  • What did I learn from a failed friendship?
  • How did traveling with a friend deepen our connection?
  • What role does forgiveness play in maintaining healthy relationships?
  • How did my relationship with my parents evolve as I grew older?
  • What lessons did I learn about teamwork from a group project?
  • How did a disagreement with a colleague teach me about compromise?

Best Narrative Essay Topics on Education and Learning

Consider the beauty of sharing your personal experiences and emotions in a captivating manner through these ideas for personal narrative essays.

  • How did a particular teacher inspire me to excel in school?
  • What challenges did I face while adapting to online learning?
  • How did participating in extracurricular activities shape my educational experience?
  • What lessons did I learn from a memorable field trip?
  • How did studying abroad broaden my perspective on education?
  • What role does technology play in modern education?
  • How did overcoming a learning obstacle impact my academic journey?
  • What did I gain from tutoring a classmate in a challenging subject?
  • How did a hands-on learning experience change my understanding of a topic?
  • What impact did a mentor have on my educational and career aspirations?
  • How did peer collaboration enhance my learning in a group project?
  • What lessons did I learn from a failure or setback in school?
  • How did my cultural background influence my approach to education?
  • What role does self-directed learning play in my academic success?
  • How did participating in a debate or public speaking event shape my communication skills?

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Personal Narrative Essay Ideas on Reflection on Life

Why not ignite your creativity with a range of narrative essay topics, from extraordinary moments to everyday experiences?

  • How did confronting a fear change my view on courage and growth?
  • How do family traditions shape my personal values and beliefs?
  • What does success mean to me, and how has it evolved?
  • Reflecting on friendships as a source of support in tough times.
  • How have travel experiences expanded my global perspective?
  • How do my hobbies and passions bring fulfillment to my life?
  • Exploring the link between self-love and mental well-being.
  • How can challenges lead to unexpected personal growth?
  • Reflecting on the importance of setting and reaching personal goals.
  • What pivotal moments mark my journey to self-acceptance?
  • Investigating how forgiveness resolves personal conflicts.
  • How do cultural expectations shape my idea of success?
  • Reflecting on the significance of self-care for overall well-being.
  • Exploring how technology influences my connections and worldview.
  • What did I learn from facing a life-changing decision?

Ideas for a Narrative Essay on Culture and Society

Engaging your readers with narrative essays on culture and society is a great way to spark interest, offering captivating ideas for exploration.

  • How has my cultural heritage shaped my identity?
  • Reflecting on a tradition or ceremony that holds significance in my culture.
  • Exploring the impact of globalization on local traditions and customs.
  • How does language influence the way I perceive the world around me?
  • Investigating the role of food in cultural identity and expression.
  • Reflecting on a cultural celebration or festival that left a lasting impression.
  • How does media portrayal affect societal perceptions of different cultures?
  • Exploring the intersection of culture and religion in shaping values and beliefs.
  • Reflecting on experiences of cultural assimilation or integration.
  • How do stereotypes impact individuals within a cultural group?
  • Investigating the role of art and literature in preserving cultural heritage.
  • Reflecting on the challenges and benefits of multiculturalism in society.
  • Exploring the significance of storytelling in passing down cultural traditions.
  • How do cultural norms influence gender roles and expectations?
  • Reflecting on the cultural exchange experiences that have broadened my perspective.

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Narrative Writing Topics on Hobbies and Interests

Wow your readers by turning your passions and hobbies into compelling narrative essay topics that will get them thinking.

  • Describe a memorable adventure or experience related to your favorite hobby.
  • Reflect on how your hobby has evolved over time and its significance in your life.
  • Write about a moment when your hobby provided a sense of escape or relaxation.
  • Explore the role of hobbies in promoting mental health and well-being.
  • Share a story of how you discovered your passion for a particular hobby.
  • Describe a challenge you faced while pursuing your hobby and how you overcame it.
  • Reflect on the impact of your hobby on your relationships with others.
  • Write about a hobby-related achievement or milestone that you are proud of.
  • Explore how your hobby connects you to a community or group of like-minded individuals.
  • Describe the process of learning a new hobby and the lessons you gained from it.
  • Reflect on the role of hobbies in balancing work, leisure, and personal growth.
  • Write about a hobby-related project or creation that you are passionate about.
  • Explore the connection between your hobbies and your broader interests and values.
  • Describe a favorite memory or experience involving your hobby.
  • Reflect on how your hobbies have influenced your perspective on life and the world around you.

Narrative Essay Titles on Life-Changing Moments

Life is full of unexpected twists that can lead to life-changing moments. Take a look at these narrative essay titles for stories that have had a lasting impact on your life.

  • How did meeting a lifelong friend change my life?
  • What lessons did I learn from overcoming a major obstacle?
  • How did traveling to a new country broaden my perspective?
  • Reflecting on the day I discovered my passion.
  • How did a health scare transform my lifestyle?
  • What impact did volunteering in my community have on me?
  • How did I find strength in a moment of loss?
  • Reflecting on the decision that altered my path.
  • How did a random act of kindness change my outlook?
  • What lessons did I learn from a failed endeavor?
  • How did confronting a fear empower me?
  • Reflecting on the day I realized my potential.
  • How did experiencing a natural disaster shape my priorities?
  • What insights did I gain from a cultural exchange?
  • How did a mentor's guidance impact my life trajectory?

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Good Narrative Topics on Travel and Adventure

Consider creating intriguing titles for your narrative essay ideas by exploring thrilling travel adventures.

  • What was my most unforgettable travel experience?
  • How did a solo journey change my perspective on life?
  • Reflecting on an unexpected adventure in a foreign land.
  • How did traveling on a budget lead to unexpected discoveries?
  • What lessons did I learn from getting lost in a new city?
  • How did a cultural immersion experience broaden my understanding of the world?
  • Reflecting on the friendships formed during a travel adventure.
  • What was the scariest moment I encountered while traveling?
  • How did volunteering abroad impact my outlook on life?
  • What cultural differences surprised me the most while traveling?
  • Reflecting on the beauty of nature experienced during a hiking trip.
  • How did traveling to a remote destination challenge my comfort zone?
  • What was the most delicious food I tried while traveling?
  • Reflecting on the kindness of strangers encountered during a journey.
  • How did a travel mishap turn into a memorable experience?

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas on Career and Work Experience

College students can uncover captivating narrative essay ideas by exploring potential career paths or reminiscing about past job experiences.

  • What was my first job, and what did I learn from it?
  • Reflecting on a challenging project that taught me resilience.
  • How did a career setback lead to unexpected opportunities?
  • What lessons did I learn from transitioning to a new career?
  • Reflecting on a mentor who influenced my career path.
  • How did a workplace conflict teach me about communication?
  • What was the most rewarding moment in my career so far?
  • Reflecting on the importance of work-life balance in my career journey.
  • How did networking help me advance in my career?
  • What challenges did I face as a new graduate entering the workforce?
  • Reflecting on the decision to pursue a passion versus stability in my career.
  • How did a career change impact my sense of fulfillment?
  • What skills did I develop through volunteer work that helped in my career?
  • Reflecting on the role of mentors in my professional growth.
  • How did a career milestone shape my future aspirations?

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics about Challenges and Obstacles

If you're not sure what to write about for your narrative essay, think back to the tough times you've had and how you managed to get through them.

  • How did I overcome my fear of failure?
  • Reflecting on a time when I felt like giving up but persevered.
  • How did a personal setback lead to unexpected growth?
  • What lessons did I learn from navigating a difficult relationship?
  • Reflecting on a time when I had to step out of my comfort zone.
  • How did I overcome a major health challenge?
  • What strategies did I use to overcome procrastination?
  • Reflecting on the resilience I developed after facing adversity.
  • How did I navigate financial challenges and come out stronger?
  • What did I learn from failing at something I was passionate about?
  • Reflecting on the obstacles I faced while pursuing my dreams.
  • How did I overcome imposter syndrome in my academic or professional life?
  • What role did self-care play in helping me overcome challenges?
  • Reflecting on a time when I had to stand up for myself in the face of adversity.
  • How did I find motivation and inspiration during tough times?

Final Remarks

As we wrap up, our list of 200 narrative essay topics is here to fuel your creativity for your next writing project! Whether you're sharing a memorable event, reliving a childhood memory, or expressing a profound insight, crafting a narrative essay can be an uplifting experience that resonates deeply with readers.

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Are you a student in 2023, looking for some awesome narrative essay topics that are easy to grasp and fun to write about? 

You're in luck! Narrative essays let you share your stories, making them a perfect choice for students. 

In this guide, we've put together a list of the best narrative essay topics for 2023. 

Whether you're an experienced writer searching for fresh ideas or a student hunting for an exciting topic for your next assignment, we've got your back. These topics will ignite your imagination and captivate your readers. 

So, let's dive in!

Arrow Down

  • 1. Narrative Essay Topics for Students
  • 2. Unique Narrative Essay Topics for Students
  • 3. How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay?
  • 4. Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Narrative Essay Topics for Students

If you're a student looking for a diverse range of topics, we've got you covered with a diverse selection of narrative essay topics. 

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 5

  • My First Day at a New School
  • The Time I Learned to Ride a Bike
  • A Visit to a Haunted House
  • The Day I Met a Real-Life Superhero
  • My Most Memorable Family Vacation
  • A Surprising Encounter with an Animal
  • The Mystery of the Missing Homework
  • The Best Birthday Party I Ever Had
  • When I Lost a Tooth
  • My Adventure in a Fantasy World

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 6

  • An Unforgettable Camping Trip
  • The Day I Discovered a Hidden Talent
  • A Mysterious Letter and Its Consequences
  • A Time I Had to Stand Up for What's Right
  • The Thrilling Mystery of a Forgotten Diary
  • A Memorable Encounter with a Famous Person
  • My Journey Through a Fantasy Land
  • The Day I Learned a Valuable Life Lesson
  • An Unexpected Act of Kindness
  • A Secret Adventure in an Abandoned Place

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 7

  • The Most Exciting Adventure of My Life
  • The Day I Overcame a Fear
  • A Memorable School Field Trip
  • The Strangest Mystery I Ever Encountered
  • An Unforgettable Encounter with Wildlife
  • A Life-Changing Decision I Had to Make
  • The Best Book I Ever Read and Why
  • A Day in the Life of a Time Traveler
  • The Importance of Friendship in My Life
  • A Valuable Lesson Learned from a Mistake

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 8 

  • A Time I Faced a Difficult Moral Dilemma
  • The Most Memorable Summer Vacation
  • The Impact of a Life-Altering Decision
  • An Unexpected Act of Kindness I Received
  • The Day I Stepped Out of My Comfort Zone
  • A Historical Event I Would Like to Witness
  • A Special Family Tradition and Its Significance
  • A Personal Achievement I'm Proud Of
  • A Challenging Obstacle I Overcame
  • A Journey Through My Creative Imagination

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 9

  • The Transition to High School: Challenges and Triumphs
  • A Life-Changing Encounter with an Inspiring Mentor
  • My First Part-Time Job and What I Learned
  • The Day I Realized the Power of Empathy
  • The Impact of a Personal Passion or Hobby
  • An Unforgettable Travel Experience Abroad
  • A Meaningful Community Service Project I Participated In
  • The Role of Technology in My Life
  • A Defining Moment in My Cultural Identity
  • My Vision for the Future: Dreams and Aspirations

Narrative Essay Topics for O-Levels 

  • The Day I Took a Leap of Faith
  • An Unforgettable Journey into the Unknown
  • A Life-Altering Decision I Made in High School
  • An Encounter with a Stranger That Changed My Perspective
  • The Role of Resilience in Overcoming a Personal Challenge
  • The Impact of a Cultural Exchange Experience
  • A Lesson Learned from a Unique Life Experience
  • The Importance of Perseverance in Achieving a Goal
  • My Most Memorable Academic Achievement
  • A Glimpse into My Future: Aspirations and Ambitions

Narrative Essay Topics for Highschool

  • The Moment I Discovered My Passion
  • A Life-Changing Journey Abroad
  • A Challenging Decision That Shaped My Future
  • An Unexpected Act of Kindness That Touched My Heart
  • The Role of Resilience in Overcoming Adversity
  • A Personal Experience That Shaped My Values
  • The Impact of Technology on My Generation
  • A Time I Took a Stand for a Cause I Believe In
  • A Memorable Leadership Role I Assumed
  • A Glimpse into My Ideal Future: Aspirations and Goals

Narrative Essay Topics for College

  • The Journey to Finding My Academic Passion
  • A Life-Altering Study Abroad Experience
  • The Transformational Impact of a Challenging Decision
  • Navigating the Transition from College to the Professional World
  • An Unforgettable Encounter with a Mentor or Role Model
  • The Role of Adversity in Shaping My Personal Growth
  • A Significant Ethical Dilemma I Faced in College
  • How My College Experiences Have Shaped My Worldview
  • The Impact of Technology on My College Education
  • A Personal Reflection on My Career Aspirations and Goals

Narrative Essay Topics for University

  • The Evolution of My Academic and Career Goals at University
  • An Eye-Opening Internship Experience That Impacted My Future
  • A Transformative Study Abroad Journey
  • Navigating the Complexities of Balancing Work, Academics, and Social Life at University
  • The Role of a Unique Research Project in My Academic Growth
  • A Personal Account of Overcoming a Significant Academic Challenge
  • A Meaningful Leadership Role in a University Organization
  • The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Elective Courses at University
  • The Impact of Peer Relationships and Networking at University
  • How My University Education Has Shaped My Perspective on Global Issues

Unique Narrative Essay Topics for Students

We've gathered distinct narrative topic ideas to fuel your creativity. Let’s look at some personal narrative ideas to inspire your narrative writing.

Descriptive Narrative Essay Topics

  • A Peaceful Day by the Riverside
  • Exploring a Haunted House
  • My Favorite Childhood Memory
  • A Walk Through an Ancient Forest
  • The Perfect Winter Wonderland
  • An Evening at a Carnival
  • A Visit to a Vibrant Art Gallery
  • The Spectacular Colors of Autumn
  • A Day in the Life of a Beach
  • An Exciting Night in the City

Personal Narrative Essay Topics

  • A Life-Changing Decision I Made
  • A Moment of Personal Triumph
  • Overcoming My Greatest Fear
  • A Meaningful Lesson from a Personal Challenge
  • The Role of a Special Friend in My Life
  • A Time When I Broke a Personal Record
  • The Impact of a Mentor on My Life
  • My Journey to Self-Discovery

Literacy Narrative Essay Topics

  • My Earliest Memory of Learning to Read
  • The Book That Sparked My Love for Reading
  • A Life-Changing Experience in a Library
  • The Impact of a Special Teacher on My Writing Skills
  • How Technology Has Shaped My Writing Habits
  • A Personal Reflection on My Writing Journey
  • The Role of Literature in Shaping My Perspective
  • Writing as a Tool for Self-Expression and Healing
  • How I Overcame Writer's Block
  • The Significance of Storytelling in My Life

Engaging Narrative Essay Topics

  • The Mystery of a Lost Treasure Map
  • An Unlikely Friendship That Changed My Life
  • A Day in the Life of a Professional Athlete
  • The Journey of Starting My Own Business
  • A Haunting Experience in a Historic Place
  • A Memorable Road Trip with Friends
  • My Encounter with a Famous Celebrity
  • The Day I Conquered My Greatest Fear
  • An Adventure in a Foreign Land
  • A Life-Altering Decision at a Crossroads

How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay?

Choosing the right topic for your narrative essay can be a daunting task. Before you start writing, it is important to invest some time in researching and brainstorming. 

Here are a few tips to help guide you in selecting an interesting and engaging narrative essay topic: 

  • Reflect on Your Personal Experiences: If you are writing about a personal narrative topic, consider the impactful moments in your life and think about experiences that have left a strong impression on you.
  • Identify a Clear Message or Theme: Determine the central idea or theme of your narrative. Decide what lesson, insight, or emotion you want to convey.
  • Engage Your Audience: Consider your target audience and what will resonate with them. Choose a topic that captures their interest and keeps them engaged.
  • Play with Different Perspectives: Explore the option of incorporating different viewpoints. Combining personal and external perspectives can add depth to your narrative.
  • Test Your Idea: Get feedback from a friend or classmate. Assess if your chosen topic is likely to resonate with your audience.
  • Stay True to Your Voice: Balance considering your audience with being authentic. Let your unique voice and storytelling style shine through in your writing

Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Once you have selected a topic for your narrative essay, it is time to start writing. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you write your story: 

  • Start with a Strong Hook: Begin your narrative essay with a captivating hook, such as an engaging anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description. 
  • Follow a Clear Structure: Organize your narrative essay outline with a clear structure. Most narratives follow a chronological order, but you can also use flashbacks or nonlinear storytelling when it serves your narrative. 
  • Build Tension and Conflict:  Create tension and conflict in your narrative to add depth and maintain reader engagement. Whether it's a personal struggle, a moral dilemma, or an external challenge, these obstacles will keep readers eagerly anticipating what comes next.
  • Revise and Edit:  After completing your first draft, take the time to revise and edit your work. Review it for grammar and spelling errors, but also examine the overall structure and flow of your narrative.
  • Practice, Practice, Practice:  Like any form of writing, improving your narrative essay skills takes practice. Keep writing and experimenting with different topics, styles, and approaches to develop your storytelling abilities.

Before you start writing, make sure you read some narrative essay examples to learn how to organize your thoughts and structure your story.

In summary, no matter the type of essay you are writing about, you need a topic to start with. Our collection of narrative essay topics offers fresh, distinct ideas. 

These topics are crafted to ignite your creativity and captivate your audience. They cover a diverse range of experiences, making it easier for you to connect with your readers on a personal level.

Still, struggling to write a compelling narrative essay? Our narrative essay writing service is here to help you out!

MyPerfectWords.com stands as a legitimate essay writing service with a specialized focus on crafting exceptional essays designed for high school and college students. Our customer support team is also available 24/7, so don't hesitate to reach out whenever you need assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are narrative essay topics different from other essay types.

FAQ Icon

Narrative essay topics are usually based on personal experiences, so they are more emotional and creative than other types of essays. Also, they are often more open-ended, so you have more freedom to choose what to write about. 

Where can I find good narrative essay topics?

There are a few ways to find good topics for your narrative essay. You can look through books or magazines for ideas, or search online for inspiration. You can also brainstorm with friends or family members to come up with ideas. 

What do I write a narrative essay about?

You can write a narrative essay about anything, but it is usually based on personal experience. Try to recall interesting incidents from your life to develop a narrative about. 

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150 Narrative Essay Topics

some topics of narrative essay

If you're looking for a more creative approach to writing essays, narrative essays might be a great option for you. With narrative essays, you have the freedom to tell a story and use your own personal experiences to make a point.

Whether you're writing a personal narrative or an experiential essay, you'll want to make sure that you're engaging your reader and conveying your message effectively. This is where custom essay writing services and coursework writing services can be incredibly helpful. With the assistance of professional writers, you can develop a compelling narrative essay that is both engaging and informative.

Overall, writing a narrative essay can be a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you're reflecting on a personal experience or sharing an anecdote, remember that the goal is to make a point and connect with your audience. So why not give it a try and see what stories you can tell? And if you need any assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to a " write my essay" or " write a paper for me" service for help.

What is a Narrative Essay?

A narrative essay is a less formal form of academic writing where the goal is to see whether you can tell a story clearly in an engaging manner. It follows the typical format of an essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion but also incorporates classic story writing elements like plot, setting, character, climax, and ending. 

This kind of essay is written from a defined point of view, usually yours, so writing in the first person is recommended unlike most other forms of academic writing. You still need to make a point though, so include a thesis statement in your first paragraph and refer to it again in the conclusion. 

Many college application essay prompts are narrative writing, for example - describe the most significant achievement of your life. Learning how to write a good narrative paper has use beyond just college essays though, a majority of online content now is based on telling engaging stories. Read on to know more about narrative papers and find a list of 150 fascinating topics for narrative essays.

How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay

Choosing good narrative essay topics are crucial for a few reasons. The story you tell will most often draw from your own experiences and thoughts, so choose a topic that you know well or are well-informed about. Additionally, since the story has to have a purpose, select a topic that has broad potential and narrow it down to tell your unique story. Remember the following things when choosing a topic for a narrative essay.

The key thing to remember is that you’re telling a story

Because a narrative essay is so unlike most academic writing assignments, a common mistake is writing sections like a dry academic assignment. It’s for school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t deliver an experience. It’s about crafting an engaging piece of storytelling while revealing something impactful through the story.

Choose an interesting or meaningful idea to explore

This is a great time to write about something that is particularly important in your life or something you are passionate about. Topics can range from your thoughts and ideas about a concept to an obscure activity that you enjoy.

The pre-writing stage is critically important

A good story flows well and includes details that draw the reader in, but it also has to deliver some idea or message. Collecting information and planning ahead to create an outline for your essay will smoothen your writing process.

Don’t forget to have fun with it!

The story you tell should be engaging, which means you have the freedom to experiment! Drawing from several different but interconnected life experiences, or telling the story from the perspective of an inanimate object are some interesting ways to make your essay stand out. 

But remember that it’s still an essay

Even though it’s storytelling, you’re still writing an essay, which means it needs to follow the classic essay structure. Based on the word count, plan how many body paragraphs you need (minimum 3 ALWAYS). Your first sentence should still have a hook, and your first paragraph still needs to have a thesis statement. The story that unfolds in the body paragraphs shouldn’t drift from your thesis statement, and your conclusion needs to end the story as well as reiterate your thesis. 

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150 Unique Topics for Narrative Essay 

It can be quite tough to think of something meaningful to write your essay about, but almost any experience you have can be an interesting topic. For one person, the first time they played a sport could be a traumatic experience, for another it could be life-changing. Only you know your experiences and thoughts. Here’s a list of narrative essay topics that you can use to start the brainstorming process and spark your imagination.

College narrative essay topics 

College is a time of new experiences. So much happens that it shouldn’t be difficult to choose something to write about. The essay you write can be more descriptive, focussing on your sensory observations of an experience, or more contemplative, focusing on new thoughts and feelings. Take a look at these narrative essay topics for college students. 

What was it like getting your first acceptance letter?
How you chose which college to go to
Your first day leaving home and coming to campus
Meeting your roommate and whether it went well or not
Your first college party 
Your favorite class 
Losing touch or staying in touch with friends from high school
The best day in college so far
The difference between sports in high school and college
How you realized college was easier or tougher than you thought it would be
What it was like being in a class with 200 students
Your experience with an extracurricular you had never tried before
Going home for the first time after attending college
Finding a subject you never thought you would like 
How did you start feeling truly comfortable in college?

Narrative essay topics for high school students

High school years are chaotic. The changes in students and their social expectations can be frustrating, challenging, and exhilarating. Essays about many important firsts can be drawn from high school. Here are a few examples of narrative essay topics related to high school.

The best day of freshman year
A time you were bullied and stood up for yourself
A time when you were bullied and felt helpless
Your most significant social accomplishment
What was a meaningful volunteering experience you had?
Your proudest moment in a sporting event
Losing a valued friend
Your first highschool dance
Why your favorite teacher became your favorite teacher
When you realized what you want to pursue as a career
The best video game moment you had 
An embarrassing moment in school and how you overcame it
Your best social media moment
The buildup to graduation day
An experience helping another student

Personal narrative essay topics

Since narrative essays are often written in the first person and rely on the experiences and thoughts of the author, they can all be considered personal, but a personal essay asks you to specifically tell a story about a time that changed you in a meaningful way. Here are some topics for writing a narrative essay about personal moments and revelations. 

A summer vacation adventure that involved heroics
Describe an experience you had in a foreign country that made you feel lucky to be from your country
Your first time following a YouTube tutorial 
Your excitement at watching the newest star wars/lord of the rings/Marvel Cinematic Universe etc. movie
Bonding with a new pet 
The moment you realized that you admire some traits in a person and want to be like them 
A situation that changed your relationship with your parents 
A situation when you had to deal with the police
Witnessing an event that needed you to call the police 
Your best leadership moment
Your experience attending a large event (politics, religion, sports, etc)
The most meaningful time in church or any religious moment of significance
An experience that humbled you 
A situation where you made a serious mistake 
A time you had to learn from adversity 

Narrative argument essay topics

Like any narrative essay - the goal is to tell a story, but like any argument essay - the goal is to convince or persuade the reader to agree with your viewpoint. Writing an effective narrative argument essay incorporates convincing arguments into the story itself. The trick is finding a balance between getting lost in telling the story and forgetting about storytelling and convincing the reader. Here are a few examples to help you find a topic for a narrative essay. 

A time when you convinced somebody against a conspiracy theory
A moment that made you more religious or spiritual
A moment that made you less religious or spiritual
Your favorite trip and why the place you went to is fantastic
How you discovered your favorite art style
The first time you played a new genre of game and why it’s the best 
Your experience attending a conference or event about climate change
Watching a movie, tv-show, youtube video, or any media that changed your mind
A situation where you had to verbally defend yourself or a friend
An observation about income disparity gained by working in a soup kitchen/homeless shelter etc.
An experience you’ve had talking to somebody with different political beliefs
A conversation about gender identity with an older person
Seeing the police behave appropriately or inappropriately
Your experience with love and how you developed your definition of it
A time you had to swallow your pride and hold your tongue

Easy narrative essay topics

Here’s a list of some good topics for a narrative essay that most people have experience with and can write about but are still interesting enough to create an engaging story for the reader. Below are some easy but interesting narrative essay topics.

A hike, picnic, or walk that made you appreciate nature
Visiting a particularly awesome amusement park
An especially romantic date
Your first trip to a big city 
Your first trip to a foreign country 
Discovering a new movie genre
The thrill of watching horror movies
A regular day in your life
A moment when you gained respect for your parents, teachers, or friends
The time you saved an animal
How you broke a bad habit 
How you developed a new skill
Your experience at a zoo
The first time you went bowling (tried any new game)
Your happiest day

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Cultural narrative essay topics

Some of the most mind-expanding experiences happen when looking at and understanding a different culture or by analyzing your own culture from an outsider’s perspective. Cultural narrative essay topics are particularly useful when applying to colleges or applying for grants or scholarships for exchange programs. 

What you learned from a trip abroad
How the lives of people in various socio-economic brackets are different
Observations on which basic things are different in different countries
How your cultural identity has changed over time
Sleeping over at a friends house from a different cultural background
Describe some unique personal family traditions
An experience where your culture/race/religion affected the situation around you
How you learned to fit in with a different culture
You first experience living in a foreign country
Discovering new subcultures like anime, gaming, k-pop, etc
Your favorite traditions from foreign cultures
How you understood your cultural heritage better
A time when you realized the impact of media on the perspective of other cultures
Getting over stereotypes because someone behaved differently than what you expected 
Celebrating a different festival for the first time

Autobiographical narrative essay topics

Autobiographical narrative essays as you to specifically describe and talk about things in your life that impacted you. Take a look at the narrative essay topics below for inspiration.  

Your first memory
Your first meaningful memory
Your first day of school
Your relationship with your grandparents
Finding out a shocking family secret
Your proudest achievement as a child
Your favorite childhood hobby
The best day of middle school
A time when you lost something important
How you dealt with losing someone close to you
Discovering your favorite musician
Your first kiss, date, or relationship
The worst day of your life 
Why certain things are so meaningful to you
Which people have influenced your life significantly?

Fictional narrative essay topics

Fictional narrative essay topics are an opportunity to flex your creativity. Put yourself in the shoes of someone else, or in a fantastic situation and write a story! These are some narrative essay topics to choose from down below.

What it would be like traveling to Mars
What you would do with a million dollars
Describe a particularly vivid dream 
A day in your life if you woke up as the opposite sex
What it would be like to be a professional gamer
What it would be like to have 100,000 Instagram followers
A day at the zoo from the perspective of an animal
A day in the life of a child from a very wealthy family
A day in the life of a child from a war-torn country
What it would be like to have your own talk show
What would you do if you were president?
What would you do if you were a dictator?
What it would be like to be a superhero
Tell a story based on your favorite work of art
A hypothetical dinner with your favorite celebrity

Best narrative essay topics - our choice

The best narrative essay topic ideas are going to be different for every individual. This section is going to choose some topics that offer the most space for creativity, are interesting to write about, or offer a broad chance for self-reflection. 

Your earliest sad memory
How you realized someone had become a role model
A day in the life of your favorite fictional character
The thrill of winning
The heartbreak of loss
Understanding gender identity
A clash of culture
A new discovery
Finding your favorite hobby 
Performing beyond expectation
Overcoming personal trauma
Helping someone in need
A life-changing trip 
Enjoying nature
Questioning the status quo

More interesting narrative essay topics

Think about these situations and ask yourself if any of these or something similar happened to you and makes for a good story. Enjoy these interesting narrative essay topics!

The best way to win at a particular video game
The process of creating a good TikTok 
Why binging a show is the best way to consume media
What it’s like being lost in a virtual world
A time you were convinced to try something new
Discovering a new favorite food 
What dancing means to you 
The saddest scene in media
The funniest babysitting moment
Your first day at a job
A time you asked for help
What it feels like to end a good book
A time where you panicked 
A time you were kind to someone 

Final thoughts

A narrative writing is unlike most other forms of academic writing. This can make it challenging for students, but as long as you think about it as writing a story and choose the right topic for a narrative essay, they are actually a joy to write! Here are a few key things to remember as you write your essay. 

A narrative essay uses the story structure - beginning, middle, and end, as well as plot, climax, setting, and characters

Spend time on the prewriting phase to gather your thoughts and plan an outline

Don’t lose track of the main purpose of the story

Generally, write in the first person, but the third person can be used as well

Use vivid words and explain sensory details

Above all, have fun and engage the reader as much as you can

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Narrative Essay Topics — Prompts & Ideas For All Grade Levels

N arrative essays can present a serious challenge for even the most seasoned of writers, but fear not, we’ve compiled some great narrative essay topics to inspire your next paper! Follow along as we explore prompts relating to life, school, and more. By the end, you’ll be prepared to tackle narrative essays from a variety of different angles.

Good Narrative Topics

What is a narrative essay.

Before we jump into our narrative essay topics, we have to first answer the question: what is a narrative essay ? A narrative essay is a prose-written story that’s focused on the commentary of a central theme.

Narrative essays are generally written in the first-person POV , and are usually about a topic that’s personal to the writer.

Everything in a narrative essay should take place in an established timeline, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. 

For more on narrative essays, check out this video on literacy narrative topics and structure:

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas  •  Narrative Essay Titles

In the world of literature, narrative essays are held to a rigorous structure. We’re not going to enforce that rigor here! So, follow along as we (hopefully) inspire you with a variety of narrative essay topics and argument essay ideas. 

Narrative Ideas

Narrative essay ideas for kids.

Narrative essay topics for kids usually focus on family, school, and friends.

Here are some easy narrative essay topics that work well for kids:

  • Describe your most recent birthday party.
  • Tell the story of your first day of school.
  • Who is your best friend?
  • Have you ever helped others?
  • Describe your favorite animal(s)
  • What is your dream for the future?

This next video from “Teaching Without Frills” explores narrative essay topics for kids in further detail. 

Narrative Essay Ideas  •  Titles of narrative essays

Sometimes it can help to visualize narrative essay topics with pictures, especially for younger kids. If you’re a teacher, consider using pictures to inspire your students!

Narrative essay ideas for teens

Middle school and high school students are often asked to write narrative essays too. But whereas narrative essay topics for elementary school students are usually structured around simple, positive topics, narrative essay topics for teens are generally more contemplative.

Here are some personal narrative essay topics that work well for teens:

  • Describe a moment of loss.
  • Describe a moment of serenity.
  • Recount the story of a lost friend.
  • Detail your greatest creation.
  • Tell the story of your favorite teacher.
  • How would you change the world?

Remember: not every person has the same circumstances as others. That's why they're called personal narrative essay topics.

It’s important to frame narrative essay topics for kids in a way that every kid can relate. For example: the prompt “a lost friend” could mean a friend who moved away or a dead pet. Make sure to word your prompts in such a way that participants can glean their own interpretation.

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Narrative Essay Ideas

Narrative essay ideas for young adults.

Young adults are sometimes asked to write narrative essays for school and or job applications. Narrative essay reviewers typically want to see writers demonstrate maturity and growth in their work. As such, their questions are generally structured around challenges and problem management.

Here are some narrative argument essay topics for young adults:

  • Have you ever failed at your job?
  • If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be?
  • What is something you take pride in?
  • Describe your childhood.
  • How will you grow this year?
  • What is the most important element of success?

Of course, the topics above are mostly focused on success and failure. Young adults can certainly respond to the other prompts too!

Narrative essay ideas for adults

Adults aren’t generally tasked with writing narrative essays unless they’re writers. But that doesn’t have to be the case! There are a lot of positives to writing narrative essays, whether you’re a literary professor or a wrestler looking to articulate your thoughts.

So, here are some things to write a narrative essay about for adults:

  • What was your worst job?
  • What (or who) was your first love?
  • Who do you take care of?
  • What is your most prized possession?
  • If you could tell somebody who’s now gone from your life one thing, what would it be?
  • Paint a picture of where you find peace.

Narrative essay titles Easy narrative essay topics

Narrative essay titles  •  Easy narrative essay topics

In recent years, companies have been selling books with narrative essay prompts for adults (particularly elderly adults) to reflect on their lives.

Creative Writing Prompts & Exercises

Now that you're brainstorming good titles for personal narrative, time to learn about other forms of creating writing. A narrative essay is just one type of essay – there are dozens more! In our next article, we break down more creative writing prompts and exercises, including those suited to fantasy, romance, horror, and more. By the end, you’ll know a ton of different ways to approach your next story.

Up Next: Creative Writing Exercises →

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Narrative Essay Guide

Narrative Essay Topics

Last updated on: Dec 21, 2023

Narrative Essay Topics - Best Topic Ideas for Your Essay

By: Nathan D.

10 min read

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: May 19, 2020

narrative essay topics

A narrative essay is similar to storytelling.  Writing a narrative essay  means that the writer is narrating a story. It can be related to a person, place, personal experience, or event in your life.

Narrative essays tell the story of your life. When you write a narrative essay, you are telling someone about an important experience or event. A good narrative essay should have some kind of personal connection with the reader.

Also, the best narrative essay topics are ones that you can write about with passion. If you're not able to find the right topic for your narrative essay, try looking into some of the topics given in the blog.

Like any other essay, you need to choose an essay topic before starting with narrative essay writing. It may seem easy, but finding good narrative essay topics can be hard.

Therefore, you need to know how to find and choose a topic for your narrative essay.

narrative essay topics

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Narrative Essay Topics for Students

Now you know how to choose  essay topics  for a great narrative essay. The next step is to research and find a good topic idea on your own. However, if you are still struggling, we have given some great narrative essay ideas to choose from.

Personal Narrative Essay Topics for Middle School Students

  • 3 Reasons Why disappointment is good
  • What love means to you
  • How to write a speech about a person you admire
  • An unpleasant childhood experience
  • Discuss loyal friends in your life
  • Imagine living on another planet. How would it be?
  • A memory from your vacations
  • Talk about your school and what makes you love it.
  • An experience that put you in danger
  • Share the experience of your first trip abroad.

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 7

  • A day when you got lost
  • How did your father propose to your mom?
  • What do you want to be and why?
  • Describe your hero
  • Imagine you were invisible. Describe what you would do
  • Talk about the person you are most afraid to lose.
  • A misunderstanding with another person
  • An interesting episode from your school days
  • How you lost your best friend

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 8

  • One of your most amazing childhood shows and characters
  • Describe the things in life that you are grateful for
  • As a child, what is your role in the family?
  • If you are a teacher, what would you do when your students feel bored?
  • What things make you feel angry and why?
  • What is your favorite commercial on TV?
  • What friendship means to you
  • An exciting experience that put you in danger
  • A funny story that made you feel embarrassed
  • A quick trip to your childhood
  • A sneak peeks into learning a new skill.

Narrative Essay Topics for High School Students

  • My favorite weather story.
  • If I were president.
  • If I had a million dollars.
  • This made me laugh.
  • The end of my first relationship
  • The day I lost a loved one.
  • When you experienced rejection.
  • My greatest accomplishment.
  • I would like to invent this.
  • A story of you playing in the rain.

Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

  • Interesting books for students to read this summer
  • First day at college
  • Poems you’ve read this year
  • Do you have a diary or journal?
  • Reasons you should start your own blog.
  • How often do you use Facebook?
  • Your favorite pop star
  • Favorite childhood games
  • Who is your role model?
  • A teacher you will never forget.

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Narrative Argument Essay Topics

  • Should nuclear weapons be outlawed?
  • Is animal testing necessary?
  • Pressure on teenagers to go to college
  • Does religion cause war?
  • Should abortion be illegal?
  • Is it okay for parents to monitor teens’ Internet use?
  • Humans are the main cause of natural disasters.
  • Social media is the reason behind conflicts between family members.
  • Share a memorable moment of your childhood in a scholarship essay.
  • When you fought with your brother while playing a video game

Morality Narrative Essay Topics

  • Does modern society lack the moral values of the past?
  • What is your opinion about racial discrimination?
  • What are the key moral values in your life?
  • What is your personal view regarding morality?
  • Have you inherited your moral values?
  • Do you think your ancestors had different moral values?
  • How do you understand other people's moral values? Is it difficult for you to accept them or not?
  • What was the best morality lesson for you?
  • Lack of morality is the root cause of social destruction. Discuss.
  • How can we promote moral lessons in schools?

Relationship Narrative Essay Topics

  • How do you know if there are no sparks in your relationship anymore?
  • Does arguing with your parents affect your social life?
  • When do you know you have met “the one”?
  • Does being a feminist influence your relationships?
  • Is marrying old-fashioned?
  • Does forgiveness matter in a relationship?
  • How do you eradicate misunderstandings and arguments from your relationships?
  • Reasons for the distance between parents and children.
  • Both partners need to work together to make a relationship successful. Discuss.
  • Traditional Vs. Modern Household System. Which is better and why?

Childhood Narrative Essay Topics

  • What was your first day of school like for you?
  • What was your favorite school activity as a child?
  • Who was your favorite teacher? And Why?
  • What was the most mischievous event of your childhood?
  • How did you manage the bullies of your school?
  • Who was your role model when you were a child?
  • Do you think teachers should be friendly? If yes, then why?
  • Have you ever pranked anyone? What was the result?
  • Did you like any particular subject when in school?
  • Do childhood friends influence us? How?

Work Narrative Essay Topics

  • How to engage employees in the work environment?
  • How to reduce stress at the workplace?
  • How do you manage strict deadlines?
  • What kind of experience do you have while hiring an online employee?
  • What to do when you think your work-life is falling apart?
  • How to avoid harassment in the workplace?
  • Promoting equality in the workplace.
  • Men and women employees should be treated equally; discuss.
  • Having a plant wall in the workplace is healthy.
  • Companies should give healthy lunch options at subsidized prices. Discuss.

Traveling Narrative Essay Topics

  • Do you need a large budget for traveling?
  • Is it safe to travel the world on your own?
  • Is travel photography a difficult art to master?
  • Should you quit your job if you want to travel?
  • Can too much traveling be boring?
  • What to do when you travel to the city of your dreams?
  • What can you learn from traveling to non-tourist areas?
  • Is it possible to explore a location without knowing that place's language?
  • How does traveling affect your worldview?
  • How can you travel on a low budget?

Cultural Narrative Essay Topics

  • What is called pop culture?
  • How does the media influence our beliefs?
  • What is a cultural norm?
  • What does it mean to be Native American in the twenty-first century?
  • What can a person learn from personal discovery?
  • Why are food traditions still important to some people?
  • Why do people take health for granted
  • Tell us about your unique family tradition.
  • A tradition that surprised you

Experience Narrative Essay Topics

  • Discuss the most embarrassing moment of your life.
  • Which is the scariest incidence of your life?
  • Real-life values that you learned from an experience.
  • The experience that taught you the value of family and friends.
  • How did you learn to control your fear?
  • The most helpful experience of your life.
  • How did you learn to appreciate the value of life?
  • When did you feel the happiest?
  • A memorable family picnic.
  • The experience of the first job.

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics

  • Describe the most amazing movie that you ever watched.
  • Describe the most touching song that you heard last time.
  • The superpower that you want to have and why?
  • Any book characters that you relate with?
  • The movie that you want to direct and why?
  • Do you have any hidden talent? When did you discover it?
  • Which is your favorite TV character?
  • Any TV stars who you would like to meet in real life?
  • Are you a sports fanatic? Describe your favorite sport.
  • Who is your favorite tennis player, and why?

General Narrative Essay Topics

  • Write about the scariest moment in your life. How did a scary moment teach you to be brave?
  • Challenges are important for improvement. Discuss.
  • Describe your visit to a flea market. Did you get anything valuable there?
  • Do you believe that you should treat others as you would like to be treated? Describe any relevant experience.
  • Siblings help develop our personalities. Describe how you contribute to your personal development.
  • Watching someone you love suffering is hard. Describe your experience when you felt this pain.
  • Kindness keeps this world warm. Discuss the statement with relevant examples and personal life experiences.
  • Imperfection is a blessing. Discuss a lesson learned through mistakes.
  • Self-criticism is hard but useful. Write about your experience when you rectified your flaw.
  • Being right does not mean being easy. Write about the event in your life when you had difficulty because you were right.

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How to Choose a Good Narrative Essay Topic?

Choosing a good topic for your high school or college narrative writing involves a set of steps. By following them, you will find relevant narrative topics that you could use in your essay.

The steps include:

1. Brainstorming

Brainstorming is important. Make a list of essay ideas and research them. See what information you can find about them and choose the essay topic that you are confident about.

2. Planning

Planning before writing is a rule of thumb. Research the stories, ideas and decide which ones you will add to your narrative essay. Decide the number of paragraphs and the ideas for them. Make points and refer to them when writing the essay.

3. Proving the Main Point

Every essay has the main point; what is yours? When you write a narrative essay, you share your experience and try to persuade the reader to share it. They may have a different viewpoint. But, through your essay, you tell an interesting story and convince them to agree with your point of view.

4. Storytelling

A good narrative essay is all about storytelling. This could be through the character’s voice or the writer’s voice. Feel free to choose any voice but be consistent. Do not shift from the first person to third-person narration and vice versa.

5. Essay Structure

No great narrative essay is without a proper structure. An essay structure includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The usual number of paragraphs in the main body is three, but you can increase it if needed.

Choose the best topic from the list given above and start writing your narrative essay. You can use these topics for narrative speech as well. These narrative essay writing topics will make a great essay for any academic level.

Still wondering how you would write a great narrative essay?

We have a professional essay writer for you.  5StarEssays.com  writing service is expert and offers affordable writing help for high school, college, and higher-level students. We are diligent in choosing and hiring writers and work with only the best writers.

Our writers can handle 20+ other subjects, including custom essays and research papers. You can trust your academic papers with our top-ranked  write my essay  service and enjoy high grades.

Feel free to contact us any time and  order  your narrative essay.

Nathan D.

College Admission Essay, Literature

Nathan completed his Ph.D. in journalism and has been writing articles for well-respected publications for many years now. His work is carefully researched and insightful, showing a true passion for the written word. Nathan's clients appreciate his expertise, deep understanding of the process, and ability to communicate difficult concepts clearly.

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100+ Narrative Essay Topics for your Next Assignment

Writing a narrative essay should be fun and easy in theory. Just tell your readers a story, often about yourself. Who knows you better than you? You should ace this!

Unfortunately, narrative writing can be very difficult for some. When a teacher leaves the topic choice wide open, it’s tough to even know what to write about. What anecdote from your life is worth sharing? What story is compelling enough to fill an entire essay?

The first step in writing a narrative essay is coming up with a list of potential topics to write about. From there, you should focus on the ideas you believe you can spend an entire essay and tell a compelling story on.

Narrative writing will show up for the rest of your life. You’ll need to tell life stories in college essays, in grad school applications, in wedding speeches, and more. So learning how to write a narrative essay is a skill that will stick with you forever.

But where do you begin?

You can always check out essay examples to get you started, but this will only get you so far.

At the end of the day, you still need to come up with a story of your own. This is often the toughest part.

To help you get things kicked off, we’ve put together this list of more than a hundred topic ideas that could easily be turned into narrative essays. Take a look and see what stands out to you!

Choosing a Topic

Narrative essays fall into several categories. Your first task is to narrow down your choices by choosing which category you want to explore.

Each of these categories offers a stepping off point from which you can share a personal experience. If you have no idea where to begin, reflecting on these main categories is a great place to start. You can pick and choose what you feel comfortable sharing with your readers. This list is not exclusive—there are other areas of your life you can explore. These are just some of the biggies.

As you explore categories, think about which one would be the best fit for your assignment. Which category do you have the strongest ideas for? Which types of stories do you tell the best?

These categories include:

Childhood Tales

Educational background, travel and adventure, friends and relationships, experiences and defining moments, my favorite things, ethics and values.

Once you’ve selected a category, it’s time to see which topic piques your interest and might intrigue your audience as well. These topics are all a natural fit for a story arc , which is a central part of a narrative essay.

Writing about your childhood can be a great choice for a narrative essay. We are growing and learning during this delicate and often awkward time. Sharing these moments can be funny, endearing, and emotional. Most people can relate to childhood events because we have all survived it somehow!

  • A childhood experience that defined who I am today
  • A childhood experience that made me grow up quickly
  • My best/worst childhood memory
  • My favorite childhood things (games, activities, stories, fairy tales, TV shows, etc.)
  • What I remember most about my childhood
  • How I used to celebrate holidays/birthdays
  • My best/worst holiday/birthday memory
  • What I used to believe was true
  • The oldest memory I have
  • The most valuable possession from my childhood
  • What I would tell my younger self
  • What my friends were like when I was younger

Your educational experience offers a wealth of ideas for an essay . How you’ve learned and have been inspired can help others be inspired too. Although we were all educated in one way or another, your educational experience is uniquely your own to share.

  • First day of school/junior high/high school/college
  • First/most memorable school event
  • My favorite/worst school years
  • My favorite/worst teachers
  • My favorite/worst school subjects
  • What recess was like for me
  • My experiences in the school cafeteria
  • How I succeeded/failed in certain classes
  • Life as a student (elementary, junior high, high school, college)
  • The best/worst assignment I ever completed for a class
  • Why I chose my college
  • First novel I read for school
  • First speech I had to give

People love to read about adventures. Sharing your travel stories transports your reader to a different place. And we get to see it through your eyes and unique perspective. Writing about travel experiences can allow your passion for diving into the world shine through.

  • My first time traveling alone
  • My first time traveling out of the country
  • The place I travel where I feel most at home
  • My favorite/worst travel experience
  • The time I spent living in a hostel/RV
  • The time I spent backpacking around a country
  • Traveling with friends/family/significant other
  • Best/worst family vacation
  • Most memorable travel experience ever
  • Places I want to visit
  • Why I travel
  • Why I cruise/climb mountains/camp/fly/drive
  • Trying to speak another language
  • How I prefer to travel
  • How I pack to travel

The good, the bad, and the ugly. We all have family stories that range from jubilantly happy and hilarious to sad and more serious. Writing about family can show your reader about who you are and where you come from.

  • Family traditions that you enjoy/dislike
  • What your parents/siblings are like
  • What your family members (mom, dad, grandparents, siblings, etc.) have taught you
  • What being the oldest/youngest/middle/only child was like
  • Family members who made the most impact on your life
  • Most memorable day with a family member
  • How a pet changed my family’s life/my life

Friends, enemies, and loved ones come in and out of our lives for a reason. And they provide great material for writing. If relationships exist to teach you something, what have you learned? Writing about those you’ve connected with demonstrates how others have influenced your life.

  • My most important relationship
  • How I work on my relationships
  • What I value in my relationships
  • My first love/relationship/breakup
  • Losing/Gaining a close friend
  • How my friendships have changed/evolved
  • The person I’m afraid of losing the most
  • How technology has affected my relationships
  • The worst argument I’ve had with someone
  • What happened when I was rejected

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... sharing your best times and sharing your worst times can make great stories. These highs and lows can be emotional, funny, and thought-provoking.

  • The event that most defines who I am today
  • The best/worst day of my life
  • The most embarrassing/frightening moment of my life
  • A moment that taught me something
  • A moment where I succeeded/failed
  • A time when I was hurt (physically or emotionally)
  • A time when I gave up hope
  • An experience when I had to overcome challenges (fear, intimidation, rejection, etc.)
  • My greatest accomplishment
  • The time I learned to accept/love/be okay with myself
  • The most difficult time in my life
  • The toughest thing I’ve ever done
  • My first time surviving something alone

Explaining to others what you love and why can really paint a picture of who you are and what you value. It’s important to note that simply sharing a favorite isn’t a very deep topic. However, you can take this topic deeper by expressing how this favorite has impressed you, inspired you, and affected your life.

  • My favorite author/poet/playwright
  • My favorite movie/book/song/play/character
  • My favorite actor/actress/director
  • My favorite singer/musician
  • My role model
  • What I like to do to relax
  • My favorite activities/games/sports
  • How I handle stress and tough times
  • Why I dance/sing/write/journal/play sports/bake

Where you stand on deep issues tells a lot about you. Taking a stance and explaining your opinion on tough topics reveals some insight into your ethical reasoning.

  • The most difficult decision I have made
  • How I treat people/strangers
  • A time I faced a moral/ethical dilemma
  • A decision I regret
  • A lie I have told
  • When I rebelled against someone in authority
  • My most important life rule
  • The principle I always live by

Situational prompts allow you to step out of your past and picture a different future. If digging into your past experiences seems scary and intimidating, then look to your future. What you imagine can be insightful about your life and where you see yourself heading.

  • If I had a million dollars...
  • If I were famous...
  • If I could change history...
  • If I had no fear...
  • If I could change one thing about myself...
  • If I had one extra hour a day...
  • If I could see the future...
  • If I could change the world...
  • If I could have one do-over in life...

Writing a narrative essay can seem daunting at first. Sharing a bit of yourself with the world is a scary thing sometimes. Choosing the right topic, however, can make the process much smoother and easier.

Writing a narrative essay can be intimidating, but choosing the right topic can make the process much easier for you.

Browsing through topic ideas can inspire you to pick a topic you feel you can tell a story about and that can take up a full essay. Once you have a quality story to tell, the rest of the pieces will fall into place.

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Students in college often want to create a masterpiece when assigned a creative paper. Choosing the right topic for narrative writing is crucial for captivating your audience and leaving a lasting impression. Good narrative ideas inspiration can come from many sources, including documentaries, historical texts, self-help books, poems, and podcasts.  This article will define and explain the characteristics of good narrative essay topics as well as offer examples for students. Students who want to share their experiences through stories will find this guide helpful and full of inspirational ideas. In case you seek professional advice or want to entrust a writing task to an expert, buy narrative essays online from our platform. Our academic writers have extensive experience in preparing different types of essays and will be glad to help you.

What Are Narrative Essay Topics?

Narrative essay topics can be anything as long as they allow the writer to create a compelling story and convey a message. What is a good topic for a narrative essay? Unlike academic writing, narrative essays allow learners to get creative and personal and enable them to share personal experiences in an engaging and meaningful way. The creative process becomes easy with experience as students gain knowledge of filtering relevant topics in their brainstorming sessions. To come up with such narrative essay ideas , below you will find a criterion to focus on when choosing themes.

Characteristics of Good Narrative Essay Topics

What are good topics for a narrative essay ? Good narrative topics incorporate emotional appeal to connect the audience to your story. For a start, memorable events are recommended in creative writing as the story’s details can easily be remembered and developed coherently. Below are the characteristics of a good narrative essay topic:

  • Unique and not easily predictable.
  • Evokes strong emotions in the audience, whether it's laughter, sadness, or excitement.
  • Has a clear conflict that drives the plot forward.
  • Addresses current issues or touches upon universal themes that resonate with the audience.
  • Creates anticipation and uncertainty, keeping the audience engaged and invested.
  • Explores meaningful themes like identity, justice, love, or loss.

How to Choose a Narrative Essay Topic?

Choosing a narrative essay topic can be challenging, but following the right approach makes the process easier. The prewriting stage is essential to experiment and come up with the right subject and structure for the essay. By selecting a good narrative essay topic, you will be able to immediately capture your reader's attention and increase your chances of sharing work with a large audience. You can achieve this goal by following the criteria below:

  • Reflect on your experiences of significant life events, like occasions, people, and places.
  • Brainstorm ideas. Write down a list of potential topics that come to mind based on your reflections.
  • Consider the audience. Think about who will be reading your essay and what the reader's interest might be.
  • Evaluate the potential topics by reviewing the issues you brainstormed.
  • You can use narrative essay prompts to help you brainstorm.
  • Experiment with different topics, structures, and techniques to find what works best for you and your audience.

List of Narrative Essay Topics

This section gathers a list of narrative writing topics to choose from to help you create a high-quality paper. The reader’s attention is initially hooked on the title, which sets the tone of the manuscript and the words that come after it. Examples of catchy narrative essay titles are mentioned below.

  • An adventure you went on and lessons learned.
  • Moment of epiphany in my life.
  • A bad cultural practice that affected me.
  • A day that started normal but ended up being remarkable.
  • Why did my mother stop sampling her favorite cuisine?
  • Fishing trip with my classmates I will never forget.
  • First time I attended auditions.
  • A proud moment in my life.
  • My life in the village.
  • Weekend in my favorite camp.

Below you will find more ideas. But if you don't spot the right one feel free to use our Narrative Essay Title Generator .

Good Topics for a Narrative Essay

Good ideas for a narrative essay often include a plot, characters, setting, and themes written to engage and entertain a reader. The piece usually contains reflections on the event's meaning, significance, and how it has impacted the writer's life. Here is a list of good topics for narrative essays.

  • Climbing mount Longonot.
  • My first day of high school.
  • Overcoming fear of public speaking.
  • First concert I attended.
  • Life-changing trip.
  • My first job.
  • Best moment of my life.
  • Last trip to Vegas with my brother.
  • My first trip to Mexico .
  • How I met my role model.
  • Life of moving from one place to another as a child.
  • Struggles of balancing personal and educational life
  • Most shocking accident that I witnessed.
  • How I lost my dream vacation to bad weather.
  • My experience with bullying.

Best Narrative Essay Topics

The best topics for narrative essays usually reflect the writer's insights and experiences and are infused with their unique voice and perspective. This should be followed with a clear and engaging introduction, which sets the stage for the narrative and hooks the reader’s attention. Here are examples of the best topics for narrative writing you can pick from!

  • A life-changing decision you live to remember.
  • A vacation that transformed your perspective on traveling.
  • The most remarkable year that changed your life.
  • Meeting the Queen of England.
  • My first visit to a coffee milling company.
  • Confession of a bank robber.
  • My first job interview.
  • How I lost my first mobile phone.
  • My most significant grief.
  • Childhood memory I will never forget.
  • My best moments in life.
  • Worst punishment I received.
  • Scariest Halloween in my life.
  • My experience with Asian cuisine .
  • My first prank at the cafeteria.

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics

Interesting ideas for narrative writing should tell a story in a way that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and memorable. Additionally, the essay must have a clear and engaging writing style, combining humor, emotion, and vivid imagery to keep the reader captivated from start to finish! This includes memorable characters, imaginative settings, and descriptions that bring the story to life. Examples of interesting narrative topics for essays are:

  • Near-death experience and its aftermath.
  • Childhood memory that still makes you smile.
  • Overcoming a phobia .
  • A trip that changed your perspective on life.
  • Meeting a celebrity.
  • Life-changing decision that needed to be made.
  • Time when you had to stand up for others.
  • Cultural celebration that affected you.
  • Returning home after living in Europe for years.
  • Cooking a meal for the whole family for the first time.
  • Struggle of the first day in a different country.
  • Worst decision I ever made.
  • My first experience in the theatre.
  • Living alone for the first time.
  • An individual that had a significant impact on your life.

Funny Narrative Essay Topics

A funny narrative writing topic allows you to share a lighthearted or humorous story with your readers. They often involve sarcasm or irony, poking fun at a certain aspect of life or describing a comical situation or event. The titles for narrative essays should encapsulate the primary theme of the essay. Here are some potential titles for narrative essay topics:

  • When you got lost in a strange city.
  • The most ridiculous law you’ve ever heard of.
  • The most unusual dream you’ve ever had.
  • Mistaking my father for a boyfriend through a text message.
  • The day I wore mismatched shoes to school.
  • Getting stuck in an elevator.
  • Accidentally dying my hair pink.
  • The day you were asked to get out of class for farting.
  • Falling asleep in class.
  • The day your father forgot to pick you up from school.
  • Jammed in a public toilet.
  • Getting lost in a shopping mall.
  • Being locked in a restaurant store overnight.
  • Marriage counselor that remarried four times.
  • Time you pulled a prank on someone.

Easy Narrative Essay Topics

Easy topics for narrative essays allow the writer to express their story and ideas in a simple and straightforward manner. These titles are often familiar, personal, and relatable to the author and reader. They are easy to research or recall, reducing the time and effort required to collect information and write. Here are some ideas for a narrative essay:

  • The best vacation you took.
  • Special place you have visited.
  • Your favorite childhood memories.
  • Journey to self-discovery.
  • Overcoming chicken phobia.
  • Moment of kindness you received or gave.
  • An event that shaped your identity.
  • A memorable event with family or friends.
  • Personal accomplishment that you are proud of.
  • A day in the forest.
  • Playground memory.
  • Unusual winter holiday.
  • Experience of being an introvert .
  • A difficult decision you had to make.
  • Growing up as a village kid.

Narrative Essay Ideas for Students

Narrative essay ideas help students reflect on or explore memorable moments in their school years and the lessons learned from these events. This includes telling about challenges you overcame, highlighting your resilience, or describing a student-teacher relationship and how it shaped your identity. Additionally, topics can comprise memories of stepping out of your comfort zone, sharing your lessons, and highlighting your bravery. The subsequent section covers some narrative essay topic ideas for students at different levels of education.

Narrative Essay Topics for Middle School

Personal narrative essay topics for middle school allow students to explore their imaginations by sharing personal life experiences, developing a narrative, and communicating the intended message to the reader. Here are examples of narrative essay ideas for middle school to inspire you to select a topic that will maximize the reader’s engagement.

  • A lesson you learned from a failure.
  • Great fictional character that I identify with.
  • Dealing with anxiety in grade 8.
  • Memorable event from middle school.
  • Experience that changed your view on environmental protection.
  • A place that holds a special meaning to me.
  • Encounter with the school principal and its consequences.
  • Special moments with my classmates.
  • The best thing I learned in middle school.
  • An extremely boring day in middle school.
  • Best teacher I ever had.
  • Most memorable farewell party.
  • The most dramatic decision I made in middle school.
  • Friends who made a difference in my life.
  • The day I was expelled for eavesdropping on teachers’ conversations.

Narrative Essay Topics for High School

High school aims to provide students with a well-rounded education and the skills they need to succeed in their future endeavors. Narrative essay topics for high school students include developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills with titles written in personal story format. Students use high school narrative essay topics to share their thoughts, personal growth experiences, overcoming challenges, significant events in their lives, relationships, and reflections from their past experiences. Some common examples to know include:

  • High school experience that taught you a valuable lesson.
  • Sports accident that had a lasting impact on you.
  • Best day spent with a childhood friend.
  • My first day at high school.
  • High school relationship that had a significant impact on you.
  • The version of a perfect day in school.
  • Learning fitness from my parents.
  • My harshest debate competition.
  • My worst lost match.
  • My routine travel to and from school.
  • A serious conversation I had about my grades.
  • The day I decided on my future profession.
  • How the teacher of English inspired my career in education.
  • My after-school activities.
  • How I won the school talent competition.

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Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

Narrative essay topics for college students often have a reflective tone since it helps learners remember past experiences and learn from them. These titles can range from cultural experiences and significant events to personal experiences. Here are some examples of college narrative essay topics.

  • My first day in the school of higher education.
  • My best learning courses.
  • Meeting my boyfriend at college.
  • A turning point in my career path.
  • How I traveled to enter college.
  • A cultural experience that expanded my horizons.
  • A defining moment in my college experience.
  • How we shared duties with my roommate.
  • Story of my break up in college.
  • How community work made my college life interesting.
  • A funny adventure in college.
  • How I showcased my culture during cultural day events.
  • My last day in college.
  • My growth and personal development over the years in college.
  • My experience with a statistics course.

Narrative Essay Topics for University Students

Topics for a narrative essay for university students often focus on describing a personal experience or events in the life of a student. Here are narrative topic ideas examples to help you in choosing an interesting topic.

  • Stranger became my best friend in my third year of university.
  • Favorite celebration with university classmates.
  • Time when you were insulted by the professor.
  • Time when a psychology class shook my beliefs.
  • Worst interview of your life.
  • Discovering that I am good at sociology.
  • How associate professor's advice helped me navigate university life.
  • The day my father learned I had a smoking habit.
  • How I navigated through the hard university life.
  • Reasons that prompted changing my course.
  • The moment I realized university life subjects you to be independent.
  • First time I participated in a big school event.
  • The teacher I wanted to be friends with.
  • An embarrassing conversation with the professor.
  • My culture shock experience at campus.

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas

A narrative essay offers an invaluable contribution to enable students to express their opinions through creative writing clearly and concisely. Choosing interesting topics for a narrative essay is important to get the reader’s attention and make them connect and relate to your story. In choosing narrative topics to write about, you should find relevant titles, have a comfortable writing style, and show mastery. Different types of narrative ideas are explored in this part.

Narrative Story Ideas

Narrative story topics can be fiction or non-fiction, from personal experience or even a historical event. Ideas for a narrative story essay should align with narrative writing guidelines to create a good one. Some possible themes include:

  • Meeting an unlikely friend.
  • How you opened your online business.
  • Social media story that inspired your career.
  • Finding true love.
  • Cultural tradition that is important to you.
  • An individual who finds a lost treasure and must decide what to do with it.
  • A family that moves to a new town and must adapt to the new surroundings.
  • Group of friends who go on a wild adventure.
  • The worst nightmare.
  • The memories of the place where I consumed the biggest burger.
  • A family member who must come to terms with a loss.
  • My first experience riding a bicycle.
  • A friend who discovers a hidden talent and must decide whether to pursue it.
  • A college student, a bogeyman, and a magician walk into a bar.
  • Winning the lottery.

Narrative Argument Essay Topics

Argument narrative essay topics present a claim or thesis that should be controversial or debatable to allow the writer to present arguments and counterarguments clearly and concisely. Narrative essay topics that teach a lesson allow authors to use examples to support their viewpoints. Possible argument titles are:

  • Effects of climate change on local communities.
  • Impact of technology on our daily lives.
  • The role of community service in personal growth.
  • Benefits of a diverse workplace.
  • Impact of technology on our ability to focus and retain information.
  • Effects of parental involvement on student academic success.
  • Role of financial literacy in personal and professional life.
  • Consequences of discrimination and prejudice on mental health.
  • Need for gun control in preventing mass shootings.
  • Negative effects of media on body image and self-esteem.
  • Contribution of healthcare in promoting personal and community wellness.
  • Benefits of social media on political discourse.
  • Preventing teenage substance abuse through parental involvement.
  • Importance of physical education in schools.
  • Debate surrounding the death penalty.

Narrative Descriptive Essay Topics

Descriptive narrative essay topics captivate readers’ senses and create a vivid and detailed picture in their minds. Narrative essays topics are often used to describe a person, place, or experience with detailed language and imagery. Examples of such titles include:

  • World famous landmark that you visited.
  • Visit to Kenya.
  • A natural disaster you experienced.
  • Unforgettable Christmas holiday.
  • A place that brings you peace.
  • A day in the life of a famous person.
  • The best hotel in Europe.
  • The book I love the most.
  • The birthday party I regret the most.
  • My first encounter with an elephant.
  • The concert that I live to remember.
  • A memorable childhood experience.
  • Favorite family tradition.
  • Greatest American in history.

Narrative Essay Topics by Themes

The theme of a narrative essay portrays the main message or idea the writer wants to convey through their story. It is often revealed through the author’s reflections, observations, and experiences rather than explicitly stated. A narrative essay title is the first thing a reader sees, and it should reflect the theme or central idea of the essay. Narrative paper topics can have many formats, including quotes, questions, statements, or a combination. Here are some narrative essay topics organized by themes.

Personal Narrative Essay Topics

Personal narrative ideas can range from simple anecdotes to longer, more complex stories, from everyday experiences to significant events. Personal narrative topics are themes a writer chooses to focus on, ranging from everyday experiences, and personal events to abstract ideas like personal growth, self-discovery, to relationships. The subject matter should be something the author feels a personal connection to or is passionate about to entertain, inspire, inform, or reflect. Here are examples of personal narrative essay ideas.

  • A speech during Independence celebrations day that changed your life.
  • Making new friends during camping.
  • Traumatic life episodes.
  • The best movie I watched during the holiday.
  • Teenage friendship that had a significant impact on you.
  • Making new friends in France.
  • Saddest incident of my life.
  • Loss and grief that defined your strength.
  • How performing community work changed my perception of humanity.
  • Cultural and societal issues you faced.
  • A time when you took a risk.
  • The beauty of nature and why I love camping.
  • The ups and downs of my first long-distance relationship.
  • My first skydiving experience and how it changed me.
  • Thrill of competing in a high-stakes sport.

Narrative Essay Topics About Family

Topic for a narrative essay about family explores personal experiences and reflection on family dynamics and relationships. Good narrative ideas on these topics are characterized by local traditions and their impacts on your life. The writer can also take account of information on how the family has shaped their values and beliefs. Such topics include:

  • Importance of family in shaping your moral values.
  • Special family customs that bring family together.
  • Most hilarious moments with my siblings.
  • An experience that brought our family close together.
  • Fun of creating and maintaining the family garden.
  • How a dysfunctional family subjected you to depression.
  • Challenges I faced while growing up.
  • How my grandfather solved most of the family crisis.
  • A time when you learned something important about your family.
  • Thrill of family game night.

Narrative Essay Topics About Childhood

Childhood is a period characterized by first experiences and bright memories. When selecting topics to write about for a narrative essay, writers reflect on their past and share personal experiences from their younger years. While this stage of life allows you to plunge into numerous memories, it is good to give examples of those happy days rather than sad ones and create a brilliant essay! Examples of narrative essay ideas for childhood memories include:

  • Your brightest memories of summer.
  • Your first visit to the farm.
  • Best memories with your parents in childhood.
  • Your childhood best friend.
  • My first day in kindergarten.
  • Meeting Santa at a mall.
  • My biggest childhood dreams.
  • Childhood memories that still make you laugh or smile.
  • Most difficult lesson in elementary school.
  • First trip to the museum.

Friendship Narrative Essay Topics

Topics for writing a narrative essay on friendship focus on a particular friend or a special bond that had an impact on your life. The best ideas for narrative essays should be based on your personal growth, expectations, milestones, and development through friendship. Check this list out:

  • Surprise adventure with friends.
  • The excitement of surprising a friend with a long-awaited reunion.
  • Unexpected kindness a friend showed me during a difficult time.
  • An experience with narcissistic friendship.
  • Role of mindset in creating lasting friendships.
  • When friendship was tested because of social media.
  • Impact of a supportive teacher on my friendship with classmates.
  • Friendship that has brought you joy and laughter.
  • How keeping secrets ruined my friendship.
  • Role of social media in forming and maintaining new relationships.

Narrative Essay Topics on Relationship

Topics of narrative essays cover information on various aspects of your relationships.  When selecting a narrative writing topic, you should echo the lessons learned from your past relations and how they shaped your insight into love, trust, and relations. You can write about various forms of relations, examples to follow, and advice learned from books and life coaches on how to nurture them. Relationship essays topics are: 

  • How coaching helped me improve my relationship with others.
  • Failures and lessons that shaped romantic relationships.
  • My first romantic relationship.
  • Why my boyfriend is very important to me.
  • How my significant other and I address relationship challenges.
  • The book about relationships that guides me.
  • Best relationship advice from my parents.
  • A relationship that was tested and how it was resolved.
  • A relationship that taught you forgiveness and acceptance.
  • Importance of self-care and maintaining relationships in a demanding college environment.

Narrative Essay Topics About Personality

Good personal narrative topics explore different aspects of individuals: who they are and how they have grown over time. This allows writers to reflect on the impact of their personality on relationships and interactions with others. Here are some examples of personal narrative topic ideas about personality.

  • Parental involvement in your personality development.
  • An experience that helped shape your personality.
  • Personality trait that makes you proud.
  • Life events that improved your personality.
  • How your personality has affected your relationships.
  • Personality traits that have held you back.
  • How my personal development plan failed.
  • My personal growth story.
  • How our community’s traditions influenced my personality.
  • Impact of a celebrity on my self-esteem and confidence.

Moral Narrative Essay Topics

While selecting topic ideas for a narrative essay about morals, you should consider various events that inspired your beliefs and values about life. The narrative paragraph topics focus on telling a story through experiences and give insight regarding what you believe to be right or wrong and how you have been affected by ethical dilemmas. Moral narrative essay topics are:

  • Decision that you were sure was the right one.
  • Challenge of balancing my moral values with other people's expectations.
  • Moral lesson you have learned from laziness.
  • Role of peer pressure in cheating behaviors.
  • How cheating in exams led to school expulsion.
  • How respect helped me navigate into a leadership position.
  • An experience that challenged your beliefs about fairness or justice.
  • Personal achievement that you are proud of and that aligns with your values.
  • Role of empathy and compassion in survival situations.
  • How the story about Hare and Tortoise changes my perception of people.

Cultural Narrative Essay Topics

In choosing topics to write a narrative essay about culture, focus on experiences and perspectives on traditions, customs, and issues. The narratives to write about should be based on the understanding that culture is essential in fostering intercultural communication and promoting respect for cultural diversity. Here are some examples of essay topics on cultural narratives.

  • Cultural challenges you faced in the workplace.
  • An experience that encouraged you to embrace your cultural heritage.
  • When you had to navigate cultural differences in a new environment.
  • When I learned the power of cultural collaboration.
  • Important cultural practices that you adopted.
  • Attending foreign cultural celebrations.
  • Traditions and practices that surprise me.
  • Unique traditions in my community.
  • Impact of social media on society's cultural narratives.
  • Evolution of marriage and family cultural values.

You may also need rhetorical analysis essay topics or definition essay topics for your next work. So, browse our blogs, you will find everything there.

Bottom Line on Narrative Essay Topics

In conclusion, it is important to pick a subject that has significance and meaning to you in learning how to choose a topic for a narrative essay. The bottom line is that in selecting narrative writing essay topics, writers should consider what they want to convey, what story they want to tell, and what message they want to impart to the reader. A good narrative essay should be engaging and meaningful and allow the writer to explore their ideas and emotions.

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How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

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Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

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Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

  • Write a story about your first day of school.
  • Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

  • Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
  • Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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100 Greatest Narrative Essay Topics

January 5, 2024 by Richard Leave a Comment

100 Greatest Narrative Essay Topics

Welcome to our 100 Greatest Narrative Essay topics of all time list. These topics are written about over and over again by students and writers all over the world, and they are made new every time someone tells their story. Sharing personal stories can be a powerful way to connect with others. Whether it’s a humorous anecdote or an impactful life event, narrative essays give readers a glimpse into someone else’s world while reminding them of our shared humanity.

So, if you are having a hard time coming up with a topic to write about, try these 100. We seek to provide inspiration for your personal narrative essay. It compiles a list of 100 narrative essay topics ranging from lighthearted tales about childhood memories to profound life-changing events. With so many options, readers are sure to find an experience in their own lives that they can transform into an engaging first-person story.

Some of these narrative essay ideas evoke positive emotions – like achieving a major accomplishment, traveling somewhere new, or meeting someone influential. Other prompts allow reflection on challenging experiences – like encountering failure, coping with loss or illness, or facing down fears. The list also includes topics perfect for humor pieces – because the best personal narratives often share smiles and laughter too.

Readers can take a look at the list and see which topic speaks to them. Then they can start drafting their own unique story. Because each person’s tale offers its own dose of wisdom, inspiration, and connection. The stories readers craft based on these ideas will surely impact others.

Here are 100 potential narrative essay topics:

  • A time I overcame a fear
  • The day I met my best friend
  • A family vacation that went wrong
  • The experience of learning to ride a bike
  • Attending my first concert
  • My most difficult class in school so far
  • My proudest accomplishment
  • A time I failed at something
  • My experience learning a new language
  • Meeting someone famous
  • My experience as a camp counselor
  • My favorite family holiday tradition
  • The first time I traveled alone
  • A challenging hike I went on
  • Moving to a new place
  • Getting my first pet
  • Being bullied as a child
  • My first day of high school
  • My experience playing on a sports team
  • The day I got my driver’s license
  • Something funny my parent or sibling did
  • Working an unpleasant job as a teenager
  • Volunteering in my community
  • The day I became an older sibling
  • A parenting lesson my parents taught me
  • Attending my first homecoming dance
  • My favorite birthday celebration
  • A cooking disaster story
  • My experience getting stitches or breaking a bone
  • A mentor who impacted my life
  • My most memorable act of kindness from a stranger
  • The adoption of my pet
  • My experience being homeschooled
  • Starting a new hobby as an adult
  • My fondest childhood memory
  • My first heartbreak
  • My experience with online school
  • My journey recovering from an injury
  • Being a working student
  • Writing my first poem or short story
  • My scariest nightmare
  • Making a move to live on my own
  • Coping with my parents’ divorce
  • My adventure backpacking overseas
  • My most memorable day playing childhood games
  • The time I performed on stage
  • A cherished family tradition
  • My proudest moment as a parent
  • Meeting my grandparents for the first time
  • My experience being an older sibling
  • My fondest memory of a family pet
  • My most memorable birthday
  • My most humbling moment
  • My first experience with snow
  • A difficult goodbye
  • My favorite place to spend time as a child
  • Winning an award
  • My favorite holiday gathering
  • Studying abroad in college
  • Moving to a new city after graduation
  • My experience voting for the first time
  • A favorite item from my childhood
  • My experience overcoming sickness or surgery
  • My favorite family vacation
  • A memorable weekend road trip
  • My first paying job
  • My experience on the first day of a new school
  • Celebrating a cultural holiday
  • How I learned to overcome a bad habit
  • Staying up all night with friends
  • Attending prom
  • My experience being home alone
  • Getting elected as a group leader
  • Preparing for a major storm
  • Learning a lesson about honesty
  • The day I rescued an animal
  • My first impression of a famous landmark
  • My most memorable celebrity encounter
  • My experience with online dating
  • My first car buying experience
  • Deciding my college major
  • Changing career paths
  • My experience with unrequited love
  • Meeting an idol or someone I admire
  • My experience dealing with loss
  • My biggest regret
  • My proudest problem solving moment
  • My favorite concert experience
  • My experience with an act of heroism
  • My first time trying an extreme sport
  • How I overcame my biggest fear
  • My experience with an ethical dilemma
  • My most spiritual experience
  • My most terrifying moment
  • A major turning point in my life
  • My best day ever
  • My worst day ever
  • My experience immigrating to a new country
  • My experience parenting multiples (twins, triplets etc)
  • My funniest travel mishap

As evident, there is no shortage of engaging topics for personal narrative essays. The experiences humans accumulate throughout their lives – whether they make one laugh, cry, or change who one is – are what connects people at one’s core. Hopefully this list has provided some inspiration. Now one can take a chosen story and make it shine by adding rich details, thoughtful reflection, a meaningful central message, and a unique voice. After all, the magic manifests through the telling, and every individual has a one-of-a-kind tale only they can share. So embrace the memories and truths to craft an essay that resonates. Who knows which lives one’s words might touch or perspectives they may broaden? When more narratives are exchanged, perhaps we will begin to see that while specific adventures may differ, at heart most seek similar things – joy, purpose, wisdom, catharsis. And by reading others’ stories, people expand their wells of compassion. So take up the pen and start composing the next great personal narrative. Those words cannot wait to be read!

Related posts:

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  • Daily writing prompts for high school 
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Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — 150+ Great Narrative Essay Topics and Ideas

150+ Great Narrative Essay Topics and Ideas

narrative essay topics

Often during the education process in school or university , we are asked to write an essay. Let’s talk about essays, in particular narrative ones. In a narrative essay, the author tells a story from real life. In this form of essay, the presentation of events in chronological order will not be enough. The authors’ thesis should interest the reader and make the story as vivid as possible so that the reader wants to become a part of the events described and can easily "transfer" to the story . More often such an essay is written in the 1st person in the present or past tense.

There are also other types of essays, such as:

  • Description essays. In such an essay, we describe an object.
  • Definition essays. Here we have one goal - to reveal this or that concept.
  • Illustration essays. Your goal is to prove a statement.
  • Argument essays. Here we give examples of persuasive facts that support your assertion.

Now let's look at the most popular narrative essay topics that we can board you with.

How to Know What Topic You Need?

If you were given a list of essay topics at schools or colleges , it would be logical if you choose a topic that is closer to you, on which you are not averse to reflecting.

If there is no list of topics, and you have only indicated the direction in which you should choose a problem for the essay, you will have to formulate the topic for narrative writing yourself.

Here are some tips on how to choose a topic for your essay:

  • Before defining a narrative essay topic, it is worth finding the author's position. This is the moral instruction of the author, which can be written directly or encrypted in the words or thoughts of the hero-narrator. To find it, one should single out the topic and all the micro-themes in the text, and then formulate moralizing within their framework, that is, the author's position.
  • From the author's position, it is worth asking a special question, that is, a question that requires a general answer, and not a short "yes" or "no". This question will be a problem.
  • It is necessary to find two examples in the text that illustrate the transition from the question to the author's position, that is, to help answer the question posed. This will prove that such a problem is indeed raised by the author.

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas

Now, let’s take a closer look at topics for narrative essay examples you can choose. 

Personal Narrative Essay Topics 

Personal narrative essay examples and ideas are needed when you describe something that you experienced in your life.

  • How To Be a Defensive Driver.
  • A Personal Narrative about Fear Of Heights.
  • My Fear of Failure.
  • The Narrative about Losing My Dad.
  • A Day I Lost My Best Friend.
  • Narrative on Precious Time.
  • What I Did This Summer.
  • Personal Narrative: I Am a Perfectionist.
  • Why Softball Is Important in My Life.
  • Narrative on Vocation.
  • My First Rock Concert.
  • How I Learned to Accept Myself the Way I am.
  • I Helped a Person in Need.
  • My Last Day at School.
  • The Character I Associate Myself with.

Cultural Narrative Essay Topics

Cultural topics for narratives allow you to highlight the topic of culture and at the same time present the story in an interesting way for the reader.

  • Narrative about Mexican Culture.
  • What traditions are unique in your family?
  • Which tradition surprised you the most?
  • How does the media influence our perception of culture?
  • How does culture define a person's personality?
  • What culture do you identify with?
  • What is your favorite holiday?
  • How does your family celebrate Christmas?
  • The Impact of Narrative in English Language and Culture.
  • What holiday has the most sacred meaning for you?
  • What traditions does your family observe on the Easter holidays?
  • Which of the cultural events you attended did you remember the most?
  • What foreign tradition do you like the most?
  • Holiday traditions in your family.
  • Which festival do you like the most?

Narrative Argument Essay Topics 

This type of narrative topics for an essay implies that you need to write about something that has had a big impact on you.

  • Conflict case from your life.
  • What disagreements did you have together with your friend?
  • The case when someone deceived you.
  • Has there been a choice in your life that you regret?
  • Have you been in conflict with other people?
  • A situation where you have to make a difficult decision between right and wrong.
  • Have you been caught doing something bad?
  • Have you ever had to win friends following the rules?
  • Have you ever blamed another person for what you did?
  • Have you helped someone for personal gain?
  • Have you ever played pranks on your friends?
  • What experience can you call the most difficult but important in life?
  • Have you ever been in a car accident?
  • Have you ever been humiliated?
  • Have you ever helped a friend solve his problem?

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics 

  • Have you had to make a difficult decision in life?
  • Have you ever flooded a neighbor's house?
  • Has there ever been a person in your life who has changed it drastically?
  • Would you like to relive any of those days again?
  • Have you ever failed an exam?
  • What was the scariest moment in your life?
  • Have you ever been really sick?
  • Have you ever saved another person's life?
  • Have you ever worked up the courage to visit a haunted house?
  • Have you ever won a prize?
  • What was your first job in life?
  • Have you ever participated in educational student exchange programs ?
  • What do you do when you are all alone?
  • What was your first meeting with the police?
  • Have you ever been to the emergency room?

Personal Experience Narrative Essay Topics 

Here you can describe people or events that influenced you in one way or another.

  • How have you met a special person in your life?
  • The person you enjoy the most.
  • The best place in the neighborhood.
  • The place you'd like to live your whole life.
  • A productive art, you enjoy.
  • What is your first job search ?
  • Your biggest disappointment.
  • Do you remember your first birthday?
  • Narrative on Earthquake: An Earth-Shattering Experience.
  • Have you ever encountered a wild animal?
  • Tell about the first time you got home alone.
  • How did you cook food for the first time?
  • Tell how you helped someone.
  • How did you overcome your fear?
  • Narrative about Video Games.

Relationship Narrative Essay Topics

Relationship narrative stories ideas help to describe our relationship and how our experience has influenced certain events in life.

  • Have you ever fallen in love?
  • What advice would you give to a couple who are just starting their relationship?
  • How would you define family?
  • If you have a best friend, how did you meet?
  • Do you think that your parents are more sensitive than others?
  • What is your attitude towards marriage?
  • Have you ever experienced gender bias?
  • How do you remember deceased family members?
  • What do you know about the origins of your family?
  • Narrative about Friendship.
  • How did you meet your best friend?
  • What can make you end a romantic relationship?
  • Is the community in your area important?
  • Do you think hatred can destroy a relationship?
  • Have you ever experienced intergenerational conflict?
  • What does honesty mean in a relationship?

Childhood Memories

In this type of essay, you need to describe the events and memories of childhood.

  • What was my first pet?
  • What are my first memories?
  • Whom did I look up to as a child?
  • How did I first go to the hospital?
  • My first meeting with my uncle/aunt.
  • The Impact of a Funeral.
  • My first terrible incident.
  • What are my childhood fears?
  • What was the happiest day of my childhood?
  • My first time at the stadium.

Growing Up in High School 

Here you need to recall the most vivid impressions from high school.

  • What lessons were my favorites?
  • Who was my favorite teacher?
  • What role in the school theater did I remember the most?
  • How I lost a sports match.
  • Topics forbidden to me.
  • How did I feel when I failed the exam?
  • How did I feel when I passed the exam with excellent marks?
  • Is commuting to school a routine for me?
  • My best adventure in school.
  • What kind of extracurricular activities do I enjoy the most?

Moral & Ethical Dilemmas

In this type of essay, you have to describe the ideas of the complexity of moral choice.

  • What is your attitude towards pro-life movement: argumentative essay on abortion ?
  • How can we influence the fight against racism?
  • How should a work ethic deal with sexism?
  • Do you think euthanasia should be legal?
  • Why can't war be ethical?
  • What moral issues does workplace automation cause?
  • The Missing Climate Change Narrative Analysis.
  • Is it ethical to have a lot of money?
  • If drugs were legal, would their use be ethical?
  • Is it possible to justify eating meat in the modern world?

College Student Life

Try to describe events and memories from your student's life.

  • Narrative about Reading.
  • My last day with my schoolmates.
  • My favorite course.
  • Meeting my better half.
  • The story of my split-up.
  • My brightest high school moment.
  • How I met my old friend.
  • My favorite professor.
  • Narrative on a Trip: The Wonders of Rome.
  • The most symbolic episode from my college life.
  • The day I moved.
  • Narrative on a Road Trip to Remember.
  • My first impressions of the college campus.
  • How I met my roommate.
  • My first friends at college.

Narrative Essay Topics for Different Grades 

Let’s look at the narrative speech topics for different grades.

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 5

  • My first bicycle ride.
  • My dad is my hero.
  • A day with my grandmother.
  • My first day at school.
  • My best friend.
  • My favorite teacher.
  • A school trip to the zoo.
  • My grandpa’s hands.
  • The most exciting day of school.
  • The best summer vacation.

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 6

  • A memorable teacher.
  • My first trip abroad.
  • A sad story from my childhood.
  • My favorite vacation with my family.
  • A fight with my best friend.
  • My best birthday party.
  • How we celebrate our parents’ wedding anniversary.
  • My first day at a new school.
  • Last Christmas was an interesting story.
  • How I lost my sister.

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 7

  • Something that scared me the most.
  • The best day of my life.
  • Helping a stranger.
  • How I met my best friend.
  • My brother’s wedding.
  • How I got my first pet.
  • Once I called the dean's office.
  • Conflict with my father.
  • Unique family tradition.

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 8

  • School trip to the museum.
  • My best day at school.
  • The most exciting day of summer vacation.
  • Worst day at school.
  • The day I got my first pet.
  • The hour we spent looking at our baby's album.
  • My first attempt at cooking.
  • My first Japanese pastry.
  • My first foreign friend.

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 9

  • A visit to the countryside.
  • How I lost my faith in humanity.
  • A car accident.
  • My friend had an accident.
  • A trip I will never forget.
  • The most enjoyable Christmas.
  • A bad experience that completely changed my behavior.
  • How I used to spend my summer vacations.
  • My experience with a tornado.
  • I got lost in the streets of venus.

Narrative Essay Topics for O Levels

  • A special moment when I got my first bike.
  • A disappointing birthday party.
  • The most embarrassing thing that happened to me.
  • A disastrous date.
  • The moment of success.
  • Growing up in New York.
  • A sporting experience.
  • A random act of kindness.
  • The first six months of COVID-19.
  • The end of my relationship.

Narrative Essay Topics for High School Students

Personal narrative ideas in high school include the classic moments that are stereotypical of the secondary school experience.

  • Special homecoming court moment.
  • A friendship that started long before high school.
  • Prom dress shopping and your self-esteem.
  • Anticipation for graduation.
  • An award or scholarship you received.
  • Participating in a school musical.
  • Coming to America: A Narrative of a Journey of Hope.
  • Your first love.
  • A moment you stood up for what you believed in.
  • How your relationship with your parents changed for the better.

Narrative Essay Topics for Middle School

Middle school is a great time of self-discovery that’s filled with firsts and memorable moments. Use these milestones as the topic for your narrative essay.

  • Making an unlikely friend.
  • How bad relationships help you become a better person.
  • The first time you opened your locker.
  • The teacher that makes you feel smart.
  • Moving from elementary school to middle school.
  • A social media post that inspired you.
  • A news story about a kid/teen that was uplifting.
  • A comment from a teacher that made you feel good.
  • A comment from someone you’re not friends with that made you feel good.
  • Being yourself.

Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

College is another time in your life that’s wrought with self-discovery and seeing the world as it truly is.

  • Frederick Douglass Narrative.
  • Frame Narrative in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
  • Narrative on The Definition of Bravery in Beowulf.
  • A Critical Examination of Social Commentary and Narrative Execution.
  • Examples of community on campus.
  • A test experience that boosts your self-esteem.
  • The moment you realized you were going into the right field.
  • What does a college degree mean to you?
  • College is a microcosm of the world.
  • The feeling of independence.

Conclusion 

Teachers and students are very fond of narrative essay topics, as they are flexible enough that everyone can find a topic that is close to them. If you can’t decide on a topic yourself, then the list that we presented in our material will help you. We sincerely wish you good luck and inspiration for writing the best essay. And the topics we have suggested will help you with this!

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some topics of narrative essay

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Narrative Essays: Examples And Topic Ideas For Students

Writing a narrative essay is a great way to share your life with others. Here, we’ll explore topics that will set you up to write a great narrative essay.

If you’re searching for a list of personal narrative essay topics, you’re likely writing a middle school, high school, or college essay. A personal narrative describes your life experience, usually from the first-person point of view.

There are many different approaches to take to writing a narrative essay. Good narrative essay topics are engaging and can be either serious or silly. A personal narrative is not an argument essay or a persuasive essay; rather, it tells a story from your point of view.

Narrative essay writers are constantly on the lookout for things that happen in their lives that teach a lesson, make a point, or tell a funny story. When brainstorming for the best topic for your narrative essay, think about something that happened in your life that you love sharing with others, and work to translate your story into written prose that will hook your readers.

Here, we’ll explore some of the best narrative essay topic examples and ideas, helping you get your writing started right.

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Narrative Essay Examples

1. the power of potstickers by lauren brown, 2. everyone should have a best friend 30 years older than them by lucy holden, 3. all it takes is a small act of kindness by maddie huiras, 4. a reflection on working in labor & delivery by dr. amos grunebaum, md, 5. pressures of being a first generation american-born citizen by helen bezikyan, narrative essay topic ideas, 1. your first day of high school, 2. how you met your best friend, 3. your best birthday party, 4. your favorite (or most difficult) childhood memory, 5. your most embarrassing moment, 6. how you made a difficult decision, 7. an act of kindness, 8. a tribute to your first pet.

Although I find the exact measurements of recipes comforting, I do my best to add a pinch of this and a dash of that in my meals every so often. It’s how I get to go outside my comfort zone every day. And I see in myself a newfound wisdom: it’s ok to go off the beaten path, you can experiment, compromise can lead to something new and beautiful. My mother’s cooking taught me that and I expect to bring that with me wherever I may go.

In this food-based tribute to her mother’s ingenuity, Brown discusses important family memories while sharing lessons from her mother that she now carries through everyday life. The combination of rich descriptive language with an explanation of how the experience of cooking with her mother shaped her life draws the reader in, helping them to feel like they’re in the kitchen with Brown and her mother.

In short, we adopted each other as confidants and met regularly to discuss life in general. He was more supportive than anyone else I met during the whole three years and stepped out of his remit to give me tailored advice that definitely helped me to get a job in journalism. It was clear from the start that he cared more about what was right for me than what was right for the university league tables, perhaps because he actually knew me. When I told him I was worried that the long days I was doing in the student newspaper office would take a toll on my degree, he told me I could get a first if I wanted one, but thought the student paper stuff would help my career much more. 

It can be hard to find a friend who knows you better than yourself, and Holden discusses that phenomenon in their essay on friendship. She discusses how her friend affected her life during their time together and how he affected her after being separated by distance. In this narrative essay, the author works to describe the feelings she experienced through the ups and downs of their friendship, writing about universal truths that all humans experience in relationships. 

Throughout his life, he had gotten used to dealing with Dyskeratosis congenita, and as life went on, he eventually developed cancer; but even while battling cancer, my dad showed kindness. In fact, on the night before he passed away, even though he knew he wouldn’t be with us for much longer, he tried his best to focus on the positive stuff. 

In this essay, Huiras reflects on the life and death of her father and celebrates his commitment to kindness to others throughout his life. While Huiras narrates the events that led to her father’s death, she also describes how his actions and character significantly affect her life, helping her grow into the woman she wants to be.

Labor & Delivery is getting tears in your eyes when you watch a couple you’ve connected with welcome their baby into the world. Even though you’ve just met and will likely never see each other again, there’s something special about sharing that experience that makes you feel like you’ve known each other forever. Labor & Delivery is a place full of opposites. A woman grieving a devastating loss can be in the room next door to a family celebrating a new addition and 14-year-old mother can be in the room next door to a 45-year-old mother. Regardless of the circumstances, each family that walks through the L&D doors will be forever changed.

In this essay on life behind the doors of the delivery room, Dr. Grunebaum shares what it’s like to both celebrate and grieve with families and how difficult it can be to manage both the chaos and joy that comes with the birth process. If you choose to write an essay about a process so personal as birth, leave out any details that could identify the people involved, as Grunebaum does in this essay. 

The struggles that come with having immigrant parents may include constant seeking of approval, always having to be responsible, as well as immigrant parents discussing the future that they may have already planned for their child. More often than not, immigrant parents constantly remind their child, or children that they expect big and great things from them in the future, which is part of why they came to this country.

In this essay, Bezikyan discusses the unique pressures of being a first-generation American-born citizen. In addition to offering her perspective, she also offers the opinions of others in similar circumstances. This helps to support her opinion and help others see the shared experience of people born to immigrant parents.

Narrative Essay Topics: Your first day of high school

Whether you’re a college or high school student, you likely remember your first day of high school—stepping away from middle school and becoming a young adult. The first day of high school is rife with emotion, and describing your experience can provide your reader with an interesting perspective on how you deal with transition and change.

When describing the big day, use details. Explain how you felt as you walked toward the door, how you felt when you struggled to find your classes, and what it was like opening your new locker for the first time. As you write, you may find it helpful to avoid technical details (like the minute-to-minute scheduling of your classes) and instead focus on unique or tough moments or how accomplished you felt by the end of the day.

Your best friend has been there for you through thick and thin, and writing about how the two of you met can be a fun narrative essay topic, no matter your age or writing level.

As you tell the story of how you met your best friend, describe how your connection grew over time. Perhaps you were thick as thieves right away, or you needed some time to realize that you’d met a lifelong friend. For some inspiration, reach out to your best friend and ask them what they remember from the day you met—it can be fun and fresh to get their perspective on how your first meeting went.

Birthdays are a time to celebrate, and writing about a particularly excellent birthday can be a great topic for your narrative essay. When discussing your best birthday party, include all details, including who you invited, what you ate, and how you celebrated with family and friends.

You may also want to talk about why that particular birthday was so meaningful to you. If it was a landmark birthday (like your sweet 16) or a special event (like your last birthday party at home before you left for college), be sure to mention this, so your reader understands why this event was so significant in your life.

There’s no way around it: traumatic things happen in childhood, and wonderful things happen. Writing about childhood memories can be relatable and provide an instant connection with your readers.

When choosing a favorite childhood memory to write about, think back to memorable times in your life because they’re connected with strong emotions. Perhaps you want to write about when your baby sibling came home from the hospital or your first baseball game.

If you choose to write about a difficult childhood memory, the process for choosing a topic is still the same. Think back to a childhood memory that evokes strong emotion. While writing about a negative childhood memory can be an excellent way to write a compelling personal essay, it can also bring up challenging thoughts and may feel traumatic.

Have a particular time that made you red in the face? Writing about an embarrassing moment is relatable and can provide a humorous topic for your narrative essay.

When writing about your embarrassing moment, it can be helpful if you’re willing to laugh at yourself and find the humor in the situation you went through. Be sure to describe what happened from start to finish, painting a clear picture of the moment for your readers. Describe your emotions as the embarrassing moment occurred, and talk about what happened after the moment was over.

Wrestling with a difficult decision can feel impossible at the moment, and reflecting on the experience of making a difficult decision to your readers can make for an excellent narrative essay topic.

When you’re talking about a difficult decision in your narrative essay, give plenty of background information so that the reader fully understands why you’re wrestling with a tough choice. Don’t give away your decision at the start of the essay; rather, take the reader through your thought process as you had to decide what to do.

Sharing an act of kindness you did with someone else—or a random act of kindness that someone did for you—can provide a warm, fuzzy topic for your narrative essay. When writing about an act of kindness, focus on how the act made you feel, whether you were the giver or the receiver of the act.

Much like writing about meeting your best friend for the first time, it can be helpful to talk about your state of mind before and after the act of kindness occurred. Perhaps you were going through a tough time, and the act of kindness helped to boost your mood. Explaining the emotions that came with the act of kindness and the facts of the situation can help your reader feel connected to your story.

Narrative Essay Topics: A Tribute To Your First Pet

Whether you have a dog, a cat, or something more exotic, many readers will be able to connect with the love that a kid has for their first pet. When writing a narrative essay about your first pet, please explain how you felt the first time you laid eyes on them. This may mean describing when they were first presented to you as a kitten or a puppy or the first time you saw your older rescue pet.

Talk about the qualities you loved most about your pet, whether that was their ability to comfort you after a bad day or how they were never too old or tired to go outside and play frisbee. Focus both on the descriptive qualities of your pet that allow your reader to imagine what they looked like and the emotional qualities that keep your first pet near and dear to your heart to this day.

If you have a pet currently, you can mention them in your narrative essay about your first pet, talking about their qualities that remind you of your first pet. While it can tug at your heartstrings to describe the memory of your first pet, writing about the love you have for an animal is nearly universally relatable, and your readers will love hearing about your fond memories of your furry friend.

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

If you’re still stuck, check out our available resources for  essay writing topics .

some topics of narrative essay

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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100 Narrative Essay Topics

Every month, students start looking for good narrative essay topics, hoping to fulfill their professors’ requirements. Writing assignments is a common academic task all over the world, in every school, college, and university. To get a great grade, in most cases, you have to demonstrate how thorough your research is and how well you understand a complex topic. But narrative papers stand out because of creativity heavily involved in them. There is no need to investigate something — all you have to do is tell a personal story in a compelling way.

Narrative essay prompts are usually autobiographical, so you have to describe your own life. At times, papers could focus on fictional events, but in any case, the most important thing is to disclose the personality of the main character, whether it’s you or some made-up person. Students should describe something that has affected them on a deep level, slowly revealing the lesson they’ve learned. This is the essence of such paper. By analyzing an important situation, writers get a chance to understand how it affected them and what they can do in the future. So, there must be an emphasis on personal growth and an event that caused it. Topics differ — they could include anything from personal life to education, but there are still tips you should follow.

How to Find Personal Narrative Ideas for Best Essay

The first tip lies in understanding the nature of your assignment. Lots of students confuse  narrative essays writing  with short stories writing. Both types are descriptive in nature — they should have vivid details and an alluring style, but the difference is, narration focuses on one specific motif. The point here is to describe what happened and how as well as why it affected you. For choosing an interesting topic, you should think about your past. What made you stronger? What challenge forced you to rethink your life? Perhaps a teacher inspired you to choose a certain profession or a friend’s betrayal made you wary and mistrustful toward other people. Search your mind, consider all relevant happenings, select the most specific and important one, and build solid link between it and its result.

Stimulating your memory is another thing you should keep in mind. Just saying that something happened isn’t enough, you have to describe it as vividly and richly as possible. For that, you should re-create the situation perfectly. Why don’t you discuss it with other involved parties? For example, ask your best friend if they remember how you behaved or what you said during an event. Collect information and add these details to your work, making readers feel as if they were present there with you. Be heartfelt, truthful, follow the standard essay structure, and you won’t face any problems!

100 Narrative Essays Topics for College Students

After hours of creative brainstorming, we created a list with top topic samples for narrative papers. There will be 10 categories with ten themes in each. All of them are interesting and refreshing, and they could serve as an inspiration source for your essay.

Personal Topics

This is the most common category for tasks of this nature. Exploring your inner world and showing what made you the person you are today is extremely interesting, so take a look at these personal narrative topics.

  • Being a Betrayer: Reasons, Pain, Consequences, and Remorse
  • Fighting for a Personal Opinion Even If People Hate It
  • Living in a House Full of Violence
  • Learning to Put Others Above Yourself: Long and Troubling Journey
  • Hobby That Grew to Be a Profession
  • An Unlikely Role Model That Shaped Your Behavior
  • The Most Inspiring Moment From Your Life
  • The World of Books & Their Influence
  • What Is a Soul and How It Affects One’s Personality
  • Panic Attacks, Everlasting Fear, & Ways of Fighting It

Technology and Social Media Narrative Topics

These days, finding a person who wouldn’t be interested in technology is a tough task. Check out top topics for narrative essay about this subject below.

  • My Favorite Social Media Platform and Problems It Brought
  • Being a Young Scientist Among Skeptical Family Members
  • Being Popular Blogger: Dream or Nightmare?
  • The Moment I Knew My Future Will Be Related to Technology
  • Having a Robot for a Pet
  • My Amazing/Terrible Experience with Online Dating
  • Cyberstalking and Doxxing: Small Mistake with Dangerous Consequences
  • Why Sharing Your Password Is a Bad Idea
  • The Worst/Best Email in My Life
  • The Day I Was Caught Using My Phone During a Lesson

Narrative Essays Ideas For College Students

Some narrative essays topics are suitable for college in particular. If this is what you’re searching for, the ideas are below.

  • Public Humiliation and What It Taught Me
  • How Undone Homework Ruined My Entire Day
  • Looking for Work & Not Hearing Back from Employers
  • How I Lost an Important Bet and Had to Face Repercussions
  • Staying Friends with People Who Entered Different Colleges
  • Chance Meeting and How It Changed Everything
  • The Dangers of Plagiarism for College Students
  • Doing Something Illegal & Regretting It
  • The Most Scandalous Party I Have Ever Visited
  • Correcting All Wrongs: Arguing with Professors When It Is Deserved

Narrative Culture Prompts

This is a powerful category with numerous great narrative writing topics ideas. Sample at least some of them.

  • Travelling to the Poorest Regions & Impact It Left on Me
  • Misunderstanding That Happened Due to Cultural Differences
  • Strange Family Traditions We Keep Following
  • How Culture Surrounding Me Affected My Personality
  • Culture of Music and Its Impacts
  • Why I Celebrate Some Holidays Differently From the Rest of the World
  • Foreign Culture I Unexpectedly Found Close To My Heart
  • Culture and Society: How They Are Related
  • Strange Cultural Norms That Shocked Me
  • Why Learning Foreign Languages Helped Me Understand Another Culture

Narrative Topics About Love and Friendship

Everyone wants to love or be loved. These personal narrative essay ideas could help you explore some of such wishes.

  • How It Felt to Be in Love For the First Time
  • Treachery and Betrayals: The Closest People Have Most Power to Hurt You
  • Choosing between a Partner and a Friend: Story of Heartbreak and Recovery
  • Surviving a Break-Up & Becoming Stronger
  • Closest Friends Make the Best Romantic Partners
  • Love as It Is Depicted in Movies vs. Reality and Impact This Difference Had
  • Experience with Being Unloved
  • Having Two Best Friends At Once & Balancing These Relationships
  • Age Difference Between Friends & Stereotypes Surrounding It
  • Maintaining Long-Distance Relationships After Being Separated

Ideas About Life

Sure, this category is very broad, but that means it has plenty of amazing narrative topics.

  • Losing a Loved One and Finding a Way to Move On
  • Understanding Death & Planning Life on the Basis of This Notion
  • Learning How to Be Happy No Matter What
  • My Visit to a Place Devoured by Natural Disaster
  • Near-Death Experience and Its Impact on My Further Life
  • Dreams and Their Value: Night Is My Favorite Time of the Day
  • Surviving Disappointment and Rejection
  • Life with Depression
  • The Time When You Were Sick and Worried You Might Not Recover
  • Role of Fiction in Your Life

Narrative Topics on Education

Getting an education is a difficult stage for some people. Sure, it could be fun, but it could also be brutal, so finding a topic for a narrative essay in this sphere is very easy.

  • Teacher Who Hated Me at First Sight
  • The Worst Paragraph In Your Life: Redoing It Over and Over Again
  • Experience with Writing the Most Complex Essay & What It Taught Me
  • Failing At School and Fearing Punishment At Home
  • Why Teachers’ Indifference Hurts
  • Staying Motivated to Study Despite Personal Problems
  • Fears of High Tuition and Inability to Afford It
  • Does Not Getting Higher Education Mean You Would Be Unemployable?
  • Combining Parties with Studying: Why It Does Not Work
  • How Researching a Topic for Academic Project Can Transform One’s Life

Prompts For High School

Some levels of topics are easier than others. Take some of these narrative essay ideas if you’d like to be done with your essay sooner rather than later.

  • The Thing I Spent All My Birthday Money On
  • Cheating During Exams: What It Could Result In
  • The Happiest Holiday In Your Life
  • How Having a Pet Has Changed the Course of My Life
  • Developing Empathy and Lessons Acquired After This Process
  • Why Age-Related Stereotypes Hurt
  • Having a Hobby Many People Deem Shameful
  • My First Visit to Church & Why It Had a Profound Impact On Me
  • Why Childish Dreams Often Lead Nowhere
  • How Doing Homework With My Parents Made Me Feel

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Social Issues Topics for Narrative Essay

Our world is full of problems. If this bothers you, too, check the following ideas for narrative essay.

  • The Day I Witnessed A Person Being Bullied
  • Being Raised in a Homophobic Family & The Wounds It Inflicted On Me
  • When the World Is Bitterly Unfair and There Is Nothing You Could Do
  • People Eating Meat & Ignoring the Slaughter of Billions of Animals Hurts
  • Cruelty Among Teenagers Is Often Worse Than What Adults Do
  • Weight Shaming: Why I Used to Be Embarrassed about Being Myself
  • How I Learned About Feminism and What It Meant For Me
  • Ways in Which Gender Bias Affects Everything I Do
  • Story of How I Was Catcalled When Walking Down the Street & Why It Terrified Me
  • My Parents Always Violate My Privacy by Looking Through My Things and Online Posts

Funny and Interesting Narrative Prompts

Sometimes nothing is inspiring enough. If this is a problem you’ve faced, look at these interesting narrative ideas!

  • Reasons Why All My Closest Neighbors Hate Me
  • My Ghost Story: How I Stumbled Upon Something I Cannot Understand
  • Winning a Lottery: Delight & Sadness That Came With It
  • Being Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere
  • The Time I Got Lost in the Woods & How I Escaped
  • First Time Being Hospitalized and Why I Never Want to Repeat That Experience
  • An Amazing Day That I Would Love to Live Through Again
  • Why Few People Know What I Do In My Free Time
  • The Most Difficult Decision I Ever Had to Make
  • The Time I Cried and Could Not Make Myself Stop

Share a Personal Story and Get Great Results

Narrative papers are something students should enjoy writing. It’s a chance to tell their professors more about themselves and test their creativity. Look for those topics for a narrative essay that make your heart beat faster. Add personal details, describe them, and you’re almost guaranteed to get a positive reaction. But if for any reason you don’t think this is an assignment you could do, it’s not a problem either! We offer professional help with papers of all kinds, and we have experts who could produce a perfect creative narration you and your professor would love. Drop us a word, explain the topic you need (or tell us if we should find it ourselves), and receive an essay that’s ready to be submitted!

Can’t come up with a topic for you paper? We’ve prepared a collection of essay topics for you

Want to write a winning essay but lack experience? Browse our free essay samples

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some topics of narrative essay

50 Engaging Narrative Essay Topics for High Schoolers

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What’s Covered:

Narrative essays vs. analytical essays, how to pick the right narrative essay topic, elements of a strong narrative essay, engaging narrative essay topics for high schoolers, where to get your narrative essay edited for free.

Narrative essays are an extensive form of writing that gives readers the opportunity to follow along as a person goes through a journey or sets of experiences. Rather than providing analytic insight, narrative essays simply share a story and offer a first-person account. These essays may seem easy to write at first, but it takes a certain finesse to write a narrative essay that is interesting, cohesive, and well-researched. Whether you’re looking for a unique topic to write about, or just want some new inspiration, CollegeVine is here to help! These 50 narrative essay topics are engaging, unique and will have you writing in no time.

A narrative essay is a great way to express your personal experiences and opinions, but it is important to remember that this type of essay is different from an analytical paper. In a narrative essay, you do not need to provide background information or explain your thoughts and feelings; instead, you simply tell a story. It’s important to avoid too much telling in your writing; instead, use creative details and vivid imagery to make readers feel as if they are actually right there with you.

Where You Will Encounter Narrative Essays

This type of essay is typically encountered in high school, where students may be required to write personal statements to prepare for their Common App essay . Narrative essays are also commonly seen in AP Language and Composition. Therefore, it’s important you are aware of the style because you are bound to have a narrative essay assignment.  

Of course, before you start writing, it is important to pick the right essay topic. There are many factors involved in the process of picking the perfect narrative essay topic for your story.

You should always choose a topic that you are passionate about, since writing on something you care about will make the process much easier. Not only will it be more interesting to create your paper around something that truly interests you, but it will also allow you to fully express yourself in your essay. You also want to be sure that the topic has enough material to work with. If your chosen topic is too short, you will not have enough content to write a complete paper. For example, if you are writing about your experience getting lost at the mall, make sure that you have enough information to work with to craft an engaging narrative. 

The best topic for an engaging narrative essay is one that focuses on showing versus telling, has a clear structure, and provides a dialogue. These elements come together to form an engaging narrative essay. Regardless of what subject you pick, any topic may be turned into a fascinating, A+ worthy narrative using the tips below.

Show, Don’t Tell

To write a good narrative essay, it’s important to show, not tell. Instead of simply informing your audience, show them what you mean. For example, instead of saying “I was nervous,” you could say “My heart began to race and my stomach filled with butterflies.” Also make sure to use sensory details, such as sights, sounds and tastes, and include a personal reflection at the end of your narrative. 

Begin with a Strong Opening Line

A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: “My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles. I mean, he even used circular note cards.” Or, “It all started the day my mom brought home a guinea pig.”

Follows a Three-Act Structure

A strong narrative essay follows the same three-act structure as other essays. But in order to make it interesting, you’ll need to come up with a creative way to break things down into sections. For example, using the guinea pig example from above, you could write the following:

  • Act 1 – Introduction: The day my mom brought home a guinea pig.
  • Act 2 – Conflict: The day I had to say goodbye to my beloved pet.
  • Act 3 – Conclusion: Looking back at how much I miss him now that he’s gone.

Conclude with Personal Reflection

To conclude your narrative essay, you’ll want to explain what this specific experience taught you or how you’ve changed. For example, upon realizing that her pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles, the writer of the previous example begins to notice circular shapes everywhere. Another way to conclude your narrative essay is by touching on how this experience impacted you emotionally. For example, after losing his guinea pig, the writer explains how much he missed it.

Use Dialogue

Include a conversation in your essay to make it come alive. For example, instead of simply saying that you met a new friend, talk about how you introduced yourselves or what they were wearing when you met them.

some topics of narrative essay

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The following list of 50 narrative essay topics is divided into categories. This will make it easier to find a topic that fits your writing style.

1. What is a childhood song that still sticks with you today?

2. Your first day of Kindergarten

3. Talk about a time when you’re siblings looked up to you

4. Describe the best birthday party you’ve ever had

5. Talk about the best day you ever spent with a childhood friend

6. Explain your first childhood hobby

7. Describe your first halloween costume

8. A family vacation gone wrong

9. Your first family reunion

10. Describe a tradition that is unique to your family

11. Describe your family to a person who’s never met them before

12. What frustrates you most about your family

13. If you could only keep one memory of your family, what would it be and why?

14. Describe a time your family embarrassed you in public

15. The most beautiful place in the world

16. Your favorite season and why

17. If you were a part of nature, what element would you be? Why?

18. When you go outside, which of your senses are you most thankful to have?

19. Describe the first time you witnessed a tornado 

20. Write a poem about your favorite season

21. Describe yourself as one of the four seasons

22. Describe a time in which you felt connected with nature

23. Describe the first time you played an instrument and how you felt

24. What major event would be much worse if music was removed, and why?

25. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

26. What would a life without music look like?

27. If you could master one instrument, what would it be and why?

Relationships

28. What if you had never met your best friend?

29. Describe a time when you fixed a broken relationship

30. Talk about a movie that defined a relationship for you

31. Describe your first date

32. Describe the first time you made a friend

33. Describe your relationship with your parents

Self Reflection

34. Have you ever fooled someone? If so, describe what happened and how you felt about it

35. What is the worst thing you’ve done to someone else?

36. Write about the difference between how things seem and how they really are. 

37. Have you ever been embarrassed in some way? If so, describe the situation and how it affected you as well as those around you

38. Have you ever witnessed something really beautiful? Describe it

39. Is your glass half empty or half full?

Overcoming Adversity 

40. Have you ever been very afraid of something but tried your hardest to appear fearless? If so, describe that experience

41. When have you ever succeeded when you thought you might fail

42. What are your secret survival strategies?

43. Describe the last time you were stressed and why?

44. Describe a time when you were discriminated against

45. The most memorable class you’ve had and why

46. Your favorite study abroad memory

47. Describe your kindergarten classroom

48. Describe your first teacher

49. The first time you experienced detention

50. Your first field trip

Hopefully these topics will get you thinking about a personal experience that could make for a thoughtful and engaging narrative essay. Remember, a strong narrative essay must contain relatable details and a clear flow that keeps the reader entertained and engaged to read all the way to the end.

If you need some additional guidance on your narrative essay, use CollegeVine’s free peer review essay tool to get feedback for free!

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some topics of narrative essay

218 Narrative Essay Topics

218 narrative essay topics

When some high school students get a narrative essay for their homework, they believe they must air out their laundry, but that's rarely the case. Anyone can create a beautiful and captivating story that describes memorable events in fine detail.

Your narrative essay could also be about your role model. The first thing you must do to come up with a masterpiece is to take your time coming up with great narrative essay topics. You can find numerous ideas online but scroll on to find the best selection prepared by experts.

Before you rummage around old assignments for a topic idea, look at this list of interesting narrative essay topics. They will inspire you in unimaginable ways and get you on your way to writing that masterpiece. Without further ado, let's get to the best narrative essay topics for your assignment!

Woman holding up a light bulb drawing sign written narrative topics

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas • Narrative Essay Titles

The greatest responsibility you have when writing narrative essays is to make sure you are impressionable. This means writing great narrative essay topics. Let's get those juices flowing with some ideas for the essay.

  • The most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you
  • The most embarrassing experience in the Iraq war
  • An experience that gave you business acumen
  • Your most frightening experience as a child
  • An experience that showed you the value of trust
  • How you learnt to overcome fear
  • An unpleasant experience that showed you an important life lesson
  • A harrowing experience that taught you to appreciate life
  • One memorable day with a family member
  • A personal narrative concerning a success story

While some are pretty straightforward, others are a bit of a thinker. You have the liberty to experiment with these topics by conducting a bit of research. For example, you could come up with life lessons from a memorable trip with family members. Go try it out. We'll explore some more personalized essay topics in the next section.

Light bulb placed on blackboard written narrative essay topics

Best Narrative Essay Topics: Funny, Personal, Literacy, and Fictional Ideas

Are you looking for material for your research paper? Researching an engaging story is crucial to engaging high school students and faculty with your writing. Read this part for timely answers to questions on the best topic ideas for funny, literacy, personal, and fictional ideas.

  • My virgin flight to Asia
  • Best memories of my high school
  • My hopes upon completing college
  • A memorable trip to Mexico
  • A friend in disguise: sheep-in-wolf clothing
  • An accident I was involved in
  • The journey ahead: Living through end-stage capitalism
  • A life-changing event that happened in high school
  • An experience with cybercrime and its personal effects
  • Experiencing unequal employment opportunities as a teenager
  • My favorite meal: Barbequed meat with anything on top
  • Experiencing psychological torture as a teenage American
  • How I maintain an effective work-life balance
  • The most important life lesson I got from school
  • My realization of the existence of double-faced people
  • The most memorable people in my life
  • How I survived a shark attack
  • How do I keep my personal and professional lives separate?
  • My favorite teacher in grade school
  • My experience with Covid-19: physical, social, and economic issues
  • My most memorable punishment at home
  • My proudest moment in life

Woman hanging face masks next to a blackboard written personal narrative essay topics

Personal Narrative Essay Topics

Look at some of these personal narrative essay ideas that will hit home and spur up an idea or two about an experience you think would capture your audience.

  • The reason why I love my family
  • The toughest decision I ever made
  • My favorite meditation spot: outdoors
  • A complete day in the life of John Smith
  • The best moment of my entire life
  • The moment I will treasure in my life forever
  • The best decision I have ever made
  • How do I overcome my fears and turn them into strengths
  • Why I don't particularly appreciate going to college
  • My experience with racism as an international student
  • My neighborhood's experience with the 2009 market crash

That last one was a bit of a stretch. But you get the idea. The possibilities are endless; all you have to think about is an experience in your life, and personal narrative essay topics are all around us. You just need a hot cup of coffee, a notebook, and a pen. Brainstorm ideas from different experiences in your life, and you'll find tons of them if you dig a bit deeper.

Well, it's not an exact science, but it is a pretty good way to open your mind to ideas and develop different topics for your essay. If you're stuck, some help might, well, help. You can buy narrative essays online . You'll get a well written research paper on time. Now, let's see some fictional narrative essay topics and ideas to see further how you can create your unique one.

Woman holding Harry Potter book and text written, “writing a fictional narrative essay’ beside her

Fictional Narrative Essay Ideas

Now this is where things start to get interesting. You can come up with any number of these. A story you heard from your best friend? Or a narrative essay topic on the most embarrassing moment you can place a human being. Go nuts with this one. Let's give you some insights into what you can consider writing on.

  • Our worst "boys' trip" ever
  • Stuck in the middle of nowhere without gas
  • A terrible dream that morphed into reality
  • How your best friend turned into your enemy
  • How your friend was stuck in a foreign country
  • An exciting story about your day at the horse tracks
  • Personal stories from your grandpa
  • How your favorite teacher helped with your first job interview
  • A major turning point in your life
  • A significant challenge facing your community
  • Favorite childhood games that instilled adult character
  • A weird encounter with a stranger on a train
  • Dealing with a daunting task during the summer
  • A Christmas present you'll never forget
  • The first pet you owned
  • A random act that changed your perspective on life
  • The first person to start a community health center in your neighborhood

You could get a few tips from this list for your next fictional essay topics.

Concrete stairs next to text written, ‘good narrative essay topics for college students’

Good Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

Take a look at some narrative essay topic ideas that benefit university students.

  • My best memory when in college
  • My favorite unit in college
  • The most memorable incident in my life
  • My favorite professor in college
  • A reminder to my older self
  • My favorite author in business
  • A letter to future me
  • The best roommate I had in college
  • My best research project to date
  • The best team member I had for a research project
  • The best party I attended in college
  • A life-threatening escape during a summer trip
  • The best food I had in college
  • The best trip I had in college
  • How one event changed everything in my school
  • My final day in college

These are but a few of the many topics about college you could write a narrative essay on. Personal experiences are the best because you only have to rely on memory, but looking at it from an outsider's viewpoint helps relate to the reader. Now let's check out some narrative essay topics you can enjoy writing on as a high school student.

White paper written, 'once upon a time'

Narrative Essay Topics for High School Students

Use this guide as you come up with a narrative paper to generate essay ideas for your personal narrative topic. You are bound to come up with an interesting story if you immerse yourself in the experience. Here are some personal experiences to help you start writing narrative essay topics that'll guide you through high school.

  • My first day in junior high
  • A terrible experience with a movie character at my high school
  • How modern school environments almost gave me mental health issues
  • My favorite subject in high school
  • Interesting topics we learnt about in my literature unit
  • The most amazing farewell party
  • The best welcome party in high school
  • The best teacher in my high school
  • The two buddies in my high school
  • The best decision I made for college life in high school
  • The worst mistake I made in middle school
  • The best streets we visited in my high school days
  • The best teammate I met in high school
  • The most amazing thing I learnt in high school
  • The final exam in my high school
  • How my last day went at my high school

You can write tons of other topics on ideas, such as your best friend, or come up with narrative essay topics involving less personal narrative ideas that border more on fiction than reality. Let's now dive into some topics you could write about as a K-level student.

Image showing a child reading a story book with text written “narrative essay ideas for kids” at the top

Narrative Essay Ideas for Kids

As is the case with university students, writing narrative essays takes practice and depends on the level a student is on. Here's how we'll cover each of the narrative essay topics for each grade level.

Level: Grade 1

Level: grade 2, level: grade 3, level: grade 4, level: grade 5, level: grade 6, level: grade 7, level: grade 8, level: grade 9, level: grade 10, level: grade 11, level: grade 12.

Take a look at some essay writing topics for grade 1 kids.

  • A day at the beach
  • After-school games
  • An important person at school
  • A day in the library
  • Food I do not like at school
  • A day at the park with my family
  • Games we play at recess
  • My neighbor's dog, Butch
  • What makes plants grow
  • How to make my favorite snack
  • How to talk to new people
  • The reason I like summer
  • My favorite hobby for Saturdays
  • How I spend my weekend
  • How to ride a bike
  • My favorite toy in the world
  • A day in the summer heat
  • The best vacation last summer
  • A wonderful place to go
  • The best treehouse in our yard
  • A sport I'd like to continue playing
  • A trip on the train
  • Amazing facts about birds
  • The most amazing pony at the fair
  • A trip to the supermarket

Two children holding books on their heads

  • Activities resulting from outdoor fun
  • What you can do when you're indoors
  • Amazing facts about airplanes
  • An important person in the government
  • The tiger: an amazing animal
  • The best after-school games
  • A day at the public library
  • Dancing to music at home
  • Food I find odd and disgusting
  • How to make my favorite dinner
  • The best toy to own right now
  • A cartoon character that I like
  • A day in the Moroccan desert
  • A great place to visit in the summer
  • The best friend I never saw
  • The wooden treehouse in my backyard
  • The best place to visit in spring
  • A song that I like
  • A trip on an airship
  • An important time in history
  • A secret place I visit
  • A trip on a monorail
  • Why do I find spiders creepy?
  • Creatures that live in the desert
  • Why dumping plastic is bad for the environment
  • Going fishing with my father
  • Going to the dentist
  • Why I want to be famous
  • How to cure hiccups
  • I don't understand why we pollute the environment
  • What I use a computer to do
  • My best childhood games
  • A school trip to the zoo
  • A toy I have kept for many years
  • Is pollution reversible if we continue using coal?
  • What a new student to my school needs to know
  • The best dream I have ever had
  • The best trip I have ever taken
  • How I see myself five years from now
  • The impact of sharing with friends
  • What I would do if I were the principal for a day?
  • A big accident on the road
  • Can American farmers feed everyone?
  • How would I define the word honesty?
  • I am the president for the day. Here is what I would do
  • How can I change bad behaviors?
  • My favorite chores
  • My participation in tree planting outside the school
  • My bedroom, from the door to all four walls
  • The craziest hairstyle I have ever had
  • One thing I want to do after finishing the 8th grade
  • A big problem in the energy sector is...
  • A cool new store in our neighborhood
  • Dear governor
  • Discover nature in Singapore
  • My favorite teacher in gym class
  • My favorite band as a small child
  • Pet peeves that my best friend has
  • The worst meal I ever ate
  • The worst shave I ever had
  • The best picture day in my school
  • A day I will never forget
  • A friend I will always cherish
  • A project I am working on
  • A typical evening at my house
  • How Abraham Lincoln changed history
  • A great scientific breakthrough
  • An invention that transformed how we communicate
  • Causes of global warming in the world
  • Coping with many brothers and sisters
  • My Website on good etiquette
  • How a motorbike works
  • How a crankshaft works in an engine
  • A trip to the NASA space station
  • If I had superpowers, I would...
  • Is pollution a necessary evil?
  • My first encounter with a cyberbully
  • My dream car since I was a child
  • My dream house will have...
  • I admit it: I enjoy professional basketball
  • Overcoming health problems related to gymnastics
  • What did Americans make in Detroit?
  • What makes pollution a danger in Australia?
  • Environmentally-friendly ways to mine for petroleum
  • Is fracking bad for the environment?
  • What animals can teach people
  • Tools I will need for my future dream job
  • What if there were no school sports?
  • The best summer job in my existence
  • We all make mistakes
  • The hardest thing I have ever done
  • A funny thing that happened in 7th grade
  • Do not let obstacles keep you from your goal
  • The influence of greed in corporate America
  • Foods I love during a hot day
  • A change that would help you get better grades
  • The summer job that I regret most
  • Putting my foot in my mouth at the fair
  • The argument for alternative sources of energy
  • Something our community really needs is...
  • If it's a rule, it's right...right?

cartoon image of a man sited while pointing up at a light bulb and text written, ‘coming up with good topic ideas’ above him

Coming Up With Good Topic Ideas

The thought of writing sends a chill down many students' spines. Academic papers can be intimidating, but you only need to eliminate writer's block and unleash your writing potential. To this end, you may not have a clue about what you are writing about. You will likely have no problems flowing with a topic with which you have information ready. Use different strategies to come up with narrative essay topics that address your issues. Find what works best for you and which learning style suits you best.

Here are some steps you can follow to develop your narrative essay topics.

  • Understand your assignment
  • Determine the assignment's purpose
  • Use a provided list

1. Understand Your Assignment

You must understand the length of your narrative essay and what type is required for your assignment to score highly. You must also discern the research level needed to determine your research scope.

2. Determine the Assignment’s Purpose

Your assignment's purpose will help you determine the type of paper you are writing. For instance, writing an argumentative essay topic will differ from developing personal narrative essay topics. Learn to recognize terms like describe, contrast, analyze, compare, and synthesize to determine what your teacher wants.

3. Use a Provided List

Your instructor may provide you with a list. Occasionally, choose a topic from the given list that interests you. Your instructor will have checked the scope and breadth of the research and seen that such papers elicited great narrative essay topics in the past. When given a list, one good habit of writing narrative essay topics that appeal to your audience is to write the main argument and a thesis for the topics and compare them for scope and breadth.

Select a topic that comes naturally and where you have greater insight to develop a good narrative essay.

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295 personal narrative ideas: diverse topics for your essay.

January 6, 2022

295 Personal Narrative Ideas

Personal narrative writing involves writing about a real-life experience. It’s like non-fiction. You’re writing a story about yourself because it happened to you. At some point, your stories are the perfect personal narrative writing ideas because they are yours.

This way, you get to connect with people. As a student in high school, college, middle school, or university, you can impress your teachers or professors with good personal narrative topics. By choosing the perfect topic, you can create a stellar essay to earn high grades.

Characteristics of a Good Personal Narrative Piece

As a kind of writing which relies on individual experience, your story must:

Have a Clear Purpose This could be a narration of why the story is important to you. The purpose of the story must be clearly expressed without making direct statements about it. Organized Facts and Events The fact you are writing a story about your life doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be organized. You should write sequentially as much as possible to make it organized and lucid. Sensory Description You must also describe your feeling in a way the audience can connect with it. If you need to describe how the cold touch of rain sliced through your skin on a winter dawn, do it. Let your audience feel it as much as you felt it. Involve Readers Your readers must feel important while reading your story. To achieve this, your story must carry them along. If there’s something you need to explain, explain it to make everything clear to them. Include Conflict A story is incomplete without conflicts. This is why you must create enthralling conflicts for your characters. The higher the stake, the better the feelings when the protagonist scales through it.

All these, in addition to a thesis statement are all important features that must be seen in any personal narrative writing.

The Structure of a Personal Narrative Essay

After knowing what your personal essay must have as its features, you must also structure your essay properly. To do this, you should follow this organizational structure:

  • Introduction

This is where you grab your readers’ attention. You should set the scene where major characters of the story are also introduced. After this, discuss the role of the argument and introduce the characters. Your introduction must be captivating. Note that you’re writing a story, not a paper.

This is where everything about the story is shared. You must add all the details you know to your story. For instance, the hiking experience must be profoundly discussed, and so do the events that changed you. If you also want to talk about people, describe them. Doing this lets you show your readers, not tell them the story. When you need to change the course of the story, you can write in a new paragraph.

Our list will be extremely helpful to start your essay, but we can assist you even more along the whole process if you want to pay for essay online and save your time for something more entertaining.

Personal Narrative Writing Prompts

As students, one of the most important essays you may ever write is a personal narrative one. This is one of the ways to reveal yourself to strangers and friends. It’s a way to knows more about yourself and other people. You can consider these ideas for a personal narrative piece:

  • Identify your most threatening challenges
  • What would you say are your survival strategies?
  • How do you cope when you fail?
  • Would you say that you can’t succeed unless you fail?
  • Discuss what you do to achieve your goals
  • Do you think “leave your comfort zone” is a sham?
  • What do you think about yourself when you’re scared?
  • Would you say you don’t mind loneliness?
  • What does crying mean to you?
  • What are your fears?
  • Do you harbor superstitions, what are they?
  • Do you feel no one is seeing you as they should
  • Write about your rules for life
  • Write about your response to bullies
  • Write about how you give yourself peace
  • How do you relax within the limited time you have to yourself?
  • What do you do for fun?
  • How do you integrate feedback to improve?
  • Would you say becoming an adult is difficult?
  • What is the responsibility that scares you the most and why?
  • When was your saddest day and why was it?
  • How does stress not make anything easy for you?
  • Do you act anyhow when you’re provoked?
  • How do you perform under pressure?
  • Can you discuss what makes you happy?
  • Discuss what criticism means and how you take them in
  • Discuss what your decision-making process is like
  • Explain what motivates you the most
  • Do you think you have self-control
  • Are you presently easy or hard on yourself to reach your goals?
  • Can you work under any circumstances?
  • Do you think you’re a creative person?
  • What are the conditions that helped you maximize your potentials
  • Would you say you’re emotionally intelligent?
  • Would you say you can perform the most when you collaborate
  • Are you ready for the competitive workplace?
  • Would you say you’re a great speaker?
  • Would you say you’re a better listener?
  • Do you think you’re an agreeable person?
  • Discuss what you think about peer pressure.

Personal Narrative Essay Ideas

For your personal essays, how do you discover great essay ideas? You can consider custom personal narrative prompts which are unique to specific events. Some of the topics which are target-oriented are:

  • Discuss a time you took more risks than others
  • What makes you a daredevil?
  • What has made you brave?
  • Would you say you’re impulsive?
  • Discuss your strategies against boredom
  • What are the pranks you’ve ever fallen for
  • How do you apologize when you’re wrong?
  • Do you think you’re a cynical person?
  • Discuss three things that annoy you
  • Would you say you’re materialistic?
  • Do you consider yourself a minimalist?
  • How do you say goodbye?
  • Are you on the right or the left?
  • What do you think people think about you?
  • Why do you think what others think should matter?
  • Write about your role model
  • Would you say you’re weird?
  • Would you say you’re a nonconformist?
  • Do you believe in magic?
  • Why should you be inspired by people?
  • Do you think your role models are heroes?
  • Would you think role models must be famous
  • Outside your family, are you a different person?
  • Within your family, do you want to be someone else?
  • Which live show do you love the most?
  • Discuss how someone has made a difference in your life
  • What are the kinds of music you like?
  • Discuss what you’d put in a thank you note
  • Write what you’d do if you’re to invite your enemies to dinner
  • Recall a time to speak to a large audience of people and write how it felt
  • Do you think family is everything?
  • Do you think you can’t be anything without family?
  • Would you say you want to change your role in the family?
  • What are the programs that keep you closer?
  • If your life would be a movie, which of the autobiographies would it be?
  • Choose a profession of your choice and discuss why
  • What do you think about sacrifice?
  • Discuss a family treasure
  • Would you say you have hobbies someone has adopted
  • Why are you called your name?

Personal Narrative Ideas High School

As high school students, you also need to develop personal narrative essays. These could be essays about your parents, neighbors, or your home. Choose from these personal narrative ideas for high school students:

  • Describe your relationship with your parents?
  • Would you say your parents permit you?
  • Discuss the freedom your parents give you
  • Do you think your curfew hours make it difficult to live?
  • Would you say you enjoy your parents, why?
  • Would you prefer to be a parent too?
  • What do your parents do with your bad report card?
  • Would you say parenting is difficult?
  • Do your parents like online learning?
  • Are your parents hard on you to do things?
  • Do you think parenting could be something to be embarrassed by?
  • How did your parents influence the school you attended?
  • Do your parents let you create things on your own?
  • Do you think you have great teachers and patients?
  • What will your neighbors say about you?
  • Which characters perfectly describe your neighbors and why?
  • What is a common slogan in your environment?
  • What are the TV shows you can’t stop watching?
  • What do you think about supporting community sport?
  • Write about the mayor of your city
  • Where is your favorite place?
  • Write about your favorite joint
  • Write about a park you love
  • Discuss how you spend time with nature
  • Would you say you see bad things every day?
  • Do you love your home?
  • What is your favorite ad slogan and why?
  • What does chatting with the police feel like?
  • Have you ever been assaulted?
  • Do you think you’re easily annoyed?

Personal Narrative Topic Ideas

If you’d love to discuss anything at all, there are tons of custom ideas on narrative writing. Some personal narrative ideas are also based on religion, sexuality, race, and many other issues of the world today. Consider:

  • Would you say you have no religion?
  • Do you think the older generations are too religious?
  • Write about how you know about other religions
  • Write about what you know about other religions
  • Discuss the difference between male and female
  • Do you acknowledge the rights of trans people?
  • Do you think the LGTBQ is complicated?
  • Will you share parental responsibilities?
  • What do you know about sex?
  • What do you know about gender issues?
  • What is your experience of love?
  • How does being a ‘real man’ feel?
  • Do you think you can be biased?
  • Is there a difference in the ways sons and daughters are treated in the home?
  • Should there a more pressure on daughters than men
  • Discuss your racial identity and why it’s important to talk about it
  • Would you say you’re a feminist?
  • Discuss your encounter with sexual harassment
  • Discuss what you think about catcalling
  • What do you think about social hierarchies?
  • Discuss the last time you interacted with someone of another race
  • Do you think you have racial biases too?
  • Would you say you experienced racism before, as black
  • Which one is more important to you: money or love
  • Are you happy with yourself?
  • Would you say money can’t buy happiness too?
  • What do you pay attention to the most in the world?
  • Do you think it’s okay to be addicted to phones
  • How do you teach people about money?
  • What are the most important things in your life?

Personal Narrative Writing Ideas

As an attempt to discuss something that deals with people’s daily affairs, good ideas for personal narrative may be hard to come by. Rather than go through the trouble of finding how to think of ideas for a personal narrative, these are custom ideas for you:

  • What are the things that matter most for you?
  • Narrate what you hope to have in your dream home
  • Narrate your experience as if you’d lived in the woods
  • Narrate your most fun childhood memory
  • Discuss what your passion was as a child
  • Explain what you loved most as a child
  • Write about your favorite childhood shows and books
  • Discuss your favorite childhood picture book
  • Write about your childhood influences
  • Discuss your childhood most loved places
  • Discuss the little things your parents did they made you happy
  • Write about the first time you went out with your parents
  • Narrate your experience of a swing
  • What was your favorite song as a child? Write a response to it
  • Which food do you wish you’d eaten as a child
  • Narrate what made a gift the best you ever had
  • Write about what your most memorable letter
  • Write about the divorce of a family friend or neighbor
  • Discuss the consequence of separation from a state
  • Write about how migrated from a place to another
  • Write about how angry your father or mother could be at themselves
  • Write about your favorite memories of sleepovers
  • How did it feel when you found something you thought you’d lost?
  • What are your most prized lessons of teenage years?
  • Would you do something else differently not as an adult when you were 13?
  • Narrate the achievements that made you proud
  • Discuss the rites you engaged in
  • Write about your message to the older generation
  • Write a message to the younger generation
  • Describe yourself as if you’re a 13-year-old right now
  • Share a story of your ethical dilemma
  • Discuss your sex experience; whether you had it not
  • Write about something you cared about that you shouldn’t have
  • Write about something you didn’t care about but you should have
  • Discuss the last time you collected money from a stranger
  • Write about the last time a stranger kissed you
  • Discuss your memorable lying experience
  • Narrate your experience with drugs
  • Explain your experience with gossiping
  • Have you ever cheated in exams?

Personal Narrative Ideas College

As a college student, you can also develop incredible personal narrative pieces. Through these pieces, you can connect with your colleagues and share your ideas. Consider these personal narrative prompts:

  • Why did you choose the screen time you chose?
  • What would you do without a smartphone?
  • Narrate your gaming experiences and the thrill you feel
  • Write about the apps that do nothing but reduce you
  • Would you say tech takes a huge responsibility for change in your life?
  • Would you say you are interested in technology?
  • What is your experience of religion?
  • What is your experience of God?
  • Narrate if you’ve had an encounter with God or religion before
  • Explain what you’d do if you have control over others
  • Narrate what you would control if you can
  • Narrate what you can do without thinking otherwise
  • What would you say are your best features of YouTube
  • Narrate your experience of a date over the internet
  • Narrate your experience of seeking to advice online
  • Discuss your favorite online sports
  • Write about your online sad story
  • Write about a terrible experience of bullying online
  • Discuss how you fact check what you read online
  • Write about how you express yourself online
  • Would you say you trust Wikipedia?
  • Would you say you enjoy online reviews?
  • What is your comment on porn?
  • Would you give your passwords out?
  • If you have a partner, will you share everything?
  • What would you do if you just made a fraudulent purchase?
  • Do you chat with anonymous people?
  • How do you keep your passwords safe?
  • Are there things your parents won’t believe that is on the internet?
  • Write about why you trust social media
  • What is your favorite Facebook experience?
  • What is your favorite Twitter experience?
  • What is your experience of wrong grammar structure online?
  • Did you ever go through Instagram feeds with envy?
  • Did you ever download a stranger’s picture because you like them?

Personal Narrative Ideas for Middle School

At this stage, you have also had plausible experiences of life. What can you say about your life, or your experiences? You can write from these interesting personal narrative ideas:

  • What do you know about poo divas and who’s your favorite?
  • Write about your first karaoke performance
  • Write about the artists you’d like lined up
  • Narrate your earliest connection with music
  • Narrate your earliest experience of music
  • Write about the most loving but sad thing that ever happened to you
  • Why do you avoid people?
  • Narrate your experience of being stalked
  • Discuss how you think social media has been abused
  • Tell a story about your most favorite songs
  • Tell a story about the music which has inspired you the most
  • Which television show would you bring back?
  • Which of your childhood commercials is your favorite?
  • Why do you prefer cartoons?
  • Discuss how television helped your family stay together
  • Narrate the work nature of your parents
  • Discuss your experience of being cheated
  • Which music star do you love?
  • Which music tells you about life?
  • Which artist tells stories the most?
  • How does the music you listen to Influence you?
  • Narrate what you think are the best period of your life yet
  • Narrate your favorite movies
  • Narrate a public performance experience
  • Discuss the bad things about horror movies
  • Write about your favorite comedians
  • Narrate your experience of gaming
  • Would you play violent games?
  • Do you think zombies are real?
  • Do you feel guilty or excited that you kill zombies?

Good Ideas for a Personal Narrative Essay

If you need to discuss cool events and languages, there are good personal narrative topics for you. Some of these topics are:

  • Narrate your experience at the museum
  • What is your favorite visual artist?
  • Discuss your most fascinating work of art
  • Write about the importance of education
  • Would you say you can’t live without art
  • Which words do you like using?
  • Which words don’t you like using?
  • What are the slangs you used to love?
  • What has changed since you started using some words
  • Would you call someone a shag? Why?
  • Which word do you think people use too much?
  • Narrate what you consider a great conversation
  • Discuss your time with a lover
  • Narrate your experience discussing with your mum
  • Narrate your experience discussing with your dad
  • Narrate your experience teaching your grandparents about something on a smartphone
  • Write about a time you felt you talked too much
  • Write about a time you used satires
  • Write about a time you attacked people but didn’t feel bad
  • What would you say are the most terrible things you’ve done?
  • If you had to learn a language, which would it be?
  • How do you use your body language and why do you use it?
  • If you can influence someone’s memory, what would it be and why would you do it?
  • Write about what stresses you the most about school without using F words or castigating anyone
  • Discuss what you once looked forward to but no longer look forward to
  • Would you rather take private classes, online classes, or physical classes with other students and why would you choose your choice?
  • Discuss your experience with bullying and what you could have done when you were bullied or when someone you know was bullied
  • Write about the kind of school you wish you had attended and the experience you wish you had had
  • Write about the things you hate the most about going to your religious places and the things you wish they had
  • Discuss what it would mean to not be educated at all.

Interesting Personal Narrative Ideas

There are also interesting personal narrative essay ideas across all classes. You can choose these essay ideas for your college, high school, middle school, or university assignments. Options to consider are:

  • What have you had to do which you didn’t like?
  • Discuss how best you once participated in class
  • Write about a memorable experience of school you wish were yours
  • Write about a memorable experience of a relationship you wish you could have
  • Discuss your first encounter with a difficult subject and write when you realize you may fail the course
  • Tell a story about what you thought is fascinating about relationships that are no longer fascinating?
  • Tell a story about what you think about digital skills and why it is important in the future
  • Would you say that programming and computer coding offers more opportunities than any other skills?
  • Narrate a terrible experience of yours after you failed an exam and what your parents did
  • Narrate the saddest day in class for you
  • You were invited to speak to your class about how you spent your weekend or holiday, what were the things that ran through your mind and did you speak?
  • Like your friends, you had many terrible and shameful experiences while studying simply because you’re a shy person, narrate some of the most important and terrible moments of your school life
  • Write a story about a teacher you would like to appreciate detailing the important things the teacher had done to you without isolating the bad things he or she had also done
  • Discuss the textbook you ever felt disgusted with and why you did
  • Do you think your teachers are as vast with technology as they ought to be, and would you feel bad if you had insulted them at one time or the other when you were young?
  • Narrate the most arousing party you went to focusing on the sensory details which made it different from other parties and proms
  • If you will deliver a speech about the horribleness of physical bullying or cyberbullying, focusing on experiences that could make people cry, how would you write the speech and how would you perform it?
  • Would you flog students you considered rebellious in your class if you were a teacher, even if the student is truly stubborn and should have probably been in a juvenile center?
  • What are the mental health issues you wish people had talked about the most when you were in high school?
  • If you could talk to the authorities about the things you think were important for students which weren’t done, what would they be, and how would you do it?

Get Narrative Essay Help

With these exciting topics, you can create a professional personal narrative essay based on your adult or childhood experiences. However, if you need someone to write your essay or assignment, you can hire top-notch writers online.

We are one of the best professional writing services with years of experience writing for college, high school, and university students. We have professors and teachers in our team who create essays to help students score high grades. If you’d like to make the best submission, you can hire these writers.

Like other essays and papers we’ve written, we deliver custom essays at a fast pace at affordable rates. With a token, you’ll get the best essay and get high grades in class.

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Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

50 Narrative Essay Topics

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a narrative essay can also tell an exciting story and create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind! We’ve got 50 narrative essay topics designed to prompt students to craft memorable written narratives. These can be modified for students in elementary, middle and high school. Feel free to print the entire narrative essay topics list for plenty of inspiration for your next narrative essay assignment!

Narrative Essay Topics

  • Your first day of school.
  • Your most exciting day of school
  • A field trip that your class took.
  • Your favorite summer vacation.
  • A trip that included something unexpected or surprising.
  • A time that you experienced something spooky.
  • A time that you experienced something truly frightening.
  • A time that you learned something new that changed you in some way.
  • The moment when you met someone who changed your life.
  • The day that you got your first pet.
  • A move from one place to another.
  • Something funny that happened to you.
  • Something funny that happened to one of your family members or friends.
  • Something embarrassing that happened to you.
  • Your favorite birthday party.
  • A birthday that was disappointing.
  • A big storm (rain, snow or even a tornado!).
  • A time that the power went out.
  • A summer day when the temperature got much higher than expected.
  • A time when you went to an amusement park.
  • A time when you got lost somewhere.
  • A memorable experience with a favorite family member.
  • A sad experience with someone about whom you care.
  • Your most exciting moment playing sports.
  • Your most exciting moment performing in a play, singing, playing music or dancing.
  • An experience that left you feeling frustrated.
  • An experience that was hard but ended up being worth it.
  • A time that you experienced rejection.
  • A weird encounter with a stranger.
  • A random act of kindness.
  • A time that you took a stand for someone or for an issue that you care about.
  • A moment when you thought you might get hurt but didn’t.
  • Breaking a bone (or otherwise suffering an injury).
  • Your first time away from home for the night (or longer).
  • A time when you experienced a historic event.
  • Where you were when a major event happened. (Note: You don’t need to have been at the site of the event; this prompt is about where you were when you found out about the event and how you reacted.)
  • A time when you rebelled against your parents or teacher.
  • A dangerous experience.
  • A misunderstanding between yourself and someone else.
  • A difficult decision that you had to make.
  • The end of a friendship or relationship.
  • The beginning of a friendship or relationship.
  • A time when you judged someone first and then realized that you were wrong about the person.
  • A time when someone judged you first and then realized that he or she was wrong about you.
  • A moment when you felt that you were starting to grow up.
  • A time when you saw one or both of your parents in a different light.
  • A time when you looked up to your older sibling.
  • A time when your younger sibling looked up to you.
  • A time when you were grateful to be an only child.
  • An experience that you think has only ever happened to you!

Looking for more essay topics? Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Descriptive Essay Topics Cause and Effect Essay Topics Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 3 great narrative essay examples + tips for writing.

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General Education

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A narrative essay is one of the most intimidating assignments you can be handed at any level of your education. Where you've previously written argumentative essays that make a point or analytic essays that dissect meaning, a narrative essay asks you to write what is effectively a story .

But unlike a simple work of creative fiction, your narrative essay must have a clear and concrete motif —a recurring theme or idea that you’ll explore throughout. Narrative essays are less rigid, more creative in expression, and therefore pretty different from most other essays you’ll be writing.

But not to fear—in this article, we’ll be covering what a narrative essay is, how to write a good one, and also analyzing some personal narrative essay examples to show you what a great one looks like.

What Is a Narrative Essay?

At first glance, a narrative essay might sound like you’re just writing a story. Like the stories you're used to reading, a narrative essay is generally (but not always) chronological, following a clear throughline from beginning to end. Even if the story jumps around in time, all the details will come back to one specific theme, demonstrated through your choice in motifs.

Unlike many creative stories, however, your narrative essay should be based in fact. That doesn’t mean that every detail needs to be pure and untainted by imagination, but rather that you shouldn’t wholly invent the events of your narrative essay. There’s nothing wrong with inventing a person’s words if you can’t remember them exactly, but you shouldn’t say they said something they weren’t even close to saying.

Another big difference between narrative essays and creative fiction—as well as other kinds of essays—is that narrative essays are based on motifs. A motif is a dominant idea or theme, one that you establish before writing the essay. As you’re crafting the narrative, it’ll feed back into your motif to create a comprehensive picture of whatever that motif is.

For example, say you want to write a narrative essay about how your first day in high school helped you establish your identity. You might discuss events like trying to figure out where to sit in the cafeteria, having to describe yourself in five words as an icebreaker in your math class, or being unsure what to do during your lunch break because it’s no longer acceptable to go outside and play during lunch. All of those ideas feed back into the central motif of establishing your identity.

The important thing to remember is that while a narrative essay is typically told chronologically and intended to read like a story, it is not purely for entertainment value. A narrative essay delivers its theme by deliberately weaving the motifs through the events, scenes, and details. While a narrative essay may be entertaining, its primary purpose is to tell a complete story based on a central meaning.

Unlike other essay forms, it is totally okay—even expected—to use first-person narration in narrative essays. If you’re writing a story about yourself, it’s natural to refer to yourself within the essay. It’s also okay to use other perspectives, such as third- or even second-person, but that should only be done if it better serves your motif. Generally speaking, your narrative essay should be in first-person perspective.

Though your motif choices may feel at times like you’re making a point the way you would in an argumentative essay, a narrative essay’s goal is to tell a story, not convince the reader of anything. Your reader should be able to tell what your motif is from reading, but you don’t have to change their mind about anything. If they don’t understand the point you are making, you should consider strengthening the delivery of the events and descriptions that support your motif.

Narrative essays also share some features with analytical essays, in which you derive meaning from a book, film, or other media. But narrative essays work differently—you’re not trying to draw meaning from an existing text, but rather using an event you’ve experienced to convey meaning. In an analytical essay, you examine narrative, whereas in a narrative essay you create narrative.

The structure of a narrative essay is also a bit different than other essays. You’ll generally be getting your point across chronologically as opposed to grouping together specific arguments in paragraphs or sections. To return to the example of an essay discussing your first day of high school and how it impacted the shaping of your identity, it would be weird to put the events out of order, even if not knowing what to do after lunch feels like a stronger idea than choosing where to sit. Instead of organizing to deliver your information based on maximum impact, you’ll be telling your story as it happened, using concrete details to reinforce your theme.

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3 Great Narrative Essay Examples

One of the best ways to learn how to write a narrative essay is to look at a great narrative essay sample. Let’s take a look at some truly stellar narrative essay examples and dive into what exactly makes them work so well.

A Ticket to the Fair by David Foster Wallace

Today is Press Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, and I’m supposed to be at the fairgrounds by 9:00 A.M. to get my credentials. I imagine credentials to be a small white card in the band of a fedora. I’ve never been considered press before. My real interest in credentials is getting into rides and shows for free. I’m fresh in from the East Coast, for an East Coast magazine. Why exactly they’re interested in the Illinois State Fair remains unclear to me. I suspect that every so often editors at East Coast magazines slap their foreheads and remember that about 90 percent of the United States lies between the coasts, and figure they’ll engage somebody to do pith-helmeted anthropological reporting on something rural and heartlandish. I think they asked me to do this because I grew up here, just a couple hours’ drive from downstate Springfield. I never did go to the state fair, though—I pretty much topped out at the county fair level. Actually, I haven’t been back to Illinois for a long time, and I can’t say I’ve missed it.

Throughout this essay, David Foster Wallace recounts his experience as press at the Illinois State Fair. But it’s clear from this opening that he’s not just reporting on the events exactly as they happened—though that’s also true— but rather making a point about how the East Coast, where he lives and works, thinks about the Midwest.

In his opening paragraph, Wallace states that outright: “Why exactly they’re interested in the Illinois State Fair remains unclear to me. I suspect that every so often editors at East Coast magazines slap their foreheads and remember that about 90 percent of the United States lies between the coasts, and figure they’ll engage somebody to do pith-helmeted anthropological reporting on something rural and heartlandish.”

Not every motif needs to be stated this clearly , but in an essay as long as Wallace’s, particularly since the audience for such a piece may feel similarly and forget that such a large portion of the country exists, it’s important to make that point clear.

But Wallace doesn’t just rest on introducing his motif and telling the events exactly as they occurred from there. It’s clear that he selects events that remind us of that idea of East Coast cynicism , such as when he realizes that the Help Me Grow tent is standing on top of fake grass that is killing the real grass beneath, when he realizes the hypocrisy of craving a corn dog when faced with a real, suffering pig, when he’s upset for his friend even though he’s not the one being sexually harassed, and when he witnesses another East Coast person doing something he wouldn’t dare to do.

Wallace is literally telling the audience exactly what happened, complete with dates and timestamps for when each event occurred. But he’s also choosing those events with a purpose—he doesn’t focus on details that don’t serve his motif. That’s why he discusses the experiences of people, how the smells are unappealing to him, and how all the people he meets, in cowboy hats, overalls, or “black spandex that looks like cheesecake leotards,” feel almost alien to him.

All of these details feed back into the throughline of East Coast thinking that Wallace introduces in the first paragraph. He also refers back to it in the essay’s final paragraph, stating:

At last, an overarching theory blooms inside my head: megalopolitan East Coasters’ summer treats and breaks and literally ‘getaways,’ flights-from—from crowds, noise, heat, dirt, the stress of too many sensory choices….The East Coast existential treat is escape from confines and stimuli—quiet, rustic vistas that hold still, turn inward, turn away. Not so in the rural Midwest. Here you’re pretty much away all the time….Something in a Midwesterner sort of actuates , deep down, at a public event….The real spectacle that draws us here is us.

Throughout this journey, Wallace has tried to demonstrate how the East Coast thinks about the Midwest, ultimately concluding that they are captivated by the Midwest’s less stimuli-filled life, but that the real reason they are interested in events like the Illinois State Fair is that they are, in some ways, a means of looking at the East Coast in a new, estranging way.

The reason this works so well is that Wallace has carefully chosen his examples, outlined his motif and themes in the first paragraph, and eventually circled back to the original motif with a clearer understanding of his original point.

When outlining your own narrative essay, try to do the same. Start with a theme, build upon it with examples, and return to it in the end with an even deeper understanding of the original issue. You don’t need this much space to explore a theme, either—as we’ll see in the next example, a strong narrative essay can also be very short.

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Death of a Moth by Virginia Woolf

After a time, tired by his dancing apparently, he settled on the window ledge in the sun, and, the queer spectacle being at an end, I forgot about him. Then, looking up, my eye was caught by him. He was trying to resume his dancing, but seemed either so stiff or so awkward that he could only flutter to the bottom of the window-pane; and when he tried to fly across it he failed. Being intent on other matters I watched these futile attempts for a time without thinking, unconsciously waiting for him to resume his flight, as one waits for a machine, that has stopped momentarily, to start again without considering the reason of its failure. After perhaps a seventh attempt he slipped from the wooden ledge and fell, fluttering his wings, on to his back on the window sill. The helplessness of his attitude roused me. It flashed upon me that he was in difficulties; he could no longer raise himself; his legs struggled vainly. But, as I stretched out a pencil, meaning to help him to right himself, it came over me that the failure and awkwardness were the approach of death. I laid the pencil down again.

In this essay, Virginia Woolf explains her encounter with a dying moth. On surface level, this essay is just a recounting of an afternoon in which she watched a moth die—it’s even established in the title. But there’s more to it than that. Though Woolf does not begin her essay with as clear a motif as Wallace, it’s not hard to pick out the evidence she uses to support her point, which is that the experience of this moth is also the human experience.

In the title, Woolf tells us this essay is about death. But in the first paragraph, she seems to mostly be discussing life—the moth is “content with life,” people are working in the fields, and birds are flying. However, she mentions that it is mid-September and that the fields were being plowed. It’s autumn and it’s time for the harvest; the time of year in which many things die.

In this short essay, she chronicles the experience of watching a moth seemingly embody life, then die. Though this essay is literally about a moth, it’s also about a whole lot more than that. After all, moths aren’t the only things that die—Woolf is also reflecting on her own mortality, as well as the mortality of everything around her.

At its core, the essay discusses the push and pull of life and death, not in a way that’s necessarily sad, but in a way that is accepting of both. Woolf begins by setting up the transitional fall season, often associated with things coming to an end, and raises the ideas of pleasure, vitality, and pity.

At one point, Woolf tries to help the dying moth, but reconsiders, as it would interfere with the natural order of the world. The moth’s death is part of the natural order of the world, just like fall, just like her own eventual death.

All these themes are set up in the beginning and explored throughout the essay’s narrative. Though Woolf doesn’t directly state her theme, she reinforces it by choosing a small, isolated event—watching a moth die—and illustrating her point through details.

With this essay, we can see that you don’t need a big, weird, exciting event to discuss an important meaning. Woolf is able to explore complicated ideas in a short essay by being deliberate about what details she includes, just as you can be in your own essays.

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Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

On the twenty-ninth of July, in 1943, my father died. On the same day, a few hours later, his last child was born. Over a month before this, while all our energies were concentrated in waiting for these events, there had been, in Detroit, one of the bloodiest race riots of the century. A few hours after my father’s funeral, while he lay in state in the undertaker’s chapel, a race riot broke out in Harlem. On the morning of the third of August, we drove my father to the graveyard through a wilderness of smashed plate glass.

Like Woolf, Baldwin does not lay out his themes in concrete terms—unlike Wallace, there’s no clear sentence that explains what he’ll be talking about. However, you can see the motifs quite clearly: death, fatherhood, struggle, and race.

Throughout the narrative essay, Baldwin discusses the circumstances of his father’s death, including his complicated relationship with his father. By introducing those motifs in the first paragraph, the reader understands that everything discussed in the essay will come back to those core ideas. When Baldwin talks about his experience with a white teacher taking an interest in him and his father’s resistance to that, he is also talking about race and his father’s death. When he talks about his father’s death, he is also talking about his views on race. When he talks about his encounters with segregation and racism, he is talking, in part, about his father.

Because his father was a hard, uncompromising man, Baldwin struggles to reconcile the knowledge that his father was right about many things with his desire to not let that hardness consume him, as well.

Baldwin doesn’t explicitly state any of this, but his writing so often touches on the same motifs that it becomes clear he wants us to think about all these ideas in conversation with one another.

At the end of the essay, Baldwin makes it more clear:

This fight begins, however, in the heart and it had now been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair. This intimation made my heart heavy and, now that my father was irrecoverable, I wished that he had been beside me so that I could have searched his face for the answers which only the future would give me now.

Here, Baldwin ties together the themes and motifs into one clear statement: that he must continue to fight and recognize injustice, especially racial injustice, just as his father did. But unlike his father, he must do it beginning with himself—he must not let himself be closed off to the world as his father was. And yet, he still wishes he had his father for guidance, even as he establishes that he hopes to be a different man than his father.

In this essay, Baldwin loads the front of the essay with his motifs, and, through his narrative, weaves them together into a theme. In the end, he comes to a conclusion that connects all of those things together and leaves the reader with a lasting impression of completion—though the elements may have been initially disparate, in the end everything makes sense.

You can replicate this tactic of introducing seemingly unattached ideas and weaving them together in your own essays. By introducing those motifs, developing them throughout, and bringing them together in the end, you can demonstrate to your reader how all of them are related. However, it’s especially important to be sure that your motifs and clear and consistent throughout your essay so that the conclusion feels earned and consistent—if not, readers may feel mislead.

5 Key Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Narrative essays can be a lot of fun to write since they’re so heavily based on creativity. But that can also feel intimidating—sometimes it’s easier to have strict guidelines than to have to make it all up yourself. Here are a few tips to keep your narrative essay feeling strong and fresh.

Develop Strong Motifs

Motifs are the foundation of a narrative essay . What are you trying to say? How can you say that using specific symbols or events? Those are your motifs.

In the same way that an argumentative essay’s body should support its thesis, the body of your narrative essay should include motifs that support your theme.

Try to avoid cliches, as these will feel tired to your readers. Instead of roses to symbolize love, try succulents. Instead of the ocean representing some vast, unknowable truth, try the depths of your brother’s bedroom. Keep your language and motifs fresh and your essay will be even stronger!

Use First-Person Perspective

In many essays, you’re expected to remove yourself so that your points stand on their own. Not so in a narrative essay—in this case, you want to make use of your own perspective.

Sometimes a different perspective can make your point even stronger. If you want someone to identify with your point of view, it may be tempting to choose a second-person perspective. However, be sure you really understand the function of second-person; it’s very easy to put a reader off if the narration isn’t expertly deployed.

If you want a little bit of distance, third-person perspective may be okay. But be careful—too much distance and your reader may feel like the narrative lacks truth.

That’s why first-person perspective is the standard. It keeps you, the writer, close to the narrative, reminding the reader that it really happened. And because you really know what happened and how, you’re free to inject your own opinion into the story without it detracting from your point, as it would in a different type of essay.

Stick to the Truth

Your essay should be true. However, this is a creative essay, and it’s okay to embellish a little. Rarely in life do we experience anything with a clear, concrete meaning the way somebody in a book might. If you flub the details a little, it’s okay—just don’t make them up entirely.

Also, nobody expects you to perfectly recall details that may have happened years ago. You may have to reconstruct dialog from your memory and your imagination. That’s okay, again, as long as you aren’t making it up entirely and assigning made-up statements to somebody.

Dialog is a powerful tool. A good conversation can add flavor and interest to a story, as we saw demonstrated in David Foster Wallace’s essay. As previously mentioned, it’s okay to flub it a little, especially because you’re likely writing about an experience you had without knowing that you’d be writing about it later.

However, don’t rely too much on it. Your narrative essay shouldn’t be told through people explaining things to one another; the motif comes through in the details. Dialog can be one of those details, but it shouldn’t be the only one.

Use Sensory Descriptions

Because a narrative essay is a story, you can use sensory details to make your writing more interesting. If you’re describing a particular experience, you can go into detail about things like taste, smell, and hearing in a way that you probably wouldn’t do in any other essay style.

These details can tie into your overall motifs and further your point. Woolf describes in great detail what she sees while watching the moth, giving us the sense that we, too, are watching the moth. In Wallace’s essay, he discusses the sights, sounds, and smells of the Illinois State Fair to help emphasize his point about its strangeness. And in Baldwin’s essay, he describes shattered glass as a “wilderness,” and uses the feelings of his body to describe his mental state.

All these descriptions anchor us not only in the story, but in the motifs and themes as well. One of the tools of a writer is making the reader feel as you felt, and sensory details help you achieve that.

What’s Next?

Looking to brush up on your essay-writing capabilities before the ACT? This guide to ACT English will walk you through some of the best strategies and practice questions to get you prepared!

Part of practicing for the ACT is ensuring your word choice and diction are on point. Check out this guide to some of the most common errors on the ACT English section to be sure that you're not making these common mistakes!

A solid understanding of English principles will help you make an effective point in a narrative essay, and you can get that understanding through taking a rigorous assortment of high school English classes !

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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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The Cons and Prons of Artificial Intelligence

This essay about the multifaceted impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on contemporary society. It explores how AI’s promise of efficiency and innovation intersects with concerns about job displacement, ethical dilemmas, and cybersecurity threats. Despite the challenges, the essay emphasizes the importance of adopting a balanced approach to AI governance, grounded in transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. By navigating these complexities with foresight and collaboration, society can harness the transformative potential of AI while mitigating its risks, ensuring a future that is equitable, resilient, and ethically grounded.

How it works

In the dynamic realm of contemporary society, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal force, reshaping landscapes and fostering new paradigms. However, within this tapestry of innovation lies a nuanced narrative that warrants exploration, navigating the intricacies of AI’s influence.

At its core, AI embodies the promise of efficiency and ingenuity, heralding advancements across diverse domains. From optimizing logistical networks to augmenting medical diagnoses, AI’s capacity to analyze vast datasets and predict outcomes holds transformative potential. Furthermore, its role in scientific discovery, uncovering patterns and insights within complex data, ignites possibilities for breakthroughs in fields as varied as climate research and personalized medicine, propelling society toward a brighter future.

Yet, amidst the allure of progress, AI’s ascent prompts reflection on its broader implications. Foremost among these considerations is the specter of workforce displacement, as automation disrupts traditional employment structures and necessitates adaptation. This shift raises concerns about economic equity and social cohesion, underscoring the importance of inclusive policies and educational initiatives to mitigate disparities and ensure a just transition.

Beyond socio-economic ramifications, AI’s proliferation introduces novel challenges in governance and security. The rise of AI-driven cyber threats, from sophisticated phishing schemes to AI-generated misinformation, underscores the imperative for robust cybersecurity measures and international collaboration. Moreover, the advent of autonomous systems raises complex ethical dilemmas, prompting introspection on issues of accountability and agency in an increasingly automated world.

However, within these challenges lie opportunities for collective action and innovation. By embracing a holistic approach to AI governance, grounded in principles of transparency and accountability, society can harness its potential while safeguarding against its pitfalls. This entails fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, engaging diverse stakeholders to shape policies that prioritize human well-being and ethical considerations.

In conclusion, the evolving narrative of AI is a tapestry woven with both promise and complexity, inviting society to chart a course that balances innovation with responsibility. By embracing this journey with curiosity and resolve, we can harness the transformative power of AI to build a future that is equitable, resilient, and inclusive for all.

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World Series champs made sure beloved clubhouse attendants got a $505K bonus: 'Life-changing'

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PHOENIX — Taxes are due Monday and while folks are still scrambling to put checks in the mail, about a dozen men have never had to pay so much money to Uncle Sam in their lives. 

And couldn’t be happier to do so. 

We are talking about the baseball clubhouse attendants for the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks , who received the biggest checks of their lives this winter, rewarded by the Rangers and D-backs players who granted them full playoff shares. 

The Rangers’ players were given $505,263 checks for winning the World Series while the Diamondbacks players received $313,634. 

Corey Seager may have won the World Series MVP award, but thanks to the players’ generosity, he received the same check as Rangers clubhouse director Brandon Boyd and his staff. 

MLB SALARIES: Baseball's top 25 highest-paid players in 2024

The Diamondbacks, who hadn’t been to the World Series since 2001, made sure that every single member of their home clubhouse staff received the same checks as they did, along with shares to be split among the visiting clubhouse attendants. 

It was a fabulous holiday bonus for the players. 

It was life-changing money for the clubbies. 

Most of the Diamondbacks’ clubhouse staff, with six in the organization since its inception in 1998, used the money to pay off their homes. 

“I know that no matter what happens to me," said Lupe Uribe, “my family will be taken care of forever. They won’t have to worry about a mortgage ever again." 

Jimmy Garrett, who also handles the umpires room, not only paid off his house, but travelled to Baltimore and New York with his wife to watch the final performances of Kiss, the Hall of Fame rock band. It was the 29 th time Garrett had seen them perform and wanted to make sure he saw their last show. 

Chad Chiffin bought his first car in 19 years, went home to Jamestown, N.Y., spending the holidays buying rounds of beers for his buddies.

“The thank yous and tips are great for these guys at the end of the season," Diamondbacks reliever Paul Sewald says, “but when you get to the World Series, that check starts to get life-changing. They can pay off their mortgage. Or their kids can go to any college they want. That’s special. 

“You look around, there’s a lot of people in this building that make more money than you can ever count, and then there’s a lot of people in this building that don’t make much money and help make our jobs a whole lot easier." 

There’s no glory in washing underwear and jock straps, cleaning the showers and vacuuming the clubhouse floors. The hours are brutal, arriving at 11 a.m. for night games and leaving by midnight.

Yet, it’s the love of the game, and definitely the people, that have clubhouse attendants keep coming back, spending virtually their entire lives working for one organization. 

“We had all of our guys thank every one of us," Rangers outfielder Travis Jankowski says, “and we said, 'Hey, you guys are welcome, but we’re not really doing you a favor. You deserve this. You earned that and much, much more.’ 

“Their hours are terrible. They make sacrifices to be away from their family. It’s not glorious. What they do is make our lives incredibly easy." 

It technically may be a 26-man roster, but as every player can tell you, the clubhouse attendants are the warriors, and feel the euphoria of wins and the pain of losses just as much as the players. 

“These are the guys who are the first ones at the ballpark, the last to leave, and they’re there to help you and make life as easy as possible," Rangers manager Bruce Bochy says. “These guys work so hard to take care of you, and for these players to reward the staff behind the scenes means everything. It was tremendous to see how generous they were and to show they’re part of us." 

Shawn Moore, who has been with the Diamondbacks since the team's inception, used his postseason share from the 2001 World Series for a down payment and to help purchase his first home. He was able to use this postseason check to completely pay it off. 

“It was so unbelievably generous and unexpected," Moore said. “I couldn’t believe it. I remember looking at my wife and saying, 'Look at what we’re going to be able to do now. We’re set up for the future because of what they guys did for us.'

“I made sure to let all of these guys know how much I appreciated it."

It was those flood of text messages and phone calls, D-backs ace Zac Gallen said, that was one of the highlights of his winter, knowing the impact their generosity meant to the clubhouse staff, led by Roger Riley and Bob Doty. 

“They made us feel great just the way they thanked us, it was awesome," Gallen says. “They told us what they planned, whether it was paying off a house, sending kids to college, investing, everything. Just seeing the joy on their face being able to help them out is what it’s all about. 

“We know as players, we’re very fortunate in this game to make life-changing money. So, to be able to give that opportunity to somebody else, guys who have been here for 20-plus years, yeah, it’s pretty awesome.’’ 

This was a World Series, after all, in which no team was expected to be playing in deep October. The Rangers weren't favored in a series until the World Series. The Diamondbacks, the last team to qualify for the postseason with 84 victories, were even bigger underdogs each series. 

Yet, there they were, the last teams standing on baseball’s biggest stage, with the clubhouse attendants standing on the baselines alongside the players during the pre-game introductions. 

“Those kind of people behind the scenes, whether it’s the clubbies, security, grounds crew or whatever, they’re all part of this," Rangers All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien said. “People just see us playing on the field, but everyone’s involved. They were all part of our world championship and they deserve to have shares just like us. 

“It was a life-changing experience for everyone, in so many different ways.’’ 

It’s never been so beautiful. 

Old or impatient?

It’s far too early to make rash judgements, but if you’re 30 years and older these days and get off to a slow start, you’re immediately surrounded by speculation that the end is near. 

We’re hearing it already. 

Scouts are alarmed that Astros first baseman Jose Abreu’s bat has drastically slowed and wonder how patient the team will be considering Abreu is the second year of a three-year, $58.5 million contract. 

Abreu, 37 has already been benched several games this past week, and has batted eighth for the first time in his career when in the starting lineup. He is hitting just .122 with only one extra-base hit. 

Is he done, or is just the usual, considering he’s a notorious slow starter with a career .742 OPS in March and April compared to a .838 overall OPS? 

Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos, 32, is getting heavily booed with great consternation in Philadelphia. He badly struggled in the NLCS last season, hitting a homer in his first at-bat, and then ended the season hitless in his final 23 at-bats with 11 strikeouts. 

It’s been the same at the start of this season. He is hitting .182, striking out 18 times, and finally got his first extra-base hit Saturday with a homer. He has been badly struggling to hit breaking balls. 

Los Angeles Dodgers super utilityman Chris Taylor, 33, has opened the season in a one-for-32 skid (.031) with 17 strikeouts. 

The timing has been out of sync for St. Louis Cardinals veterans Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt. 

Goldschmidt, 37, is hitting .188 with one extra-base hit and 18 strikeouts in his first 57 at-bats. Arenado, who turns 33 on April 16, is hitting .276, but is slugging just .379, finally hitting his first home run on Friday night since Aug. 19. 

Just two years ago, Goldschmidt and Arenado finished first and third in the MVP balloting. 

These days? Well, what have you done for me lately? 

“It pisses me off when everyone talks about the age part," Arenado said, “because we know physically we don’t feel that way. We’re really hard on ourselves and expect to do great things. And when you struggle, age is always talked about. 

“Listen, I’ve gotten off to slow starts the last two years, and it’s frustrating. I don’t know what it is. When I was younger, I had a few years when I really got off to really good starts. And as I’ve gotten older, it’s always been a little harder to get going. Who knows why, but I I feel just fine." 

If any of the 30-year-olds needs inspiration, look no further than Atlanta DH Marcell Ozuna, 33. Fans were trying to run him out of town a year ago, imploring the front office to release him. He was hitting just .085 with two RBI in April, but also was in the third year of a four-year, $65 million contract. 

These days? 

Ozuna is hitting .352 with six homers, 17 RBI and a 1.119 OPS. 

Why, since May 1 last season, the only player with more home runs or RBI than Ozuna’s 44 homers and 115 RBI is teammate Matt Olson. 

And, oh yeah, looks who’s back, hitting .283 with a 1.035 OPS, with six homers. 

Yep, that 32-year-old who was forgotten about in Anaheim. 

Mike Trout. 

Around the basepaths

– Major League Baseball is expected to quickly interview, and clear Shohei Ohtani of any wrongdoing once the federal government’s investigation is complete. 

Ohtani appears to be guilty of only having a poor taste in friends and being naive to his finances. 

Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani’s interpreter, on the other hand, faces a potential lifetime ban from the sport. 

Mizuhara, who allegedly stole $16 million from Ohtani’s bank account to cover gambling losses, surrendered to authorities and was ordered not to contact Ohtani while immediately undergoing gambling addiction treatment. 

– Certainly, even with a capacity of only 14,014 at Sutter Health Park, where the A’s will play the next three years in Sacramento, it’s not as if they’re going to take a hit at the ticket window. The A’s are averaging just 6,356 fans a game this season, with only 3,330 fans showing up Saturday afternoon and haven’t averaged more than 10,276 in a season since the pandemic. 

Yet, the A’s will take a huge hit with their local TV deal at NBC Sports California, dropping to about $35 million after receiving $67 million last season. They also are expected to receive at least $45 million in revenue sharing. 

– While there’s been speculation in the industry on whether Jordan Montgomery’s decision to leave agent Scott Boras would have an impact on any of his other clients, all agents received a notice this week informing them they are prohibited from contacting Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. 

Bregman is expected to be one of the most highly sought-after free agents this winter. 

– Scouts say that the Baltimore Orioles are so loaded that four of their position players at Triple-A Norfolk could play for virtually any other team in the big leagues right now: 

  • Outfielder Heston Kjerstad (second overall pick, 2020). 
  • Second baseman/outfielder Connor Norby (41st overall pick, 2021) 
  • Outfielder Kyle Stowers (71st overall pick, 2019). 
  • First baseman/third baseman Coby Mayo (fourth round, 2021). 

The Orioles starting lineup these days includes only has one player – Ryan O’Hearn – who came from outside the organization. 

No wonder a group text message sent between Jackson Holliday and the other four simply said: “One down, four to go,” according to the Baltimore Banner . 

– The three youngest players in Major League Baseball this season are all named Jackson: 

  • Jackson Chourio, 20, Brewers. 
  • Jackson Holliday, 20, Orioles. 
  • Jackson Merrill, 20 (turns 21 on April 19), Padres. 

– Atlanta ace Spencer Strider is the latest pitching star to undergo season-ending elbow surgery, a blow to the club's World Series hopes. They will be on the lookout for a replacement, but are extremely thankful they traded for Boston Red Sox veteran Chris Sale this winter. 

There still are multiple veteran pitchers still on the free-agent market.

– The Houston Astros, who have been to seven consecutive American League Championship Series, now are trying to just get out of April alive. 

They have easily been baseball’s biggest disappointment, 5-11, and their pitching staff, with five starters on the IL, has been in shambles. 

They became the first team to have their starters yield 24 or more earned runs getting fewer than 24 outs over a three-game span since earned runs became an official stat in 1913. Young starter Hunter Brown also became the first pitcher in history to allow 11 hits in less than one inning. They have already used a major-league leading 20 pitchers. 

The last time they lost 11 of their first 15 games? 

It was in 2013, the year they wound up going 51-111. 

– Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora had the quote of the week with the news that Jackson Holliday was making his major-league debut against them. 

“For baseball, this is great,” Cora said. “For the American League East, it sucks.” 

– Former White Sox manager Tony La Russa was ripped for telling his players it was OK not to hustle at all times running to first base, fearing injuries. 

Maybe he was ahead of his time. 

The White Sox’s three biggest stars are now facing lengthy absences on the IL with Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada. 

Yep, they were all injured running to first base. 

– The new provisions in the collective bargaining agreement designed to prevent teams from purposely keeping players in the minors to gain an extra year of control before free agency has been a huge success for players. 

If the Orioles waited three more days, they could have delayed Holliday’s free agency by a year. 

Yet, with MLB’s prospect promotion incentive program, Holliday would have gained a full year of service time anyway by finishing in the top two of the AL Rookie of the Year balloting. 

So, the Orioles called him up now to not only immediately improve the team, but put them in line to gain a coveted first-round draft pick. 

– While everyone is raving about Holliday’s star potential, the worst-kept secret in the family is that his little brother, Ethan, may even be better. Ethan will be eligible for the 2025 draft where he’s already projected to be the first pick. 

– The White Sox may have a valuable trade chip on the market this summer with Michael Kopech, who has been lights out since being moved to the bullpen. 

– Kris Bryant has the Rockies worried with his struggles. He’s hitting just .100 with one home run and four RBI, while striking out 31.9% of the time. He also has five years remaining on his seven-year, $182 million contract. 

– Angels manager Ron Washington’s impact on third baseman Anthony Rendon has been remarkable, according to scouts and opposing managers. Rendon, who opened the season in an 0-for-21 slump, is not only hitting .357 since ending the skid, but is one of the first players on the field each day to be part of infield drills with Washington. 

– Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow, my preseason pick to win the NL Cy Young award , struck out 14 batters on only 88 pitches in his last start, the fewest since MLB began tracking pitch counts in 1988. 

– It will be interesting to see if Julio Urias ever pitches again in MLB after being charged with five misdemeanors stemming from his arrest for suspicion of domestic violence last September. Urias, 27, could have commanded a free-agent contract in excess of $200 million if not for the arrest. He faces a suspension from MLB, which will investigate whether he violated the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy for the second time. 

– The Cardinals drew the fewest fans (31,792) for a night game in the 18-year history of Busch Stadium last week to watch Sonny Gray’s debut with St. Louis against the Philadelphia Phillies.  

– It’s hard to believe that Giancarlo Stanton has hit the most home runs in a Marlins’ uniform since 2017. 

He has been a Yankee since 2018. 

The next highest totals are Brian Anderson with 57 homers and Jazz Chisholm with 55. 

– The Arizona Diamondbacks are 5-2 against the Colorado Rockies and 1-6 against everyone else entering Saturday’s game. 

The D-backs don’t play the Rockies again until Aug. 12. 

– The easiest pitcher to scout these days may be San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez. In his last three outings, he has thrown 45 pitches. 

All 45 have been fastballs. 

Yet he has given up just two hits in those 3 ⅔ innings. 

– Shohei Ohtani was thrilled to learn that he tied former slugger Hideki Matsui for the most homers by a Japanese-born major league player with his 175 th career homer on Friday. 

“I’m happy personally,” Ohtani told reporters. “He’s known as a power hitter, a left-handed hitter like me. It’s an honor to be associated with somebody like that. Obviously, it’s a big deal in the Japanese baseball industry.’’ 

–The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was given the cleats from the Jackie Robinson statue stolen in Wichita, Kansas, during the winter while the youth baseball program raised more than $75,000 to install a new statue. The cleats will be on permanent display as part of a Jackie Robinson exhibit at the museum. 

“The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum graciously accepts this donation from League 42 with some sadness, but also with hope,” Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Museum, said in a statement. “The circumstances under which these cleats come to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum are certainly not ideal; but we hope they serve as testament to Jackie’s enduring legacy become a symbol of hope as we continue to work to eradicate hate in our society.” 

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  1. 200 Best Topic Ideas for Narrative Essay

    Focus on a specific event or detail to make your narrative more focused and impactful. Look for universal themes like love or personal transformation that connect with readers on a deeper level. Brainstorm ideas and write freely to uncover compelling topics. Decide on storytelling techniques like flashbacks or foreshadowing and choose a topic ...

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    Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 5. My First Day at a New School. The Time I Learned to Ride a Bike. A Visit to a Haunted House. The Day I Met a Real-Life Superhero. My Most Memorable Family Vacation. A Surprising Encounter with an Animal. The Mystery of the Missing Homework. The Best Birthday Party I Ever Had.

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    The list of 100 narrative essay topics that we've compiled is a versatile and expansive set designed to inspire students at various educational levels. The topics range from lighter, more relatable experiences like your "first job interview" or "a memorable birthday party," to deeper, more introspective themes such as "an experience ...

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    Cultural narrative essay topics. Some of the most mind-expanding experiences happen when looking at and understanding a different culture or by analyzing your own culture from an outsider's perspective. Cultural narrative essay topics are particularly useful when applying to colleges or applying for grants or scholarships for exchange programs.

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    N arrative essays can present a serious challenge for even the most seasoned of writers, but fear not, we've compiled some great narrative essay topics to inspire your next paper! Follow along as we explore prompts relating to life, school, and more. By the end, you'll be prepared to tackle narrative essays from a variety of different angles.

  7. 100+ Best Narrative Essay Topics for 2024 and Onwards

    Choosing a good topic for your high school or college narrative writing involves a set of steps. By following them, you will find relevant narrative topics that you could use in your essay. The steps include: 1. Brainstorming. Brainstorming is important. Make a list of essay ideas and research them.

  8. 100+ Narrative Essay Topics for your Next Assignment

    These topics are all a natural fit for a story arc, which is a central part of a narrative essay. Childhood Tales. Writing about your childhood can be a great choice for a narrative essay. We are growing and learning during this delicate and often awkward time. Sharing these moments can be funny, endearing, and emotional.

  9. 250+ Narrative Essay Topics: Great Ideas for Your Writing

    The subsequent section covers some narrative essay topic ideas for students at different levels of education. Narrative Essay Topics for Middle School. Personal narrative essay topics for middle school allow students to explore their imaginations by sharing personal life experiences, developing a narrative, and communicating the intended ...

  10. How to Write a Narrative Essay

    Interactive example of a narrative essay. An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt "Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself," is shown below. Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works. Narrative essay example.

  11. 100+ Inspiring Narrative Essay Topics

    A great narrative essay topic is both personal and widely relatable. Check out these narrative essay topics to see which resonates with your story. ... Your parents supporting you and giving you some independence; Your first cell phone; A family vacation; A special photo of friends; Your bedroom as a safe haven; Something that always calms you ...

  12. 100 Greatest Narrative Essay Topics

    Here are 100 potential narrative essay topics: A time I overcame a fear. The day I met my best friend. A family vacation that went wrong. The experience of learning to ride a bike. Attending my first concert. My most difficult class in school so far. My proudest accomplishment. A time I failed at something.

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    Here are some tips on how to choose a topic for your essay: Before defining a narrative essay topic, it is worth finding the author's position. This is the moral instruction of the author, which can be written directly or encrypted in the words or thoughts of the hero-narrator. To find it, one should single out the topic and all the micro ...

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    7. An Act Of Kindness. Sharing an act of kindness you did with someone else—or a random act of kindness that someone did for you—can provide a warm, fuzzy topic for your narrative essay. When writing about an act of kindness, focus on how the act made you feel, whether you were the giver or the receiver of the act.

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    These personal narrative essay ideas could help you explore some of such wishes. How It Felt to Be in Love For the First Time. Treachery and Betrayals: The Closest People Have Most Power to Hurt You. Choosing between a Partner and a Friend: Story of Heartbreak and Recovery. Surviving a Break-Up & Becoming Stronger.

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    A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.". Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: "My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles.

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    Traveling Narrative essay topics: A Journey Through Ancient Cities: Exploring History and Culture. Backpacking Adventures: Lessons Learned from Life on the Road. Navigating the World's Majestic Mountains and Rugged Terrains. Island Hopping: Experiencing the Beauty of Oceans and Beaches.

  18. How to Write a Narrative Essay in 5 Steps

    Step 1: Topic choice (or prompt given) The first step in writing a narrative essay is to determine the topic. Sometimes, your topic is chosen for you in the form of a prompt. You might map out the topics you want to mention in the essay or think through each point you'd like to make to see how each will fit into the allotted word count (if ...

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    Personal Narrative Essay Topics. Look at some of these personal narrative essay ideas that will hit home and spur up an idea or two about an experience you think would capture your audience. The reason why I love my family; The toughest decision I ever made; My favorite meditation spot: outdoors; A complete day in the life of John Smith

  20. 295 Personal Narrative Ideas: Diverse Topics For Your Essay

    295 Personal Narrative Ideas: Diverse Topics For Your Essay. January 6, 2022. Personal narrative writing involves writing about a real-life experience. It's like non-fiction. You're writing a story about yourself because it happened to you. At some point, your stories are the perfect personal narrative writing ideas because they are yours.

  21. 50 Narrative Essay Topics

    We've got 50 narrative essay topics designed to prompt students to craft memorable written narratives. These can be modified for students in elementary, middle and high school. ... A time that you learned something new that changed you in some way. The moment when you met someone who changed your life. The day that you got your first pet.

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    Now that you understand the narrative essay definition, it's time to look at some common topics you may have to write on. Topics for a narrative essay. Narrative essay topics can range from a personal narrative and specific essay topics to loose open-ended prompts. Let's better understand this with the help of a few good narrative essay topics.

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    A narrative essay delivers its theme by deliberately weaving the motifs through the events, scenes, and details. While a narrative essay may be entertaining, its primary purpose is to tell a complete story based on a central meaning. Unlike other essay forms, it is totally okay—even expected—to use first-person narration in narrative essays.

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    Essay Example: In the dynamic realm of contemporary society, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a pivotal force, reshaping landscapes and fostering new paradigms. However, within this tapestry of innovation lies a nuanced narrative that warrants exploration, navigating the intricacies of

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