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How is a thesis statement written in a narrative essay?

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In a narrative essay, a thesis statement provides a generalization about the story to be told, often including three opinions or points that will be supported in the body of the essay. It serves as a guide for the reader, hinting at the narrative's direction without being too specific or vague. For example, it might summarize the lessons learned from a personal experience, setting the stage for the narrative's development.

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A thesis statement for a five paragraph essay contains a general statement that is divided into three opinions which will be supported in the three body paragraphs of the essay.  For a narrative essay, then, the writer will make a generalization about the incident which he or she is about to relate with three opinions on this generalization.

For instance, if one were writing about an experience that one has had such as a competition in which one participated, one could write something like this:

When I entered a 5K race on a torrid summer day, I learned the meaning of words my mother often cited:  "Where there is a will, there is a way," for having set my mind on winning a trophy to prive to my negative sister that I could succeed, I found that I was able to think more positively, ignore the discomfort and pain I...

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felt, and surpass my usual pace and time.

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Well, when you are writing a narrative essay, essentially you are telling a story.  Your essay should have a beginning,  middle, and an end (descriptive and well developed characters, plot and setting are a plus too).  Therefore, if you are going to have a thesis statement when writing a narrative, it needs to somehow allude to what "story" you are going to tell.  You don't want to be too specific or too vague, but you want lead the reader toward what the rest of your essay will be about.

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How do I write an effective narrative essay?

A well-developed narrative essay tells an interesting story that generates emotive power. This type of essay is composed in much the same way as any other essay. In other words, the writer follows a conventional structure such as the five-paragraph essay.

The five-paragraph essay provides a practical format: The first paragraph is the introduction, which begins with a "hook" or motivating sentence that attracts the reader's interest; this is then followed by the thesis and its "blueprint" of two-three major points as the last sentence of this first paragraph. Then, the body of the essay develops the thesis or main idea of the essay. That is, the three body paragraphs provide sufficient material to develop those major points of the essay with supporting details and experiences. It is here in the body of the essay that the story is told with vivid details, dialogue, and description of conflict and resolution. Finally, the conclusion restates the thesis and ends with a "clincher," which is a reminder of the introduction's motivator. By composing five paragraphs, the student creates an essay that is long enough to develop ideas, but short enough to be manageable.

Many students like writing narrative essays because they have an opportunity to share a personal experience that entertains or enlightens the reader (i.e. an experience to which the audience can relate.) However, in choosing a topic from their personal experience, students should be careful to limit themselves to only one experience. The outcome of this experience can be a better appreciation of something (nature, someone's talent, how hard life can be, how rewarding something is, how meaningful personal relationships are, etc.). Also, the outcome can be a lesson that is learned. The use of the elements of a short story is helpful to the writer of a narrative essay, as well. These are the following: the author's tone, characterization; setting (time and place), conflict(s), the elements of plot (exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution). [https://quizlet.com/3012405/plot-flash-cards/]

The following is what one company describes as also essential to the composition of the narrative essay:

  • is told from a particular point of view
  • makes and supports a point
  • is filled with precise detail [concrete language, not figurative]
  • uses vivid verbs and modifiers
  • uses conflict and sequence as does any story
  • may use dialogue 

[http://essayinfo.com/essays/narrative_essay.php]

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How do you write a narrative essay?

A narrative essay tells a story - biographical and autobiographical novels could be described as narrative because they give personal accounts. As a device for telling a story, presenting the events to be included in the story in some sort of time-related order helps the reader to understand the action. However, use of techniques like flashbacks or flash-forwards can add to the interest and effect of your essay.

A narrative essay needs to start with its plot. The author needs to determine the conflict, the rising action, the climax, and the falling action and establish the characters to be involved in the story. Use of literary techniques at certain places or to add certain kinds of impact, tension, or surprise needs to be planned, depending upon the way in which the plot is presented and how the action develops.

The method of starting a narrative essay depends upon the author and the plan for the essay. If the essay is going to be completely chronological, the first sentence may start to introduce the main character and the conflict facing that character. If the essay is going to use flashbacks, the opening point may be the main character remembering something that has already happened.

Once begun, the narrative proceeds to reveal the plot, using whatever techniques the author wishes to incorporate into the storytelling.

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