Personal Narrative Essay Models 
Personal Narrative Essay Models
Some may not be of high literary quality, but they do show personal transformation and reflection. Others may contain inappropriate subject matter for some communities. However, they can be very useful in encouraging students to write. By choosing a suitable model, demonstrating annotation and applying the steps of the writing process, teachers can help young adults to compose effective personal narrative essays. Begin by allowing the students to review narrative models. Present the model to the class as a whole. Teachers may want to read it out loud so that the dramatic aspects of the narrative are clear. Guide discussion with questions like these: * What event caused the narrator's life to change? * How does the narrator describe this event? * What details show what the narrator's life was like before this event occurred? * What details show what the narrator's life was like after this event occurred? * What sentences, words or phrases show how the narrator felt and thought about this change? Narrative Essay Structure
Give each student pencils, highlighters or thin markers in three different colors. Remind the students that many narrative essays include a beginning, middle and an end. In many personal narrative essays, the "beginning," which may not necessarily be revealed in the first few paragraphs of the essay, includes details about the instigating events or rising action. The "middle" may include the climax, or the event that lead to some kind of personal transformation. The "end" may include details about the narrator has changed, or the falling action and resolution. Tell the students to read through the story again silently and underline any words, phrases or sentences that give details about what the narrator used to be like. Specify the color or style they should use to mark these details. Ask them to write the one or two of the boldest, clearest or most original words in the margin. Allow the
Some may not be of high literary quality, but they do show personal transformation and reflection. Others may contain inappropriate subject matter for some communities. However, they can be very useful in encouraging students to write. By choosing a suitable model, demonstrating annotation and applying the steps of the writing process, teachers can help young adults to compose effective personal narrative essays. Begin by allowing the students to review narrative models. Present the model to the class as a whole. Teachers may want to read it out loud so that the dramatic aspects of the narrative are clear. Guide discussion with questions like these: * What event caused the narrator's life to change? * How does the narrator describe this event? * What details show what the narrator's life was like before this event occurred? * What details show what the narrator's life was like after this event occurred? * What sentences, words or phrases show how the narrator felt and thought about this change? Narrative Essay Structure
Give each student pencils, highlighters or thin markers in three different colors. Remind the students that many narrative essays include a beginning, middle and an end. In many personal narrative essays, the "beginning," which may not necessarily be revealed in the first few paragraphs of the essay, includes details about the instigating events or rising action. The "middle" may include the climax, or the event that lead to some kind of personal transformation. The "end" may include details about the narrator has changed, or the falling action and resolution. Tell the students to read through the story again silently and underline any words, phrases or sentences that give details about what the narrator used to be like. Specify the color or style they should use to mark these details. Ask them to write the one or two of the boldest, clearest or most original words in the margin. Allow the