write a narrative essay on my first day at university

My First Day at University: Narrative Essay

The first day at university marks the beginning of a new chapter in life, filled with excitement, anticipation, and a hint of nervousness. It’s a day that symbolizes new beginnings, fresh starts, and endless possibilities. In this narrative essay, I will recount the experiences of my first day at university, from the nervous excitement before to the exhilarating moments that followed. Stepping onto the university campus for the first time was a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement bubbled within me as I imagined the new friends I’d make and the knowledge I’d gain. In this essay, I’ll share the story of my first day at university, from the excitement before to the experiences that unfolded.

Getting Ready and Feeling Excited

In the days leading up to my first day, I was a jumble of emotions—nervous yet thrilled, anxious yet excited. The prospect of embarking on this new chapter in my life filled me with a sense of anticipation unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

I dedicated hours to preparing for the big day. I meticulously planned my schedule, making sure I had everything in order. I went over my checklist again and again, ensuring that I had all the necessary books and supplies. Each item I ticked off the list brought me one step closer to being ready.

Arriving on Campus

On the morning of my first day, I arrived on campus early, eager to begin this new adventure. The campus was buzzing with activity, and I felt a sense of belonging as I joined other students in orientation sessions and explored the campus.

As I walked around, I was impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities, from the well-equipped libraries to the modern lecture halls. Everything was designed to support students in their academic journey, and I felt reassured knowing that I had access to such excellent resources.

Orientation and Welcoming Atmosphere

During orientation, I was introduced to the university’s facilities and services, which helped ease my nerves. I also had the chance to meet other students and begin forming friendships that would last throughout my university years.

One of the highlights of orientation was meeting other students who were also starting their university journey. We bonded over our shared excitement and nerves, and before long, we were chatting and laughing as if we had known each other for years. These early friendships would prove to be invaluable throughout my university years, providing support, friendship, and a sense of belonging.

Making Connections Settling In and Finding My Way

Throughout the day, I engaged in conversations with my fellow students, exchanging stories and experiences. These initial interactions played a crucial role in helping me feel more comfortable and enthusiastic about the journey ahead. The shared laughter and companionship we experienced during these conversations created a sense of belonging and anticipation for the friendships that would blossom in the coming years. These interactions also helped me realize that I was not alone in my feelings of excitement and nervousness; we were all embarking on this new adventure together. By the end of the day, I felt a renewed sense of confidence and excitement about the experiences that lay ahead, knowing that I had already formed connections that would accompany me on this journey.

Settling In and Finding My Way Lessons Learned

Throughout the day, I attended my first classes, immersing myself in the academic side of university life. The workload was challenging, but I was eager to learn and grow. The professors were engaging, and the material was fascinating. I felt a sense of accomplishment as I completed my assignments and participated in class discussions. These early experiences reinforced my excitement about my chosen field of study and motivated me to excel in my academic pursuits.

Lessons Learned

Thinking back to my first day, I realize how much I’ve learned and grown already. I learned to accept change and try new things, which made me feel more independent and sure of myself. This experience has helped me become more confident and able to handle new challenges. Each day brings something new, and I’m grateful for the chance to learn and grow even more.

Excitement for the Future

Conclusion:.

My first day at university was a mix of emotions, but it was also a day filled with excitement, new beginnings, and endless possibilities. As I continue my journey, I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me and excited for all that lies ahead.

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How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips

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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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.

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write a narrative essay on my first day at university

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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Narrative essay My first day at the University

Narrative essay: My first day at the University

The 2nd of march, 2015 year was the day that helped me to overcome one of my greatest fears. This was my first day at one of the most prestigious universities in Uzbekistan and nothing was familiar. I had just entered the doors of INHA University and started my life-changing journey.

I was trying to find the lecture room, but eventually I got lost in the labyrinth of the majestic building. I was embarrassed and many questions were running in my head. Where was my class? Where was the professor’s room? How should I behave with new classmates? However, all this questions were minor in comparison with my main fear. I began to panic.

From my earliest childhood, I was introvert. Therefore, I was afraid of talking to new people because I might look foolish and embarrass myself or just because I thought that, I could do everything by myself. In addition, by reason of nervousness I could start to stammer. Anyway, I had to find someone to help me because I could not be late for the first lesson!

Scraps of foreign speech were traveling from the room at the end of long corridor. Gathering courage, I decided to enter that room and ask for the help. Fortunately, a passing manager asked me if I have problems and kindly offered to accompany me to the classroom.

In a minute, we took a lift and I was on the threshold of the auditorium. To make a step forward was the most difficult action because the noisy classroom was full of new faces. Almost all places were occupied and I sat at the end of the row. In 5 minutes, the calculus professor Lee Yoon Weon came and silence reigned. Subject was not simple, but that was just a starter. I faced some difficulties related to educational process, but my classmates were very kind and were ready to help me at any time. Thereby I made new acquaintances. By the end of the day, I had learnt a lesson.

After the first day at INHA University, I understood that all problems can/could be solved much faster and easier, when you have a supporter. People around us not angry and always willing to help, just forget about your fears and make step forward to them!

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Sentence: However, all this questions were minor in comparison with my main fear. Description: A determiner/pronoun, singular is not usually followed by a noun, plural, common Suggestion: Refer to this and questions

People around us not angry People around us are not angry

Attribute Value Ideal Score: 4.0 out of 6 Category: Good Excellent No. of Grammatical Errors: 2 2 No. of Spelling Errors: 0 2 No. of Sentences: 27 15 No. of Words: 384 350 No. of Characters: 1678 1500 No. of Different Words: 203 200 Fourth Root of Number of Words: 4.427 4.7 Average Word Length: 4.37 4.6 Word Length SD: 2.569 2.4 No. of Words greater than 5 chars: 109 100 No. of Words greater than 6 chars: 81 80 No. of Words greater than 7 chars: 48 40 No. of Words greater than 8 chars: 36 20 Use of Passive Voice (%): 0 0 Avg. Sentence Length: 14.222 21.0 Sentence Length SD: 6.5 7.5 Use of Discourse Markers (%): 0.37 0.12 Sentence-Text Coherence: 0.308 0.35 Sentence-Para Coherence: 0.511 0.50 Sentence-Sentence Coherence: 0.106 0.07 Number of Paragraphs: 6 5

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An Essay on My First Day at College

Introduction
Arrival and Orientation
Initial Impressions
Navigating Challenges
Memorable Encounters

The first day at college is a milestone in every student’s life. It marks the beginning of a new journey filled with excitement, challenges, and countless opportunities. I vividly remember my own first day, where a mix of nerves and anticipation filled the air. The air seemed charged with potential, as if the very atmosphere held the promise of knowledge and growth. With my backpack slung over one shoulder and a heart brimming with dreams, I stepped onto the campus, ready to embark on this transformative adventure.

As I approached the college gates, a sense of awe washed over me. The sprawling campus seemed like a bustling city in itself, teeming with students from various walks of life. The orientation session provided a warm welcome, with faculty members extending their support and guidance. They shared valuable insights about the college, its traditions, and the resources available to students.

The classrooms, with their neat rows of desks, looked like stages awaiting the actors. The library, a treasure trove of knowledge, beckoned with its shelves of books. The campus grounds offered a serene escape, inviting students to pause and reflect. Each corner held a promise of discovery, and I felt a surge of eagerness to explore them all.

You May Like: An Essay on Pleasures of College Life

The first day brought its own set of challenges. Finding my way around the campus was like solving a puzzle, but with every wrong turn, I stumbled upon a new corner of this academic wonderland. Time management suddenly became paramount, as lectures, assignments, and extracurricular activities jostled for attention. Adapting to the pace of college life required patience and a willingness to learn.

Amidst the whirlwind of activity, I had the chance to meet a diverse array of fellow students. Each person brought their own unique story, adding vibrant hues to the tapestry of our college community. From classmates to roommates, every encounter was an opportunity to learn, grow, and form lasting connections.

One memorable encounter was with a senior who offered a helping hand, sharing tips and advice on navigating the college terrain. Their kindness and warmth reassured me that I was not alone in this new adventure.

Looking back, that first day at college was like starting a grand adventure. It taught me a lot about being strong when things get tough and making friends in new places. I learned that there’s so much more to learn and discover in this big world. As the sun set on that special day, I felt like a brave explorer, excited to see what comes next. That first day wasn’t just the beginning of college; it was the start of a whole journey of learning and growing that will last a lifetime.

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Narrative Essays

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What is a narrative essay?

When writing a narrative essay, one might think of it as telling a story. These essays are often anecdotal, experiential, and personal—allowing students to express themselves in a creative and, quite often, moving ways.

Here are some guidelines for writing a narrative essay.

If written as a story, the essay should include all the parts of a story.

This means that you must include an introduction, plot, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion.

When would a narrative essay not be written as a story?

A good example of this is when an instructor asks a student to write a book report. Obviously, this would not necessarily follow the pattern of a story and would focus on providing an informative narrative for the reader.

The essay should have a purpose.

Make a point! Think of this as the thesis of your story. If there is no point to what you are narrating, why narrate it at all?

The essay should be written from a clear point of view.

It is quite common for narrative essays to be written from the standpoint of the author; however, this is not the sole perspective to be considered. Creativity in narrative essays oftentimes manifests itself in the form of authorial perspective.

Use clear and concise language throughout the essay.

Much like the descriptive essay, narrative essays are effective when the language is carefully, particularly, and artfully chosen. Use specific language to evoke specific emotions and senses in the reader.

The use of the first person pronoun ‘I’ is welcomed.

Do not abuse this guideline! Though it is welcomed it is not necessary—nor should it be overused for lack of clearer diction.

As always, be organized!

Have a clear introduction that sets the tone for the remainder of the essay. Do not leave the reader guessing about the purpose of your narrative. Remember, you are in control of the essay, so guide it where you desire (just make sure your audience can follow your lead).

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'One day at a time': My first days at university

A University of Bristol student from New York shares her experience of her first few days in the UK...

We have another new student blogger, also from the University of Bristol . Her name is Emilia Morano-Williams, and she comes to us from the US. She is currently a fourth year Italian student, originally from New York. In her first entry she takes us back to her first few weeks in Bristol, including the attention her accent attracted, and more....

'I had seen Bristol a couple of times before I arrived there for university, but, from the moment I landed in Heathrow, I could tell that this time would be different. There was no return ticket, there was no easy lifting the suitcase and there was no way to enter the country without having my fingerprints scanned. I was here as more than a tourist, I was here to live.

Things have changed a lot since then, but my first few days in Bristol as a student have become the benchmark by which I measure how much I’ve grown since arriving at university. The awkward exchanges with possible friends, the blank room with a single university-issued poster hanging on the wall and even the frequent inability to eat this completely foreign food felt all encompassing back then. Little did I know that all those funny moments wouldn’t last.

I moved into halls much like the other students. My parents and I arrived with a couple suitcases at Churchill Hall in Bristol and walked into the painfully bare room. Within a few minutes everything was out and had a place. I had barely any belongings and my room resembled a bare Travelodge rather than a place in which I would be spending my first year of university. I glanced out onto the quad, a unique feature of my hall, and saw the other students moving in box after box. Could I ever forget the kid who brought his own television or a box of beer? Nope, not yet anyway.

Of course, the first day all passes in the longest whirlwind of your life. Soon my parents left and I went to say hi to the other students who I could see and hear chatting happily from my window. Once I said hi and began meeting people, it was easy to keep going. People heard my accent from the moment I began speaking and, just like that, we had a conversation going. There seemed to be a shockingly large amount of people who knew each other already, but I just shrugged it off with a smile that’s largeness probably betrayed the nerves that I felt.

Things got easier and harder after the first day. My first week of university life fell into the predictable pattern of attending induction talks, getting lost wandering around the university, trying to make friends and figuring out where to find the most basic of items. All of a sudden extension cords, mouthwash and folders became exotic items. When I wake up the first morning, I made the mistake of counting how many days until Christmas break would begin. In that moment, as the fear of spending ninety days away from home hit me, I learnt the most important lesson of my university career: take it one day at a time. I’ve been living peacefully with that mindset ever since.

During the first few weeks, I was hyper aware of not wanting to seem too foreign. All my images of international students came from movies and television shows where they were put into the corner and observed as if their culture was so completely different. Yet, I soon realized that because I was fortunate enough to speak English as a first language and to have spent many months travelling through England before arriving at university, the cultural differences weren’t as stark as I expected them to be. People would ask me questions about where I came from, but when we discovered common interests, those queries quickly gave way to other topics. If people thought of me as foreign, they certainly didn’t show that. I soon began to stop thinking of myself as foreign and just thought of myself as a Bristol student. Sure, it was hard when I talked to friends back home who were pleasantly ticking off all the required college experiences and got to go home at the weekend, but living abroad became less about being an American in a new country and turned into me having new experiences.

For me, the social and cultural struggles of arriving at university occupied more of my mental space than academic issues. I found it relatively easy to integrate into new classes and soon began to enjoy my schedule. The beginning of university is difficult for everyone, but as an international student it can be easy to think that you are the only one experiencing these issues because you are international. I didn’t realize it until later in the year, but everyone was struggling with the shift to university in their own way. It’s a culture shock to everyone; we just experience it in different ways.'

Interested in studying at the University of Bristol ? Read more about the University , watch their video, and browse the many courses they offer.

If you enjoyed this blog entry, read more posts by Emilia as she navigates life in the UK as an international student.

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Essay on My First Day at College

Students are often asked to write an essay on My First Day at College in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My First Day at College

Anticipation and excitement.

My first day at college was filled with a mix of anticipation and excitement. I was eager to meet my new classmates, learn from experienced professors, and explore the vast campus.

Class Introduction

The day began with a class introduction. I was nervous but soon found myself chatting with fellow students, sharing our dreams and aspirations.

First Lecture

The first lecture was intriguing. It was different from school, more interactive and engaging. I could feel the academic rigor and was thrilled.

Exploring the Campus

Post-classes, I explored the campus, discovering libraries, cafeterias, and the beautiful green spaces. It was an enriching and memorable day.

250 Words Essay on My First Day at College

The anticipation of a new beginning, embracing the unknown.

Walking through the grand entrance, I was immediately struck by the sheer size of the campus. The hustle and bustle of students rushing to classes, the diversity of faces, and the grandeur of the architecture made my high school seem like a distant memory. I felt like a small fish in a vast ocean, ready to explore the unknown.

Breaking the Ice

As I entered my first class, the room filled with unfamiliar faces, I felt a twinge of anxiety. However, the ice-breaking session, designed to introduce us to each other, eased my nerves. We shared our backgrounds, interests, and aspirations. It was a comforting reminder that we were all in the same boat, navigating the waters of this new life together.

Lessons Beyond the Classroom

The rest of the day was a flurry of lectures, introductions, and tours. But the most profound lesson I learned was not academic. It was the realization that college was not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about learning to adapt, making connections, and growing as an individual.

My first day at college was a whirlwind of emotions and experiences. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, a chapter filled with opportunities, challenges, and the promise of growth. As I walked back to my dorm that evening, I knew I was ready to embrace this new journey with open arms.

500 Words Essay on My First Day at College

Anticipation and apprehension.

The transition from high school to college is a significant milestone in a student’s life. My first day at college was an amalgamation of emotions ranging from anticipation to apprehension. I was stepping into an environment that promised intellectual growth, new friendships, and a journey towards self-discovery.

The New Academic Culture

My first class was an introduction to philosophy. The professor, a renowned scholar in his field, challenged us to question our beliefs and assumptions. The class was interactive, and students were encouraged to voice their opinions. This was a departure from the rote learning methods I was accustomed to in high school. The emphasis was on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential in the real world.

Building New Relationships

Another significant aspect of my first day was the opportunity to forge new relationships. I met my roommate, a friendly person from a different city. We found common ground in our shared love for music and literature. The day was also filled with introductions to future classmates, professors, and administrative staff. Each interaction was a step towards building a network that would support me throughout my college journey.

Extracurricular Activities

Embracing independence.

Perhaps the most profound aspect of my first day at college was the sense of independence. For the first time, I was responsible for my schedule, managing my time between classes, extracurricular activities, and personal time. This newfound freedom was both exciting and daunting. It signified the beginning of my journey towards becoming a self-reliant individual.

My first day at college was a whirlwind of new experiences, filled with anticipation, excitement, and a bit of nervousness. It marked the beginning of a transformative journey, a journey that would shape my intellectual growth, personal development, and prepare me for the challenges of the future. As I reflect on that day, I realize that it was not just about the start of my college education, but also about the start of a new chapter in my life, one that would be filled with opportunities, challenges, and lifelong learning.

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3 Great Narrative Essay Examples + Tips for Writing

General Education

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.

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.

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.

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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Home / Essay Samples / Education / University / My First Day at Campus: Reflections on an Unforgettable Experience

My First Day at Campus: Reflections on an Unforgettable Experience

Category: Life , Education
Topic: A Day to Remember , Personal Experience , University

Pages: 1 (514 words)

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