Narrative Essay
1. Look at information about the second Industrial Revolution in America around 1890-1910. Learn about immigration,
child labor, extremes between rich and poor, and anything else that would help you set your narrative in this time
period.
2. Read the story in the text about the Triangle Factory Fire “Flesh and Blood So Cheap” to get an idea of some of the
injustices of the time such as the very little oversight in factories and the unsafe working conditions.
3. Using a classifying map, brainstorm ideas for characters, setting, and a potential conflict or problem that will be
central to your story.
4. Next, make an expanding classifying map that gives more detail to the characters (like adding names, ages,
personality traits), setting, and conflict. Add two more things to the map: attempts to solve the problem/conflict and
the solution/outcome/resolution to the problem.
5. Following your detailed classifying map, create a four box sequencing map. On this map, write 2-3 attempts at solving
the problem/conflict within your story. For example, in the Triangle Fire, the conflict was that the 8th and 9th floor
were on fire. One attempt to solve this was that the workers tried to put it out, but the hose was not connected to
the water line. Your final box would be the outcome or final solution to the problem.
6. Expand beneath your sequencing map and include details that you will have created from answering the media
questions that will help “show-not tell”:
a. What were you doing?
c. What were you thinking?
b. What were those around you doing? (this
d. How were you feeling? (physical and
doesn’t just mean people; think of mice
emotionally)
scurrying about the factory floor, for
e. Describe the scene.
example).
7. Next you will go over what you need in an opening paragraph. See your notes about having the following elements to
include then write your opening.
(A) Grabber
(B) Background Information
a. Sound effects
a. Who
b. Character Thoughts
b. Did What?
c. Character Actions
c. When?
d. Dialogue
(C) The problem/conflict introduced
e. Describe Setting
8. Using your maps, “talk your story off the map” by verbally telling it from your written opening and the sequencing
map. Include appropriate transition words within your narrative.
9. Prepare to write your closing. The closing should show thought and provide closure with a summary, question, or
wrap-up of the whole story. Review the strategies to use in closings then write one!
a. Circular Endings: These endings add a sense of closure and allow readers to revisit some part of the
beginning of the story that might not have seemed important or significant at first. In other words, the story
ends where it begins but with a new understanding by the character/s and/readers.
b. Poignant Endings: These endings evoke emotions through something the character learned or felt. They are
the ending that touch the heart and sometimes even bring tears.
c. Endings that have a message: These endings teach a lesson or have a big idea. They usually relate to the
human experience and what our experiences can teach us about life.
d. Surprise Endings: These endings differ from what readers might have expected.
10. Review all your pieces, adding and editing what you need then create your final draft. Your final draft may be either
handwritten (blue/black ink and one side of the paper only) or typed (12 font, double spaced, left justified, and two
printed copies. In the top right corner of your essay, instead of your name, please write your ID # and your period.
Don’t forget to write the title of your essay at the top of your paper.
11. Think of the other elements we discussed about your essay. Use precise language. Edit out overuse of pronouns,
improve vague adjectives, and look at each sentence to see if you can elevate the language. Use dialogue and
accurate historical details to make your story realistic even though it is fiction. Stay with your first or third person
narration, and write in an ACTIVE voice!