Essay 1: Narrative Essay Assignment Details

Essay prompt: In this class, we will be exploring some of the ways authors use "anecdotal evidence" to make a point, or support an argument. "Anecdotal evidence" is the stories people tell about an experience they had, and it is often used to support a bigger point that a writer wants to make.

For Essay 1, you will tell a story about an experience you had, while also discussing the "big take-away" that you learned from the experience. To do this effectively, you will write an introduction, and a conclusion, that discusses the experience in broad terms, and discusses what you learned. You will also write several body paragraphs where you actually tell the story. Here is a recommended structure for this essay:

Recommended essay format:

Paragraph 1: Introduction. Discuss the story you will tell in broad, general terms. Don't begin to tell the story yet! Set up the story for the reader, and write a statement explicitly telling the reader what you learned from the experience. Create an attention-grabbing "hook" as your very first sentence, to draw the reader into your essay.

Paragraphs 2-4: Tell the story. Write your paragraphs in narrative form, paying attention to organization. "Chunk" your story into three clearly defined sections. The end of Paragraph 4 should be the end of your story!

Paragraph 5: Conclusion. Discuss the importance of your story, and how it impacted you. Restate (using different words) your sentence from your introduction, where you told the reader what you learned from the experience. Bring your essay full circle.

See calendar for due dates.
Grading: ENG 098 Essay Rubric.
Final draft: 300 points