narrative essay prompt

Narrative Essay Topics: TOP 200 Choices for Students

Imagine yourself facing a blank page, ready to fill it with your memories and imagination. What story will you tell today?

As students, you often have to write narratives that capture people's attention. But with so many stories to choose from, where do you start? How do you find the perfect topic that will grab our readers' interest and make them think?

Join our essay service experts as we explore 200 topics for college where stories are waiting to be told, and experiences are ready to be shared. From everyday events to unforgettable moments, each topic is a chance to connect with your readers and make them feel something.

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Ideas for Narrative Essay Topics

After exploring how students write narrative paragraphs, we've put together a list of narrative essay topics designed specifically for college and school students. This list covers a wide range of subjects, so pick one that speaks to you!

Literacy Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

How about delving into captivating literacy narrative essay topics designed specifically for college-level writing? Exciting, isn't it?

• How did a childhood book shape your view of the world?
• What challenges did you face when learning to read in a second language?
• How has storytelling within your family influenced your literacy journey?
• Can you recall a pivotal moment that ignited your love for reading?
• How did a specific teacher inspire your passion for literature?
• Have you ever encountered a character in a book who profoundly impacted your perspective on life?
• What role did writing play in helping you navigate a difficult period in your life?
• How has your relationship with technology affected your reading habits?
• What cultural or historical event sparked your interest in a particular genre of literature?
• How has poetry shaped your understanding of language and emotion?
• Have you ever experienced a breakthrough moment in your writing process?
• How has reading aloud impacted your comprehension and enjoyment of literature?
• Can you recall a time when a book challenged your beliefs or worldview?
• How has participating in a book club enriched your reading experience?
• What strategies have you developed to overcome reading difficulties or distractions?

Personal Narrative Essay Topics on Relationships

Take a moment to reflect on your past experiences and craft compelling personal narratives with these essay ideas.

• How did a specific friendship shape who you are today?
• Can you recount a moment that strengthened your bond with a family member?
• What challenges have you faced in maintaining a long-distance relationship?
• How has a mentor influenced your personal and professional development?
• Have you experienced a betrayal in a relationship? How did it impact you?
• Can you describe a memorable conflict resolution process within a relationship?
• How has your relationship with a pet affected your emotional well-being?
• What lessons have you learned from navigating a romantic relationship?
• How has your relationship with a sibling evolved over time?
• Can you recall a time when you had to set boundaries in a friendship?
• How has volunteering or community involvement enriched your relationships?
• What cultural differences have influenced your relationships with others?
• Can you share a moment when you felt truly understood by someone?
• How has technology affected the dynamics of your relationships?
• Have you ever experienced a reconciliation that transformed a strained relationship?

Best Narrative Essay Topics on Education and Learning

Consider the beauty of sharing your personal experiences and emotions in a captivating manner through these ideas for personal narrative essays.

• What was the most valuable lesson you learned outside of the classroom?
• Can you recount a moment when a teacher's unconventional method transformed your understanding of a subject?
• How has a field trip or experiential learning opportunity impacted your education?
• What challenges have you faced in balancing extracurricular activities with academics?
• Have you ever had a "Eureka!" moment while studying? Describe it.
• How has learning a new skill outside of school influenced your academic performance?
• Can you recall a time when a peer's perspective challenged your own understanding of a topic?
• How has technology enhanced or hindered your learning experience?
• What role does creativity play in your approach to learning?
• Have you ever experienced a setback that ultimately propelled you forward academically?
• How has your cultural background influenced your learning style?
• Can you describe a time when you had to advocate for yourself within an educational setting?
• How has mentorship shaped your educational journey?
• What strategies have you employed to overcome academic challenges or obstacles?
• Can you reflect on a time when failure taught you a valuable lesson about learning?

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Personal Narrative Essay Ideas on Reflection on Life

Why not ignite your creativity with a range of narrative essay topics, from extraordinary moments to everyday experiences?

• How has a moment of failure ultimately led to personal growth and resilience?
• Can you recount a pivotal decision that significantly altered the course of your life?
• What lessons have you learned from navigating a crossroads or major life transition?
• How has your perspective on success evolved over time?
• Can you reflect on a time when you had to confront and overcome a deeply held fear?
• What role has gratitude played in shaping your outlook on life?
• How have your values and beliefs been influenced by significant life experiences?
• Can you describe a moment when you found clarity and purpose amidst chaos or uncertainty?
• What impact has traveling to a new place had on your understanding of the world and yourself?
• How has adversity strengthened your character and determination?
• Can you recall a time when a random act of kindness profoundly impacted your life?
• What lessons have you learned from embracing vulnerability and authenticity in relationships?
• How has practicing mindfulness or self-reflection enhanced your well-being and happiness?
• Can you reflect on a period of personal transformation or self-discovery?
• How have you found meaning and fulfillment in pursuing your passions and interests?

Ideas for a Narrative Essay on Culture and Society

Engaging your readers with narrative essays on culture and society is a great way to spark interest, offering captivating ideas for exploration.

• How has your family's unique culinary heritage influenced your cultural identity?
• Can you reflect on a specific cultural artifact or heirloom that holds deep significance for your family?
• What challenges have you faced in preserving traditional customs while adapting to modern societal expectations?
• How has a local festival or celebration revealed the intricacies of your community's cultural tapestry?
• Can you recount a moment when you navigated a cultural clash between your upbringing and the dominant culture?
• How has your experience as a first-generation immigrant shaped your understanding of cultural assimilation?
• What lessons have you learned from participating in intercultural exchange programs or initiatives?
• Can you describe a unique cultural practice or tradition within your community that outsiders might find intriguing or misunderstood?
• How has the revitalization of indigenous languages contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage in your region?
• Can you reflect on a personal journey of reconnecting with your cultural roots after a period of assimilation or disconnection?
• What role does storytelling play in passing down cultural wisdom and values within your family or community?
• How has the portrayal of your culture in mainstream media affected your sense of belonging and self-perception?
• Can you recount a moment when you challenged cultural stereotypes through creative expression or advocacy?
• How has the migration of a specific cultural group enriched the social fabric and economic landscape of your community?
• What initiatives or grassroots movements are currently underway to promote cross-cultural understanding and cooperation in your society?

Since you're working on essays, we think it's suitable to suggest you learn more about the case study format , which is another common college assignment.

Narrative Writing Topics on Hobbies and Interests

Wow your readers by turning your passions and hobbies into compelling narrative essay topics that will get them thinking.

• How has your passion for urban gardening transformed neglected spaces in your community?
• Can you recount a thrilling adventure from your hobby of urban exploration?
• What lessons have you learned from restoring vintage motorcycles in your spare time?
• How has your fascination with birdwatching deepened your connection to nature and conservation efforts?
• Can you describe a memorable moment from your hobby of foraging wild edibles in the wilderness?
• What unique skills have you developed through your hobby of beekeeping, and how have they impacted your daily life?
• How has your interest in historical reenactment brought the past to life in unexpected ways?
• Can you reflect on a transformative experience from your hobby of landscape photography?
• What insights have you gained from practicing the art of bonsai cultivation and nurturing miniature ecosystems?
• How has your passion for stargazing inspired awe and wonder in the vastness of the universe?
• Can you recount a challenging project from your hobby of woodworking and the satisfaction it brought upon completion?
• What cultural connections have you discovered through your hobby of traditional folk dancing?
• How has your interest in sustainable fashion influenced your consumer habits and environmental awareness?
• Can you describe a moment of serenity and mindfulness experienced while practicing the art of tea ceremony?
• How has your hobby of letterpress printing preserved the tactile beauty of handmade craftsmanship in a digital age?

Narrative Essay Titles on Life-Changing Moments

Life is full of unexpected twists that can lead to life-changing moments. Take a look at these narrative essay titles for stories that have had a lasting impact on your life.

• How did surviving a natural disaster reshape your perspective on life?
• Can you recall a single conversation that drastically altered the course of your life?
• What was the pivotal moment that inspired you to pursue your dreams against all odds?
• How did a chance encounter lead to a life-changing friendship or partnership?
• Can you reflect on the decision that transformed your career trajectory?
• What profound lesson did you learn from facing a life-threatening illness or injury?
• How did traveling to a new country open your eyes to new possibilities and opportunities?
• Can you recount the moment when you discovered your true passion or calling in life?
• What was the turning point that allowed you to break free from a toxic relationship or environment?
• How did experiencing failure or rejection ultimately lead to personal growth and resilience?
• Can you describe the moment when you found the strength to overcome a deep-seated fear or insecurity?
• What life-changing realization did you have while experiencing a period of solitude or introspection?
• How did a profound act of kindness from a stranger restore your faith in humanity?
• Can you reflect on the moment when you forgave someone who had deeply hurt you, and how it changed your perspective on forgiveness?
• What pivotal decision did you make that allowed you to reclaim control over your own happiness and destiny?

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Good Narrative Topics on Travel and Adventure

Consider creating intriguing titles for your narrative essay ideas by exploring thrilling travel adventures.

• Can you recount a memorable encounter with wildlife during your solo hiking adventure?
• How did a spontaneous decision to explore an unfamiliar city lead to unexpected discoveries?
• What lessons did you learn from navigating a foreign country with only a map and your instincts?
• Can you describe the exhilaration of conquering a challenging mountain peak for the first time?
• How did immersing yourself in a local culture during your travels broaden your perspective on the world?
• What unexpected obstacles did you encounter while embarking on a backpacking journey through rugged terrain?
• Can you reflect on the transformative experience of volunteering abroad in a community-driven project?
• How did getting lost in a labyrinthine city alleyway lead to serendipitous encounters and newfound friendships?
• What was the most memorable meal you had while sampling street food in a bustling market abroad?
• Can you recount the adrenaline rush of participating in an extreme sports activity in a foreign land?
• How did witnessing a breathtaking natural phenomenon during your travels leave a lasting impression on you?
• What cultural traditions or rituals did you participate in during a homestay experience with a local family?
• Can you describe the sense of wonder and awe you felt while exploring ancient ruins or historical sites?
• How did navigating a language barrier challenge and ultimately enrich your travel experience?
• What valuable life lessons did you learn from the mishaps and misadventures encountered during your journey off the beaten path?

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas on Career and Work Experience

College students can uncover captivating narrative essay ideas by exploring potential career paths or reminiscing about past job experiences.

• How did a challenging project at work showcase your problem-solving skills and resilience?
• Can you reflect on a pivotal mentorship experience that guided your career trajectory?
• What valuable lessons did you learn from a career setback or failure, and how did it shape your future success?
• How did a workplace conflict lead to personal growth and improved communication skills?
• Can you recount a moment when taking a professional risk paid off in unexpected ways?
• What insights did you gain from transitioning to a new industry or career path?
• How did participating in a cross-functional team project enhance your collaboration and leadership abilities?
• Can you describe the satisfaction of achieving a long-term career goal after years of hard work and perseverance?
• What impact did a meaningful recognition or award have on your motivation and sense of accomplishment?
• How did volunteering or pro bono work contribute to your professional development and sense of purpose?
• Can you reflect on the decision to leave a stable job in pursuit of passion or fulfillment?
• What strategies did you employ to navigate a toxic work environment and maintain your well-being?
• How did a career setback lead to unexpected opportunities for personal and professional growth?
• Can you describe a moment when mentorship or sponsorship played a crucial role in advancing your career?
• What lessons did you learn from a challenging client or customer interaction, and how did it shape your approach to customer service and relationship-building?

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics about Challenges and Obstacles

If you're not sure what to write about for your narrative essay, think back to the tough times you've had and how you managed to get through them.

• How did you conquer a once-paralyzing fear to chase your dreams?
• What new strengths did you discover while adapting to a physical challenge?
• Can you recall a creative solution you used during a tough financial period?
• When did you bravely stand against injustice, despite opposition?
• How did overcoming a language barrier broaden your horizons?
• What key lessons did you learn from a major setback in your life?
• How did you manage overwhelming stress and responsibilities?
• What inner reserves of resilience did you draw upon after personal loss?
• Describe a time when you defied societal norms to pursue your goals.
• Reflect on a moment when failure fueled your determination for success.
• When did you find the courage to leave your comfort zone behind?
• How did community support bolster you through a challenging time?
• Share a time when self-doubt led to newfound confidence.
• Can you recount a tragedy that spurred your personal growth?
• What insights did overcoming a monumental obstacle reveal about life?

Best Narrative Essay Topics: How to Choose the One That Resonates 

A narrative essay is a type of writing that tells a personal story, including characters, plot, setting, and the order of events. Its main goal is to connect with readers emotionally and share a specific message or insight through the retelling of a meaningful experience.

Students write narrative essays as part of their studies for several reasons. Firstly, it allows them to express themselves creatively by sharing their unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Secondly, it helps them develop important writing skills like organizing ideas and thoughts effectively.

Choosing good narrative essay ideas involves looking at personal experiences, interests, and the potential for engaging storytelling. Here's a simple guide to help you pick the right topic:

• Think about significant moments in your life that had a lasting impact, such as personal growth or overcoming challenges.
• Choose topics related to your hobbies, interests, or areas of expertise to make your story more engaging.
• Consider what your audience would be interested in and choose topics that resonate with them.
• Focus on a specific event or detail to make your narrative more focused and impactful.
• Look for universal themes like love or personal transformation that connect with readers on a deeper level.
• Brainstorm ideas and write freely to uncover compelling topics.
• Decide on storytelling techniques like flashbacks or foreshadowing and choose a topic that fits.
• Get feedback from friends, peers, or instructors to see if your topics are interesting and impactful.
• Choose topics that evoke strong emotions for a more compelling narrative.
• Select a topic that you personally connect with to make your story authentic.

Once you've chosen a topic, brainstorm ideas and create an outline for your essay. Follow your professor's instructions carefully and consider seeking help from our narrative essay writing service if needed.

Bring your stories to life with EssayPro. Select from a vast array of narrative essay topics and let our professionals help you weave your tales into captivating essays. Whether it's adventure, reflection, or imagination, we're here to assist.

Final Remarks

As we wrap up, our list of 200 narrative essay topics is here to fuel your creativity for your next writing project! Whether you're sharing a memorable event, reliving a childhood memory, or expressing a profound insight, crafting a narrative essay can be an uplifting experience that resonates deeply with readers.

And if you're gearing up for college admissions, why not check out our admission essay writing service ? We've already assisted countless students in securing their spots at their dream colleges, and we'd love to help you, too!

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Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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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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Table of contents

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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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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BEST NARRATIVE WRITING PROMPTS

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Shakespeare, write your story in the form of a script, complete with stage directions., write a story named after, and inspired by, one of shakespeare's plays. think modern retellings, metanarratives, subversions, etc., set your story over the course of a few minutes; no flashbacks, no flashforwards., your protagonist is a writer who discovers a new favorite author. how does their writing, or even their own personality, change as the protagonist falls under the writer’s influence, write a story from the point of view of a non-human character..

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Begin your story with the sensation of a breeze brushing against a character's skin.

Make a race an important element of your story., set your story in a place that’s frozen in time — literally or metaphorically., write a story in the form of diary entries, written by someone who has set themselves a month-long challenge., write a story in the form of a list., subscribe to our prompts newsletter.

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Write a story framed by a single scene: something happens, a flashback or inner monologue intervenes, and then the story ends with the rest of the original scene.

Start or end your story in a bustling street food market., write a story with an open ending that gives readers just enough details to draw their own conclusions., start your story in a coffee shop without using obvious words to describe it (e.g. barista, coffee cup.), write a short story about a teacher or mentor figure who recognizes hidden (or magical) potential in someone and helps them cultivate it., write a story inspired by the phrase “back to square one.”, make japan (or japanese culture) an element of your story., write about your happiest memory, and what about it made you so happy., write about a time that you failed in your objective., what qualities do you look for in a friend why, win $250 in our short story competition 🏆.

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The best narrative writing prompts

Writing about yourself can be tricky. Where do you start in your personal narrative? How do you express yourself? What should you write about when it's that personal? Enter narrative writing prompts. These prompts can give you some starting ideas for a story, fuel your memory, and bring your experience to life.

The best part is that you can start narrative writing from any angle: in the mood to write about food today? Go for it. What if you have a lot of thoughts about a particular movie or book you just experienced? Please write it down, starting now! Whether you're a teacher in school guiding students through the art of the personal narrative or a writer simply trying to piece together an essay, these narrative writing prompts are for you.

If you're looking to cut to the chase, here's a top ten list of our favorite narrative writing prompts:

• "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!" You've heard this all your life, and you're starting to hate it.
• Write a story about a mistake that results in wonderful consequences.
• Write a story about someone forced out of their home.
• Write a story about someone returning to their craft after a long hiatus.
• Write a story about someone who defies social conventions.
• Write about somebody who knows they’re probably going to fail at something, but does it anyway.
• Write about someone grappling with a specific insecurity.
• Write about someone making a seemingly inconsequential decision that turns out to have enormous consequences.
• Your house is on fire and you're able to save one photograph. What would it be?
• Tell a story through a shopping list.

If you’re interested in becoming a personal narrative author, check out our free resources on the topic:

How to Write a Memoir (blog post) — Wondering how to turn your narrative short story into a full-blown memoir that you can publish? This comprehensive guide has you covered with a step-by-step article on how outline, research, market, and write a memoir. Take a deep dive into the booming market for memoirs and learn what goes into such a book proposal today!

The Non-Sexy Business of Writing Non-Fiction (free course) — Many people have an idea for a nonfiction book they want to write. But very few of them actually become published authors — simply because it’s much harder to write a book than it sounds. In this ten-day course, publishing coach Azul Terronez will help you become one of those select few writers who finish their nonfiction books by walking you through the common writing mistakes to avoid, what to ask yourself before getting started, and how to get through the writing process.

Ready to start writing? Check out Reedsy’s weekly short story contest for the chance of winning $250! You can also check out our list of writing contests or our directory of literary magazines for more opportunities to submit your story.

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Narrative Essay Topics: 150 Ideas for You

Do you ever want to capture a special memory or a transformative experience but struggle to turn it into a riveting story? Narrative essays offer a powerful way to share your experiences and connect with readers on an emotional level. But choosing the right topic can be daunting.

This article will guide you through dozens of narrative essay prompts, sparking your creativity and helping you identify the perfect story waiting to be told.

Tips for Selecting the Best Narrative Essay Topics

Good narrative essay ideas set the stage for a breath-taking story that resonates with you and your audience. Here's a breakdown of key factors to consider when making your choice:

150 Narrative Essay Topics

Stuck for a story to tell? Dive into our treasure trove of excellent narrative essay topics! From heartwarming memories to eye-opening encounters, these writing ideas will free you from writer’s block and help you find the perfect anecdote to share.

Narrative Essay Topics on Relationships

Relationships are the foundation of our lives, shaping us and enriching our experiences. Here are 15 narrative essay ideas to explore the complexities and joys of connection:

• The Pen Pal Surprise: A Lifelong Friendship Born From Handwritten Letters Across Continents
• The Lost Toy: A Childhood Friendship Rekindled Through a Chance Encounter
• The Grumpy Neighbor: A Simple Gesture Blossoms into an Unlikely Bond
• The Unexpected Roommate: A Clash of Personalities Leads to Surprising Growth
• The Forgiveness on the Pitch: A Former Rivalry Transformed by an Act of Sportsmanship
• The Silent Understanding: A Wordless Communication that Speaks Volumes During a Difficult Time
• The Borrowed Dress: A Selfless Act Reveals the True Depth of a Friendship
• The Second Chance: Reconnecting with a Loved One After a Falling Out
• The Long-Distance Call: A Pivotal Conversation that Bridges a Geographical Gap
• The Broken Promise: A Betrayal that Forces a Reevaluation of Trust
• The Teacher Who Changed Everything: A Mentor Who Inspires a Student to Reach Their Full Potential
• The Family Recipe: A Treasured Tradition Passed Down Through Generations
• The Power of Forgiveness: Letting Go of Resentment to Heal a Broken Relationship
• The Goodbye Letter: Saying Farewell to a Cherished Friend or Family Member
• The Unexpected Hero: A Stranger's Kindness that Leaves a Lasting Impact

Personal Narrative Essay Topics on Life

Life is a journey filled with unique experiences that shape who we are. Here are 15 personal narrative prompts to capture the moments that define your story:

• The Time I Stepped Outside My Comfort Zone
• A Turning Point: A Decision That Changed My Path
• Facing My Fear: Overcoming a Deep Phobia
• The Lesson Learned From Failure
• A Simple Object, a Flood of Memories
• The Unexpected Hero in My Life Story
• A Journey That Transformed My Perspective
• Kindness Received, Kindness Paid Forward
• The Day I Discovered My Passion
• A Moment of Pure Joy
• A Loss That Shaped My Growth
• The Teacher Who Made a Difference
• When Technology Failed Me, Humanity Prevailed
• A Time I Stood Up for What's Right
• The Gift of Second Chances

Narrative Essay Ideas on Culture

Culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from traditions, beliefs, and customs. Explore the richness of cultural experiences with these 15 narrative essay topics:

• Culture Shock: A Funny (or Awkward) Moment with a New Custom
• Homesick Dish: Recreating a Childhood Favorite Abroad
• Talk It Out: Communication Struggles Lead to Deeper Understanding
• Festival Fun: Immerse Yourself in a Cultural Celebration
• Family Secret: A Hidden Tradition You Discover
• Master the Art: Learning a New Skill from a Cultural Expert
• More Than a Souvenir: The Unexpected Meaning Behind a Travel Memento
• Share Your World: Introduce Your Culture to Someone New
• Music Connects: A Song that Bridges a Cultural Gap
• Food with History: The Story Behind a Traditional Dish
• Culture Clash Fix: Solve a Cultural Difference in a Project
• Unexpected Expert: Learning About a Culture from a Non-Native
• Lost in Translation: A Funny Cultural Misunderstanding
• Oops! Cultural Faux Pas: Recovering from a Cultural Mistake
• Unexpected Family: Finding Belonging in a New Cultural Community

Topics for Narrative Essay on Hobbies

Unleash your inner storyteller with these 15 narrative essay prompts on hobbies:

• From Beginner to Baker: Mastering a New Culinary Skill
• The Thrill of the Hunt: A Treasure Hunt Adventure
• Brushstrokes and Breakthroughs: Overcoming an Artistic Challenge
• The Harmony of Strings: Learning a Musical Instrument
• The Great Outdoors: An Unforgettable Camping Trip
• Pixels and Puzzles: Conquering a Video Game
• The Perfect Shot: Capturing a Stunning Photograph
• From Seed to Sprout: The Joys of Gardening
• The Thrill of the Ride: Mastering a New Sport or Physical Activity
• Yarn and Creativity: Knitting, Crocheting, or Weaving a Special Project
• The Power of Words: Participating in a Writing Workshop or Challenge
• Building Worlds: Creating Something Amazing with Legos or Modeling Kits
• The Rhythm of the Dance: Learning a New Dance Style
• The Joy of Restoration: Giving New Life to a Beloved Object
• The Club That Changed Me: Finding Community Through a Hobby Group

Good Narrative Topics on Adventure

Ignite your wanderlust and unleash your inner Indiana Jones with these 15 exciting narrative essay ideas on adventures:

• Lost and Found: A Navigation Mishap and How You Found Your Way
• Unexpected Encounter: A Chance Meeting on Your Travels
• Summit Success: Conquering a Challenging Hike
• Hidden Passage: Discovering a Secret Location
• White-Water Rush: An Exciting Whitewater Rafting Adventure
• City Escape: A Solo Backpacking Trip Through the Wilderness
• The Road Less Traveled: Taking a Detour and Finding Something Unexpected
• Under the Sea: A Scuba Diving Adventure and Encounter with Marine Life
• Lost in Translation: Navigating a Language Barrier During Your Travels
• From Fear to Triumph: Overcoming a Fear on an Adventure
• City of Lights: A Night Adventure in a New City
• Treasure Hunt: Following Clues and Unearthing a Hidden Gem
• The Kindness of Strangers: Receiving Help and Hospitality During Your Travels
• Unexpected Detour: A Travel Plan Gone Wrong and the Lessons Learned
• A Night Under the Stars: Camping Under a Breathtaking Night Sky

Narrative Essay Topics on Education

Schools are more than just classrooms. They're places where we learn, grow, and face challenges. Study these 15 narrative essay topics on education to capture the ups and downs of your academic path:

• The Last-Minute Project: A Scramble to Success (or Failure?)
• Beyond the Textbook: A Learning Experience Outside the Classroom
• Teacher Inspiration: The Educator Who Made a Difference
• The Power of Debate: A Heated Discussion That Changed Your Perspective
• From Failing to Flying: Overcoming an Academic Obstacle
• The Research Rabbit Hole: A Fascinating Discovery During a Project
• Stage Fright or Spotlight? Presenting a Project or Performance
• The Value of Teamwork: Collaboration on a School Project
• Friendship Forged in Study Sessions: A Supportive Bond During Exams
• The Power of Choice: Selecting an Elective Course that Sparked Passion
• More Than Scores: A Lesson Learned Beyond Grades
• The First Day Jitters: Navigating the First Day at a New School
• The Debate Club Showdown: Facing Your Rival in a Competition
• From Dislike to Discovery: A Subject You Grew to Love
• The Unexpected Lesson: Learning from a Mistake in Class

Narrative Topics on Society

Society presents a rich tapestry of interactions, trends, and ever-evolving dynamics, which is reflected in these 15 essay ideas:

• A Cause I Championed: How I Spoke Up for Change in My Community
• Bridging the Digital Chasm: Connecting Across Online and Offline Worlds
• Kindness Contagion: A Random Act and its Unexpected Impact
• Welcoming the Newcomer: Embracing Differences and Building Community
• Redefining Roles: Challenging Gender Expectations in Everyday Life
• The Double-Edged Sword: Social Media's Impact - Positive or Negative?
• Convenience at a Cost: Technology's Trade-off on Human Connection
• Lost in Translation: Overcoming Communication Barriers and Building Understanding
• Honoring Heritage: Celebrating a Cultural Tradition and Its Significance
• From Witness to Advocate: Seeing Injustice and Taking a Stand
• A Bridge Between Generations: Navigating Family Dynamics and Building Harmony
• The Power of Protest: My Participation in a Peaceful Demonstration
• Breaking Down Walls: Confronting Inequality in My Community
• Sharing is Caring: The Rise of the Sharing Economy and its Impact
• The Future of Work: Adapting to New Technologies and Careers

Narrative Writing Topics on Career

Depict the twists and turns of your professional journey with these 15 narrative essay prompts on career:

• The Unexpected Interview: A Chance Encounter Leads to a Dream Job
• From Intern to Indispensable: Proving Your Worth and Landing a Permanent Role
• The Pivot Point: A Career Change that Ignited My Passion
• Deadline Crunch: Overcoming Pressure and Delivering Results
• The Big Presentation: Conquering Nerves and Enchanting the Audience
• The Supportive Colleague: A Helping Hand During a Difficult Project
• The Ethical Dilemma: Facing a Tough Choice at Work
• Learning From Failure: A Mistake that Became a Valuable Lesson
• The Unexpected Promotion: Rising to the Challenge of a New Leadership Role
• The Power of Networking: A Serendipitous Connection that Advanced My Career
• The Work-Life Balance: Finding Harmony Between Professional and Personal Goals
• From Passion Project to Paycheck: Turning a Hobby into a Fulfilling Career
• The Power of Perseverance: Overcoming Rejection and Landing Your Dream Job
• The Inspiring Mentor: A Leader Who Shaped My Professional Development
• Saying Goodbye: Leaving a Job and Stepping into a New Chapter

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics About Challenges

Challenges are inevitable, but they also hold the potential for immense growth. Dive into these 15 captivating narrative essay ideas about overcoming obstacles and discovering your inner strength:

• From Silent to Spotlight: Silencing Stage Fright and Owning the Stage.
• Body Bounced Back: Overcoming Injury and Rediscovering Physical Potential.
• Tongues Untied: Navigating Language Barriers and Building Communication Bridges.
• Fear Faced, Fear Faded: Conquering a Deep Phobia and Embracing New Possibilities.
• From Empty Pockets to Full Future: Resourcefulness During Financial Hardship.
• Imperfect Progress: Letting Go of Perfectionism and Finding Completion.
• Mending the Broken Bond: Healing and Moving On After a Friendship Fracture.
• From Struggling to Soaring: Academic Triumph Over Challenges.
• Through the Tears, Toward Growth: Coping with Loss and Discovering Strength Within.
• Love Across the Miles: Maintaining Connection Despite Distance.
• New Roots, New Bloom: Adapting to a New Environment and Discovering Thriving Potential.
• Finding My Tribe: Overcoming Loneliness and Building Confidence in Social Settings.
• From Target to Triumphant: Overcoming Bullying and Embracing Your Voice.
• Sparking Inspiration: Rekindling Your Creative Fire After a Block.
• Nature's Test, Inner Strength: Surviving a Wilderness Challenge and Discovering Resilience.

Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

Here's a selection of 15 short and intriguing narrative essay ideas that tap into the joys, challenges, and growth opportunities of college life:

• Freshman Frenzy: From Dorm Room Disasters to Lasting Friendships
• Roommate Rampage: Turning Clashing Personalities into College Camaraderie
• Cramming Crucible: Conquering All-Nighters and Emerging Victorious
• Campus Crossroads: Finding Your Tribe in the College Labyrinth
• Mentor Muse: The Professor Who Ignited My Academic Spark
• Passport to Possibility: Adventures and Transformations Abroad
• Internship Odyssey: From Coffee Runs to Career Clarity
• Bleachers to Glory: From Casual Fan to College Sports Superfan
• Cause for Change: Volunteering, Finding Purpose, and Leaving My Mark
• The Financial Tightrope: Budget Battles and College Survival Strategies
• Campus Cupid's Arrow: Love, Laughter, and Maybe a Few Heartbreaks
• Major Metamorphosis: Discovering a Passion I Never Knew Existed
• Homesick Hitchhiker: Navigating the Journey from Comfort to College Independence
• Graduation Countdown: Embracing the Final Stretch and Preparing to Launch
• College Metamorphosis: From Uncertain Caterpillar to Empowered Butterfly

Engaging narrative essay topics are the lifeblood of the story. Hunt for stories with twists, challenges, and personal growth – the kind that leaves readers saying, "Wow, I never thought of it that way!" Because a truly enticing narrative essay isn't about the ordinary; it's about the extraordinary hidden within the seemingly mundane.

Frequently asked questions

What are the topics of narrative essays, how to choose a topic for a narrative essay, what makes a good title for a narrative.

• https://topscholars.oregonstate.edu/sites/enrollmentmanagement.oregonstate.edu/files/content/500promptsnarrativeandpersonalwriting.pdf
• https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/learning/lesson-plans/650-prompts-for-narrative-and-personal-writing.html
• Narrative Essay Topic Checklist. (n.d.). STLCC. https://stlcc.edu/student-support/academic-success-and-tutoring/writing-center/writing-resources/narrative-essay-topic-checklist.aspx

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50 Engaging Narrative Essay Topics for High Schoolers

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What’s Covered:

Narrative essays vs. analytical essays, how to pick the right narrative essay topic, elements of a strong narrative essay, engaging narrative essay topics for high schoolers, where to get your narrative essay edited for free.

Narrative essays are an extensive form of writing that gives readers the opportunity to follow along as a person goes through a journey or sets of experiences. Rather than providing analytic insight, narrative essays simply share a story and offer a first-person account. These essays may seem easy to write at first, but it takes a certain finesse to write a narrative essay that is interesting, cohesive, and well-researched. Whether you’re looking for a unique topic to write about, or just want some new inspiration, CollegeVine is here to help! These 50 narrative essay topics are engaging, unique and will have you writing in no time.

A narrative essay is a great way to express your personal experiences and opinions, but it is important to remember that this type of essay is different from an analytical paper. In a narrative essay, you do not need to provide background information or explain your thoughts and feelings; instead, you simply tell a story. It’s important to avoid too much telling in your writing; instead, use creative details and vivid imagery to make readers feel as if they are actually right there with you.

Where You Will Encounter Narrative Essays

This type of essay is typically encountered in high school, where students may be required to write personal statements to prepare for their Common App essay . Narrative essays are also commonly seen in AP Language and Composition. Therefore, it’s important you are aware of the style because you are bound to have a narrative essay assignment.  

Of course, before you start writing, it is important to pick the right essay topic. There are many factors involved in the process of picking the perfect narrative essay topic for your story.

You should always choose a topic that you are passionate about, since writing on something you care about will make the process much easier. Not only will it be more interesting to create your paper around something that truly interests you, but it will also allow you to fully express yourself in your essay. You also want to be sure that the topic has enough material to work with. If your chosen topic is too short, you will not have enough content to write a complete paper. For example, if you are writing about your experience getting lost at the mall, make sure that you have enough information to work with to craft an engaging narrative. 

The best topic for an engaging narrative essay is one that focuses on showing versus telling, has a clear structure, and provides a dialogue. These elements come together to form an engaging narrative essay. Regardless of what subject you pick, any topic may be turned into a fascinating, A+ worthy narrative using the tips below.

Show, Don’t Tell

To write a good narrative essay, it’s important to show, not tell. Instead of simply informing your audience, show them what you mean. For example, instead of saying “I was nervous,” you could say “My heart began to race and my stomach filled with butterflies.” Also make sure to use sensory details, such as sights, sounds and tastes, and include a personal reflection at the end of your narrative. 

Begin with a Strong Opening Line

A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: “My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles. I mean, he even used circular note cards.” Or, “It all started the day my mom brought home a guinea pig.”

Follows a Three-Act Structure

A strong narrative essay follows the same three-act structure as other essays. But in order to make it interesting, you’ll need to come up with a creative way to break things down into sections. For example, using the guinea pig example from above, you could write the following:

• Act 1 – Introduction: The day my mom brought home a guinea pig.
• Act 2 – Conflict: The day I had to say goodbye to my beloved pet.
• Act 3 – Conclusion: Looking back at how much I miss him now that he’s gone.

Conclude with Personal Reflection

To conclude your narrative essay, you’ll want to explain what this specific experience taught you or how you’ve changed. For example, upon realizing that her pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles, the writer of the previous example begins to notice circular shapes everywhere. Another way to conclude your narrative essay is by touching on how this experience impacted you emotionally. For example, after losing his guinea pig, the writer explains how much he missed it.

Use Dialogue

Include a conversation in your essay to make it come alive. For example, instead of simply saying that you met a new friend, talk about how you introduced yourselves or what they were wearing when you met them.

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The following list of 50 narrative essay topics is divided into categories. This will make it easier to find a topic that fits your writing style.

1. What is a childhood song that still sticks with you today?

2. Your first day of Kindergarten

3. Talk about a time when you’re siblings looked up to you

4. Describe the best birthday party you’ve ever had

5. Talk about the best day you ever spent with a childhood friend

6. Explain your first childhood hobby

7. Describe your first halloween costume

8. A family vacation gone wrong

9. Your first family reunion

10. Describe a tradition that is unique to your family

11. Describe your family to a person who’s never met them before

12. What frustrates you most about your family

13. If you could only keep one memory of your family, what would it be and why?

14. Describe a time your family embarrassed you in public

15. The most beautiful place in the world

16. Your favorite season and why

17. If you were a part of nature, what element would you be? Why?

18. When you go outside, which of your senses are you most thankful to have?

19. Describe the first time you witnessed a tornado 

20. Write a poem about your favorite season

21. Describe yourself as one of the four seasons

22. Describe a time in which you felt connected with nature

23. Describe the first time you played an instrument and how you felt

24. What major event would be much worse if music was removed, and why?

25. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

26. What would a life without music look like?

27. If you could master one instrument, what would it be and why?

Relationships

28. What if you had never met your best friend?

29. Describe a time when you fixed a broken relationship

30. Talk about a movie that defined a relationship for you

31. Describe your first date

32. Describe the first time you made a friend

33. Describe your relationship with your parents

Self Reflection

34. Have you ever fooled someone? If so, describe what happened and how you felt about it

35. What is the worst thing you’ve done to someone else?

36. Write about the difference between how things seem and how they really are. 

37. Have you ever been embarrassed in some way? If so, describe the situation and how it affected you as well as those around you

38. Have you ever witnessed something really beautiful? Describe it

39. Is your glass half empty or half full?

Overcoming Adversity 

40. Have you ever been very afraid of something but tried your hardest to appear fearless? If so, describe that experience

41. When have you ever succeeded when you thought you might fail

42. What are your secret survival strategies?

43. Describe the last time you were stressed and why?

44. Describe a time when you were discriminated against

45. The most memorable class you’ve had and why

46. Your favorite study abroad memory

47. Describe your kindergarten classroom

48. Describe your first teacher

49. The first time you experienced detention

50. Your first field trip

Hopefully these topics will get you thinking about a personal experience that could make for a thoughtful and engaging narrative essay. Remember, a strong narrative essay must contain relatable details and a clear flow that keeps the reader entertained and engaged to read all the way to the end.

If you need some additional guidance on your narrative essay, use CollegeVine’s free peer review essay tool to get feedback for free!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

100+ Narrative Writing Prompts: Beyond Writer’s Block

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on August 22, 2023

Categories Writing

You’re staring at a blank page, aren’t you? Don’t worry. We’ve all been there.

Narrative writing prompts can be your lifeline, sparking creativity when you need it most. In this article, we’ll explore different types of prompts and how to use them effectively.

So let’s dive in – because the world is waiting for your story!

Key Takeaways

• Narrative writing prompts are like cryptic maps, guiding imagination towards uncharted territories of creativity.
• Prompt analysis is crucial; every word and phrase should be dissected carefully.
• Crafting a seamless narrative flow is important, with a clear introduction, plot development, and conclusion.
• Narrative writing prompts encourage experimentation with styles and perspectives, fueling the artistry of storytelling.

100 Narrative Writing Prompts

Here are 100 narrative writing prompts organized by theme:

• Write about your earliest childhood memory.
• Describe a memorable event or celebration with your family or friends.
• Narrate a funny experience you had as a child.
• Tell the story of a major accomplishment or success in your life.
• Share about an experience that impacted or changed your life.

Relationships

• Write about a meaningful experience you had with a close friend or family member.
• Describe a time you and your friends did something mischievous.
• Tell about a difficult experience that brought you closer to a loved one.
• Share about a time you disappointed or hurt someone close to you.
• Narrate the events of a memorable date or romantic moment.
• Describe your favorite place in nature and what makes it so special.
• Write about a memorable trip or vacation.
• Narrate what you did during your last visit to an amusement park or theme park.
• Share about a place from your childhood that was very significant to you.
• Tell about getting lost in an unfamiliar place.
• Write about a time you tried something new that didn’t go as planned. What did you learn?
• Describe a moment when you overcame a fear or conquered a challenge.
• Narrate a difficult experience that taught you an important lesson.
• Share about a time you failed at something and how you responded.
• Tell about a major obstacle you faced and how you overcame it.

Imagination

• Make up a story about finding a magic lamp with a genie inside who grants you three wishes.
• Imagine you woke up one morning with a superpower. What would it be and how would you use it?
• Suppose you could travel back in time. What time period would you visit and why?
• Describe a day in the life of your pet in great detail.
• Narrate an adventure you have in an imaginary world.

Accomplishments

• Tell the story of how you learned a new skill.
• Describe your experience participating in a sports team or club.
• Narrate the events leading up to winning an award or honor.
• Share about a time one of your talents was recognized.
• Write about a major goal you worked hard to accomplish.
• Imagine you woke up to find your home was built atop a magical portal to another world. What happens next?
• Narrate an adventure you have in the wild west.
• Tell the story of being stuck on a deserted island alone. How do you survive?
• Describe an unexpected detour on a road trip that led to adventure.
• Share about a time you got lost in a new city.
• Describe the experience of a “first” in your life – first day of school, first dance, first date, etc.
• Tell about a memorable experience from your teenage years.
• Share about a time as a child when you pushed against rules or boundaries.
• Narrate the events of the first time you were left home alone.
• Write about a right of passage in your family history.
• Describe a moment when you felt brave in the face of fear.
• Tell about a time you stood up for someone else.
• Share a story of how you advocated for yourself.
• Narrate an experience that required perseverance or grit to get through.
• Write about a hardship that made you stronger.
• Tell the story of a mysterious or unexplained event you experienced.
• Describe a time you uncovered a family secret or mystery.
• Narrate about getting lost in a new city and piecing together how to get home.
• Share about a moment when you solved a puzzle or mystery.
• Write about finding something buried in your backyard. What was it?
• Describe an experience where you made an incorrect assumption about someone.
• Tell about a time someone gave you valuable life advice.
• Share a story about a difficult choice you had to make.
• Narrate an experience that taught you to think independently.
• Write about a moment you realized you were wrong about something.
• Describe your favorite season and what you love about it.
• Tell about getting caught in a storm while doing an outdoor activity.
• Share a story about an encounter with wildlife on a hike or trip.
• Narrate your experiences camping overnight in the wilderness.
• Write about a time you felt connected to nature.
• Describe an act of kindness or generosity you did for someone.
• Tell about a time someone helped you when you really needed it.
• Share a story about volunteering or contributing to a cause important to you.
• Narrate a moment when you stood up for or defended someone.
• Write about a person who had an influence on you because of their good character.

Possessions

• Describe your most valued childhood possession.
• Tell the story of how you got your first car.
• Share about a time you lost an item that was very special to you.
• Narrate your experience buying your first home.
• Write about an item you inherited that has sentimental value.

Entertainment

• Describe the plot of a book or movie that had an impact on you.
• Tell about a concert or live show you attended.
• Share the story of the first time you rode a rollercoaster.
• Narrate your experience meeting someone famous.
• Write about a vacation to an amusement park.
• Describe the experience of trying an exotic new food for the first time.
• Tell the story of a memorable family meal from your childhood.
• Share about a time you tried to cook something ambitious.
• Narrate the events of eating at a famous restaurant or visiting a food market in another country.
• Write about attempting to bake a complicated recipe.
• Describe your experience playing a sport you were new to.
• Tell about a time you won a sports match or game.
• Share the events leading up to a bad sports injury.
• Narrate your feelings playing in a championship game.
• Write about teaching someone else a sport for the first time.
• Describe your experience getting lost in an unfamiliar place.
• Tell about a meaningful trip you took by yourself.
• Share the story of a family vacation from your childhood.
• Narrate your feelings upon arriving in a new country for the first time.
• Write about a trip that did not go as expected.
• Describe your first day at a new school.
• Tell about a teacher who had an impact on you.
• Share a story about a challenging course or class you took.
• Narrate the events of a school field trip gone wrong.
• Write about your high school graduation day.
• Describe a difficult period or circumstance in your life.
• Tell about a time you failed at an important task.
• Share the story of a hardship that brought your family together.
• Narrate a moment when you stood up to bullying or criticism.
• Write about dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Understanding Narrative Writing Prompts

You’ve got to understand narrative writing prompts thoroughly before you can craft a compelling story. Imagine them as cryptic maps, guiding your imagination towards uncharted territories of creativity.

The key here is prompt analysis; it’s your compass. You need to decode the prompt, dissecting every word and phrase carefully. Don’t just skim through it; delve deeper.

When you finally comprehend its essence, you’re ready for the next step: creating a seamless narrative flow.

Picture your tale as a river, starting from the source (the introduction), meandering through landscapes (plot development) and finally reaching the sea (conclusion). Every twist and turn should feel natural yet surprising, adding depth and intrigue that keeps your readers hooked till the end.

Now go ahead! Unleash your storytelling prowess!

The Importance of Narrative Writing Prompts

They’re crucial tools for sparking your imagination and enhancing your storytelling abilities. Narrative writing prompts serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards creative brilliance.

You see, these prompts impact you more than you might realize. They coax out narratives from hidden corners of your mind, pushing boundaries and exploring new territories of thought.

Imagine holding an artist’s palette filled with words instead of colors. Storytelling techniques become your brushstrokes, shaping raw ideas into compelling narratives. The prompt stands as your canvas waiting to be adorned by tales spun from creativity’s loom.

It encourages experimentation with narrative styles and perspectives – it fuels the artistry in writing stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Different Types of Narrative Writing Prompts

Let’s delve into the various kinds of story starters that can ignite your creative spark. Narrative writing prompts are diverse and tailored to stimulate creativity while ensuring prompt relevance. They cater to different narrative styles, each providing a unique approach to storytelling.

• Situation-based Prompts : These offer scenarios or situations, nudging you towards conflict resolution.
• Dialogue Starters: You’re given an interesting conversation starter.
• Quotation Based: A quote is provided for interpretation and story development.
• Imaginary Prompts : Pushing boundaries, these prompts require imaginative solutions.
• ‘What If’ Scenarios: You’re encouraged to explore alternative realities.
• Picture-Based: Images serve as the foundation for your narrative.

How to Utilize Narrative Writing Prompts Effectively

Mastering the art of using these creative triggers effectively can significantly improve your storytelling skills. It’s all about prompt interpretation and flexibility.

You see, each narrative writing prompt is a world teeming with possibilities; it’s up to you to explore them.

First, don’t just skim the surface of the prompt. Dive into its depths, examining every word and phrase for hidden meanings or potential plot twists. That’s what we call ‘Prompt Interpretation’.

Next comes ‘Prompt Flexibility’. Don’t be confined by the initial image that pops into your mind upon reading the prompt. Let your imagination run wild, twisting and turning the scenario until you’ve moulded it into something uniquely yours.

Creative Ideas for Narrative Writing Prompts

Exploring fresh and innovative ideas for storytelling triggers can really open up a new world of creativity in your work. Diving into genre exploration, you’re not just confined to what you know; you’re pushing boundaries, experimenting with different elements from various genres.

• Genre Exploration:
• Mystery : How about crafting a protagonist with an uncanny ability to solve puzzles?
• Fantasy : Ever thought of creating a world where dreams become reality?

In character development, there’s no limit to the layers you can add to make them more relatable and captivating.

• Character Development:
• Backstories : Have you considered giving your characters intricate pasts that shape their decisions?
• Traits : What if your character has an unusual but intriguing habit?

Dare to be inventive and engaging; it’ll give your narrative writing prompts an exciting twist.

Tips for Creating Your Own Narrative Writing Prompts

Dive headfirst into the world of narrative creation, where your personal experiences form the core and your creative thinking sketches the outline.

You’re about to unlock a profound understanding of narrative structure, using it as your compass to navigate through the intricate tapestry of storytelling.

Understanding Narrative Structure

Understanding narrative structure is crucial to creating captivating writing prompts. It’s a dance of narrative pacing techniques and character development strategies, choreographed to captivate your readers.

To master this dance:

• Understand narrative pacing techniques.
• Use cliffhangers: They’re not just for soap operas! A well-placed cliffhanger can add suspense and keep readers hooked.
• Vary sentence lengths: Short sentences speed up the pace, while longer ones slow it down.
• Implement character development strategies.
• Show, don’t tell: Instead of telling us your character is brave, show us with their actions.
• Develop compelling backstories: These give depth to your characters and make them more relatable.

Incorporating Personal Experiences

Incorporating personal experiences into your storytelling can often add authenticity and depth to your characters. It’s like infusing a part of yourself into the narrative, making it more tangible and relatable for your readers. The emotional impact hits home, painting vivid pictures that they can connect with on a deeper level.

Your own journey of personal growth also becomes their journey. They feel your triumphs, your struggles, every high and low you’ve encountered along the way. You’re not just creating characters; you’re offering them pieces from your own life story that breathe life into these figures.

Promoting Creative Thinking

Fostering your creative thinking isn’t just about brainstorming ideas; it’s also about embracing different perspectives to enrich your storytelling. Exploring imaginative techniques and enhancing cognitive flexibility are key components of this process.

Here are some ways you can promote creative thinking:

• Experiment with different narrative styles
• Try writing in first, second, or third person
• Use a nonlinear timeline
• Enhance cognitive flexibility by exploring new concepts
• Read books from various genres
• Challenge yourself with complex puzzles

By broadening your horizons and stepping outside of your comfort zone, you’re not only developing as a writer but also as an individual.

Examples of Inspiring Narrative Writing Prompts

Let’s delve into some examples of inspiring narrative writing prompts that can ignite your creativity and fuel your passion for storytelling.

Imagine you’re an astronaut, but not just any astronaut – the first to land on a newly discovered planet. Explore this through different narrative perspectives; how does the world look from your eyes? From the perspective of Earth’s spectators?

Or consider this: you’ve stumbled upon a secret door in your home leading to a parallel universe. Dive deep into character development as you toggle between two realities. How do these experiences shape and change you?

Ever thought about waking up one day with everyone else vanished? Sketch out the loneliness, fear, joy, and freedom that come with solitude.

Let these prompts guide your pen towards uncharted territories where stories bloom.

So, you’ve explored the world of narrative writing prompts! Remember, they’re not just tools to spark creativity but a way to deepen your writing skills.

Whether it’s personal narratives or fictional tales, these prompts can transform your storytelling. Don’t be afraid to experiment and craft your own.

Now, go on and weave those captivating stories waiting to burst from within you!

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Narrative Writing Prompts: 50+ Ideas for Your Literary Masterpiece

Narrative writing is the style of writing used in fiction and creative nonfiction, such as memoirs. It's the telling of a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. As such, becoming proficient at narrative writing is essential if you want to make a living writing.

Even if you want to write only as a hobby, you'll need to be more than passingly familiar with this kind of writing. Luckily, this article will help you do just that. First, we'll discuss a bit more about narrative writing, then dive into some narrative writing prompts to get the ideas flowing.

• Kinds of narrative writing.
• Who narrative writing prompts are for.
• List of narrative writing prompts.

Table of contents

• Different Types of Narrative Writing
• Who Should Use Narrative Writing Prompts?
• Linear Narrative Prompts
• Non-Linear Narrative Prompts
• Viewpoint Narrative
• Descriptive Narrative
• Finding Your Market Niche

There are several types of narrative writing that are used in fiction and some nonfiction books. The most common type is the linear narrative, in which the story progresses in a logical manner. Most fiction is of the linear narrative type .

There's also the non-linear narrative, in which the story jumps around through time. A couple of well-known non-linear story examples include movies such as Pulp Fiction , Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind , and Memento .

Then you have the viewpoint narrative, in which the story is written from the narrator's point of view. Memoirs are examples of viewpoint narrative works, but there are also many first-person point-of-view works of fiction.

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Finally, you have the descriptive narrative, in which a scene, person, place, or thing is described with detailed description using the five senses. A good story will contain enough description to immerse the reader in the story.

We've grouped the creative writing prompts below according to these narrative types. You can pick a prompt from each and get writing, or you can choose only ones that are interesting/pertinent to whatever work-in-progress you're currently involved with.

But before we get to the prompts, do you really need to practice narrative writing?

Whether you're a middle school or high school student, a young writer or an old hand, practicing your craft can only help your writing. While it's true you may remember narrative writing exercises from your elementary school days (no matter how long ago they were), that doesn't mean these exercises can't help you today.

The best writers work on their craft constantly. Like anything else, writing skills need to be sharpened and honed. And one of the best ways to do that is through the various types of narrative writing.

Narrative writing prompts can also help you overcome writer's block so you can get back to writing, whether it's a horror story or a narrative essay. Getting the creative gears turning is great for overcoming creative blocks.

So it doesn't matter where you are in your writing career, narrative writing prompts can help!

Narrative Writing Prompts

These prompts provide a fun way to sharpen your writing skills. You can choose one narrative prompt at a time, or work on multiple to really make things interesting.

Make sure to include a beginning, middle, and end for these linear prompts. They should tell a story in which the main character has to solve a problem or overcome some obstacle , whether physically, emotionally, or both.

1. Write a short story about a fantasy character who gets stuck in our world and has to find their way back home.

2. Write a scene in which a kid has to get home for dinner across a treacherous landscape and through a gauntlet of imaginary monsters and evil sorcerers.

3. Pick three tropes from your favorite writing genre and use them to inform your story. (Example: Horror story (genre), vampires, mad scientist, and a questionable ally.)

4. Write about a character who goes on a blind date that either goes really well or really poorly.

5. Write about a character who wants nothing more than to ride a Ferris wheel, but has a phobia of balloons.

6. Write about an art thief going to great lengths to steal a piece of art.

7. Write about a police officer who must talk someone out of doing something drastic and terrible.

8. Write a scene about a woman meeting a date at a coffee shop and running into her ex.

9. Write about a woman who must brave a violent storm to get home to her children.

10. Write a story detailing a harrowing visit to another country.

Get creative with these prompt ideas. Non-linear narrative prompts are often told from multiple perspectives and/or through the use of epistolary means (i.e. letters, journal entries, news reports, etc.).

11. Write about a fictional character through ripped-out pages from a journal that another character finds.

12. Write a story about a group of friends who go camping and end up getting assaulted by strange creatures. But piece the story together from the point of view of two or more characters.

13. Recount the end of a relationship from the POV of the two participants. Is there a misunderstanding at work, or do both people have the exact same story about why the relationship ended?

14. Write about a family who experiences an earthquake in different parts of the city.

15. Write a scene in which a cop and a criminal are matching wits in an interview room.

16. Start with the end of a story you know well, and then write it backward.

17. Write a story about a character with amnesia who remembers events out of order.

18. Explore a major historical event through the eyes of fictional characters who were “there.”

19. Start in the middle of a story about a long journey, then use flashbacks to fill in essential plot elements.

20. Using an unreliable narrator , tell the story of a disastrous music festival.

Viewpoint narrative can be completely made up or a product of your own personal experience. You can always combine fiction and personal narrative for a great writing exercise . If you're having trouble with writer's block , then the following prompts may be the easiest way to get your writing back on track.

21. What's your favorite memory from childhood? Write it down in as much detail as possible.

22. What's the proudest moment of your life so far? Use it as a starting point to craft a scene in which the moment gets even better.

23. What drew you to creative writing? Describe what inspired you to become a writer.

24. Think back to a day in 7th grade when you had a great day. Describe the day and what made it so great.

25. Write a comedic scene about your family on vacation.

26. Have you ever broken the law? Don't answer that. Instead, write a fictional story in which you do break the law.

27. Think of a famous person who gives you inspiration. Write about what you would do if you ever met them.

28. Write about what you would do on your dream vacation.

29. Write a short story about becoming a superhero.

30. Write a story from the viewpoint of a fictional character planning something nefarious.

31. Write a romantic story about meeting the love of your life.

32. Write a journal entry from the viewpoint of a character who has just accomplished their biggest goal.

33. Write a story about a day in the life of someone from a different cultural background.

34. Write a personal narrative in which you become a professional athlete in your favorite sport.

35. Write a story in which you're a rock star or a movie star.

36. Write a story from the POV of a character struggling to change the world for the better.

37. Write a first-person story about a police officer cracking the big case.

38. Write about a time you tried and failed at something. Explore your feelings and the aftermath.

39. Write about the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you.

40. Write about a near-death experience you've had.

In descriptive narrative, plot is secondary. It's more about getting the details down using all five senses . This can really help strengthen your fiction writing by helping readers feel immersed in the world of your story.

41. Describe a haunted house in detail.

42. Describe a fantasy creature you've made up or one from existing lore.

43. Write about the neighborhood park, including people who frequent it.

44. Write about a breathtaking building you've always liked.

45. Write about a landfill.

46. Write about a fantasy world in which dragons, demons, and elves exist.

47. Write about a building you're intimately familiar with.

48. Write about a spooky forest.

49. Write about a person (either real or fictional) without leaving any details out.

50. Describe the most beautiful sunset or vista you've ever seen.

While most of these writing prompts are mere exercises to strengthen your writing, you may find that they result in a story idea or two. So whether you use them as journal prompts for creative, stream-of-consciousness writing or as a way to come up with stories doesn't really matter. What matters is the writing activity you get out of them. Each hour you spend writing (and not just staring at the screen or surfing social media) adds to the 10,000 hours it takes to become an expert at something.

But what do you do when you want to put your writing out into the world? Well, if you want to make some money from your craft, you'll need to find the right market for your work.

Just as getting to know your characters is important for writing a good story, getting to know your market niche is essential for getting your story in front of readers . There are a couple of ways to do this, but only one that leaves you more time for actual writing. And that means using Publisher Rocket , made by the team here at Kindlepreneur.

With Publisher Rocket, you can get data in seconds that would otherwise take you hours if you were to comb through Amazon yourself. The main PR tools allow you to:

• Learn what keywords Amazon customers use to search for books like yours — and how many searches a given keyword (or phrase) receives per month.
• See what's working for other authors in your genre with data on book price, monthly sales, ranking, and book cover styles.
• Find niche categories with the right amount of demand and competition for your books.
• Gather keywords to use in your Amazon Ad campaigns.

Check out Publisher Rocket here to learn more.

Dave Chesson

When I’m not sipping tea with princesses or lightsaber dueling with little Jedi, I’m a book marketing nut. Having consulted multiple publishing companies and NYT best-selling authors, I created Kindlepreneur to help authors sell more books. I’ve even been called “The Kindlepreneur” by Amazon publicly, and I’m here to help you with your author journey.

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• Scriptwriting

Narrative Essay Topics — Prompts & Ideas For All Grade Levels

N arrative essays can present a serious challenge for even the most seasoned of writers, but fear not, we’ve compiled some great narrative essay topics to inspire your next paper! Follow along as we explore prompts relating to life, school, and more. By the end, you’ll be prepared to tackle narrative essays from a variety of different angles.

Good Narrative Topics

What is a narrative essay.

Before we jump into our narrative essay topics, we have to first answer the question: what is a narrative essay ? A narrative essay is a prose-written story that’s focused on the commentary of a central theme.

Narrative essays are generally written in the first-person POV , and are usually about a topic that’s personal to the writer.

Everything in a narrative essay should take place in an established timeline, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. 

For more on narrative essays, check out this video on literacy narrative topics and structure:

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas  •  Narrative Essay Titles

In the world of literature, narrative essays are held to a rigorous structure. We’re not going to enforce that rigor here! So, follow along as we (hopefully) inspire you with a variety of narrative essay topics and argument essay ideas. 

Narrative Ideas

Narrative essay ideas for kids.

Narrative essay topics for kids usually focus on family, school, and friends.

Here are some easy narrative essay topics that work well for kids:

• Describe your most recent birthday party.
• Tell the story of your first day of school.
• Who is your best friend?
• Have you ever helped others?
• Describe your favorite animal(s)
• What is your dream for the future?

This next video from “Teaching Without Frills” explores narrative essay topics for kids in further detail. 

Narrative Essay Ideas  •  Titles of narrative essays

Sometimes it can help to visualize narrative essay topics with pictures, especially for younger kids. If you’re a teacher, consider using pictures to inspire your students!

Narrative essay ideas for teens

Middle school and high school students are often asked to write narrative essays too. But whereas narrative essay topics for elementary school students are usually structured around simple, positive topics, narrative essay topics for teens are generally more contemplative.

Here are some personal narrative essay topics that work well for teens:

• Describe a moment of loss.
• Describe a moment of serenity.
• Recount the story of a lost friend.
• Detail your greatest creation.
• Tell the story of your favorite teacher.
• How would you change the world?

Remember: not every person has the same circumstances as others. That's why they're called personal narrative essay topics.

It’s important to frame narrative essay topics for kids in a way that every kid can relate. For example: the prompt “a lost friend” could mean a friend who moved away or a dead pet. Make sure to word your prompts in such a way that participants can glean their own interpretation.

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• What is a Narrative? →
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Narrative Essay Ideas

Narrative essay ideas for young adults.

Young adults are sometimes asked to write narrative essays for school and or job applications. Narrative essay reviewers typically want to see writers demonstrate maturity and growth in their work. As such, their questions are generally structured around challenges and problem management.

Here are some narrative argument essay topics for young adults:

• Have you ever failed at your job?
• If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be?
• What is something you take pride in?
• Describe your childhood.
• How will you grow this year?
• What is the most important element of success?

Of course, the topics above are mostly focused on success and failure. Young adults can certainly respond to the other prompts too!

Narrative essay ideas for adults

Adults aren’t generally tasked with writing narrative essays unless they’re writers. But that doesn’t have to be the case! There are a lot of positives to writing narrative essays, whether you’re a literary professor or a wrestler looking to articulate your thoughts.

So, here are some things to write a narrative essay about for adults:

• What was your worst job?
• What (or who) was your first love?
• Who do you take care of?
• What is your most prized possession?
• If you could tell somebody who’s now gone from your life one thing, what would it be?
• Paint a picture of where you find peace.

Narrative essay titles  •  Easy narrative essay topics

In recent years, companies have been selling books with narrative essay prompts for adults (particularly elderly adults) to reflect on their lives.

Creative Writing Prompts & Exercises

Now that you're brainstorming good titles for personal narrative, time to learn about other forms of creating writing. A narrative essay is just one type of essay – there are dozens more! In our next article, we break down more creative writing prompts and exercises, including those suited to fantasy, romance, horror, and more. By the end, you’ll know a ton of different ways to approach your next story.

Up Next: Creative Writing Exercises →

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50 Narrative Essay Topics

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but a narrative essay can also tell an exciting story and create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind! We’ve got 50 narrative essay topics designed to prompt students to craft memorable written narratives. These can be modified for students in elementary, middle and high school. Feel free to print the entire narrative essay topics list for plenty of inspiration for your next narrative essay assignment!

Narrative Essay Topics

• Your first day of school.
• Your most exciting day of school
• A field trip that your class took.
• Your favorite summer vacation.
• A trip that included something unexpected or surprising.
• A time that you experienced something spooky.
• A time that you experienced something truly frightening.
• A time that you learned something new that changed you in some way.
• The moment when you met someone who changed your life.
• The day that you got your first pet.
• A move from one place to another.
• Something funny that happened to you.
• Something funny that happened to one of your family members or friends.
• Something embarrassing that happened to you.
• Your favorite birthday party.
• A birthday that was disappointing.
• A big storm (rain, snow or even a tornado!).
• A time that the power went out.
• A summer day when the temperature got much higher than expected.
• A time when you went to an amusement park.
• A time when you got lost somewhere.
• A memorable experience with a favorite family member.
• A sad experience with someone about whom you care.
• Your most exciting moment playing sports.
• Your most exciting moment performing in a play, singing, playing music or dancing.
• An experience that left you feeling frustrated.
• An experience that was hard but ended up being worth it.
• A time that you experienced rejection.
• A weird encounter with a stranger.
• A random act of kindness.
• A time that you took a stand for someone or for an issue that you care about.
• A moment when you thought you might get hurt but didn’t.
• Breaking a bone (or otherwise suffering an injury).
• Your first time away from home for the night (or longer).
• A time when you experienced a historic event.
• Where you were when a major event happened. (Note: You don’t need to have been at the site of the event; this prompt is about where you were when you found out about the event and how you reacted.)
• A time when you rebelled against your parents or teacher.
• A dangerous experience.
• A misunderstanding between yourself and someone else.
• A difficult decision that you had to make.
• The end of a friendship or relationship.
• The beginning of a friendship or relationship.
• A time when you judged someone first and then realized that you were wrong about the person.
• A time when someone judged you first and then realized that he or she was wrong about you.
• A moment when you felt that you were starting to grow up.
• A time when you saw one or both of your parents in a different light.
• A time when you looked up to your older sibling.
• A time when your younger sibling looked up to you.
• A time when you were grateful to be an only child.
• An experience that you think has only ever happened to you!

Looking for more essay topics? Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Descriptive Essay Topics Cause and Effect Essay Topics Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics

160+ Best Narrative Essay Topics for Students in 2024

Table of contents

• 1.1 Personal Achievements and Experiences Essay Ideas
• 1.2 Narrative Essay Ideas about Community and Home
• 1.3 School-Related Narrative Essay Topics for Students
• 1.4 Good Narrative Essay Topics for College Students
• 1.5 Personal Narrative Essay Topics
• 1.6 Personal Experience Narrative Essay Topics
• 1.7 Narrative Essay Topics About Childhood
• 1.8 Relationship Narrative Essay Topics
• 1.9 Personal Narrative Stories Ideas on Traveling and Holidays
• 1.10 Personal Narrative Ideas on Morality and Religion
• 1.11 Narrative Essay Topics on Politics and Current Events
• 1.12 Interesting Narrative Essay Topics About Health
• 1.13 Narrative Essay Topics on Technology and Video Games
• 1.14 Overview

In academic practice, the narrative essay is probably one of the key elements to train students in expressing their opinions. It teaches well how to tell a story in a clear, concise manner, that’s why it is so welcome in the language and composition classes.

Narrative essays are not only valuable as such: their contribution lies in the ability to elaborate students’ storytelling and narration skills. To touch the reader’s nerves, you should opt for exciting narrative essay ideas. There are plenty of them – but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of essay ideas.

Narrative Essay Topics for Students

We’ve analyzed trainees’ experience in writing narrative paragraphs and selected narrative essay topics for college and school students. This profound list covers a wide range of subjects, so pick one!

Personal Achievements and Experiences Essay Ideas

• How did I overcome my biggest fear?
• When did I feel truly independent?
• What was the first major decision I made on my own?
• What did I learn from my first job experience?
• How did volunteering change my perspective?
• What challenges did I face while learning a new skill?
• How did I achieve a personal fitness goal?
• What was the most important lesson from a personal failure?
• How did I manage a conflict and what did it teach me?
• What role has mentorship played in my personal development?
• What was my experience with cultural exchange and how did it impact my views?
• What happened when I took a significant risk?
• How do I contribute to my community’s well-being?
• What were the effects of moving to a new city?
• What did I gain from a year off before college?
• How did I evolve from shyness to confidence?
• How did I achieve a goal I never thought possible?
• What did I learn from a financial mistake?
• How did a book or movie profoundly change my outlook?
• What impact has a family tradition had on my personal growth?

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Narrative Essay Ideas about Community and Home

• Describe a local tradition that feels like home to you.
• How did you contribute to a community project for the first time?
• Describe a dispute in your community and how it was resolved.
• What was the biggest change your neighborhood has undergone?
• What is your role in maintaining your home or community environment?
• How has a community leader positively impacted your life?
• What local issue are you passionate about and why?
• Describe your experience of moving from one community to another.
• What family tradition has strengthened your family bonds?
• How did you help a neighbor in need?
• Describe a community celebration that brought everyone closer.
• How has the sense of community in your neighborhood influenced your upbringing?
• Describe the most peaceful place in your community.
• How did your family or neighbors handle a local emergency?
• What lesson did you learn from a community elder that has stayed with you?
• Describe a character from your town who could be the star of their own show.
• What popular misconceptions or jokes might a TV show about your town explore?
• Are there any myths or famous stories associated with landmarks in your area?
• What is one issue in your community that needs more attention from local leaders?
• How do your interactions with diverse cultures enrich your community experience?

School-Related Narrative Essay Topics for Students

High school students normally feel comfortable about describing their study routine. Below you’ll find interesting topics to convey some of the things at school familiar to every pupil.

• Describe an unexpected day off and what you did.
• Who was your favorite teacher and why?
• What was your most memorable sports event participation?
• Describe your toughest debate competition.
• What was your best role in a school theater production?
• What activities did you engage in after school?
• What was the craziest incident on your campus?
• How did you fail an exam?
• Describe how you successfully got through a challenging exam.
• What were the consequences when you got caught cheating?
• What was your most transformative moment in high school?
• Describe a time when you challenged a popular opinion among your peers.
• How did you handle your first significant test of responsibility?
• What event marked your transition from childhood to adolescence?
• What was your most memorable school trip?
• How did a teacher influence your path in a subject you either love or hate?
• What was your proudest moment in an extracurricular activity?
• Describe the first time you felt that you had let someone down.
• How did you cope with peer pressure in a challenging situation?
• What lesson did you learn from your first major failure at school?
• How did you manage your time between school and a personal hobby?
• What was the most unexpected friendship you developed?
• How did a particular book or project change your understanding of the world?
• What was the biggest risk you took and what was the outcome?
• How has technology affected your learning experience?
• Describe a moment when you had to stand up for your beliefs.
• What does your school ritual before exams look like?
• Who in your life has set a remarkable example of courage and integrity?
• How has your understanding of global issues changed due to a school project?
• What was your most challenging moment while working on a group project?

Good Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

Like high schoolers, college and university students are fond of talking about their everyday matters. Whether a topic about students’ affairs or reflection on new relationships, the most popular narrative topics for college students are collected here.

• What did you feel on your first day at higher education?
• Describe your emotions on the last day with your high school friends.
• Which course at college was your favorite and why?
• How did you meet your significant other during your studies?
• Share the details of a significant breakup during your college years.
• What was the highlight of your high school experience?
• Recount how you reconnected with an old friend during college.
• Who was your favorite professor and what made them stand out?
• Tell us about a humorous event you experienced on campus.
• What event during your college years had the most symbolic meaning to you?
• Describe the day you moved to college.
• How did you travel to your college for the first time?
• What were your initial impressions of the college campus?
• How did you meet your college roommate?
• Describe how you made your first friends in college.
• What challenge did you overcome to pursue a college education, and what did you learn from it?
• Describe a moment when you changed your major or career path based on a profound experience or realization.
• How did participating in a student organization or club fundamentally change your perspective or goals?
• What was the most impactful piece of advice you received from a college advisor or mentor, and how did it influence your academic journey?
• Recount an experience where you had to advocate for yourself or others in the college setting, and describe the outcome.

Personal Narrative Essay Topics

Each of us had moments in life the story of which would be interesting to others. Develop your narration mastery and tell the world a story about the very best, most memorable, extremely scary, or awkward situations. Our list is here to assist you.

• Describe the moment you realized what you wanted to do with your life.
• How did a significant event change your perspective on family?
• What was a pivotal moment of self-discovery during your teenage years?
• Who has been your biggest influence outside of your family, and why?
• What experience first taught you about the importance of community?
• Describe a time when you had to stand up for your beliefs.
• What was your most challenging moral dilemma and how did you handle it?
• How has a failure led to success in your personal or academic life?
• What was the most enlightening travel experience you’ve had?
• Discuss a time when you helped someone in need and how it affected you.
• What is your most cherished memory with a grandparent or elder?
• Describe your first major responsibility and what you learned from it.
• How did a particular book or movie fundamentally alter your outlook on life?
• What unexpected friendship has had the greatest impact on your life?
• Discuss a tradition in your family that has deep meaning for you.
• How have your goals evolved over the past five years?
• What was your most profound spiritual or religious experience?
• Describe an encounter that taught you something important about prejudice or discrimination.
• What is the most difficult decision you’ve ever made, and how did you arrive at your choice?
• How did you deal with your first significant heartbreak?

Personal Experience Narrative Essay Topics

Personal experiences are way more exciting for writers. Unfortunately, personal narrative essays are not always just as fascinating for listeners unless they are presented in an entertaining manner. We’re sure that the ideas for personal narratives below will help you pick your topic to maximize readers’ engagement.

• Describe a moment that made you exceptionally proud. Why did it have such a significant impact?
• Recall your first visit to an opera house. What did you experience, and how did it change your perception of the arts?
• Share the story of the strangest accident you ever witnessed. What made it so unusual?
• What was your first encounter with Asian cuisine like? Describe the flavors and your reaction.
• Detail the most memorable birthday gift you’ve ever received. Why does it stand out in your mind?
• Imagine you are a character in your favorite book. Who would you be and what adventures would you have?
• Revisit a memory you wish you could experience again. What makes this memory so precious?
• If you were a superhero from a movie, which one would you choose and why?
• Tell the story of how you lost something that wasn’t yours. What ensued?
• Describe your first trip to the sea. What did you feel and discover about the ocean and yourself?
• Explore what makes you unique. What are some traits or experiences that set you apart?
• Narrate your first journey into the wilderness. What challenges did you face and what did you learn?
• Reflect on your first job interview. How did you prepare, and what was the outcome?
• Discuss the most significant loss you’ve experienced. How did it affect your life thereafter?
• Describe the most memorable Christmas you have had. What happened that year to make it unforgettable?

Narrative Essay Topics About Childhood

Childhood is probably the sweetest period of our lives and the one with the most number of insights. The most powerful experiences come from it, and most of our reflections are related to a child’s perception in this or that way. Check out our list of captivating topics about childhood and pick one.

• Describe your earliest memory. What makes it stand out?
• What was your favorite game to play as a child, and why was it special to you?
• Recall a time when you learned a lesson the hard way. What happened?
• Share a story about a childhood friendship that influenced who you are today.
• What was your most treasured childhood possession and what became of it?
• Describe a family vacation from your childhood that left a lasting impression.
• Who was your hero as a child and how did they influence your values?
• What childhood book had the biggest impact on your imagination or dreams?
• Tell the story of a day you felt you grew up a little bit.
• What was your favorite hiding spot as a child, and what did you hide from?
• Describe a moment when you got lost as a child. What did you discover during that experience?
• Share a story about a childhood event that you looked forward to all year.
• What was a typical birthday like for you as a child?
• Describe a childhood hobby or activity and why it was meaningful to you.
• Recall a significant event at school that shaped your childhood.
• Tell about a time you faced a fear as a child. How did you overcome it?
• What was your favorite family tradition as a child, and how has it evolved?
• Describe a moment when you felt misunderstood as a child.
• What was your proudest accomplishment as a child and why was it significant?
• Share a story about a time when a seemingly mundane event turned out to be memorable.
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Relationship Narrative Essay Topics

Writing about this huge layer of experience – relationships – is surely thrilling. We’ve picked just some of the great variety of narrative topics about relationships for you. Even if you don’t find here exactly what you want to talk about, you’ll definitely hit upon an appropriate idea.

• Describe the details of your first romantic date. What made it memorable?
• How did meeting your best friend transform your life? Share specific changes.
• Discuss the saddest moment you’ve experienced in a relationship. How did it affect you?
• Describe a pivotal moment in a significant relationship. What changed after that?
• Identify a relationship from a book or movie that you see as a role model. Why does it inspire you?
• Share the story of your first romantic relationship. What lessons did you learn?
• What do your parents mean to you? Describe their influence on your life.
• What is the best piece of relationship advice you have ever received? Who gave it and why was it impactful?
• Why is your significant other so crucial in your life? Explore the depth of your bond.
• Narrate a situation that helped you mend a damaged relationship. What steps did you take?
• What are your most cherished memories with friends? Detail one or two specific events.
• Describe the experience of making your first confession. What prompted it and how did it feel?
• Share how you supported someone battling depression. What did you learn from the experience?
• Discuss a film or book that profoundly affected your views on relationships. What resonated with you?
• Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? Describe the experience and the aftermath.
• What are the most significant relationships in your life outside of family? Explain their value.
• What advice would you give someone who is about to start their first relationship?
• How do you navigate the complexities of modern dating? Share your insights and personal rules.
• Discuss the end of a close friendship. How did you handle the situation, and what did you learn?
• Describe your best friend from summer camp. What made your friendship special?
• How did you reconnect with a friend after a significant quarrel? What steps did you take?
• Share a story of how you covered for a friend in a difficult situation.
• What was it like meeting your online friend in person for the first time? Describe the experience.
• How did you help a friend reconnect with a loved one? What role did you play?
• Narrate the coolest adventure you’ve had with your best friend. What made it unforgettable?
• What was your first visit to your friend’s house like? Describe your impressions and feelings.
• Describe the worst quarrel you had with a friend. How did it affect your relationship?
• Who is your best older friend, and what have you learned from them?
• How did an enemy become a friend? Describe the transformation in your relationship.
• What was the toughest situation you and your friend faced together? How did you overcome it?
• Describe your relationship with your friend’s sibling. What role do they play in your friendship?
• Narrate a situation where you had to choose between two friends. What was the outcome?
• How did you meet a friend on the Internet? Describe the journey from online to offline friendship.

Personal Narrative Stories Ideas on Traveling and Holidays

This segment of subjects covers individual experiences. Respectively, it has to do with reflections, opinions, and feelings. Our list of personal narrative ideas related to trips and celebrations is here for your convenience.

• What was your best entertainment during the winter holidays?
• Describe your first experience traveling abroad. What did you learn?
• How did it feel visiting a warm country for the first time in winter?
• Share the story of a time you missed your flight, train, or bus. What happened next?
• What was the happiest moment you experienced during the holidays?
• How did you make a new friend during a holiday trip? What bonded you?
• Describe your first time traveling alone. What were the highlights and challenges?
• What made your most memorable holiday ever so special?
• What was the saddest incident you experienced on a holiday? How did you cope?
• Describe your best visit to a foreign city during a holiday. What did you explore?
• What was your best travel experience to a big city? What impressed you the most?
• Recount the worst quarrel you had while on holiday. What was the resolution?
• What were the best encounters you had during a holiday? Who did you meet?
• Describe your best trip to the countryside. What made it unforgettable?
• How did you feel returning home after a long vacation? What was the transition like?
• How do you make the most of long holiday weekends?
• What is your typical Sunday routine during the holidays?
• What are your favorite fall activities during holiday breaks?
• What traditions do you follow for Halloween? Do you wear a costume?
• How do you celebrate Thanksgiving with your family?
• What are your tips for enjoying the holiday season to the fullest?
• How do you plan to spend your next holiday break?
• Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What are your goals for the new year?
• How do you combat the winter blues during the colder months?
• What has been your most severe weather experience while traveling?

Personal Narrative Ideas on Morality and Religion

Strong argumentation is one of the indications of a successful academic paper and a prerequisite for a higher grade. You should pick a topic you are confident in to provide your effective arguments as your objective is to persuade your readers. Opt for a narrative essay topic that speaks to you.

• Describe the toughest decision you had to make between right and wrong.
• What choice do you regret the most?
• How did you help a friend even when it meant breaking the rules?
• Describe a situation where you were involved in a conflict between other people.
• Share the experience of getting caught lying.
• How did you feel when you let down a friend by following the rules?
• Describe a time when you shifted the blame to someone else.
• What was the toughest yet most important experience you have had?
• How did helping someone for personal benefit make you feel?
• Describe a prank you played on a friend.
• How did you react when you saw someone being bullied?
• Share a story about a time your friend took the blame for you.
• Do you believe justice truly exists?
• Describe a time when you ignored someone’s wrong behavior.
• How do you generally help others?
• What ethical dilemmas have you faced?
• Would you help an injured stranger?
• When was the last time you did something nice for a stranger?
• Have you ever ‘paid it forward’?
• How often do you gossip?
• How comfortable are you with lying?
• Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours?
• What could you live without that others might find essential?
• Do you ever feel guilty about what or how much you throw away?
• Do you ever eavesdrop?
• How important is your spiritual life?
• Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
• Can you be good without believing in God?
• Are you less religious than your parents?
• What can you learn from other religions?

Narrative Essay Topics on Politics and Current Events

• Describe a time when you participated in a political protest and what motivated you to join.
• What local political issue are you most passionate about and why?
• Explain how a recent event changed your perspective on government policies.
• Share an experience where you volunteered for a political campaign and what you learned.
• Describe a time when you had a political debate with someone and the outcome of that debate.
• How did a current event influence your view on international relations?
• What political figure do you admire the most and why?
• Describe an experience where you felt the impact of a political decision on your community.
• What recent news story made you rethink your stance on a social issue?
• Explain how a political event affected your school or university.
• Share a story about a time you felt proud of your country’s actions on the world stage.
• How did a significant political change in your country affect your family?
• Describe your first experience voting in an election and what it meant to you.
• What event prompted you to follow politics more closely?
• Explain how a political scandal influenced your trust in government officials.
• Describe an experience where you advocated for a cause you believe in and the result.
• How did a major political event shape the discussions in your household?
• Share a story about a time you met a political leader and what the interaction was like.
• Explain how a piece of legislation impacted your life or the life of someone you know.
• Describe an experience where you participated in a school or community event about current affairs and what you took away from it.

Interesting Narrative Essay Topics About Health

• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult health-related decision and what influenced your choice.
• Share an experience where you made a significant lifestyle change for your health.
• What was the most challenging health obstacle you faced and how did you overcome it?
• How did a health scare in your family impact your perspective on wellness?
• Describe a time when you helped someone improve their health.
• Explain how a specific diet or exercise program affected your well-being.
• What was your first experience with a mental health issue and how did you handle it?
• Share a story about how you maintained your health during a stressful period.
• Describe a time when you struggled with maintaining a healthy balance between work and life.
• How did a health-related event change your relationship with a loved one?
• What was your experience with a significant illness or injury and what did you learn from it?
• Explain how participating in a health-related event or challenge impacted you.
• Describe a time when you had to support a friend or family member through a health crisis.
• What was the most memorable health advice you received and how did it influence you?
• Share an experience where you discovered the importance of mental health.
• Describe a time when you had to advocate for your health needs in a medical setting.
• How did a specific health goal motivate you to change your daily habits?
• What was your first encounter with alternative medicine and what was the outcome?
• Explain how a health awareness campaign influenced your actions or beliefs.
• Describe a time when you witnessed the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle on someone close to you.

Narrative Essay Topics on Technology and Video Games

• Describe a time when a new piece of technology significantly impacted your life.
• How did you first get into video games and what was your initial experience like?
• Describe a situation where you relied on technology to overcome a challenge.
• What was your most memorable moment in online gaming and why?
• Explain how a specific video game helped you develop a new skill.
• Describe a time when you experienced the negative effects of technology addiction.
• How did you balance technology use with other activities in your daily life?
• Share a story about a friendship you made through online gaming.
• How did a particular video game affect your relationship with friends or family?
• Describe an experience where you used technology to create something meaningful.
• What was your first experience with virtual reality and how did it feel?
• Share a story about a time you participated in a gaming tournament.
• How did a tech-related project at school or work change your approach to tasks?
• Describe a time when a malfunctioning piece of technology caused a significant problem.
• Explain how you used a video game to escape from a stressful situation.
• What was your experience with learning to code and how did it impact you?
• Describe a time when you taught someone else to use a new technology.
• Share a story about a video game that brought your family together.

When writing a narrative essay, it is important to choose an interesting topic that can engage your readers. Finding the right topic can be a challenge, but there is no need to worry as there are many resources available, such as online essay writers , that can help you choose the best topic for your narrative essay.

Whether a personal experience essay, a story about your best childhood birthday, a narration about your most meaningful travel, or the way you reacted to essential world events, are all worth writing. Bear in mind that each of them requires research, adhering to a structure, and planning. Focus on what’s inspiring for you and may be of interest to your readers, and you’ll get a list of the narrative ideas working best for you.

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• Everybody gets afraid sometimes. If there were no fear, there would be no opportunity for bravery. Write about the scariest moment in your life.
• Some people avoid challenges. Others see them as opportunities to grow. Write about a time when you overcame a great challenge.
• One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Write about a time when you discovered something valuable that others had discarded or ignored.
• The golden rule states that you should treat others as you’d like to be treated. It’d be nice if everyone followed this rule, but its been broken more than once. Write about a time when you felt disrespected. How did you handle it and what did you learn?
• Everybody has a special talent. Write about the time when you discovered one of your talents.
• It’s no fun to be in pain, but it can be worse to watch someone you love suffer. Write about a time when one of your loved ones was hurt.
• The world can be a cold place, but a little bit of kindness can make it a lot warmer. Write about a time when you made the world a better place for someone by being kind.
• It’s a good thing that nobody’s perfect. Some of life’s greatest lessons are learned on accident. Write about a time when you learned an important lesson by making a mistake.
• It can be hard to see ourselves for who we really are at times. Write about a time when someone else taught you something about yourself.
• Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. Write about a time when you got in trouble or made someone angry by doing what you thought was right.
• You don’t have to learn everything the hard way. Write about a time when you avoided trouble by taking someone’s advice.
• You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Write about a time when you were underestimated or when you underestimated someone else.
• Practice makes perfect. Write about a time when you got better at doing something by practicing.
• Can’t we all just get along? Write about a time when you got into a disagreement with someone. How did you resolve it?
• There’s a time for work and a time for play, but it’s a lot more fun to play. Write about a time when you put off doing something important to have fun. How did it work out for you in the end and what did you learn?
• You never know until you try. Write about a time when you learned something about yourself by trying something new.
• Hard work doesn’t always payoff. Write about a time when you worked hard on something but felt like your efforts weren’t appreciated.
• You can’t trust everyone. Write about a time when someone betrayed your trust. How did you react? Did you ever forgive them?
• You can’t make everybody happy. Write about a time when you made a decision that disappointed or hurt someone.
• Nobody said that life would be fair. Write about a time when you witnessed someone taking advantage of a weaker person. How did it make you feel?
• Sometimes two people just click. Write about a time when you formed a genuine connection with someone.
• So much in life is about the choices that you make. Write about a time when you had to choose between two things that were important to you.
• It’s the people we love that can hurt us the most. Write about a time when you had to confront a loved one over their decisions.
• Accomplishments mean so much more when work for them. Write about a time when you worked hard to earn something. How did it make you feel to meet your goal?
• Even the best of friends have the occasional argument. Write about a time when you got into a dispute with a friend. How did the situation get resolved?
• Appearances are important. Sometimes your appearance can work for you. Other times it can work against. Write about a time when someone treated you differently because of your appearance. You can share a negative or positive experience.
• You can’t always get what you want and sometimes that’s for the best. Write about a time when you were denied something that you wanted and it worked out alright in the end.
• Once in a while everything just goes your way. Write about a time when you felt on top of the world.
• Sometimes people drift apart. Other times they are torn apart. Write about a time when you were separated from someone with whom you were close.
• It’s been said that every gray cloud has a silver lining. The hard part is looking for it. Write about a time when you made the best of a bad situation.
• Faith is believing in something that you cannot prove. Write about a time when you had faith in someone or something that others doubted.
• There’s a time to be creative and there’s a time to follow directions. Write about a time when you benefitted from following directions.
• Some people are just looking for a reason to not like you. Write about a time when you got on someone’s bad side just by being yourself.
• No matter how badly someone messes up, they always have the potential to redeem themselves. Write about a time when you or someone you know made a mistake and found redemption.
• It’s good to play it safe, but sometimes you have to take chances. Write about a time when you took a risk. Did it work out for you?
• Most people agree that honesty is a virtue, but sometimes being too honest can get you into hot water. Write about a time when you got in trouble or on someone’s bad side just by telling the truth.
• Nothing sours an accomplishment like jealousy. Write about a time when you or someone you know was affected by the jealousy of another.
• The older that you get, the more responsponsibilities you gain. It can be too much at times. Write about a time when you felt overwhelmed by your responsibilities. How did you handle it?
• Part of growing up is facing your fears. Write about a time when you did something that you were afraid to do.
• It’s hard to think about anything else when danger is approaching. Write about a time when you felt unsafe.
• You wouldn’t be where you are today without the countless sacrifices of others. Once in a while you have to give back too. Write about a time when you gave up something that was important to you to help somebody else.
• It’s been said that forgiveness is divine. Write about a time when you forgave someone for hurting or disappointing you.
• Our first impressions aren’t always accurate. Write about a time when your first impression of someone or something proved to be wrong.
• Everybody makes mistakes, even teachers. Write about a time when you were affected by one of your teachers’ mistakes.
• With so many awesome things to learn and do in the world, nobody should ever be bored. Write about a time when you turned a boring day into an exciting one.
• People change. That’s a part of life. Write about a time when you or someone you know changed in an important way.
• When opportunity knocks, it’s up to you to answer the door. Write about a time when you took advantage of an interesting or exciting opportunity.
• A kind word can go a long way. Write about a time when someone affected you by saying something nice or encouraging.
• The world needs heroes and anyone can be one. Write about a time when you did something heroic. It doesn’t have to be as dramatic as saving someone’s life. It can be as simple as helping someone out when they needed it.
• Your reputation is important. People will treat you differently based on how you are reputed to be. Write about a time when you did something that affected your reputation for better or worse.
• Anger can blind. Write about a time when anger caused you to behave in a way that you later regretted.
• Authority is when someone has the power to make decisions for you. Write about a time when you wanted to challenge someone’s authority. What were they doing to cause you to feel this way? How did you handle the situation?
• Everybody has had someone awkward moments in life. Write about a time when you felt embarrassed. How did you deal with your embarrassment?
• The process of growing up is a slow one. It takes your whole childhood. But some events cause us to grow quicker than others. Write about an experience that caused you to grow up quickly.
• You can’t give everyone everything that they want. That would leave nothing for you. You have to set limits. Write about a time when someone wanted more from you than you had to give.
• Your conscience is that little voice in your head that tells you when you are doing something wrong. Write about a time when your conscience stopped you from doing something.
• Friendship can be found in unexpected places. Write about a time when you became friends or partners with an unlikely person.
• It’s important to be persistent, but you have to know when to let go too. Write about a time when you quit pursuing something or let go of a dream.
• Anyone can talk. Followsing through is the hard part. Write about a time when you proved yourself with your actions.
• We are all tempted to do things that we shouldn’t at times. It takes integrity to do the right thing against your baser desires. Write about a time when you resisted the temptation to do something wrong.
• Tact is the ability to phrase criticism in a sensitive way. It’s hard to be tactful all of the time. Write about a time when you blurted out something that you immediately regretted saying.
• It’d be nice if there were a sure fire way to tell if someone were lying, but there isn’t. Write about a time when someone deceived you. How did you find out that they were lying to you? What did you do?
• You can’t win all of the time. Some of life’s greatest lessons are learned in defeat. Write about a time when you lost or failed at something and learned a lesson.
• You can predict the future, but you’re not alway going to get it right. Write about a time when you were surprised by the outcome of an event.
• William Shakespeare said that “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” Write about a time when you had to say goodbye to someone or something that was important to you. How did you get over the loss?
• Money can’t buy everything. Write about a time when you gained something valuable that can’t be bought or sold. Some examples might include a special skill, an important understanding, or a good relationship with someone.
• Presentation is everything. Write about a time when you or someone else made a strong impression based on manners. It can be a good impression or a bad one.
• A little bit of gratitude goes a long way. Write about a time when you felt unappreciated.
• Bad habits are hard to kick. Write about a time when you gave up something that was bad for you.
• A hypocrite is a person who tells you not to do something that he or she does. Write about a time when a person acted hypocritically toward you. You may want to write about a teacher, parent, or friend.
• Not knowing your limits can be dangerous. Write about a time when you or someone you know took things too far.
• Laws were put in place for a reason. Still, not everyone follows them. Write about an experience that you shared with someone who broke a law.
• Sometimes we make decisions without fully considering the consequences. Write about a decision that you made which you later regretted.
• The only constant is change. People can change in ways that we find disappointing. Write about a time when someone you know turned out to be different than you thought they were.
• You never know what you’re capable of until you try. Write about a time when you succeed at something despite your doubts.
• Technology is supposed to solve our problems, but sometimes it just complicates them. Write about a time when technology made your life more difficult.
• The person you are today might not be the one you are tomorrow. People always have the potential to change, to improve. Write about an experience that changed you for the better.
• Our actions can have far reaching consequences that can be difficult to predict. Write about a time when you unintentionally hurt someone as a result of your actions. Did you make it up to them?
• Misunderstandings are the source of many conflicts. Write about a time when you solved a problem by talking about it.
• It can be hard to fit in when you feel awkward. Write about a time when you felt out of place. How did you adapt to the situation?
• Staying cool and calm helps you perform better, but this isn’t always easy. Some situations push you to the edge. Write about at time when you lost your patience.
• Sometimes the greatest conflicts come from within. Write about a time when you were challenged by an inner conflict. How did you resolve the problem?
• The world can be an overwhelming place. Write about a time when you just wanted to get away from everything.
• The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry. Write about a time when things did not work out the way that you planned.
• Not everyone is a good leader, and even good leaders can make bad decisions. Write about a time when you disagreed with someone who was in charge of you.
• Sometimes we think that we need help when all we really need to do is to put forth a decent effort. Write about a time when you learned to rely on yourself.
• Your national identity is complicated. Sometimes we are proud to be citizens of our country. Other times things are done in our country’s name that we dislike. Write about a time when you were either proud or ashamed of your nationality.
• You can’t always get what you want, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop trying. Write about a time when you fought for what you wanted and got your way.
• The world would be a better place if everyone treated each other with love and respect, but people don’t always act like that. The world can be unfair. Write about a time when you witnessed or were the victim of an injustice.
• Opinions can make or break you. Write about a time when someone misjudged you.
• Boys and girls are treated differently at times. It’s not fair, but it happens. Write about a time when you were treated differently because of your gender. It can be in a way that benefited you or worked against you.
• It’s been said that no good deed goes unpunished. Write about a time when you were trying to help someone and it backfired.
• Sometimes its best to keep your mouth shut. Write about a time when you got in trouble for sharing your opinion.
• The sense of smell is closely tied to memory. Think about scents that you have linked to experiences in your mind. Write about a time when an aroma became part of your memory.
• People are social by nature. Being alone can be torturesome. Write about a time when you felt lonely or abandoned.
• You can’t run from your past. It will always find a way to catch up with you. Write about a time when something from your past came back to haunt you.
• Many people are resistant to change, even when it is good for them. Write about a time when you grew to appreciate something that you once resisted.
• Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than talented. Write about a time when you benefitted just by being in the right place at the right time.
• Everybody has perfect vision when they look into the past. Write about a time when you learned something a bit too late to help.
• It’s been said that the thrill is in the chase. Write about a time when you worked hard to get something, only to find out that you didn’t really want it after all.
• It’s a lot easier to go with the flow, but sometimes our hearts won’t let us. Write about a time when you supported an unpopular position because of your feelings or ideals.

28 Comments

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13 Thought-Provoking Personal Narrative Prompts

by Suzanne Davis | Sep 12, 2019 | Writing Essays and Papers | 2 comments

To be a person is to have a story to tell. –Isak Dinesen

What stories are within you?  A personal narrative is a story from your life. So, it is simple to write.  Maybe.  If you come up with an experience you’re dying to share–it is easy to get started. But, it isn’t always easy to think of an idea for a personal narrative.  So, I put together a list of 13 personal narrative prompts to help you find a compelling story you long to write about.

The idea of longing to write it is important because personal narratives need to show readers what your experience was like.  Desire to write inspires you to put more effort into your narrative’s description, character development, and plot.  Sounds a lot like writing a fictional story doesn’t it? Both are narratives, they need to engage your readers and show them something unique.

Personal narrative writing shows settings, people, actions, and feelings. When you write a personal narrative, you describe a story so that your reader sees, feels, and understands what you experienced.    When you write a personal narrative, you describe a story so that your reader sees, feels and understands what you experienced. Click To Tweet

You show (don’t tell) readers a personal story .  Check out the post “How to Master Writing a Compelling Personal Narrative Essay” https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/writing-a-personal-narrative/   to see how to use the show don’t tell approach in writing personal narratives.

Finding an engaging personal narrative prompt will help you discover a memorable essay.  Let’s find the right topic for you.

13 Personal Narrative Prompts

One of the best ways to show a personal story is to select a small episode or anecdote from your life and dig deep into it.  These 13 personal narrative prompts help you find a great essay topic.

#1 Favorite School Memory

Write a story about your favorite school memory.  Who was there? Where was it?  How did it happen?  How does it end?  Focus on one single event.  For example, if you played the violin in school you could tell a story about playing the violin in a concert.  Or if you played on a soccer team, you could tell the story of your tryout.

# 2 Worst School Memory

This is the opposite of #1.  Select a memory that is focused on a terrible situation.  What triggered that situation and what happened?  What was the result?  For example, this could be a situation where you were bullied.  Describe what happened, and how it ended for you.  Did anyone defend you, or help you?  Or did the bullying continue?

#3 Frightening Story

Write a story about a scary or frightening moment in your life.  What happened?  How was it scary?  Are you still frightened?  Fear is a strong emotion and it motivates people to keep reading and find out what followed.  Some examples of frightening moments are being trapped in a cave, lost in the woods or inside an old house with strange noises, or a traumatic event.  A frightening experience could also be any personal event where you didn’t feel safe and were afraid something terrible was going to happen.

# 4 “Just Between Friends” 

Write a story about something that happened between you and a friend.  Is it something important you experienced together?  Did your friend do something to help you?  Did that person hurt you?  Or did you do something to help your friend?  Did you hurt a friend?  Some ideas for this topic are an activity or event you both participated in, something you both started, a great act of kindness, a sacrifice one of you made to help the other.  It could also be something where you betrayed your friend, or your friend betrayed you.

#5 Family Story

This is similar to the topic of friendship except in this case it’s something that happened within your family.  What occurred, who was there, and what did you do? Is there an important funny, sad, or happy event in your family?  Did you do something important or special with your family?   Some examples of this topic are the birth of someone in your family, the death of a loved one, or something fun you did with your parents, siblings or grandparents, etc.

Write a story of the best, strangest, or worst thing that happened to you on a vacation or trip to another place.  Focus on one event or experience. One mistake writers make with this essay idea is they describe an entire travel experience, and that isn’t interesting to your readers.  Some ideas for this writing prompt are getting lost in a city, being pickpocketed on a trip, or visiting a historical site.

#7 First Love

First loves are powerful and vivid stories.  Consider a story about how you met that person or a significant memory between you. This could be something wonderful, funny, or even terrible,  If the relationship is over how did it end?  Were you heartbroken?  These stories, or a story about any important relationship, leave an imprint on us.

#8 Success Story

Write a story about something you accomplished.  Describe what you did to achieve success, and how you reached your goal.  Were there obstacles you had to overcome? This is a tricky essay topic because sometimes people focus on the feelings of success or the final achievement rather than the story of how they succeeded.  Some ideas for this topic are to write about winning an event, earning an honor, confronting a personal challenge, or getting over a phobia.

#9 Personal Failure

Write about how you failed to do or failed to achieve something.  Describe what you tried to do, how you failed, and what you gained/learned from it.  Everyone fails at something.  Your readers understand the feeling of failure.  Some people connect with these personal narratives more than stories of success because they empathize with you. People learn a lot through failure, so when you write this type of story, hint or convey what you learned from failing.

#10 Accident

Write a story about an accident you caused or an accident that happened to you.  This could be negative as in a car accident or maybe it’s an accident of good fortune.  Describe how the accident occurred, who was involved, and how it ended.  Was it a bicycle accident?  How did it happen?  Did someone get hurt?

#11 Unresolved Experience

Describe something that happened to you, but where there’s no resolution.  What was the experience and how did it occur? What don’t you understand or know about the experience? Then, instead of having a resolution to the story, convey how you feel about not knowing what happened.

#12 An International or National Event or Incident

Write a personal story describing how you acted, witnessed, or responded to a significant national or international event or incident.  Did you play in the Olympics, or join a protest?  Did you survive a natural disaster?  What was your role in this circumstance?  What did you do?  For example, if you were in a hurricane describe what happened, who you were with, and how you survived.

#13 Change the World Experience

One of the best experiences I had in my life was creating and organizing a family literacy program for public schools. There are several stories within that experience I could write. If you were a volunteer for an organization or participated in a service project, think about what happened.  Was there a moment that changed everything? What occurred? Did any of those stories change you, your community, or another person?  These stories can be very moving because they have impacted you, what you believe, and how you see or view others. 

Choose a Personal Narrative Prompt and Write

The most important factor to consider in a personal narrative is yourself.  Choose an idea for a personal narrative that intrigues you.  If your narrative bores you, it’ll bore readers.  You want to write a descriptive personal story with vivid characters, actions, and emotions.

Also, select a story you want to share with others.  You’re revealing not just what happened to you, but also a piece of yourself.  Is your personal story something you want people to know?

It’s your story .  You decide what to write and who reads it.  Then write it well.

What is your favorite personal narrative topic?  Please share it below! 

Great prompts, Suzanne! I especially liked #10 the unresolved experience. Very thought provoking. These prompts would also be great for personal journaling.

Terri, thank you. You’re right. These writing prompts would work well with personal journaling. I’m glad you liked #10. It’s one of my favorites!

[…] So which descriptive essay prompt inspires you?  And if you want more creative writing prompts, check out my blog post, “13 Thought-Provoking Personal Narrative Prompts” https://www.academicwritingsuccess.com/13-thought-provoking-personal-narrative-prompts/ . […]

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How to write a narrative essay [Updated 2023]

A narrative essay is an opportunity to flex your creative muscles and craft a compelling story. In this blog post, we define what a narrative essay is and provide strategies and examples for writing one.

What is a narrative essay?

Similarly to a descriptive essay or a reflective essay, a narrative essay asks you to tell a story, rather than make an argument and present evidence. Most narrative essays describe a real, personal experience from your own life (for example, the story of your first big success).

Alternately, your narrative essay might focus on an imagined experience (for example, how your life would be if you had been born into different circumstances). While you don’t need to present a thesis statement or scholarly evidence, a narrative essay still needs to be well-structured and clearly organized so that the reader can follow your story.

When you might be asked to write a narrative essay

Although less popular than argumentative essays or expository essays, narrative essays are relatively common in high school and college writing classes.

The same techniques that you would use to write a college essay as part of a college or scholarship application are applicable to narrative essays, as well. In fact, the Common App that many students use to apply to multiple colleges asks you to submit a narrative essay.

How to choose a topic for a narrative essay

When you are asked to write a narrative essay, a topic may be assigned to you or you may be able to choose your own. With an assigned topic, the prompt will likely fall into one of two categories: specific or open-ended.

Examples of specific prompts:

• Write about the last vacation you took.
• Write about your final year of middle school.

Examples of open-ended prompts:

• Write about a time when you felt all hope was lost.
• Write about a brief, seemingly insignificant event that ended up having a big impact on your life.

A narrative essay tells a story and all good stories are centered on a conflict of some sort. Experiences with unexpected obstacles, twists, or turns make for much more compelling essays and reveal more about your character and views on life.

If you’re writing a narrative essay as part of an admissions application, remember that the people reviewing your essay will be looking at it to gain a sense of not just your writing ability, but who you are as a person.

In these cases, it’s wise to choose a topic and experience from your life that demonstrates the qualities that the prompt is looking for, such as resilience, perseverance, the ability to stay calm under pressure, etc.

It’s also important to remember that your choice of topic is just a starting point. Many students find that they arrive at new ideas and insights as they write their first draft, so the final form of your essay may have a different focus than the one you started with.

How to outline and format a narrative essay

Even though you’re not advancing an argument or proving a point of view, a narrative essay still needs to have a coherent structure. Your reader has to be able to follow you as you tell the story and to figure out the larger point that you’re making.

You’ll be evaluated on is your handling of the topic and how you structure your essay. Even though a narrative essay doesn’t use the same structure as other essay types, you should still sketch out a loose outline so you can tell your story in a clear and compelling way.

To outline a narrative essay, you’ll want to determine:

• how your story will start
• what points or specifics that you want to cover
• how your story will end
• what pace and tone you will use

In the vast majority of cases, a narrative essay should be written in the first-person, using “I.” Also, most narrative essays will follow typical formatting guidelines, so you should choose a readable font like Times New Roman in size 11 or 12. Double-space your paragraphs and use 1” margins.

To get your creative wheels turning, consider how your story compares to archetypes and famous historical and literary figures both past and present. Weave these comparisons into your essay to improve the quality of your writing and connect your personal experience to a larger context.

How to write a narrative essay

Writing a narrative essay can sometimes be a challenge for students who typically write argumentative essays or research papers in a formal, objective style. To give you a better sense of how you can write a narrative essay, here is a short example of an essay in response to the prompt, “Write about an experience that challenged your view of yourself.”

Narrative essay example

Even as a child, I always had what people might call a reserved personality. It was sometimes framed as a positive (“Sarah is a good listener”) and at other times it was put in less-than-admiring terms (“Sarah is withdrawn and not very talkative”). It was the latter kind of comments that caused me to see my introverted nature as a drawback and as something I should work to eliminate. That is, until I joined my high school’s student council.

The first paragraph, or introduction, sets up the context, establishing the situation and introducing the meaningful event upon which the essay will focus.

The other four students making up the council were very outspoken and enthusiastic. I enjoyed being around them, and I often agreed with their ideas. However, when it came to overhauling our school’s recycling plan, we butted heads. When I spoke up and offered a different point of view, one of my fellow student council members launched into a speech, advocating for her point of view. As her voice filled the room, I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. I wondered if I should try to match her tone, volume, and assertiveness as a way to be heard. But I just couldn’t do it—it’s not my way, and it never has been. For a fleeting moment, I felt defeated. But then, something in me shifted.

In this paragraph, the writer goes into greater depth about how her existing thinking brought her to this point.

I reminded myself that my view was valid and deserved to be heard. So I waited. I let my fellow council member speak her piece and when she was finished, I deliberately waited a few moments before calmly stating my case. I chose my words well, and I spoke them succinctly. Just because I’m not a big talker doesn’t mean I’m not a big thinker. I thought of the quotation “still waters run deep” and I tried to embody that. The effect on the room was palpable. People listened. And I hadn’t had to shout my point to be heard.

This paragraph demonstrates the turn in the story, the moment when everything changed. The use of the quotation “still waters run deep” imbues the story with a dash of poetry and emotion.

We eventually reached a compromise on the matter and concluded the student council meeting. Our council supervisor came to me afterward and said: “You handled that so well, with such grace and poise. I was very impressed.” Her words in that moment changed me. I realized that a bombastic nature isn't necessarily a powerful one. There is power in quiet, too. This experience taught me to view my reserved personality not as a character flaw, but as a strength.

The final paragraph, or conclusion, closes with a statement about the significance of this event and how it ended up changing the writer in a meaningful way.

Narrative essay writing tips

1. pick a meaningful story that has a conflict and a clear “moral.”.

If you’re able to choose your own topic, pick a story that has meaning and that reveals how you became the person your are today. In other words, write a narrative with a clear “moral” that you can connect with your main points.

2. Use an outline to arrange the structure of your story and organize your main points.

Although a narrative essay is different from argumentative essays, it’s still beneficial to construct an outline so that your story is well-structured and organized. Note how you want to start and end your story, and what points you want to make to tie everything together.

3. Be clear, concise, concrete, and correct in your writing.

You should use descriptive writing in your narrative essay, but don’t overdo it. Use clear, concise, and correct language and grammar throughout. Additionally, make concrete points that reinforce the main idea of your narrative.

4. Ask a friend or family member to proofread your essay.

No matter what kind of writing you’re doing, you should always plan to proofread and revise. To ensure that your narrative essay is coherent and interesting, ask a friend or family member to read over your paper. This is especially important if your essay is responding to a prompt. It helps to have another person check to make sure that you’ve fully responded to the prompt or question.

Frequently Asked Questions about narrative essays

A narrative essay, like any essay, has three main parts: an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Structuring and outlining your essay before you start writing will help you write a clear story that your readers can follow.

The first paragraph of your essay, or introduction, sets up the context, establishing the situation and introducing the meaningful event upon which the essay will focus.

In the vast majority of cases, a narrative essay should be written in the first-person, using “I.”

The 4 main types of essays are the argumentative essay, narrative essay, exploratory essay, and expository essay. You may be asked to write different types of essays at different points in your education.

Most narrative essays will be around five paragraphs, or more, depending on the topic and requirements. Make sure to check in with your instructor about the guidelines for your essay. If you’re writing a narrative essay for a college application, pay close attention to word or page count requirements.

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Narrative Essay

Narrative Essay Topics

Best Narrative Essay Topics 2024 for Students

12 min read

People also read

Narrative Essay - A Complete Writing Guide with Examples

Writing a Personal Narrative Essay: Everything You Need to Know

10+ Interesting Narrative Essay Examples Plus Writing Tips!

Crafting a Winning Narrative Essay Outline: A Step-by-Step Guide

Many students have a hard time picking interesting topics for their narrative essays.

Without a good topic, their stories can be boring and won't get good grades.

Here we’ve made a list of simple and fun narrative essay topics to help your essay stand out.

So, keep reading to find the perfect narrative essay idea for you!

• 1. Narrative Essay Topics for Students
• 2. Unique Narrative Essay Topics for Students
• 3. Narrative Essay Topics on Different Themes
• 4. How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay?
• 5. Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Narrative Essay Topics for Students

If you're a student looking for a diverse range of topics, we've got you covered with a diverse selection of narrative essay topics. 

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 3

• My favorite birthday party
• A day at the zoo
• The best trip I ever took
• My first pet
• A time I helped someone
• My funniest school day
• A rainy day adventure
• My favorite family tradition
• The day I learned to ride a bike
• A visit to the park

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 4

• My best friend
• The most exciting day of my life
• A time I got lost
• A memorable sleepover
• A day at the beach
• My favorite holiday memory
• The day I found a hidden treasure
• A special family vacation
• A time I overcame a fear
• An unexpected surprise

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 5

• My First Day at a New School
• The Time I Learned to Ride a Bike
• A Visit to a Haunted House
• The Day I Met a Real-Life Superhero
• My Most Memorable Family Vacation
• A Surprising Encounter with an Animal
• The Mystery of the Missing Homework
• The Best Birthday Party I Ever Had
• When I Lost a Tooth
• My Adventure in a Fantasy World

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 6

• An Unforgettable Camping Trip
• The Day I Discovered a Hidden Talent
• A Mysterious Letter and Its Consequences
• A Time I Had to Stand Up for What's Right
• The Thrilling Mystery of a Forgotten Diary
• A Memorable Encounter with a Famous Person
• My Journey Through a Fantasy Land
• The Day I Learned a Valuable Life Lesson
• An Unexpected Act of Kindness
• A Secret Adventure in an Abandoned Place

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 7

• The Most Exciting Adventure of My Life
• The Day I Overcame a Fear
• A Memorable School Field Trip
• The Strangest Mystery I Ever Encountered
• An Unforgettable Encounter with Wildlife
• A Life-Changing Decision I Had to Make
• The Best Book I Ever Read and Why
• A Day in the Life of a Time Traveler
• The Importance of Friendship in My Life
• A Valuable Lesson Learned from a Mistake

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 8 

• A Time I Faced a Difficult Moral Dilemma
• The Most Memorable Summer Vacation
• The Impact of a Life-Altering Decision
• An Unexpected Act of Kindness I Received
• The Day I Stepped Out of My Comfort Zone
• A Historical Event I Would Like to Witness
• A Special Family Tradition and Its Significance
• A Personal Achievement I'm Proud Of
• A Challenging Obstacle I Overcame
• A Journey Through My Creative Imagination

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 9

• The Transition to High School: Challenges and Triumphs
• A Life-Changing Encounter with an Inspiring Mentor
• My First Part-Time Job and What I Learned
• The Day I Realized the Power of Empathy
• The Impact of a Personal Passion or Hobby
• An Unforgettable Travel Experience Abroad
• A Meaningful Community Service Project I Participated In
• The Role of Technology in My Life
• A Defining Moment in My Cultural Identity
• My Vision for the Future: Dreams and Aspirations

Narrative Essay Topics for Grade 10

• The most challenging experience of my life
• A time I stood up for something I believed in
• How I overcame a major obstacle
• The impact of a special teacher or mentor
• A moment that changed my perspective on life
• An unforgettable road trip
• My experience with peer pressure
• A time I failed and what I learned from it
• A significant cultural or family tradition
• A memorable high school event

Narrative Essay Topics for O-Levels 

• The Day I Took a Leap of Faith
• An Unforgettable Journey into the Unknown
• A Life-Altering Decision I Made in High School
• An Encounter with a Stranger That Changed My Perspective
• The Role of Resilience in Overcoming a Personal Challenge
• The Impact of a Cultural Exchange Experience
• A Lesson Learned from a Unique Life Experience
• The Importance of Perseverance in Achieving a Goal
• My Most Memorable Academic Achievement
• A Glimpse into My Future: Aspirations and Ambitions

Narrative Essay Topics for Highschool

• The Moment I Discovered My Passion
• A Life-Changing Journey Abroad
• A Challenging Decision That Shaped My Future
• An Unexpected Act of Kindness That Touched My Heart
• The Role of Resilience in Overcoming Adversity
• A Personal Experience That Shaped My Values
• The Impact of Technology on My Generation
• A Time I Took a Stand for a Cause I Believe In
• A Memorable Leadership Role I Assumed
• A Glimpse into My Ideal Future: Aspirations and Goals

Narrative Essay Topics for College

• The Journey to Finding My Academic Passion
• A Life-Altering Study Abroad Experience
• The Transformational Impact of a Challenging Decision
• Navigating the Transition from College to the Professional World
• An Unforgettable Encounter with a Mentor or Role Model
• The Role of Adversity in Shaping My Personal Growth
• A Significant Ethical Dilemma I Faced in College
• How My College Experiences Have Shaped My Worldview
• The Impact of Technology on My College Education
• A Personal Reflection on My Career Aspirations and Goals

Narrative Essay Topics for University Students

• The Evolution of My Academic and Career Goals at University
• An Eye-Opening Internship Experience That Impacted My Future
• A Transformative Study Abroad Journey
• Navigating the Complexities of Balancing Work, Academics, and Social Life at University
• The Role of a Unique Research Project in My Academic Growth
• A Personal Account of Overcoming a Significant Academic Challenge
• A Meaningful Leadership Role in a University Organization
• The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Elective Courses at University
• The Impact of Peer Relationships and Networking at University
• How My University Education Has Shaped My Perspective on Global Issues

Unique Narrative Essay Topics for Students

We've gathered distinct narrative topic ideas to fuel your creativity. Let’s look at some personal narrative ideas to inspire your narrative writing.

Descriptive Narrative Essay Topics

• A Peaceful Day by the Riverside
• Exploring a Haunted House
• My Favorite Childhood Memory
• A Walk Through an Ancient Forest
• The Perfect Winter Wonderland
• An Evening at a Carnival
• A Visit to a Vibrant Art Gallery
• The Spectacular Colors of Autumn
• A Day in the Life of a Beach
• An Exciting Night in the City

Personal Narrative Essay Topics

• A Life-Changing Decision I Made
• A Moment of Personal Triumph
• Overcoming My Greatest Fear
• A Meaningful Lesson from a Personal Challenge
• The Role of a Special Friend in My Life
• A Time When I Broke a Personal Record
• The Impact of a Mentor on My Life
• My Journey to Self-Discovery

Literacy Narrative Essay Topics

• My Earliest Memory of Learning to Read
• The Book That Sparked My Love for Reading
• A Life-Changing Experience in a Library
• The Impact of a Special Teacher on My Writing Skills
• How Technology Has Shaped My Writing Habits
• A Personal Reflection on My Writing Journey
• The Role of Literature in Shaping My Perspective
• Writing as a Tool for Self-Expression and Healing
• How I Overcame Writer's Block
• The Significance of Storytelling in My Life

Engaging Narrative Essay Topics

• The Mystery of a Lost Treasure Map
• An Unlikely Friendship That Changed My Life
• A Day in the Life of a Professional Athlete
• The Journey of Starting My Own Business
• A Haunting Experience in a Historic Place
• A Memorable Road Trip with Friends
• My Encounter with a Famous Celebrity
• The Day I Conquered My Greatest Fear
• An Adventure in a Foreign Land
• A Life-Altering Decision at a Crossroads

Narrative Essay Topics on Different Themes

Narrative essays allow you to share personal stories on various themes, such as funny moments, childhood memories, vacations, and happy times. Here are some themes with topic ideas to inspire your creativity and reflection:

Funny Narrative Essay Topics

• The funniest thing that ever happened to me
• A time I embarrassed myself in public
• A prank that went hilariously wrong
• The day everything went wrong but turned out great
• My most awkward moment at school
• A silly misunderstanding
• A funny family tradition
• A comical incident with my pet
• The time I tried to cook and failed
• A laughable sports mishap

Childhood Narrative Essay Topics

• My first day of school
• A memorable playdate with friends
• A childhood dream that came true
• A lesson I learned from my parents
• A favorite toy and the adventures we had
• The day I met my best friend
• A family trip from my childhood
• A time I got into trouble and how I handled it
• My favorite birthday as a child
• A special holiday memory

Vacations Narrative Essay Topics

• My best summer vacation ever
• An unexpected adventure during a vacation
• The most relaxing vacation I’ve had
• A family road trip
• A visit to a place I've always wanted to go
• An unforgettable experience at a resort
• Exploring nature on a camping trip
• The funniest moment on vacation
• A cultural experience in a new city
• The day I got lost on vacation

Narrative Essay Topics About Happy Moments

• The happiest day of my life
• A time I felt really proud of myself
• A moment of pure joy with family
• A celebration I'll never forget
• Achieving a goal I worked hard for
• A surprise that made me smile
• The day I made a new friend
• A happy memory with my pet
• A time I helped someone and felt happy
• A fun day at the park

Narrative Essay Topics About Pets

• The day I got my first pet
• A funny incident with my pet
• Training my pet
• The adventures of my pet and me
• A time my pet comforted me
• A day in the life of my pet
• My pet's quirky habits
• A time my pet saved the day
• How my pet changed my life
• A special bond with my pet

Narrative Essay Topics About Favorite Places

• My favorite place in my hometown
• A visit to a place of historical significance
• A place where I feel at peace
• The most beautiful place i've ever seen
• A hidden gem I discovered
• My favorite place to hang out with friends
• A place that holds special memories
• The best vacation spot i've been to
• A place I visit when I need inspiration
• A place that makes me feel happy

How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay?

Choosing the right topic for your narrative essay can be a daunting task. Before you start writing, it is important to invest some time in researching and brainstorming. 

Here are a few tips to help guide you in selecting an interesting and engaging narrative essay topic: 

• Reflect on Your Personal Experiences: If you are writing about a personal narrative topic, consider the impactful moments in your life and think about experiences that have left a strong impression on you.
• Identify a Clear Message or Theme: Determine the central idea or theme of your narrative. Decide what lesson, insight, or emotion you want to convey.
• Engage Your Audience: Consider your target audience and what will resonate with them. Choose a topic that captures their interest and keeps them engaged.
• Play with Different Perspectives: Explore the option of incorporating different viewpoints. Combining personal and external perspectives can add depth to your narrative.
• Test Your Idea: Get feedback from a friend or classmate. Assess if your chosen topic is likely to resonate with your audience.
• Stay True to Your Voice: Balance considering your audience with being authentic. Let your unique voice and storytelling style shine through in your writing

Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Once you have selected a topic for your narrative essay, it is time to start writing. 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you write your story: 

• Start with a Strong Hook: Begin your narrative essay with a captivating hook, such as an engaging anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid description. 
• Follow a Clear Structure: Organize your narrative essay outline with a clear structure. Most narratives follow a chronological order, but you can also use flashbacks or nonlinear storytelling when it serves your narrative. 
• Build Tension and Conflict:  Create tension and conflict in your narrative to add depth and maintain reader engagement. Whether it's a personal struggle, a moral dilemma, or an external challenge, these obstacles will keep readers eagerly anticipating what comes next.
• Revise and Edit:  After completing your first draft, take the time to revise and edit your work. Review it for grammar and spelling errors, but also examine the overall structure and flow of your narrative.
• Practice, Practice, Practice:  Like any form of writing, improving your narrative essay skills takes practice. Keep writing and experimenting with different topics, styles, and approaches to develop your storytelling abilities.

Before you start writing, make sure you read some narrative essay examples to learn how to organize your thoughts and structure your story.

In summary, no matter the type of essay you are writing about, you need a topic to start with. Our collection of narrative essay topics offers fresh, distinct ideas. 

These topics are crafted to ignite your creativity and captivate your audience. They cover a diverse range of experiences, making it easier for you to connect with your readers on a personal level.

Still, struggling to write a compelling narrative essay? MyPerfectWords.com  is here to help you out!

We stand as the most reliable narrative essay writing service with a specialized focus on crafting exceptional essays designed for high school and college students. Our customer support team is also available 24/7, request write my essays online whenever you need assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are narrative essay topics different from other essay types.

Narrative essay topics are usually based on personal experiences, so they are more emotional and creative than other types of essays. Also, they are often more open-ended, so you have more freedom to choose what to write about. 

Where can I find good narrative essay topics?

There are a few ways to find good topics for your narrative essay. You can look through books or magazines for ideas, or search online for inspiration. You can also brainstorm with friends or family members to come up with ideas. 

What do I write a narrative essay about?

You can write a narrative essay about anything, but it is usually based on personal experience. Try to recall interesting incidents from your life to develop a narrative about. 

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The New York Times

The learning network | 500 prompts for narrative and personal writing.

500 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing

Updated, March 2, 2017 | We published an updated version of this list, “650 Prompts for Narrative and Personal Writing,” as well as a companion piece, “401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing.”

Every school day since 2009 we’ve asked students a question based on an article in The New York Times. Now, five years later, we’ve collected 500 of them that invite narrative and personal writing and pulled them all together in one place (available here as a PDF ).

The categorized list below touches on everything from sports to travel, education, gender roles, video games, fashion, family, pop culture, social media and more, and, like all our Student Opinion questions , each links to a related Times article and includes a series of follow-up questions. What’s more, all these questions are still open for comment by any student 13 or older.

So dive into this admittedly overwhelming list and pick the questions that most inspire you to tell an interesting story, describe a memorable event, observe the details in your world, imagine a possibility, or reflect on who you are and what you believe.

Childhood Memories

• What Was Your Most Precious Childhood Possession?
• What Were Your Favorite Childhood Shows and Characters?
• What Were Your Favorite Picture Books When You Were Little?
• What Things Did You Create When You Were a Child?
• What Places Do You Remember Fondly From Childhood?
• Have You Ever Felt Embarrassed by Things You Used to Like?
• Do You Wish You Could Return to Moments From Your Past?
• Was There a Toy You Wanted as a Child but Never Got?
• What Objects Tell the Story of Your Life?
• What Are Your Best Sleepover Memories?
• What’s the Best Gift You’ve Ever Given or Received?
• What’s the Most Memorable Thing You Ever Got in the Mail?
• What Nicknames Have You Ever Gotten or Given?

Coming of Age

• What Have You Learned in Your Teens?
• What Personal Achievements Make You Proud?
• What Are Some Recent Moments of Happiness in Your Life?
• What Are You Grateful For?
• What Rites of Passage Have You Participated In?
• What Advice Would You Give Younger Kids About Middle or High School?
• What Can Older People Learn From Your Generation?
• What Do Older Generations Misunderstand About Yours?

• Who Is Your Family?
• What Have You and Your Family Accomplished Together?
• What Events Have Brought You Closer to Your Family?
• What’s Your Role in Your Family?
• Have You Ever Changed a Family Member’s Mind?
• How Do You Define ‘Family’?
• What Are Your Family Stories of Sacrifice?
• What Possessions Does Your Family Treasure?
• What Hobbies Have Been Passed Down in Your Family?
• How Much Do You Know About Your Family’s History?
• Did Your Parents Have a Life Before They Had Kids?
• How Close Are You to Your Parents?
• How Are You and Your Parents Alike and Different?
• Do Your Parents Support Your Learning?
• What Have Your Parents Taught You About Money?
• Do You Expect Your Parents to Give You Money?
• How Permissive Are Your Parents?
• Do You Have Helicopter Parents?
• How Do Your Parents Teach You to Behave?
• How Do You Make Parenting Difficult for Your Parents?
• If You Drink or Use Drugs, Do Your Parents Know?
• Do You Talk About Report Cards With Your Parents?
• Would You Mind if Your Parents Blogged About You?
• How Well Do You Get Along With Your Siblings?
• How Well Do You Know Your Pet?
• What Role Do Pets Play in Your Family?
• What Is Your Racial and Ethnic Identity?
• Have You Ever Tried to Hide Your Racial or Ethnic Identity?
• How Do You Feel About Your Last Name?
• What’s the Story Behind Your Name?
• What Are Your Favorite Names?
• How Have You Paid Tribute to Loved Ones?

Community and Home

• Would You Most Want to Live in a City, a Suburb or the Country?
• How Much Does Your Neighborhood Define Who You Are?
• What’s Special About Your Hometown?
• What Would You Name Your Neighborhood?
• Who Is the ‘Mayor’ of Your School or Neighborhood?
• Who Are the ‘Characters’ That Make Your Town Interesting?
• What Would a TV Show About Your Town Spoof?
• What ‘Urban Legends’ Are There About Places in Your Area?
• What Local Problems Do You Think Your Mayor Should Try to Solve?
• Do You Know Your Way Around Your City or Town?
• Have You Ever Interacted With the Police?
• How Often Do You Interact With People of Another Race or Ethnicity?
• Who Would Be the Ideal Celebrity Neighbor?
• What Is Your Favorite Place?
• How Much Time Do You Spend in Nature?
• What Small Things Have You Seen and Taken Note Of Today?
• What Would Your Dream Home Be Like?
• What is Your Favorite Place in Your House?
• How Important Is Keeping a Clean House?
• Is Your Bedroom a Nightmare?
• Do You Plan on Saving Any of Your Belongings for the Future?
• With Your Home in Danger, What Would You Try to Save?
• What Would You Put in Your Emergency ‘Go-Bag’?
• Have You Ever Lost (or Found) Something Valuable?

Personality

• What Is Your Personal Credo?
• What Motivates You?
• What Makes You Happy?
• What Are You Good At?
• How Much Self-Control Do You Have?
• How Good Are You at Waiting for What You Really Want?
• What Role Does Procrastination Play in Your Life?
• When in Your Life Have You Been a Leader?
• How Well Do You Perform Under Pressure?
• How Well Do You Take Criticism?
• Are You Hard or Easy on Yourself?
• How Full Is Your Glass?
• Do You Have a Hard Time Making Decisions?
• How Good Are You at Time Management?
• How Productive and Organized Are You?
• How Would Your Life Be Different if You Had Better Listening Skills?
• How Competitive Are You?
• Do You Perform Better When You’re Competing or When You’re Collaborating?
• Do You Take More Risks When You Are Around Your Friends?
• Do You Unknowingly Submit to Peer Pressure?
• How Much of a Daredevil Are You?
• What Pranks, Jokes, Hoaxes or Tricks Have You Ever Fallen For or Perpetrated?
• How Do You React When Provoked?
• How Often Do You Cry?
• Do You Think You’re Brave?
• What Are You Afraid Of?
• What Are Your Fears and Phobias?
• What Are Your Personal Superstitions?
• Do You Like Being Alone?
• How Impulsive Are You?
• Are You a Novelty-Seeker?
• What Annoys You?
• Do You Apologize Too Much?
• Do You Have Good Manners?
• Are You a Saver or a Tosser?
• Are You More Introvert or Extrovert?
• Are You Popular, Quirky or Conformist?
• Are You a Nerd or a Geek?
• What Would Your Personal Mascot Be?
• What Assumptions Do People Make About You?

Overcoming Adversity

• What Challenges Have You Overcome?
• What Do You Do When You Encounter Obstacles to Success?
• What Are Your Secret Survival Strategies?
• How Do You Find Peace in Your Life?
• How Have You Handled Being the ‘New Kid’?
• Do You Ever Feel Overlooked and Underappreciated?
• How Stressed Are You?
• How Do You Relieve Stress?
• Does Stress Affect Your Ability to Make Good Decisions?
• What Challenges Have You Set for Yourself?
• How Often Do You Leave Your ‘Comfort Zone’?
• What Did You Once Hate but Now Like?
• Does Your Life Leave You Enough Time to Relax?
• Do You Set Rules for Yourself About How You Use Your Time?
• Is ‘Doing Nothing’ a Good Use of Your Time?
• What’s Cluttering Up Your Life?
• What Work Went Into Reaching Your Most Difficult Goals?
• When Have You Ever Failed at Something? What Happened as a Result?
• When Have You Ever Succeeded When You Thought You Might Fail?
• What Life Lessons Has Adversity Taught You?
• What’s the Most Challenging Assignment You’ve Ever Had?
• What Kind of Feedback Helps You Improve?
• Is Trying Too Hard to Be Happy Making You Sad?
• Do Adults Who Are ‘Only Trying to Help’ Sometimes Make Things Worse?
• What Are Five Everyday Problems That Bother You, and What Can You Do About Them?

Gender and Sexuality

• How Do Male and Female Roles Differ in Your Family?
• Do Parents Have Different Hopes and Standards for Their Sons Than for Their Daughters?
• Is There Too Much Pressure on Girls to Have ‘Perfect’ Bodies?
• How Much Pressure Do Boys Face to Have the Perfect Body?
• How Did You Learn About Sex?
• How Should Parents Address Internet Pornography?
• What Experiences Have You Had With Gender Bias in School?
• What Have Been Your Experiences With Catcalling or Other Kinds of Street Harassment?
• Do You Know Boys Who Regard Girls as ‘Prey’?
• Do You Consider Yourself a Feminist?

Morality and Religion

• How Do You Help?
• What Ethical Dilemmas Have You Faced?
• Would You Help an Injured Stranger?
• When Is the Last Time You Did Something Nice for a Stranger?
• Have You Ever ‘Paid It Forward’?
• How Much Do You Gossip?
• How Comfortable Are You With Lying?
• Have You Ever Taken Something You Weren’t Supposed To?
• What Could You Live Without?
• Do You Ever Feel Guilty About What, or How Much, You Throw Away?
• Do You Ever Eavesdrop?
• How Important Is Your Spiritual Life?
• Do You Believe That Everything Happens for a Reason?
• Can You Be Good Without God?
• Are You Less Religious Than Your Parents?
• Can You Pass a Basic Religion Test?
• What Can You Learn From Other Religions?

Role Models

• Who Is Your Role Model?
• Who Are Your Heroes?
• Who Inspires You?
• What’s the Best Advice You’ve Gotten?
• Who Outside Your Family Has Made a Difference in Your Life?
• If You Had Your Own Talk Show, Whom Would You Want to Interview?
• To Whom, or What, Would You Like to Write a Thank-You Note?
• What Leader Would You Invite to Speak at Your School?
• What Six People, Living or Dead, Would You Invite to Dinner?

Technology and Video Games

• Are You Distracted by Technology?
• Do You Always Have Your Phone or Tablet at Your Side?
• What Tech Tools Play the Biggest Role in Your Life?
• What New Technologies or Tech Toys Are You Most Excited About?
• To What Piece of Technology Would You Write a ‘Love Letter’?
• Does Your Digital Life Have Side Effects?
• Do Apps Help You or Just Waste Your Time?
• Do You Spend Too Much Time on Smart Phones Playing ‘Stupid Games’?
• When Do You Choose Making a Phone Call Over Sending a Text?
• Do You Know How to Code? Would You Like to Learn?
• Whom Would You Share Your Passwords With?
• What Are Your Favorite Video Games?
• What Have You Learned Playing Video Games?
• Do You Play Violent Video Games?
• When Should You Feel Guilty for Killing Zombies?
• Who Are Your Opponents in Online Gaming?
• Do You Like Watching Other People Play Video Games?

The Internet

• How Careful Are You Online?
• Do You Ever Seek Advice on the Internet?
• How Do You Know if What You Read Online Is True?
• How Much Do You Trust Online Reviews?
• How Do You Use Wikipedia?
• What Are Your Favorite Internet Spoofs?
• What Are Your Favorite Viral Videos?
• What Would You Teach the World in an Online Video?
• What Are Your Experiences With Internet-Based Urban Legends?
• What Story Does Your Personal Data Tell?
• Do You Worry About the Lack of Anonymity in the Digital Age?
• Do You Wish You Had More Privacy Online?
• California Notice
• Have You Ever Been Scammed?

Social Media

• How Do You Use Facebook?
• What Is Your Facebook Persona?
• What Memorable Experiences Have You Had on Facebook?
• Does Facebook Ever Make You Feel Bad?
• Would You Consider Deleting Your Facebook Account?
• Do You Have ‘Instagram Envy’?
• Do You Use Twitter?
• Why Do You Share Photos?
• How Do You Archive Your Life?
• Have You Ever Posted, Emailed or Texted Something You Wish You Could Take Back?
• Have You Ever Sent an Odd Message Because of Auto-Correct?
• Would You Want Your Photo or Video to Go Viral?
• Do You Worry Colleges or Employers Might Read Your Social Media Posts Someday?

• What Are You Listening To?
• Who in Your Life Introduces You to New Music?
• How Much Is Your Taste in Music Based on What Your Friends Like?
• What Music Inspires You?
• How Closely Do You Listen to Lyrics?
• Which Pop Music Stars Fascinate You?
• Who Is Your Favorite Pop Diva?
• What’s Your Karaoke Song?
• What Song/Artist Pairings Would You Like to Hear?

Movies, Theater and Television

• What Were the Best Movies You Saw in the Past Year?
• What Movies Do You Watch, or Reference, Over and Over?
• What Movies, Shows or Books Do You Wish Had Sequels, Spinoffs or New Episodes?
• Do You Like Horror Movies?
• Who Are Your Favorite Movie Stars?
• Would You Pay Extra for a 3-D Movie?
• What Is Your Favorite Comedy?
• What Are the Best Live Theatrical Performances You’ve Ever Seen?
• Have You Ever Stumbled Upon a Cool Public Performance?
• What Role Does Television Play in Your Life and the Life of Your Family?
• What Television Shows Have Mattered to You?
• Do Your Television Viewing Habits Include ‘Binge-Watching’?
• How Often Do You Watch a Television Show When It Originally Airs?
• What Old Television Shows Would You Bring Back?
• Why Do We Like Reality Shows So Much?
• What Ideas Do You Have for a Reality Show?
• What Are Your Favorite Commercials?
• How Much Are You Influenced by Advertising?

Reading, Writing and Fine Arts

• Read Any Good Books Lately?
• Do You Read for Pleasure?
• What Are Your Favorite Books and Authors?
• What Are the Best Things You’ve Read, Watched, Heard or Played This Year?
• What Are Your Favorite Young Adult Novels?
• What’s on Your Summer Reading List?
• What Memorable Poetry Have You Ever Read or Heard?
• What Are Your Favorite Cartoons?
• What Magazines Do You Read, and How Do You Read Them?
• Do You Enjoy Reading Tabloid Gossip?
• When Have You Seen Yourself and Your Life Reflected in a Book or Other Media?
• Do You Prefer Your Children’s Book Characters Obedient or Contrary?
• Do You Read E-Books?
• Would You Trade Your Paper Books for Digital Versions?
• To What Writer Would You Award a Prize?
• Why Do You Write?
• Do You Keep a Diary or Journal?
• Do You Have a Blog?
• Do You Want to Write a Book?
• When Do You Write by Hand?
• Do You Write in Cursive?
• Do You Write in Your Books?
• What ‘Mundane Moments’ From Your Life Might Make Great Essay Material?
• What’s the Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in a Museum?
• What Are the Most Memorable Works of Visual Art You Have Seen?
• What Are Your Favorite Works of Art?

Language and Speech

• What Are Your Favorite and Least Favorite Words?
• What Words or Phrases Do You Think Are Overused?
• How Much Slang Do You Use? What Are Your Favorite (Printable) Words?
• How Much Do You Curse? Why?
• Why Do So Many People Say ‘Like’ and ‘Totally’ All the Time?
• Do You Sometimes ‘Hide’ Behind Irony?
• How Good Is Your Grammar?
• What New Emoticons Does the World Need?
• Are You Fluent in Vocal Fry, Creaky Voice or Uptalk?
• How Much Information Is ‘Too Much Information’?
• When Did You Last Have a Great Conversation?
• Do You Speak a Second, or Third, Language?
• When Do You Remember Learning a New Word?

School and Teachers

• Do You Like School?
• What Are You Really Learning at School?
• What Are You Looking Forward To, or Dreading, This School Year?
• Would You Want to Be Home-Schooled?
• Would You Like to Take a Class Online?
• Would You Rather Attend a Public or a Private High School?
• How Would You Grade Your School?
• What Can Other Schools Learn — and Copy — From Your School?
• Is Your School Day Too Short?
• What Do You Hope to Get Out of High School?
• Do You Have Too Much Homework?
• Does Your Homework Help You Learn?
• What Is Your Best Subject?
• What Memorable Experiences Have You Had in Learning Science or Math?
• Are You Afraid of Math?
• Do We Need a New Way to Teach Math?
• What Are the Best Ways to Learn About History?
• How Would You Do on a Civics Test?
• How Important Is Arts Education?
• What Is Your Most Memorable Writing Assignment?
• What Would You Like to Have Memorized?
• Does Your School Value Students’ Digital Skills?
• What Was Your Favorite Field Trip?
• Do You Participate in Class?
• What Are Your Best Tips for Studying?
• Do You Use Study Guides?
• Is Everything You’ve Been Taught About Study Habits Wrong?
• How Well Do You Think Standardized Tests Measure Your Abilities?
• Do You Have a Tutor?
• Are Your Grades Inflated?
• When Has a Teacher Inspired You?
• What Teacher Do You Appreciate?
• What Teacher Would You Like to Thank?
• What Do You Wish Your Teachers Knew About You?
• Do Your Test Scores Reflect How Good Your Teachers Are?
• Do Your Teachers Use Technology Well?

School Social Environment

• What Role Do School Clubs and Teams Play in Your Life?
• Who Has the Power in School Social Life?
• How Big a Problem Is Bullying or Cyberbullying in Your School or Community?
• Does Your School Seem Integrated?
• What’s the Racial Makeup of Your School?
• Do You Ever ‘Mix It Up’ and Socialize With Different People at School?
• Can Students at Your School Talk Openly About Their Mental Health Issues?
• Is Your School a ‘Party School’?
• How Common Is Drug Use in Your School?
• Do You Know People Who Cheat on High-Stakes Tests?
• How Does Your School Deal With Students Who Misbehave?
• How Much Does Your Life in School Intersect With Your Life Outside School?
• Would You Ever Go Through Hazing to Be Part of a Group?

Senior Year, College and Applications

• Where Do You Want to Go to College?
• What Are Your Sources for Information About Colleges and Universities?
• Is College Overrated?
• How Much Does the SAT or ACT Matter in Your Life?
• What Personal Essay Topic Would You Assign to College Applicants?
• What Qualities Would You Look For in a College Roommate?
• What Would You Do With a Gap Year?
• What Makes a Graduation Ceremony Memorable?
• How Do You Feel About Proms?

Work and Careers

• What Are Your Longtime Interests or Passions?
• Do You Have a Life Calling?
• What Do You Want to Do With Your Life?
• Do You Think You Will Have a Career That You Love?
• What Investment Are You Willing to Make to Get Your Dream Job?
• Would You Consider a Nontraditional Occupation?
• Would You Want to Be a Teacher?
• What Hidden Talents Might You Have?
• What Do You Hope to Be Doing the Year After You Graduate From College?
• Would You Rather Work From Home or in an Office?
• What Career or Technical Classes Do You Wish Your School Offered?
• What ‘Back-to-the-Land’ Skills Do You Have, or Wish You Had?
• What Have You Made Yourself?
• What Would You Create if You Had Funding?
• How Did You Start Doing Something You Love?
• Did You Ever Take a Break From Doing Something You Love?
• What Have You Done to Earn Money?
• Do You Have a Job?
• Would You Quit if Your Values Did Not Match Your Employer’s?
• What Are Your Attitudes Toward Money?
• Can Money Buy You Happiness?
• Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?
• What Do You Want to Be Doing When You’re 80?
• Do You Want to Live to 100?
• What Do You Want Your Obituary to Say?

Dating and Friendship

• Have You Ever Been in Love?
• What Are the Most Meaningful Relationships in Your Life?
• What Advice Would You Give to Somebody Who Just Started Dating?
• What Are the Basic ‘Rules’ for Handling Breakups?
• What Are Your Beliefs About Marriage?
• Are You Allowed to Date?
• Is Dating a Thing of the Past?
• Do You Have a Best Friend?
• How Do You Feel About Introducing Friends from Different Parts of Your Life?
• How Should You Handle the End of a Friendship?
• How Often Do You Have ‘Deep Discussions’?

Sports, Exercise and Games

• Do You Like to Exercise?
• How Has Exercise Changed Your Health, Your Body or Your Life?
• Why Do You Play Sports?
• What Is the Most Memorable Sporting Event You’ve Ever Watched or Played In?
• What’s the Most Impressive Sports Moment You’ve Seen?
• When Has a Sports Team Most Disappointed You?
• What Sports Teams Do You Root For?
• Does Being a Fan Help Define Who You Are?
• How Far Would You Go to Express Loyalty to Your Favorite Teams?
• What Fan Memorabilia Would You Pay Big Bucks For?
• What Rules Would You Like to See Changed in Your Favorite Sports?
• What Game Would You Like to Redesign?
• What Are Your Favorite Games?

• Where in the World Would You Travel if You Could?
• What Is Your Fantasy Vacation?
• What Would Your Fantasy Road Trip Be Like?
• What Crazy Adventure Would You Want to Take?
• How Has Travel Affected You?
• What Famous Landmarks Have You Visited?
• What’s the Coolest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Nature?
• What Are the Best Souvenirs You’ve Ever Collected While Traveling?
• Would You Like to Live in Another Country?
• Would You Want to Be a Space Tourist?

Looks, Fashion and Health

• What Does Your Hairstyle Say About You?
• How Far Would You Go for Fashion?
• What Are the Hot Fashion Trends at Your School Right Now?
• Do You Have a Signature Clothing Item?
• Has Anyone Ever Said That You Look Like Someone Famous?
• Would You Ever Consider Getting a Tattoo?
• What Are Your Opinions on Cosmetic Surgery?
• Do Photoshopped Images Make You Feel Bad About Your Own Looks?
• What Are Your Sleep Habits?
• How Much of a Priority Do You Make Sleep?
• Do You Get Enough Sleep?
• What Health Tips Have Worked for You?

Shopping and Driving

• What’s Your Favorite Store? Why?
• To What Company Would You Write a Letter of Complaint or Admiration?
• To What Business Would You Like to Give Advice?
• How Would You Make Over Your Mall?
• Do You Shop at Locally Owned Businesses?
• What Are the Best Things You’ve Acquired Secondhand?
• How Important Is It to Have a Driver’s License?
• Are You a Good Driver?

Food and Eating

• What Are the Most Memorable Meals You’ve Ever Had?
• What’s Your Favorite Holiday Food Memory?
• What’s Your Comfort Food?
• What Are Your Favorite Junk Foods?
• What Food Would You Like to Judge in a Taste-Off?
• Do You Prefer Your Tacos ‘Authentic’ or ‘Appropriated’?
• Do You Pay Attention to Nutrition Labels on Food?
• How Concerned Are You About Where Your Food Comes From?
• Are Your Eating Habits Healthy?
• What Are Your ‘Food Rules’?
• Do You Eat Too Quickly?
• What Do You Eat During the School Day?
• Do You Eat Cafeteria Food?
• How Much Food Does Your Family Waste?
• What Messages About Food and Eating Have You Learned From Your Family?
• What’s Your Favorite Restaurant?
• What Restaurant Would You Most Like to Review?
• Do You Cook?
• What Would You Most Like to Learn to Cook or Bake?

Holidays, Seasons, Weather and Weekends

• How Can People Make the Most of Long Holiday Weekends?
• What’s Your Sunday Routine?
• What’s on Your Fall Fashion Shopping List?
• Will You Be Wearing a Halloween Costume This Year?
• Do You Like Scary Movies and Books?
• Do You Believe in Ghosts?
• What Are Your Thanksgiving Traditions?
• What Are Your Tips for Enjoying the Holiday Season?
• How Will You Spend the Holiday Break?
• Do You Make New Year’s Resolutions?
• How Do You Fight the Winter Blues?
• What Are Your Experiences With Severe Weather?
• How Do You Feel About Valentine’s Day?
• How Do You Celebrate Spring?
• What Would Your Fantasy Spring Break Be Like?
• How Careful Are You in the Sun?
• What Are You Looking Forward to This Summer?
• What Would Your Ideal Summer Camp Be Like?
• What Are Your Favorite Summer Hangouts?
• What’s Your Favorite Summer Food?
• What Is Your Favorite Summer Movie?
• Do You Have a Summer Job?
• Do You Choose Summer Activities to Look Good on Applications?
• What Are the Best Things You Did This Summer?
• How Do You Prepare to Go Back to School?

Beliefs, Politics and Current Events

• How Would You Like to Help Our World?
• What Cause Would Get You Into the Streets?
• What Would You Risk Your Life For?
• When Have You Spoken Out About Something You Felt Had to Change?
• What Would You Invent to Make the World a Better Place?
• How Do You Feel About Zoos?
• What Is Your Relationship With Guns?
• Do You Trust Your Government?
• Do You Know Your First Amendment Rights?
• Do You Worry About Terrorism?
• Do You Believe in Intelligent Alien Life?
• Given Unlimited Resources, What Scientific or Medical Problem Would You Investigate?
• What Would You Do if You Were President?
• Would You Vote This Year if You Could?
• Do You Consider Yourself a Republican, Democrat or Independent?
• What Event in the Past Do You Wish You Could Have Witnessed?
• What Are the Most Important Changes, in Your Life and in the World, in the Last Decade?
• What Do You Remember About Sept. 11, 2001?
• What News Stories Are You Following?
• How Do You Get Your News?
• Why Should We Care About Events in Other Parts of the World?
• What Questions Do You Have About How the World Works?
• What Big Questions Do You Have?

If Only…

• What Would You Do if You Won the Lottery?
• What Superpower Do You Wish You Had?
• What Era Do You Wish You Had Lived In?
• Would You Want to Be a Tween or Teen Star?
• Would You Want to Grow Up in the Public Eye?
• What Kind of Robot Would You Want?
• What Would You Outsource if You Could?
• What Would You Like to Learn on Your Own?
• What Would You Wait in Line For?

This resource may be used to address the academic standards listed below.

Common Core E.L.A. Anchor Standards

3   Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details and well-structured event sequences.

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This is such a fabulous resource for inspiration! Thank you so much for putting this list together. I’ll refer to it often and share it with my readers on my poetry and writing blog.

These are great writing prompts. These remind me of the questions on StoryShelter.com. It’s nice to write there and have all your personal stories in one place where you can share them with friends or post anonymously. Anyone who does narrative or personal writing will find it really useful.

For example, this is how a bunch of people answered the question: “What would you do if you won the lottery?” https://www.storyshelter.com/question/what-if-i-won-the-lottery

Cool, right?

Wonderful list! The topics are thought-provoking and exciting to write. I can go writing on and on, on these topics.

How much do you know about your family history?

I know a little bit about my family history. My grandma talks about our religion sometimes, not every day. So I get to hear some facts about my religion. For example what we do on New Year’s or what happened when I wasn’t born yet. My family history is very interesting.

My mom she is Cambodian and my dad is Thai so I’m mixed Asian. Everybody say that I mostly look like my dad than my mom, and that’s interesting to me.

My dad side of the family, my great great grandma, grandpa and aunts and uncles. They are living in Thailand. I want to go to Thailand really bad. My mom side of the family, my great great grandpa, grandma and my grandma siblings. They are living in Cambodia. My grandma took some pictures in Asia. It looks so different than the United States of America.

So first off, my dad he was born in Thailand and my mom I think she was born in Cambodia. She said that she didn’t went to Cambodia so I really don’t know. So my family (parents, grandparents, aunts and uncle immigrated to the United States of America and became citizens. That time they lived in Stockton, California. I could of live there still. But my dad he went to school in New Hampshire and got a job here and the job over here paid a lot more money than California. So Then my mom side of the family came with my parents, and my dad side of the family stayed in California that was in the 1990s when they moved to New Hampshire. Then they separated, so now we don’t live together anymore.

Now my aunt lives in Massachusetts and my other aunt lives in Rhode Island. So when my parents lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, I wasn’t born yet. But I wish that we still lived in California. So we

My life is interesting to me. I have families in Cambodia and Thailand, and I haven’t met them yet. Also the things we do on New Year’s and other occasions. So that’s what I know about my family history.

Very interesting

OMG!! Where have you been all my life I am very excited about this!!

I wish I was more of a journaler. These are some fantastic prompts for writing personal stories. With 500 listed here, there’s no way you wouldn’t find an inspiring prompt.

I’m more of a fiction writer, and I’ve chosen to write prompts that help fiction writers expand their imagination.

What's Next

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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65 Engaging Personal Narrative Ideas for Kids and Teens

Tell a story to engage the reader.

Personal narrative essays are all about telling stories. Engage your reader with lots of descriptive language, and ensure you have a beginning, middle, and end. ( Get more tips about teaching narrative writing here. ) Try these personal narrative ideas to inspire kids and teens to tell meaningful stories from their own lives, no matter what they’ve experienced.

“Describe a Time When You …” Personal Narrative Ideas

Firsts and bests personal narrative ideas, general personal narrative essay ideas, college essay personal narrative ideas.

These personal narrative ideas urge students to dig into their past experiences and share them with their audience. Be sure to share the details, including what took place and how it made you feel, and anything you learned from the experience.

Describe a time when you:

• Were scared
• Overcame a big challenge
• Learned an important life lesson
• Had to make a difficult decision

• Were proud of a friend or family member
• Did something you didn’t want to and ended up liking it
• Met a celebrity or someone you really admire
• Tried something new
• Made a mistake and had to apologize and/or fix the mistake
• Were in danger
• Helped someone in need
• Had a dream come true
• Felt inspired
• Had a really terrible day

• Were a leader
• Made someone else laugh
• Did something you later regretted
• Set a goal and achieved it

These essay topics explore the times you did something for the first time ever, or when you were the best version of yourself.

• Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.

• Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
• Tell about your proudest moment.
• What is your happiest memory?
• What is your earliest memory?
• Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
• What’s the best (or worst!) vacation you’ve ever taken?
• Tell the story of the time you got your first pet.
• Describe your favorite field trip of all time.
• Tell the story of your first day of kindergarten.
• What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten?
• Describe the best party or celebration you’ve ever attended.
• Tell about the first time someone ever paid you for work (first job, chores for a neighbor, babysitting, etc.) and how it made you feel.

• Describe the first time you spent a night away from home without your family.
• What’s the best gift you’ve ever been given?

Here are more personal narrative topics to inspire young writers.

• Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
• Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
• Write about a time when you or someone you know displayed courage.
• Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
• Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.

• Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
• What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
• Describe your morning routine from the time you wake up until the moment the school bell rings to start the day.
• Share what you do on a typical non-school day.
• Tell about a time when you were injured. How did it happen?
• Describe an argument you and a friend had and how you resolved it.
• Tell about what you think your life will be like when you’re 25 years old.
• Explore a time when you felt you were treated unfairly.
• What makes your family different from everyone else’s family?
• If you could relive any day in your life, what would it be? Would you want it to be the same or different?

These personal narrative essay topics all come from real 2022–2023 college applications. ( See more college essay prompts here. )

• Discuss a time when reflection or introspection led to clarity or understanding of an issue that is important to you.
• Share an example of how you have used your own critical-thinking skills on a specific subject, project, idea, or interest.

• Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you.
• Reflect on a personal experience where you intentionally expanded your cultural awareness.
• When was the last time you questioned something you had thought to be true?
• Reflect on a time when you or someone you observed had to make a choice about whether to act with integrity and honesty.
• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
• Describe a time when you were challenged by a perspective that differed from your own. How did you respond?
• Elaborate on an activity or experience you have had that made an impact on a community that is important to you.

• Describe any meaningful travel experiences you’ve had.
• Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.
• What is the greatest compliment you have ever been given? Why was it meaningful to you?
• What has been your best academic experience in the last two years, and what made it so good?
• Describe a time when you’ve felt empowered or represented by an educator.
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

What are your favorite personal narrative ideas? Come share on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the big list of essay topics for high school (100+ ideas) ., you might also like.

15 Inspiring Personal Narrative Examples for Writers

Reveal a part of yourself in your essay. Continue Reading

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Narrative Writing Prompts to Assign Your Students: 10 Writing Prompts for Narrative Essays

While I am a huge advocate of assigning writing to students at the beginning of the school year , middle school ELA and high school English teachers can assign narrative writing at any point in the year. In this blog post, I’m going to share 10 narrative writing prompts with you!

Teaching students about narrative writing and assigning a narrative writing project helps students work on their creativity, while also focusing on important literary elements. I explain to my students that just like the short stories that we read and analyze in class, they also need to create a setting that enhances the lot. Just like the short stories we read and analyze in class, they also need to fully develop the protagonist and antagonist.

Once students see this connection, they become stronger readers and writers. To help with this concept, my narrative writing teaching unit helps walk students step-by-step throughout the process.

Here are 10 narrative writing prompts to consider using in your classroom.

Personal narrative prompts.

When I choose one of these personal narrative writing prompts, since I teach high school, I also explain to my students that they most likely will be able to use some of what they’ve written for a college admissions essay or scholarship essay.

• Write about a time when you worked hard toward accomplishing a goal. Tell the story about the goal, why you set the goal, the steps you took to accomplish the goal, and how you felt once it was accomplished.
• Write about the accomplishment you are most proud of. In your narrative, explain your accomplishment, describe why you are most proud of it, and tell the story surrounding it.
• Write about a time when you experienced hardship or failure. In your narrative, elaborate on the hardship. Explain the events and your feelings surrounding the hardship or failure, and how you have grown from the experience.
• Write about your best childhood memory. In your narrative, tell the story of that memory.
• Write about an event from your past that has shaped the person who you are today. In your narrative, tell the story surrounding that event and explain its significance on who you are today.

Fictional Narrative Prompts

• The day started out like any other. However, as soon as I woke up, I quickly realized…
• Two characters explore an area in a field. During their explorations, they find a secret passage, a sort of tunnel to a new dimension. The characters step into the tunnel and are immediately transported to…
• Choose your favorite fictional character from any fairy tale or superhero story and write an alternate story for that character.
• The clock was tickly so slowly. It seemed as if time was moving backward and now forwards…
• Cautiously, she/he/they opened the door and stepped inside. There was no going back now…

Teach Narrative Writing in Your Secondary ELA Classroom

Engage your students in this exciting and comprehensive narrative writing unit!  This standards-based narrative writing unit includes materials for both a personal narrative and a fictional narrative and includes everything you need to teach narrative writing to your middle and high school students, including both the print and digital files!

Walk your students step-by-step through the writing process with the materials in this unit. From brainstorming and organizing to peer editing, this narrative writing unit has it all!

Here is what fellow teachers say about this narrative writing unit!

“This was an excellent resource for narrative writing in my special education class. My students use the Amplify ELA curriculum, but struggle with writing. Our first unit was in writing narratives, so I chose this resource to help break down the parts of their story by focusing on characters, settings, conflict, and planning out the plot separately. The result was more well thought out responses to their prompt. The slideshow for instruction was also well made and easy to read. Thank you!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Extremely satisfied

“ I used this as part my short story writing unit with my grade eights. It was an excellent way to set up their stories. I wanted to make sure my students really know all parts of their story before sitting down to writing their first draft. This resource really helped them get to know all aspects of their story.”

“ Teaching narrative writing is definitely NOT my strength! However, this resource made it so much easier!! Piecing together our stories by plot elements was so effective in getting my students on the path to creating some awesome stories! I will never teach narrative any other way! This is it!”

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Automatic Detection of Narrative Rhetorical Categories and Elements on Middle School Written Essays

• Conference paper
• First Online: 02 July 2024
• Cite this conference paper

• Rafael Ferreira Mello   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3548-9670 6 , 8 ,
• Luiz Rodrigues   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0343-3701 7 ,
• Erverson Sousa 6 ,
• Hyan Batista 8 ,
• Mateus Lins 8 ,
• Andre Nascimento   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9333-3212 8 &
• Dragan Gasevic   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9265-1908 9  

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 14829))

Included in the following conference series:

• International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education

Narrative essays enable students to express their thoughts and feelings, gain diverse perspectives, understand themselves and their world more deeply, and enhance their literary skills and cultural awareness. As such, it became a relevant textual production in educational settings. However, assessing these texts is challenging and time-intensive. Therefore, this study focuses on developing an automatic detection system for narrative structures in essays, using a range of natural language processing algorithms, including machine learning, deep learning, and large language models. The study found that BERT was more effective than other models for this task, highlighting GPT’s potential in extracting narrative structures. The findings of this study have implications for educational practices, particularly in the assessment and improvement of narrative writing skills among middle school students.

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It is important to note that the original prompt was written in Portuguese.

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Acknowledgment

This study was partialy supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (310888/2021-2) and Acuity Insights under the Alo Grant program. Also, we would like to thank OpenAI research Program for offering the credits required for this experiment.

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Mello, R.F. et al. (2024). Automatic Detection of Narrative Rhetorical Categories and Elements on Middle School Written Essays. In: Olney, A.M., Chounta, IA., Liu, Z., Santos, O.C., Bittencourt, I.I. (eds) Artificial Intelligence in Education. AIED 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 14829. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-64302-6_21

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Student Opinion

176 Writing Prompts to Spark Discussion and Reflection

Here are all of our Student Opinion questions from the 2023-24 school year. Each question is based on a different New York Times article, interactive feature or video.

By The Learning Network

Each day of the school year we publish a Student Opinion question inviting students to share their own opinions and experiences in response to New York Times stories on the news of the day. To introduce each question, we provide an excerpt from a related Times article, interactive or video as well as a free link to that piece.

The 176 questions we asked during the 2023-24 school year are available below and in this PDF . The prompts are organized into three sections: questions that lend themselves well to persuasive writing, questions that encourage narrative writing, and additional Student Opinion forums.

Teachers can use these prompts to help students practice narrative and persuasive writing, start classroom debates and even spark conversation between students around the world via our comments section. For more ideas on how to use these Student Opinion prompts in your classroom, you might consult this comprehensive teacher’s guide , which includes practical strategies from a dozen educators.

Questions for Narrative and Personal Writing

1. Do You Multitask? Is It Helpful or Harmful? 2. How Did You Grow and Change This School Year? 3. What Accomplishments Are You Most Proud Of? 4. Have You Ever Been Injured? Tell Us the Story. 5. Where in the World Would You Most Like to Travel? 6. Who Is Your Hero? 7. How Well Do You Get Along With Your Siblings? 8. What Is Teenage Bullying Like Today? 9. Are You a Joiner? 10. When Have You Felt That You Mattered? 11. How Hard Is It to Wake Up in the Morning? 12. What Have You Learned From Failure? 13. Where Is the Line Between Helping a Child Become More Resilient and Pushing Them Too Hard? 14. If You Had $1 Billion to Give Away, What Charity Would You Support? 15. What Are the Small Ways You Show Love to Those You Care About? 16. How Do You Feel About High School? 17. What Activities or Hobbies Do You Do With Your Family? 18. Do You Use, Like, Too Many Filler Words? 19. What Is Your Relationship With Fast Food? 20. What’s the Greatest Gift Your Parents Have Given You? 21. What Is Your Favorite Word? 22. Are You Good at Apologizing? 23. What Is Your Dream Job? 24. What Amazes You Most About Animals? 25. Which Toy Would You Want to Help Design or Update? 26. What Are the Best, and Worst, Recommendations You’ve Gotten From Social Media? 27. What Small Wins Have You Had Recently? 28. What Do You Like About Playing Games? 29. What Everyday Object Deserves More Love? 30. Are You Too Critical of Yourself? 31. Do You Spend Enough Time in the Dirt? 32. What Got Your Attention in the News Recently? 33. Has Your Birth Order Shaped Who You Are? 34. What Elective Do You Wish Your School Offered? 35. How Far Would You Push Yourself Physically to Meet a Goal? 36. How Often Do You Take Breaks From Your Phone? 37. How Do You Deal With Conflicts? 38. What Children’s Book Worlds Do You Wish You Could Visit in Real Life? 39. Has Your Relationship to School Attendance Changed Since the Pandemic? 40. What Can You Make or Fix With Your Hands? 41. What Have You Learned From a Grandparent or Elder? 42. Do You Wish You Had More Places to Go? 43. What Author Would You Most Like to Meet? 44. Have You Ever Lost Someone as a Friend? 45. Do You Keep a Journal? 46. Are You Tired of Influencers? 47. How Did the Covid-19 Pandemic Affect You, Your Family and Your Community? 48. To Whom Would You Write an Open Letter? 49. What’s the Best — and Worst — Part of Being a Sports Fan? 50. How Much Exercise Do You Get Each Week? 51. Do You Have a Hard Time Saying ‘No’? 52. What’s Your Favorite Kind of TikTok Video? 53. What Are Your Favorite Local Businesses? 54. How Involved Do You Expect Your Parents to Be in Your Adult Life? 55. How Important Is It to You to Keep Mementos From Your Life? 56. Who Are Your Favorite Athletes to Watch Right Now? 57. How Does Your School Address Students’ Mental Health Needs? 58. What Communities Are You a Part Of? What Communities Would You Like to Explore? 59. What’s Your TV ‘Comfort Food’? 60. What Sad Songs Do You Listen to When You’re Feeling Down? 61. Will You Be Watching Super Bowl LVIII? 62. What Was Your Most Memorable Field Trip? 63. What Is Unique About Where You Live? 64. What Is Your Experience With Group Chats? 65. Are You a Fan of Movie Remakes? 66. What Brings You Delight? 67. Do You Ever Host or Attend Sleepovers? 68. Here Are 15 Winning Tiny Memoirs. Which Ones Most Resonate With You? 69. What Is Your Reaction to Trump’s Conviction on 34 Felony Counts? 70. Do You Enjoy Keeping Secrets? 71. Are You Growing Tired of Superhero Movies? 72. What Do You Wish You Could Do Well? 73. Do You Think Any of These Mythical Creatures Might Be Real? 74. What Are Your Thoughts on Last Names? 75. Which TV Show or Movie Would You Want to Live? 76. Do You Ever Feel Envious of Others? 77. What Do You Want to Do Differently in the New Year? 78. What Is the Best Month of the Year? What Is the Worst? 79. What Will You Remember About 2023? 80. Do You Prefer Gifts That You’ve Asked For or Ones That Are a Surprise? 81. How Do You Feel About Holiday Music? 82. What Do You Appreciate About Winter? 83. Do You Like to Dance? 84. Do You Ever Feel Sentimental About the Past? 85. What Slang Do You Use? 86. Do You Like Spending Time Alone With Your Thoughts? 87. Do You Like Watching Other People Watch Sports? 88. What Role Does Humor Play in Your Life? 89. What Are You Grateful For? 90. Do You Trust Online Reviews? 91. What Have You Changed Your Mind About? 92. Do You Use Swear Words? 93. The North American Total Solar Eclipse Is Here. Are You Watching? 94. What ‘Oddball Rituals’ Do You Have? 95. Do You Ever Feel Pressure to Post About Your Outrage Online? 96. What Do You Enjoy That Others Think Is Cringe, Played Out or Just Uncool? 97. What Small Moments From Your Life Do You Think About Often? 98. Are You There for Your Friends When They Need You? 99. What Misconceptions Do People Have About Where You Live? 100. What’s Your Take on Beige Flags in Relationships? 101. Do You Share Music Tastes With Your Parents? 102. What Does Hip-Hop Mean to You? 103. What Do You Think of Barbie? 104. How Concerned Are You About the Cost of College? 105. What Has Been Your Best Secondhand Find? 106. What Household Items Can’t You Live Without? 107. How Do You Feel When You’re Interrupted? 108. At Which Museum or Venue Would You Like to Spend the Night? 109. What Were the Best and Worst Parts of Your Summer Vacation?

Questions for Debate and Persuasive Writing

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Revealed: Harvard Business School’s New MBA Essays For Applicants

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Harvard Business School’s Baker Library.

With just 10 weeks before its first application deadline on Sept. 4th, Harvard Business School today (June 25) revealed a newly revised application for MBA candidates, including a new set of three short essays along with a refresh on how it will evaluate applicants for future classes.

The new prompts?

Business-Minded Essay : Please reflect on how your experiences have influenced your career choices and aspirations and the impact you will have on the businesses, organizations, and communities you plan to serve. (up to 300 words)

Leadership-Focused Essay : What experiences have shaped who you are, how you invest in others, and what kind of leader you want to become? (up to 250 words)

Growth-Oriented Essay : Curiosity can be seen in many ways. Please share an example of how you have demonstrated curiosity and how that has influenced your growth. (up to 250 words)

NEW HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ESSAYS PUT THROUGH BY NEW MBA ADMISSIONS CHIEF

Eagerly awaited by thousands of prospective students and admission consultants, you can bet that the admissions pages of the HBS website were continually refreshed all morning for a glimpse at the new essay. The Harvard Business School essay prompt for the Class of 2027 was posted at 10:30 a.m. with the opening of the 2024-2025 application online.

This year’s change was put through by Rupal Gadhia , who joined the school as managing director of admissions and financial aid last October. A 2004 Harvard MBA, Gadhia came to the school with no previous admissions experience, having been the global head of marketing for SharkNinja robots.

In explaining the change in a blog post , Gadhia noted that “we have refreshed the criteria on which we evaluate candidates. We are looking for applicants who are business-minded, leadership-focused, and growth-oriented…This is your opportunity to discuss meaningful or formative experiences that are important to you that you haven’t had a chance to fully explore elsewhere in your application…Be authentic, be yourself.”

WHAT HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL IS REALLY LOOKING FOR IN THE NEW ESSAYS

The school added some context to its new criteria for admission, more clearly defining what it means by business-minded, leadership-focused, and growth-oriented.

Business-Minded

We are looking for individuals who are passionate about using business as a force for good – who strive to improve and transform companies, industries, and the world. We are seeking those who are eager to solve today’s biggest problems and shape the future through creative and integrated thinking. Being business-minded is about the interest to help organizations succeed, whether in the private, public, or non-profit sector. This business inclination can be found in individuals with a variety of professional and educational experiences, not just those who come from traditional business backgrounds.

In Your Application: We will look for evidence of your interpersonal skills, quantitative abilities, and the ways in which you plan to create impact through business in the future.

Leadership-Focused

We are looking for individuals who aspire to lead others toward making a difference in the world, and those who recognize that to build and sustain successful organizations, they must develop and nurture diverse teams. Leadership takes many forms in many contexts – you do not have to have a formal leadership role to make a difference. We deliberately create a class that includes different kinds of leaders, from the front-line manager to the startup founder to the behind-the-scenes thought leader.

In Your Application: Your leadership impact may be most evident in extracurriculars, community initiatives, or your professional work.

Growth-Oriented

We are looking for individuals who desire to broaden their perspectives through creative problem solving, active listening, and lively discussion. At HBS you will be surrounded by future leaders from around the world who will make you think more expansively about what impact you might have. Our case and field-based learning methods depend on the active participation of curious students who are excited to listen and learn from faculty and classmates, as well as contribute their own ideas and perspectives.

In Your Application: We will look for the ways in which you have grown, developed, and how you engage with the world around you.

TIGHTER TIMEFRAME FOR ROUND ONE APPLICANTS

The new essay prompts come  nearly two months after candidates to the school’s MBA program would more typically know what was expected of them. Some admission consultants say the delay over the prompt’s release, along with nearly a month’s slow down in releasing application deadlines, is “wildly insensitive” to applicants who will have less time than normal to prepare for the round one deadline of Sept. 4th.

That’s especially true because the most successful applicants to HBS have highly demanding jobs that consume the vast majority of their time. Many candidates go through multiple drafts of their essays to get them as close to perfection as humanly possible. MBA admission consultants are expecting a lot of up-to-the-deadline work this year to help prep candidates for Harvard and other top business schools.

The new application still preserves the post-interview reflection for applicants who are invited to a 30-minute admissions interview. Within 24 hours of the interview, candidates are required to submit a written reflection through the school’s online application system.

REACTION TO THE NEW CHANGE IS MIXED

Early reaction to the change suggests the likelihood of mixed reviews. “This is an uninspired and odd set of questions,” says Sandy Kreisberg, founder of HBSGuru.com and an MBA admissions consultant who closely reads the tea leaves of Harvard’s admissions process. “I don’t know how it’s different from what else do you want us to know about you, frankly,” he adds in a reference to last year’s single essay prompt.

“HBS has certainly moved from the abstract to the concrete,” believes Jeremy Shinewald, founder and CEO of mbaMission, a leading MBA admissions consulting firm. “Some applicants previously felt like they didn’t know where to start and some weren’t sure if they had answered the question, even when they were done. Now, the questions are quite straightforward and all have a cause and effect relationship — one where the applicant discusses the past to reveal the present or future. Smart applicants will understand how to share their experiences and, more importantly, how to relay their values. Some will mistakenly try to whack HBS over the head with stories of their epic feats, but the key isn’t to brag or embellish – the key is to simply create a clear relationship, via narrative, between past experience and true motivations.”

Shinewald found it astonishing that Harvard could not have made the change earlier. “It is, of course, surprising that HBS left applicants on edge until the last minute, all to create very traditional essays,” he adds. “As applicants learn in MBA classrooms, change can be hard and take time. The bottom line here is that these essays are somewhat of an applicant’s dream – they allow the savvy applicant to play to their strengths and draw on their best anecdotes and experiences to create a complete story. Some applicants will lament the absence of a ‘Why HBS?’ prompt, but my guess is that the admissions committee recognized that they would get an almost homogenous collection of essays touting the case method and other well known features. HBS gets some kudos for keeping the focus on the applicant.”

Adds Petia Whitmore of My MBA Path: “I think they reflect one of the traits of this new generation of candidates which is that they don’t handle ambiguity well. So it seems like Harvard had to spell out what they’re looking for way more prescriptively than in the past.”

Some, however, find the new essays a return to the past. “To me, the prompts feel quite regressive, and a return to the more formulaic approach that pervaded MBA applications two decades ago,” believes Justin Marshall, a New York-based MBA admissions consultant. “Because the previous prompt was so open ended, it forced applicants to be introspective and self-aware. You couldn’t just ramble for 900 words; you had to identify themes in your life to show how your personal experiences shaped your values, your leadership style, and your goals. Comparatively, these new prompts are much more paint-by-numbers. Applicants will likely cover the same ground in terms of topic, but there’s very little room for nuance and self-expression. I think it will be harder for applicants with less conventional backgrounds and experiences to differentiate themselves. I’m sure HBS grew tired of reading so many painfully earnest ‘life story’ essays, but I suspect they’ll soon find themselves yearning for essays that have a heartbeat and personality. 250 words just doesn’t allow for that unless you’re a very crafty writer.”

Whatever the case, getting into Harvard’s MBA program is still a daunting exercise. Last year, 1,076 of the 8,264 candidates who applied for admission to Harvard Business School gained admission, an acceptance rate of 13.2%, making HBS the second most selective prestige MBA program in the country after Stanford Graduate School of Business which had an admit rate of 8.4%. Harvard saw a 15.4% drop in MBA applications from the 9,773 it received a year-earlier.

Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Kennedy School must provide an additional essay: How do you expect the joint degree experience to benefit you on both a professional and a personal level? (up to 400 words)

BIGGEST CHANGE IN HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ESSAY IN NEARLY A DECADE

Joint degree applicants for the Harvard Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences must provide an additional essay: The MS/MBA Engineering Sciences program is focused on entrepreneurship, design, and innovation. Describe your past experiences in these areas and your reasons for pursuing a program with this focus. (recommended length: 500 words). Applicants will also be able to respond to an optional essay.

In any case, it’s the biggest change in Harvard Business School’s application in nearly a decade. The last time HBS made a major switch, moving to the essay prompt it just eliminated, was in 2016. That change to just one essay with no word limit and a post-interview reflection was made by then admissions chief Dee Leopold.

When Leopold applied to Harvard as an MBA candidate in 1978, she had to write eight essays. Over her years as managing director of admissions, she first cut the essays down to four and then one, making it optional, and finally the one last prompt with a post-interview reflection, saying that applying to HBS should not be a writing contest .

OUR BUSINESS CASUAL PODCAST: The New HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL MBA Application:   Fortuna Admissions’ Caroline Diarte-Edwards and ApplicantLab’s Maria Wich-Vila join P&Q’s John A. Byrne to offer applicant advice on how to answer the new HBS essay prompts

DON’T MISS: 2024-2024 MBA APPLICATION DEADLINES or  HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL WILL NOW UPDATE ITS MBA ESSAY 

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