Provocative questions and prompts help you narrow down your choices and select an appropriate, interesting memory to describe in detail. For instance, focus on the scariest childhood experience you ever had, a favorite vacation, an important lesson you learned or a personal obstacle that you overcame. In some cases, you may wish to write about somebody else's experience. For instance, write about your grandparents' experiences in school or at their jobs during a different era.
Before you write, organize your thoughts. Contact family members and friends to ask for their versions of the story, reminding you of extra details you might have forgotten. Write down every detail, not worrying about proper order during this first stage. When you start writing, open with a sentence that sparks the reader's curiosity about the story. For instance: "The summer before sixth grade, I learned the meaning of courage." End the essay with a summary or reflection about the meaning of the personal narrative.
Traditionally, personal narratives are written from the first person perspective, using "I" statements. This keeps your own distinctive voice at the center of the story and engages the readers, reminding them that the essay is autobiographical. For a more creative and unusual twist, try writing in third person, using "he" or "she" statements. This can help you gain a new outlook on your personal narrative. Third person is also appropriate if you're writing about somebody else's personal experiences.
The tone and mood of your personal narrative expresses your personality and helps your essay stand out from the crowd. If you're writing about a humorous event, let your wittiness shine through. If you're writing about an emotionally challenging experience, a more serious and reflective tone usually suits the topic. Try playing around with tone to make your essay more memorable. For instance, a personal essay about summer school might be boring until you explore it from a humorous perspective.
Instead of presenting facts in a straightforward way, bring your personal narrative to life with rich, engaging details. Instead of merely saying you went to the beach, describe the warmth of the sand, the sparkle of sun on the water and the sound of seagulls. Use details to highlight the significant moments of your narrative rather than weighing the narrative down with too many extra details.