Narration

Narrative essays are organized around a central conflict. The essay develops a series of crises related to the central conflict that culminate in a moment of climax. Narrative essays generally conclude by aiming to make sense of the conflict and its resolution. As a rule, narrative essays are personal essays dealing with a significant personal conflict. The thrust of the essay is the narrator's wrestling with the conflict. If the conflict deals with a universal human condition, readers are drawn into and empathize with the narrator's efforts to make sense out of the situation.

Method of Support
Consequently, drawing out the reader's empathy can play a large role in progressing an argument or generating support for a cause. For example, in an essay encouraging youth to become involved in sports, the writer may include a personal story (narrative) of how playing a particular sport changed his or her life. Thus, the narrative (personal or otherwise) within the essay supports the essay's larger purpose.

ENGL1010 Composition I