Course Source: Reading and writing Theme: Narrative essay lesson introduction/warm-up activity

**If there is a college that you KNOW you want to apply to, please look at the application on the 
admissions page and use that prompt. If you do not have a college in mind yet, you may choose one 
of the above options for this assignment.** 
 
Organizing your essay: 
I: Introduction paragraph: What message is your story going to convey?
II: Body: The story. Make sure you tell the story in chronological order. If there are multiple stories to 
support your message, tell them in chronological order. Start your story with an attention getter. 
III: Conclusion: Connect the story to your message.
Parts needed for points: 
Grading Criteria:
Graded based on your:
Focus, Content, Organization, Style, and Conventions Narrative Essay/College Essay 
Pre-Write Graphic Organizer 
Topic Choice: 

---

Message or Point that will be made: 
10 details that must be included in the story: 
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 
Possible attention getter (famous quote or phrase, question): 
Connection between message and point being made and the story being told: (How does your narrative 
answer or explain the essay prompt?) 
“Elements of writing that will make your essay get noticed” Check List: 
Introduction paragraph: 
1. Do you have an attention getter? 
2. Does your thesis/main point come right after the attention getter? 

---

3. Did you set a tone/voice? 
4. Did you set the scene for the upcoming story? 
Body Paragraphs: 
1. Did you provide details to the story so the reader can get a good sense of where you are coming from? 
2. Do you have enough details for someone, who doesn’t know anything about you, to make a connection 
between your story and main point? 
3. Do you use similes and metaphors to create vivid pictures for the reader? 
4. Do you use any words or phrasing more than once? Avoid this! 
5. Does your story have a climax? 
Last Body Paragraph: 
1. Did you connect your story to the thesis/point you made in your introduction? 
2. Does your story have a resolution? 
Conclusion Paragraph: 
1. Did you wrap your essay up (short and sweet, no more than 2 sentences)? 
2. Did you relate the experience with the attention getter in the introduction paragraph? 
Name: _____________________________________________________ Period: _______