The first important thing to remember about a narrative essay is that it tells a story. The author may write about. 1  an experience or event from his or her past. 2  a recent or an ongoing experience or event. 3  something that happened to somebody else, such as a parent or a grandparent.
The drafting phase of the writing process entails the actual composing of the text. During this phase, writers use prewriting activities to generate a piece of writing in rough form.
Once an incident is chosen, the writer should keep three principles in mind. 1  Remember to involve readers in the story. 2  Find a generalization, which the story supports. 3  Remember that although the main component of a narrative is the story, details must be carefully selected to support, explain, and enhance the story.