150 Best Topic Ideas For Narrative Essay

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Table of contents

  • 1 How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay?
  • 2 Some Tips for Writing Narrative Essays
  • 3.1 Narrative Essay Topics for High School Students
  • 3.2 Good Narrative Essay Topics for College Students
  • 4.1 Personal Narrative Essay Topics
  • 4.2 Personal Experience Narrative Essay Topics
  • 4.3 Narrative Essay Topics About Childhood
  • 4.4 Relationship Narrative Essay Topics
  • 4.5 Personal Narrative Essay About Friendship
  • 4.6 Cultural Narrative Essay Topics
  • 4.7 Personal Narrative Stories Ideas on Traveling and Holidays
  • 4.8 Narrative Argument Essay Topics

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.

How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay?

When you are selecting a topic for your essay , you should consider some aspects. As a teacher, you should opt for the best narrative essay topics that would be interesting and familiar to your mentees. If you are a mentee yourself, you can be assigned a specific task to write on the topic provided by your teacher or professor. In the opposite case, you have the freedom to choose a topic on your own.

We’ve collected some useful tips on how to efficiently select a narrative speech topic for your paper. They apply to the general principles of narrative essay topic choice. You can write about something special and personal for you, or describe events and subjects that are well-known to everyone. The following rules will be a perfect support for you in the creation of a powerful narrative essay.

  • Opt for relevant topics Always consider your audience when picking a topic if you are a teacher. The topic shall be cognizable and meaningful for your audience, be it higher school students or schoolchildren. They must be able to express their thoughts on the subject and relate their personal experiences to it.Obviously, the requirements for younger students are lower, and narrative writing topics shall deal mostly with descriptions or reporting. On the other hand, senior schoolers and students shall be able to write an essay that is also persuasive and reflective.
  • Choose your comfortable writing style Experience in studying affairs clearly demonstrates that successful subjects for a narration essay are those you feel comfortable with. Picking up the right idea is the key to a powerful paper as it determines the style of your writing.Think about what you love to tell about. Do you like to describe events in a detailed and vivid manner? Or maybe you are factual and concise? Are you a fan of reflections and self-analysis? Recollecting or imagining, projecting or analyzing, reporting or insightful – if you identify your features, they will be helpful narrative essay prompts.
  • Show your mastery Topics are essential, but that’s not the hard and fast rule: always factor into personal proficiency. This is what turns even a dull and merely informative topic into an engaging story. A narration essay is your chance to create a description that would allow your readers to pop into your experiences and share your fun or drama with you.Whether your narration concerns a film, a book, a relationship, a person, or a situation, try to complement it with a touch of personal attitude. Discourse upon the lessons you’ve learned, describe a turning point of your life or reflect on why an event from your past is so memorable. Try to convey this in the essay outline , and you’ll see how fascinating it might be. The more so as there are plenty of brilliant topics for narrative writing.

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Some Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Narration may be both rewarding and challenging. To maximize your rewarding experience and minimize the tough aspects of essay writing, follow our tips recovered from the students’ practice.

1. Aim at telling a story

A narration essay stands foremost for a narration. Whether you are describing events, discussing situations, or recollecting the past, your story should be engaging and have a plot. You may introduce the elements that make your story individual. These include arguments, reflections, and opinions, but the focus of this type of essay is narrative.

3. Keep to an outline

The conventional structure is not required, however, it assists in organizing your thoughts properly and preserving accuracy and distinctiveness. The introduction and conclusion parts do not differ much from those in other academic papers. The body part, in turn, presents a story that may tackle moral, practical, psychological, or other problems. This clearly distinguishes your narration from all the others. This is why personal narrative topics shall be thoroughly picked.

3. Make a plan

Draft the events and characters to be introduced in your story. Don’t feel like you are limited by the structure you create. A plan is a guide rather than a mold for your text, so try making it comfortable for you. Drafting your essay before you start writing may also be helpful. This way you can break down the nuances and see what’s lacking for an immersive story.

4. Remain individual

While good narrative topics circulate in the school and college assignments, you are still able to make your essay personalized. To start with, you have your own stories to be told. Then, you might express your own opinions that are unconventional. Also, you can present the lessons you’ve learned from the story. In the end, your author’s style will surely add points to your paper.

5. Choose a writing narrative thoroughly

Stories may be told third-person or first-person. Weigh the pros and cons of each type of narration and opt for the one reflecting your objective. Personal experiences are usually written in first-person, and epic narratives may be third-person. Though, unconventional approaches may be an interesting artistic device making your essay even more intriguing.

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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!

Narrative Essay Topics for High School 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.

  • My favorite class
  • An unexpected day-off
  • My favorite teacher
  • My most memorable participation in a sports event
  • My harshest debate competition
  • My best role in a school theatre
  • My after-school activities
  • My routine travel to school
  • My funny prom night adventure
  • My worst lost match
  • The craziest incident on my campus
  • The subject I don’t like
  • How I failed an exam
  • How I got through an exam
  • How I got caught cheating

Good Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

Just like high schoolers, students at colleges and universities 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.

  • My first day at the higher school
  • My last day with my schoolmates
  • My favorite course
  • Meeting my better half
  • The story of my split-up
  • My brightest high school moment
  • How I met my old friend
  • My favourite professor
  • A funny adventure on my campus
  • The most symbolic episode from my college life
  • The day I moved
  • How I traveled to my college
  • My first impressions of the college campus
  • How I met my roommate
  • My first friends at college

Topics for essays on themes:

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.

  • The happiest event ever
  • The saddest moment in my life
  • The worst moment of my life
  • The best moment of my life
  • If I start my life all over again, I’d…
  • The most frightening episode of my life
  • The most dramatic decision I had to make
  • The life-changing event in my life
  • The greatest risk I took
  • The day I decided to move
  • The worst decision of my life
  • Getting lost abroad
  • The most disastrous trip
  • How I grew up in a city
  • How I grew up in a village

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.

  • The moment of my life I’m proud of
  • My first visiting an opera house
  • The weirdest accident I witnessed
  • How I first tried Asian cuisine
  • My most memorable birthday present
  • If I was a character in a book
  • The memory I wish I lived through again
  • If I was my favourite movie superhero
  • How I lost a thing that wasn’t mine
  • My first travel to the sea
  • What makes me unique
  • My first trip into the wild
  • My first job interview
  • My most significant loss
  • My most memorable Christmas

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.

  • My first memories ever
  • My first pet
  • The role model of my childhood
  • The first time I met my uncle/aunt
  • The first time I got to a hospital
  • My first big sports competition
  • My first day at school
  • The first time at a stadium
  • My best visit to a children’s entertainment park
  • My favourite preschool teacher
  • My first time on the airplane
  • My most memorable picnic
  • The scariest incident of my childhood
  • My childhood phobias
  • The funniest incident of my childhood
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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.

  • My first romantic date
  • How my best friend changed my life
  • How I first met my best friend
  • The saddest moment in a relationship I experienced
  • A turning point in my important relationship
  • My role model relationship from a book/movie
  • My first romantic relationship
  • What my parents mean to me
  • The best advice about relationships I got
  • Why is my significant other so important to me
  • The situation that helped me fix my ruined relationship
  • The best memories I share with my friends
  • My first confession
  • How I helped someone with depression
  • A film/book about relationships that stroke me

Personal Narrative Essay About Friendship

Friendships often determine our paths in life, and most people love telling stories. These are about their adventures with friends or reflections on the effects of getting cozy with other people. From the list below, you may pick one of the best friendship topics for narrative essay papers.

  • My best friend from a summer camp
  • How I reconnected with my friend after a quarrel
  • How I covered my friend
  • How I first met my online friend live
  • How I helped my friend reconnect with his/her loved one
  • The coolest adventure with my best friend
  • The first time at my friend’s place
  • My worst quarrel with my friend
  • My best older friend
  • How my foe turned into my friend
  • The toughest situation I and my friend went through
  • My friend’s sister/brother
  • The situation where I had to choose between two friends
  • How I met a friend on the Internet

Cultural Narrative Essay Topics

How about writing on culture? The variety of topics is enormous, and you can write here in different styles and tonalities. Find out effective narrative paragraph topics dedicated to traditions, holidays, or cultural events below.

  • My favourite holiday
  • How we celebrate Christmas
  • The best Christmas present I got
  • My best Christmas
  • My saddest Christmas
  • The holiday which is most significant for me
  • Our family traditions for Easter
  • How I took part in holidays abroad
  • The scariest Halloween I ever had
  • Home alone on a holiday night
  • The most memorable cultural event I visited
  • The festival I love most
  • What I was thankful for this Thanksgiving Day
  • My family traditions
  • A foreign holiday tradition that I love most

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.

  • My best entertainment on winter holidays
  • My first traveling abroad
  • How I first visited a warm country in winter
  • How I missed my flight/train/bus
  • The happiest moment during the holidays
  • Making a new friend during the holidays
  • My first time traveling alone
  • My most memorable holiday ever
  • The saddest incident on a holiday
  • My best visit to a foreign city on holiday
  • My best travel to a big city
  • The worst quarrel while on holiday
  • The best encounters during the holiday
  • My best trip to a countryside
  • How I returned home after a long vacation

Narrative Argument Essay Topics

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.

  • The toughest decision between right and wrong
  • The choice I regret
  • How I helped a friend against the rules
  • Involvement in a conflict between other people
  • Getting caught lying
  • How I let down a friend following the rules
  • How I shifted the blame to someone else
  • The toughest yet most important experience
  • Helping someone for personal benefit
  • The prank I played on my friend
  • Ignoring bullying
  • How my friend took the blame for me
  • Does justice actually exist?
  • Ignoring the wrong behavior of others
  • Eavesdropping

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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narrative essay topics 2021

narrative essay topics 2021

Narrative Essay Topics: TOP 200 Choices for Students

narrative essay topics 2021

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! If you want to see how to develop a topic into a written essay, check out our narrative essay example . 

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?

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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.

Narrative Essay topics

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

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.

narrative essay topics 2021

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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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.

narrative essay topics 2021

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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!

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150 Narrative Essay Topics: Step By Step Guide 🤓| Studyfy

150 Narrative Essay Topics

narrative essay topics 2021

If you're looking for a more creative approach to writing essays, narrative essays might be a great option for you. With narrative essays, you have the freedom to tell a story and use your own personal experiences to make a point.

Whether you're writing a personal narrative or an experiential essay, you'll want to make sure that you're engaging your reader and conveying your message effectively. This is where custom essay writing services and coursework writing services can be incredibly helpful. With the assistance of professional writers, you can develop a compelling narrative essay that is both engaging and informative.

Overall, writing a narrative essay can be a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you're reflecting on a personal experience or sharing an anecdote, remember that the goal is to make a point and connect with your audience. So why not give it a try and see what stories you can tell? And if you need any assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to a " write my essay" or " write a paper for me" service for help.

What is a Narrative Essay?

A narrative essay is a less formal form of academic writing where the goal is to see whether you can tell a story clearly in an engaging manner. It follows the typical format of an essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion but also incorporates classic story writing elements like plot, setting, character, climax, and ending. 

This kind of essay is written from a defined point of view, usually yours, so writing in the first person is recommended unlike most other forms of academic writing. You still need to make a point though, so include a thesis statement in your first paragraph and refer to it again in the conclusion. 

Many college application essay prompts are narrative writing, for example - describe the most significant achievement of your life. Learning how to write a good narrative paper has use beyond just college essays though, a majority of online content now is based on telling engaging stories. Read on to know more about narrative papers and find a list of 150 fascinating topics for narrative essays.

How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay

Choosing good narrative essay topics are crucial for a few reasons. The story you tell will most often draw from your own experiences and thoughts, so choose a topic that you know well or are well-informed about. Additionally, since the story has to have a purpose, select a topic that has broad potential and narrow it down to tell your unique story. Remember the following things when choosing a topic for a narrative essay.

The key thing to remember is that you’re telling a story

Because a narrative essay is so unlike most academic writing assignments, a common mistake is writing sections like a dry academic assignment. It’s for school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t deliver an experience. It’s about crafting an engaging piece of storytelling while revealing something impactful through the story.

Choose an interesting or meaningful idea to explore

This is a great time to write about something that is particularly important in your life or something you are passionate about. Topics can range from your thoughts and ideas about a concept to an obscure activity that you enjoy.

The pre-writing stage is critically important

A good story flows well and includes details that draw the reader in, but it also has to deliver some idea or message. Collecting information and planning ahead to create an outline for your essay will smoothen your writing process.

Don’t forget to have fun with it!

The story you tell should be engaging, which means you have the freedom to experiment! Drawing from several different but interconnected life experiences, or telling the story from the perspective of an inanimate object are some interesting ways to make your essay stand out. 

But remember that it’s still an essay

Even though it’s storytelling, you’re still writing an essay, which means it needs to follow the classic essay structure. Based on the word count, plan how many body paragraphs you need (minimum 3 ALWAYS). Your first sentence should still have a hook, and your first paragraph still needs to have a thesis statement. The story that unfolds in the body paragraphs shouldn’t drift from your thesis statement, and your conclusion needs to end the story as well as reiterate your thesis. 

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150 Unique Topics for Narrative Essay 

It can be quite tough to think of something meaningful to write your essay about, but almost any experience you have can be an interesting topic. For one person, the first time they played a sport could be a traumatic experience, for another it could be life-changing. Only you know your experiences and thoughts. Here’s a list of narrative essay topics that you can use to start the brainstorming process and spark your imagination.

College narrative essay topics 

College is a time of new experiences. So much happens that it shouldn’t be difficult to choose something to write about. The essay you write can be more descriptive, focussing on your sensory observations of an experience, or more contemplative, focusing on new thoughts and feelings. Take a look at these narrative essay topics for college students. 

What was it like getting your first acceptance letter?
How you chose which college to go to
Your first day leaving home and coming to campus
Meeting your roommate and whether it went well or not
Your first college party 
Your favorite class 
Losing touch or staying in touch with friends from high school
The best day in college so far
The difference between sports in high school and college
How you realized college was easier or tougher than you thought it would be
What it was like being in a class with 200 students
Your experience with an extracurricular you had never tried before
Going home for the first time after attending college
Finding a subject you never thought you would like 
How did you start feeling truly comfortable in college?

Narrative essay topics for high school students

High school years are chaotic. The changes in students and their social expectations can be frustrating, challenging, and exhilarating. Essays about many important firsts can be drawn from high school. Here are a few examples of narrative essay topics related to high school.

The best day of freshman year
A time you were bullied and stood up for yourself
A time when you were bullied and felt helpless
Your most significant social accomplishment
What was a meaningful volunteering experience you had?
Your proudest moment in a sporting event
Losing a valued friend
Your first highschool dance
Why your favorite teacher became your favorite teacher
When you realized what you want to pursue as a career
The best video game moment you had 
An embarrassing moment in school and how you overcame it
Your best social media moment
The buildup to graduation day
An experience helping another student

Personal narrative essay topics

Since narrative essays are often written in the first person and rely on the experiences and thoughts of the author, they can all be considered personal, but a personal essay asks you to specifically tell a story about a time that changed you in a meaningful way. Here are some topics for writing a narrative essay about personal moments and revelations. 

A summer vacation adventure that involved heroics
Describe an experience you had in a foreign country that made you feel lucky to be from your country
Your first time following a YouTube tutorial 
Your excitement at watching the newest star wars/lord of the rings/Marvel Cinematic Universe etc. movie
Bonding with a new pet 
The moment you realized that you admire some traits in a person and want to be like them 
A situation that changed your relationship with your parents 
A situation when you had to deal with the police
Witnessing an event that needed you to call the police 
Your best leadership moment
Your experience attending a large event (politics, religion, sports, etc)
The most meaningful time in church or any religious moment of significance
An experience that humbled you 
A situation where you made a serious mistake 
A time you had to learn from adversity 

Narrative argument essay topics

Like any narrative essay - the goal is to tell a story, but like any argument essay - the goal is to convince or persuade the reader to agree with your viewpoint. Writing an effective narrative argument essay incorporates convincing arguments into the story itself. The trick is finding a balance between getting lost in telling the story and forgetting about storytelling and convincing the reader. Here are a few examples to help you find a topic for a narrative essay. 

A time when you convinced somebody against a conspiracy theory
A moment that made you more religious or spiritual
A moment that made you less religious or spiritual
Your favorite trip and why the place you went to is fantastic
How you discovered your favorite art style
The first time you played a new genre of game and why it’s the best 
Your experience attending a conference or event about climate change
Watching a movie, tv-show, youtube video, or any media that changed your mind
A situation where you had to verbally defend yourself or a friend
An observation about income disparity gained by working in a soup kitchen/homeless shelter etc.
An experience you’ve had talking to somebody with different political beliefs
A conversation about gender identity with an older person
Seeing the police behave appropriately or inappropriately
Your experience with love and how you developed your definition of it
A time you had to swallow your pride and hold your tongue

Easy narrative essay topics

Here’s a list of some good topics for a narrative essay that most people have experience with and can write about but are still interesting enough to create an engaging story for the reader. Below are some easy but interesting narrative essay topics.

A hike, picnic, or walk that made you appreciate nature
Visiting a particularly awesome amusement park
An especially romantic date
Your first trip to a big city 
Your first trip to a foreign country 
Discovering a new movie genre
The thrill of watching horror movies
A regular day in your life
A moment when you gained respect for your parents, teachers, or friends
The time you saved an animal
How you broke a bad habit 
How you developed a new skill
Your experience at a zoo
The first time you went bowling (tried any new game)
Your happiest day

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Cultural narrative essay topics

Some of the most mind-expanding experiences happen when looking at and understanding a different culture or by analyzing your own culture from an outsider’s perspective. Cultural narrative essay topics are particularly useful when applying to colleges or applying for grants or scholarships for exchange programs. 

What you learned from a trip abroad
How the lives of people in various socio-economic brackets are different
Observations on which basic things are different in different countries
How your cultural identity has changed over time
Sleeping over at a friends house from a different cultural background
Describe some unique personal family traditions
An experience where your culture/race/religion affected the situation around you
How you learned to fit in with a different culture
You first experience living in a foreign country
Discovering new subcultures like anime, gaming, k-pop, etc
Your favorite traditions from foreign cultures
How you understood your cultural heritage better
A time when you realized the impact of media on the perspective of other cultures
Getting over stereotypes because someone behaved differently than what you expected 
Celebrating a different festival for the first time

Autobiographical narrative essay topics

Autobiographical narrative essays as you to specifically describe and talk about things in your life that impacted you. Take a look at the narrative essay topics below for inspiration.  

Your first memory
Your first meaningful memory
Your first day of school
Your relationship with your grandparents
Finding out a shocking family secret
Your proudest achievement as a child
Your favorite childhood hobby
The best day of middle school
A time when you lost something important
How you dealt with losing someone close to you
Discovering your favorite musician
Your first kiss, date, or relationship
The worst day of your life 
Why certain things are so meaningful to you
Which people have influenced your life significantly?

Fictional narrative essay topics

Fictional narrative essay topics are an opportunity to flex your creativity. Put yourself in the shoes of someone else, or in a fantastic situation and write a story! These are some narrative essay topics to choose from down below.

What it would be like traveling to Mars
What you would do with a million dollars
Describe a particularly vivid dream 
A day in your life if you woke up as the opposite sex
What it would be like to be a professional gamer
What it would be like to have 100,000 Instagram followers
A day at the zoo from the perspective of an animal
A day in the life of a child from a very wealthy family
A day in the life of a child from a war-torn country
What it would be like to have your own talk show
What would you do if you were president?
What would you do if you were a dictator?
What it would be like to be a superhero
Tell a story based on your favorite work of art
A hypothetical dinner with your favorite celebrity

Best narrative essay topics - our choice

The best narrative essay topic ideas are going to be different for every individual. This section is going to choose some topics that offer the most space for creativity, are interesting to write about, or offer a broad chance for self-reflection. 

Your earliest sad memory
How you realized someone had become a role model
A day in the life of your favorite fictional character
The thrill of winning
The heartbreak of loss
Understanding gender identity
A clash of culture
A new discovery
Finding your favorite hobby 
Performing beyond expectation
Overcoming personal trauma
Helping someone in need
A life-changing trip 
Enjoying nature
Questioning the status quo

More interesting narrative essay topics

Think about these situations and ask yourself if any of these or something similar happened to you and makes for a good story. Enjoy these interesting narrative essay topics!

The best way to win at a particular video game
The process of creating a good TikTok 
Why binging a show is the best way to consume media
What it’s like being lost in a virtual world
A time you were convinced to try something new
Discovering a new favorite food 
What dancing means to you 
The saddest scene in media
The funniest babysitting moment
Your first day at a job
A time you asked for help
What it feels like to end a good book
A time where you panicked 
A time you were kind to someone 

Final thoughts

A narrative writing is unlike most other forms of academic writing. This can make it challenging for students, but as long as you think about it as writing a story and choose the right topic for a narrative essay, they are actually a joy to write! Here are a few key things to remember as you write your essay. 

A narrative essay uses the story structure - beginning, middle, and end, as well as plot, climax, setting, and characters

Spend time on the prewriting phase to gather your thoughts and plan an outline

Don’t lose track of the main purpose of the story

Generally, write in the first person, but the third person can be used as well

Use vivid words and explain sensory details

Above all, have fun and engage the reader as much as you can

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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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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

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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200 Top Narrative Essay Topics and Ideas

200 top narrative essay topics and ideas - image

There are many types of essays you might be required to write during your college years. Even though these essays might sometimes be a burden, they help you improve and polish your skills.

Narrative essays are about exposing your unique voice and point of view. It is about yourself, the events you went through, and your memories. They are about your particular way of narrating these stories. And when you need to write a narrative essay, you surely think about how to choose the best topic. There are many personal narrative ideas you could start your essay with, but are those the best personal narrative topics?

Catching the attention of the reader and having it engaged is something all students want to achieve. And this depends on your topic choice. Writers from Essaymama.com have created this list to meet your needs and help you narrow the list of topic choices.

Personal narrative essay topics

  • A beautiful experience of you volunteering
  • The experience of playing sports in a team
  • Talk about your closest friend
  • How you have learned a new skill
  • Your first trip without your parents
  • The relationship you have with your brothers and sisters
  • A funny experience
  • Your first trip abroad with your friends
  • Your first pet
  • The best experience you had at a concert
  • Talk about someone who has inspired you
  • An experience when you felt lost and scared
  • An experience when you helped someone in need
  • A story of how you have saved someone
  • Your first love
  • Your first day in college

Cultural narrative essay topics

  • How culture shaped your personality
  • How culture shaped your dreams and ideals
  • The influence of culture on friendship
  • The role culture plays in a romantic relationship
  • Unusual cultural traditions
  • How social media has shaped cultural beliefs
  • Talk about your favorite holiday and how it is celebrated in your native country
  • Traditions in your culture
  • Gastronomic traditions in your culture
  • How you feel about cultural norms
  • Privileges you might have in your culture
  • The significance of pop culture

Inspired from your experience narrative essay topics

  • Describe the moment you felt scared, alone, and fearful
  • Tell the story of how you got out of your comfort zone for the first time
  • Talk about what you have learned when you got out of your comfort zone
  • Describe how you felt when you lost a friend
  • Talk about what you have learned from your happiest moments
  • Talk about your first work experience
  • Talk about your first romantic relationship
  • Memories of new experiences
  • Mistakes you have made
  • The lessons you have learned from those mistakes
  • Memories of courageous actions
  • How you handled your toughest moments

Childhood memories narrative essay topics

  • Spending time with grandparents
  • Childhood games
  • The superheroes of your childhood
  • Your favorite memory
  • Your childhood dreams
  • Your role model
  • The lessons you have learned from family members
  • The experience of caring for a pet
  • Parties from childhood
  • Friends from childhood
  • First childhood love
  • First emotional experience
  • First painful experience
  • Teamwork in childhood

High school memories narrative essay topics

  • Why you started playing the guitar
  • Your favorite bands
  • A love experience
  • A bullying experience you went through
  • How social media changed friendships
  • School accomplishments
  • The experience of competing
  • School subjects that you loved
  • How you grew up with your best friend
  • What you have learned from high school
  • Humiliation and laughter: an experience you went through
  • How you helped a colleague in need
  • The hobbies you had during high school
  • What did you learn from bullying experiences?
  • The happiest memory of your high school years
  • The impact of skipping classes

Hobbies and interests narrative essay topics

  • Describe the moment you knew what career you want to follow
  • How you started your first hobby
  • How you have discovered your talents
  • The hobbies you currently have
  • What you have learned from practicing your hobbies
  • How your parents supported you in your hobbies
  • How parents should support their children's interests
  • How your hobby got you a job
  • Are hobbies more important than grades?
  • Hobbies turned into school classes
  • The benefits of practicing a hobby
  • The sacrifices you have made for your hobby
  • How to find a new hobby for you

College life narrative essay topics

  • Your first week in college
  • How you have made new friends in college
  • Your first trip with colleagues
  • The best party in college
  • How you have achieved your academic goals
  • How you set your goals
  • How college helped you fulfill your dreams
  • The opportunities you had in college
  • An inspirational lecture
  • The worst lecture
  • A moment when your professor was wrong
  • Studying mistakes you have made
  • How you prepared for your exams
  • A moment you thought you won't pass but you did
  • The most enriching feelings of college life
  • How you find your true love in college
  • The harsh transition between high school and college
  • Your first job in college
  • The greatest thing you did during college
  • The studies that challenged your beliefs

Inspiration sources narrative essay topics

  • Which are your muses?
  • A movie which inspired you
  • A book which inspired you
  • A friend who inspired you
  • How book characters have inspired you to behave
  • The inspiration you get from social media
  • An event that inspired you
  • An example of success in your life
  • Insignificant moments that inspired you
  • How office plants can boost your creativity
  • The most inspiring book you have read
  • A movie character you have empathized with
  • The emotions that inspire you
  • The inspiring effect of negative emotions

Traveling narrative essay topics

  • The favorite city you have traveled to
  • The city that is your second home
  • Your first memory traveling
  • The benefits of traveling
  • An inspiring trip you took
  • Your first solo trip abroad
  • Your first trip to New York
  • The country you would move to
  • Your favorite country
  • A restaurant you will never forget
  • The first trip to a concert
  • The experience of going to festivals
  • The impression of a visit to a museum
  • Discovering things you love while traveling
  • How you have discovered yourself while traveling
  • How traveling made you appreciate other cultures more
  • Your first trip by train
  • Your first plane trip
  • Why traveling with friends is the best

“What if” or “Imagine if” scenarios

  • What if you had a reality show?
  • What if you could travel back in time?
  • What if you could change the past?
  • What if you were a Coldplay member?
  • What if you were a movie director?
  • What if you were a bird?
  • What if you were an NBA player?
  • Who would you make immortal if you could?
  • What country would you buy if you could?
  • What would you do if you could save the Earth?
  • What would you do if you were president?
  • What activity would you reverse if you could?
  • If you could be anything, you would choose…
  • What animal would you save from extinction?
  • What fruit would you be?
  • Would you like to be immortal?
  • Would you like to live in another era?
  • If you had all the knowledge in the world, what would you build?

Narrative essay topics about personality

  • The superstitions you have
  • How would you have been if you were the single child
  • How your personality has been shaped by parents
  • Hoaxes you have fallen for
  • How your pet shaped your personality
  • What people believe of you
  • The risks you take when you are alone
  • The risks you take when you are with your friends
  • Describe a leadership experience you went through
  • Are you more a leader or a follower?
  • Are you competitive?
  • How language shaped your personality
  • How the society shaped your personality
  • How you have gained self-control
  • A moment when your personality caused a negative event

Gender and sexuality narrative essay topics

  • Men who think women are preys
  • Experiences with gender bias
  • Why sex should be taught in schools
  • The roles of men and women in your culture
  • About sexual education in schools
  • Teenage pregnancy
  • Your perspective on the LGBTQ community
  • Being gay in nowadays' society
  • The pressure of having the perfect body
  • Gender standards

Other narrative essay topics

  • The memory of learning how to ride the bike
  • The story when you lost your car/house keys
  • Your first ski experience
  • A dreadful memory
  • A memory of someone who treated you unfairly
  • Your favorite Christmas
  • Causing a car accident
  • Donating to people in need
  • A story of you organizing an event
  • The most inspiring volunteering experience
  • A low moment in your life
  • How and why you ended a relationship
  • The best day of your life
  • The worst day of your life
  • How you met your best friend
  • A memory from summer camp
  • The best present you received
  • How you helped your best friend
  • Your first driving experience
  • Discovering the truth about a friend

Choosing a topic for your narrative essay might seem challenging, but we hope that with this list, you will find your inspiration. And if you need help with more than this, do not hesitate to write to us. We have proficient and well-prepared writers at write my essay team, ready to help you with anything you need.

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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

Mishal raeel.

i really love the reading website .my mom twice a week tells me to do topics from here.i really like the fascinating topics in this website.thank u for making this website and this makes people helpful

Helped a lot thanks 100/10. This site is amazing

Whoever you are Mr. Morton, you are amazing! You’ve put in so much work on this site! Thank you!

!-Fire-Titian-!

This the BEST WEBSITE EVER FOR READING AND WRITING

Where are answers?

Ugwu Raphael

It is so good to have a website that is packed with the sort of priceless materials as yours. You are making teaching a lot easy for many of us. God bless you in every way. Please ignore the haters and fault finders. Keep up the good work.

There is a typo on #59

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Samantha Nicole Stewart

I have read all of these and I can’t decide which one to use. So I will use all of them!!

Thank you for helping me open up my eyes to another world of words.

Sharonda Malone

I really enjoy this website, it offers me numerous options to give to my students. I can always depend upon this website to give me worksheets and test for my students. Keep up the good work.

unicorntears33

Omg love this website

DENITH KEVIN

THIS IS SO SO SO COOL!

LaTanya Hall

I love, love, love this website. It’s soooo much information and something my kids can actually benefit from. And the topics of all lessons are very interesting and keeps their attention well!

Nazareia Meadows

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-!-Mosquito-!

Good advice

Nazir Ahmad

why the page doesn’t work?

What’s not working?

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sireen nasser

Thank you for these amazing topics for narrative writing that exist on this web.

I love how this is a website to help people write and #8 says, “on accident.” I kind of want to cry right now. BY accident.

This web is effectively support my English skills therefore, I really like it very much. Thank you all for your distribution.

lotfy shady

good advice

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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

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 53 stellar college essay topics to inspire you.

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College Essays

feature_orange_notebook_pencil_college_essay_topics

Most colleges and universities in the United States require applicants to submit at least one essay as part of their application. But trying to figure out what college essay topics you should choose is a tricky process. There are so many potential things you could write about!

In this guide, we go over the essential qualities that make for a great college essay topic and give you 50+ college essay topics you can use for your own statement . In addition, we provide you with helpful tips for turning your college essay topic into a stellar college essay.

What Qualities Make for a Good College Essay Topic?

Regardless of what you write about in your personal statement for college , there are key features that will always make for a stand-out college essay topic.

#1: It’s Specific

First off, good college essay topics are extremely specific : you should know all the pertinent facts that have to do with the topic and be able to see how the entire essay comes together.

Specificity is essential because it’ll not only make your essay stand out from other statements, but it'll also recreate the experience for admissions officers through its realism, detail, and raw power. You want to tell a story after all, and specificity is the way to do so. Nobody wants to read a vague, bland, or boring story — not even admissions officers!

For example, an OK topic would be your experience volunteering at a cat shelter over the summer. But a better, more specific college essay topic would be how you deeply connected with an elderly cat there named Marty, and how your bond with him made you realize that you want to work with animals in the future.

Remember that specificity in your topic is what will make your essay unique and memorable . It truly is the key to making a strong statement (pun intended)!

#2: It Shows Who You Are

In addition to being specific, good college essay topics reveal to admissions officers who you are: your passions and interests, what is important to you, your best (or possibly even worst) qualities, what drives you, and so on.

The personal statement is critical because it gives schools more insight into who you are as a person and not just who you are as a student in terms of grades and classes.

By coming up with a real, honest topic, you’ll leave an unforgettable mark on admissions officers.

#3: It’s Meaningful to You

The very best college essay topics are those that hold deep meaning to their writers and have truly influenced them in some significant way.

For instance, maybe you plan to write about the first time you played Skyrim to explain how this video game revealed to you the potentially limitless worlds you could create, thereby furthering your interest in game design.

Even if the topic seems trivial, it’s OK to use it — just as long as you can effectively go into detail about why this experience or idea had such an impact on you .

Don’t give in to the temptation to choose a topic that sounds impressive but doesn’t actually hold any deep meaning for you. Admissions officers will see right through this!

Similarly, don’t try to exaggerate some event or experience from your life if it’s not all that important to you or didn’t have a substantial influence on your sense of self.

#4: It’s Unique

College essay topics that are unique are also typically the most memorable, and if there’s anything you want to be during the college application process, it’s that! Admissions officers have to sift through thousands of applications, and the essay is one of the only parts that allows them to really get a sense of who you are and what you value in life.

If your essay is trite or boring, it won’t leave much of an impression , and your application will likely get immediately tossed to the side with little chance of seeing admission.

But if your essay topic is very original and different, you’re more likely to earn that coveted second glance at your application.

What does being unique mean exactly, though? Many students assume that they must choose an extremely rare or crazy experience to talk about in their essays —but that's not necessarily what I mean by "unique." Good college essay topics can be unusual and different, yes, but they can also be unique takes on more mundane or common activities and experiences .

For instance, say you want to write an essay about the first time you went snowboarding. Instead of just describing the details of the experience and how you felt during it, you could juxtapose your emotions with a creative and humorous perspective from the snowboard itself. Or you could compare your first attempt at snowboarding with your most recent experience in a snowboarding competition. The possibilities are endless!

#5: It Clearly Answers the Question

Finally, good college essay topics will clearly and fully answer the question(s) in the prompt.

You might fail to directly answer a prompt by misinterpreting what it’s asking you to do, or by answering only part of it (e.g., answering just one out of three questions).

Therefore, make sure you take the time to come up with an essay topic that is in direct response to every question in the prompt .

Take this Coalition Application prompt as an example:

What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What's the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?

For this prompt, you’d need to answer all three questions (though it’s totally fine to focus more on one or two of them) to write a compelling and appropriate essay.

This is why we recommend reading and rereading the essay prompt ; you should know exactly what it’s asking you to do, well before you start brainstorming possible college application essay topics.

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53 College Essay Topics to Get Your Brain Moving

In this section, we give you a list of 53 examples of college essay topics. Use these as jumping-off points to help you get started on your college essay and to ensure that you’re on track to coming up with a relevant and effective topic.

All college application essay topics below are categorized by essay prompt type. We’ve identified six general types of college essay prompts:

Why This College?

Change and personal growth, passions, interests, and goals, overcoming a challenge, diversity and community, solving a problem.

Note that these prompt types could overlap with one another, so you’re not necessarily limited to just one college essay topic in a single personal statement.

  • How a particular major or program will help you achieve your academic or professional goals
  • A memorable and positive interaction you had with a professor or student at the school
  • Something good that happened to you while visiting the campus or while on a campus tour
  • A certain class you want to take or a certain professor you’re excited to work with
  • Some piece of on-campus equipment or facility that you’re looking forward to using
  • Your plans to start a club at the school, possibly to raise awareness of a major issue
  • A study abroad or other unique program that you can’t wait to participate in
  • How and where you plan to volunteer in the community around the school
  • An incredible teacher you studied under and the positive impact they had on you
  • How you went from really liking something, such as a particular movie star or TV show, to not liking it at all (or vice versa)
  • How yours or someone else’s (change in) socioeconomic status made you more aware of poverty
  • A time someone said something to you that made you realize you were wrong
  • How your opinion on a controversial topic, such as gay marriage or DACA, has shifted over time
  • A documentary that made you aware of a particular social, economic, or political issue going on in the country or world
  • Advice you would give to your younger self about friendship, motivation, school, etc.
  • The steps you took in order to kick a bad or self-sabotaging habit
  • A juxtaposition of the first and most recent time you did something, such as dance onstage
  • A book you read that you credit with sparking your love of literature and/or writing
  • A school assignment or project that introduced you to your chosen major
  • A glimpse of your everyday routine and how your biggest hobby or interest fits into it
  • The career and (positive) impact you envision yourself having as a college graduate
  • A teacher or mentor who encouraged you to pursue a specific interest you had
  • How moving around a lot helped you develop a love of international exchange or learning languages
  • A special skill or talent you’ve had since you were young and that relates to your chosen major in some way, such as designing buildings with LEGO bricks
  • Where you see yourself in 10 or 20 years
  • Your biggest accomplishment so far relating to your passion (e.g., winning a gold medal for your invention at a national science competition)
  • A time you lost a game or competition that was really important to you
  • How you dealt with the loss or death of someone close to you
  • A time you did poorly in a class that you expected to do well in
  • How moving to a new school impacted your self-esteem and social life
  • A chronic illness you battled or are still battling
  • Your healing process after having your heart broken for the first time
  • A time you caved under peer pressure and the steps you took so that it won't happen again
  • How you almost gave up on learning a foreign language but stuck with it
  • Why you decided to become a vegetarian or vegan, and how you navigate living with a meat-eating family
  • What you did to overcome a particular anxiety or phobia you had (e.g., stage fright)
  • A history of a failed experiment you did over and over, and how you finally found a way to make it work successfully
  • Someone within your community whom you aspire to emulate
  • A family tradition you used to be embarrassed about but are now proud of
  • Your experience with learning English upon moving to the United States
  • A close friend in the LGBTQ+ community who supported you when you came out
  • A time you were discriminated against, how you reacted, and what you would do differently if faced with the same situation again
  • How you navigate your identity as a multiracial, multiethnic, and/or multilingual person
  • A project or volunteer effort you led to help or improve your community
  • A particular celebrity or role model who inspired you to come out as LGBTQ+
  • Your biggest challenge (and how you plan to tackle it) as a female in a male-dominated field
  • How you used to discriminate against your own community, and what made you change your mind and eventually take pride in who you are and/or where you come from
  • A program you implemented at your school in response to a known problem, such as a lack of recycling cans in the cafeteria
  • A time you stepped in to mediate an argument or fight between two people
  • An app or other tool you developed to make people’s lives easier in some way
  • A time you proposed a solution that worked to an ongoing problem at school, an internship, or a part-time job
  • The steps you took to identify and fix an error in coding for a website or program
  • An important social or political issue that you would fix if you had the means

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How to Build a College Essay in 6 Easy Steps

Once you’ve decided on a college essay topic you want to use, it’s time to buckle down and start fleshing out your essay. These six steps will help you transform a simple college essay topic into a full-fledged personal statement.

Step 1: Write Down All the Details

Once you’ve chosen a general topic to write about, get out a piece of paper and get to work on creating a list of all the key details you could include in your essay . These could be things such as the following:

  • Emotions you felt at the time
  • Names, places, and/or numbers
  • Dialogue, or what you or someone else said
  • A specific anecdote, example, or experience
  • Descriptions of how things looked, felt, or seemed

If you can only come up with a few details, then it’s probably best to revisit the list of college essay topics above and choose a different one that you can write more extensively on.

Good college essay topics are typically those that:

  • You remember well (so nothing that happened when you were really young)
  • You're excited to write about
  • You're not embarrassed or uncomfortable to share with others
  • You believe will make you positively stand out from other applicants

Step 2: Figure Out Your Focus and Approach

Once you have all your major details laid out, start to figure out how you could arrange them in a way that makes sense and will be most effective.

It’s important here to really narrow your focus: you don’t need to (and shouldn’t!) discuss every single aspect of your trip to visit family in Indonesia when you were 16. Rather, zero in on a particular anecdote or experience and explain why and how it impacted you.

Alternatively, you could write about multiple experiences while weaving them together with a clear, meaningful theme or concept , such as how your math teacher helped you overcome your struggle with geometry over the course of an entire school year. In this case, you could mention a few specific times she tutored you and most strongly supported you in your studies.

There’s no one right way to approach your college essay, so play around to see what approaches might work well for the topic you’ve chosen.

If you’re really unsure about how to approach your essay, think about what part of your topic was or is most meaningful and memorable to you, and go from there.

Step 3: Structure Your Narrative

  • Beginning: Don’t just spout off a ton of background information here—you want to hook your reader, so try to start in the middle of the action , such as with a meaningful conversation you had or a strong emotion you felt. It could also be a single anecdote if you plan to center your essay around a specific theme or idea.
  • Middle: Here’s where you start to flesh out what you’ve established in the opening. Provide more details about the experience (if a single anecdote) or delve into the various times your theme or idea became most important to you. Use imagery and sensory details to put the reader in your shoes.
  • End: It’s time to bring it all together. Finish describing the anecdote or theme your essay centers around and explain how it relates to you now , what you’ve learned or gained from it, and how it has influenced your goals.

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Step 4: Write a Rough Draft

By now you should have all your major details and an outline for your essay written down; these two things will make it easy for you to convert your notes into a rough draft.

At this stage of the writing process, don’t worry too much about vocabulary or grammar and just focus on getting out all your ideas so that they form the general shape of an essay . It’s OK if you’re a little over the essay's word limit — as you edit, you’ll most likely make some cuts to irrelevant and ineffective parts anyway.

If at any point you get stuck and have no idea what to write, revisit steps 1-3 to see whether there are any important details or ideas you might be omitting or not elaborating on enough to get your overall point across to admissions officers.

Step 5: Edit, Revise, and Proofread

  • Sections that are too wordy and don’t say anything important
  • Irrelevant details that don’t enhance your essay or the point you're trying to make
  • Parts that seem to drag or that feel incredibly boring or redundant
  • Areas that are vague and unclear and would benefit from more detail
  • Phrases or sections that are awkwardly placed and should be moved around
  • Areas that feel unconvincing, inauthentic, or exaggerated

Start paying closer attention to your word choice/vocabulary and grammar at this time, too. It’s perfectly normal to edit and revise your college essay several times before asking for feedback, so keep working with it until you feel it’s pretty close to its final iteration.

This step will likely take the longest amount of time — at least several weeks, if not months — so really put effort into fixing up your essay. Once you’re satisfied, do a final proofread to ensure that it’s technically correct.

Step 6: Get Feedback and Tweak as Needed

After you’ve overhauled your rough draft and made it into a near-final draft, give your essay to somebody you trust , such as a teacher or parent, and have them look it over for technical errors and offer you feedback on its content and overall structure.

Use this feedback to make any last-minute changes or edits. If necessary, repeat steps 5 and 6. You want to be extra sure that your essay is perfect before you submit it to colleges!

Recap: From College Essay Topics to Great College Essays

Many different kinds of college application essay topics can get you into a great college. But this doesn’t make it any easier to choose the best topic for you .

In general, the best college essay topics have the following qualities :

  • They’re specific
  • They show who you are
  • They’re meaningful to you
  • They’re unique
  • They clearly answer the question

If you ever need help coming up with an idea of what to write for your essay, just refer to the list of 53 examples of college essay topics above to get your brain juices flowing.

Once you’ve got an essay topic picked out, follow these six steps for turning your topic into an unforgettable personal statement :

  • Write down all the details
  • Figure out your focus and approach
  • Structure your narrative
  • Write a rough draft
  • Edit, revise, and proofread
  • Get feedback and tweak as needed

And with that, I wish you the best of luck on your college essays!

What’s Next?

Writing a college essay is no simple task. Get expert college essay tips with our guides on how to come up with great college essay ideas and how to write a college essay, step by step .

You can also check out this huge list of college essay prompts  to get a feel for what types of questions you'll be expected to answer on your applications.

Want to see examples of college essays that absolutely rocked? You're in luck because we've got a collection of 100+ real college essay examples right here on our blog!

Want to write the perfect college application essay?   We can help.   Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges.   Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.

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Are you a student in 2023, looking for some awesome narrative essay topics that are easy to grasp and fun to write about? 

You're in luck! Narrative essays let you share your stories, making them a perfect choice for students. 

In this guide, we've put together a list of the best narrative essay topics for 2023. 

Whether you're an experienced writer searching for fresh ideas or a student hunting for an exciting topic for your next assignment, we've got your back. These topics will ignite your imagination and captivate your readers. 

So, let's dive in!

Arrow Down

  • 1. Narrative Essay Topics for Students
  • 2. Unique Narrative Essay Topics for Students
  • 3. How to Choose a Topic for a Narrative Essay?
  • 4. 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 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 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

  • 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

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.

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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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  • 80 Best Narrative Essay Topics to Amaze Your Audience

80 Best Narrative Essay Topics to Amaze Your Audience

What Is a Narrative Essay?

How to choose narrative essay topics, list of good narrative essay topics.

  • Narrative Essay Topics for College Students
  • Literacy Narrative Essay Topics

Narrative Essay Topics on Social Media

  • Narrative Essay Topics for Music Lovers
  • Narrative Essay Ideas on Sports and Games

Narrative Essay Topics Ideas on Gender Roles

Narrative essay topics on traveling, narrative essay topics on religion and morality, funny narrative stories.

  • Personal Narrative Essay Topics

How to Write a Narrative Essay?

Are you fond of telling interesting stories? If yes, it's essential to know how to choose excellent narrative essay topics and follow the necessary assignment directions to develop a brilliant paper.  Check out our compiled list of essay ideas  from expert writers who complete homework on a regular basis. Find many original ideas, including education, friends, family, work, favorite movie, childhood experiences, personal success, and others. 

Before we move to the next step, which is making a topic choice, let's make sure we understand the definition of a narrative essay. It's pretty simple. This academic assignment is a paper that tells a story from writer's perspective . The main goal is to share some memoir and specify all reasons for suggesting it. Students should show which experience they got after being through that specific occasion. One also needs to rely on specific paper settings, disputes, solutions, and decisive moments. 

Decision-making of which narrative essay topics to choose is essential for writing such type of paper. Consider personal life experiences in the framework of your academic assignment and select one you prefer speaking about. Even a tiny incident can turn into the best plot. It should be an instructive story and convey meaning. Check some other helpful tips which you may find handy while choosing narrative essay topics:

  • Be personal
  • Describe a memorable moment in your life
  • Observe everything happening around you
  • Imagine all possibilities
  • Reflect on your personality
  • Use 1st-person narration 

Our dedicated experts have prepared a list of great narrative essay topics for you to consider. Check them out and choose one to your liking.

Narrative Essay Topics for College Students 

Aiming at writing a straightforward narrative that impresses your teacher or another reader? Need topic prompts for composing a great speech? Movie review? Consider making your paper writing topic choice from these:

  • Interesting books for college students to buy and read
  • The best movie or TV series you've ever watched
  • The best thing you've seen during your visit to a local museum
  • Memorable poems that you've read this summer
  • The best book you've ever read
  • Reasons to start an online learning blog.
  • The best authors and their literary pieces
  • Describe why you like writing
  • Do you have your diary or journal?
  • Would you agree to exchange paper notes for their digital versions? 

Need more ideas or inspiration? Our informative writing topics are at your disposal. Read and choose something interesting for yourself.

Literacy Narrative Essay Topics 

Everyone knows the general benefits of education. Still, you can go further in your narrative essay and research in detail how reading and writing influence children. A particular problem of understanding text or cunning writing technique – all of that could contribute to a top-notch paper! You might find some of these topics curious as well:

  • History of literature for children
  • My decision of pursuing my career in any field of choice
  • Multiple levels of understanding a book
  • Top 5 dead languages that still matter today 

A topic on social media's role in everyday life, business story, or study should be an easy way to establish contact with your audience. Check out these essay ideas for your papers:

  • How you decided to delete your Facebook account
  • Any video or picture that went viral on Instagram
  • The most memorable moment on Twitter
  • A tweet or Facebook message you wish you've never written
  • Why you envy people who use Instagram
  • The rise of Facebook or any other social media platform
  • How TikTok helps in social media marketing
  • Why you like sharing pictures
  • How often do you use your Twitter account? 
  • Does any Facebook story make you sad?
  • Are you afraid that parents will read your social media posts one day?

Narrative Essay Topics for Music Lovers 

One good topic idea is writing a narrative essay about your aesthetic views. Alternatively, you can compose a research paper with a review of some cultural and historical musical trends you love:

  • The best songs you listen to when hanging out with your friends
  • Your karaoke experience
  • Your favorite metal band
  • Story of the tune that inspires you
  • Pop-music celebrities and their incredible lives
  • The growth of modern hip-hop culture
  • Musicians who failed fans because of drug abuse
  • The best songwriters of modern times
  • Your favorite musical works
  • Do you agree that Afro music pop takes over in Africa?
  • Who is the person who introduced you to your favorite audio genre?

Narrative Essay Ideas on Sports and Games 

Love sport activities? Often engage in gaming? How about several words in your paper about your skills, discussing complex problems you've learned about, or talking about a challenging situation? Here are some suggestions for an excellent narrative essay:

  • An injury you had when playing soccer
  • An exciting sport experience
  • The game you like watching or playing
  • Childhood games that you will remember for the rest of your life
  • How regular exercises transformed you
  • Would you participate in a professional American football match if you had a chance?
  • Story of the greatest football rivalry
  • Your most exciting gaming experience
  • Corruption cases that affect the modern football game
  • Reasons why you enjoy watching rugby
  • What game would you redesign if you had a chance? 

  Modern problematic social questions are a good topic choice for a great case study or speech. To add some new information or interesting themes, consider ideas to compare and contrast . Here are some hot essay writing themes you can try for a valid point:

  • Differences between female and male roles.
  • Why you're a feminist
  • Being harassed and catcalling in the streets
  • Gender biases in universities and how they are affecting studying.
  • How much did you have to do to get a perfect body?
  • Do you think that parents expect less from daughters than sons? 

Exotic places, changes of surroundings, unknown lifestyle you've learned about, and meeting people abroad – sound like lots of story material to create a narrative essay:

  • Your dream vacation
  • Biographies of space tourists
  • Famous landmarks you've seen
  • The craziest adventure with your friends
  • Your unforgettable road trip
  • How traveling affects your personality and life
  • Your journey to tropical forests
  • The most remarkable thing to come from nature
  • Would you like to visit any foreign country?
  • If you were to go anywhere in the world, where would you travel? 

A controversial, challenging topic about faith or morality can be a good choice for a narrative essay. Here you can point out a problematic situation, call for a change or make a personal statement:

  • Ethical dilemmas that you've faced
  • The growth of Islam
  • How to pass religious tests fast
  • Why you like helping others
  • Your personal experience in exploring other religions
  • How faith has changed your life
  • Why you feel uncomfortable when you lie
  • How much do you value spirituality in your life?

A few words to change the mood - why not pick an entertaining topic for your essay? Add some good humor into your paper: service fails, pets who act weirdly, a funny birthday speech, or even embarrassing prank stories. Topic examples:

  • How a student's passion for memes helped her to build a career in marketing
  • 7 most hilarious pranks my siblings and I have ever learned about
  • History of cats' popularity on the Internet
  • Rise of the stand-up genre in the 2000s

Personal Narrative Essay Topics 

Self-development, business growth story, exciting observations, or daily challenges to overcome – all that deserves a quality research paper. Before choosing a topic for your writing, look through sociology topics to research . Have a story to tell your teacher? If not sure yet, take a look at these thesis samples:

  • How I regained motivation for studies in 5 simple steps
  • My tips for a healthy lifestyle on a limited family budget
  • Types of customers you should expect to meet as a part-time barista
  • Exploring your home city: best places to visit on the weekend
  • My visit to Yellowstone National Park as a volunteer

Once you've chosen one of the narrative essay topics to work on, it's time to proceed to the writing process. It does not differ from other types in terms of structure (such as  ethics essays  or others). As usual, your paper should consist of an introduction, main body, and conclusion. The introduction is an essential part of any paper. It determines whether the reader will get interested in your writing and desire to read it until the end. That is why an article should start with a hook. Here are a couple of great ways to do that:

  • With a flashback to the story that inspired your essay
  • Give your personal insights
  • Begin with a joke
  • Provide a shocking fact or statistics

The main body is where you provide all the background information, significant points, and interesting facts. Describe them briefly. Since it's a narrative essay, try to present the information in 1st person. Make sure you tell your story clearly and compellingly. The conclusion is where your narrative essay ends. Summarize what you have written before within this part of the paper. Adding some spice, like ending with an unforeseen twist, will help you play with your audience's emotions. It will ensure your success.  

Indeed, there are so many things in life, present, and past, to create a narrative about. It is sometimes hard to pick a catchy issue to write about, though. Don't mind using those mentioned above great narrative essay topics to write your paper and share your personal story with the targeted audience.  On the other hand, pressing yourself hard to fit into a deadline might be bad for your creativity. In case of a real problem with time or any other complications, feel free to get expert assistance from our essay writing service. Hire experienced writers to do this job for you. We will be glad to assist you!

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Exploring interesting essay topics for your next writing assignment.

Essays to write about

In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, selecting a compelling essay topic is crucial to engage readers and showcase your analytical skills. As we step into 2021, it’s essential to explore contemporary issues and trends that resonate with the current societal and global context. Whether you’re passionate about technology, environment, social justice, or culture, there are numerous thought-provoking essay topics to choose from.

1. The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: With the rise of social media platforms, exploring the psychological effects of excessive screen time and online interactions has become a pressing topic. Analyze the correlation between social media usage and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

2. Climate Change and Sustainable Development: With the increasing threat of climate change, discussing the importance of sustainable practices and policies is more relevant than ever. Delve into the role of renewable energy sources, conservation efforts, and international agreements in addressing the climate crisis.

Exploring Trending Essay Topics

As we navigate through the complexities of the 21st century, there are numerous trending essay topics that capture the essence of our evolving society. From discussions on climate change and sustainability to explorations of artificial intelligence and the future of work, there is a wealth of compelling subjects to delve into. Delving into these current trends can provide valuable insights and perspectives on the pressing issues of our time, offering new dimensions for critical analysis and debate. Whether you are interested in social justice, technological advancements, or cultural shifts, there is a wide array of essay topics to explore in 2021. By engaging with these trending topics, writers can not only enhance their understanding of the world around them but also contribute to the ongoing dialogue on important issues facing society today.

Analyzing Social Media Impact

Social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate, share information, and interact with one another. The impact of social media on society is undeniable and worth analyzing to understand its full implications.

Here are some key points to consider when analyzing the impact of social media:

  • Reach and Influence: Social media allows information to spread rapidly and reach a global audience within seconds. This has a profound impact on how news is disseminated and how opinions are formed.
  • Communication and Connection: Social media platforms provide a way for people to connect and communicate, breaking down geographical barriers and facilitating relationships across the globe.
  • Marketing and Branding: Businesses leverage social media to promote their products and services, engage with customers, and build brand awareness. The impact of social media on marketing strategies cannot be overstated.
  • Mental Health and Well-being: The constant exposure to social media can have negative effects on mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Understanding and addressing these impacts is crucial.
  • Privacy and Security: Social media raises concerns about data privacy and security, as personal information is shared online and vulnerable to misuse. Analyzing the impact of social media on privacy laws and user security is essential.

As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social media, it is important to critically analyze its impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

Unveiling Environmental Sustainability Importance

Environmental sustainability is a critical issue that has gained immense importance in recent years. With increasing awareness about climate change, pollution, and natural resource depletion, the need for sustainable practices has never been more urgent.

One of the key reasons why environmental sustainability is important is to ensure the well-being of future generations. By preserving the environment and its resources, we are safeguarding the planet for our children and grandchildren.

Furthermore, environmental sustainability promotes the efficient use of resources, reducing waste and minimizing the negative impact on ecosystems. This not only benefits the environment but also contributes to the overall health and stability of society.

By adopting sustainable practices in industries, agriculture, and daily life, we can mitigate the effects of climate change, preserve biodiversity, and protect our natural habitats. This, in turn, leads to a more resilient and thriving planet for all living beings.

  • Preserving biodiversity
  • Reducing carbon footprint
  • Conserving natural resources
  • Promoting green energy

Ultimately, environmental sustainability is crucial for maintaining a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. It is our responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth and strive towards a sustainable future for generations to come.

Delving into Mental Health Awareness

Delving into Mental Health Awareness

Mental health awareness is a crucial topic that needs to be discussed and understood. It’s important to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and promote a more open and supportive environment for those struggling.

Why is mental health awareness important?

Many people suffer in silence due to fear of judgment or lack of support. By raising awareness about mental health, we can encourage individuals to seek help, reduce the stigma, and promote early intervention and treatment.

Discussing mental health openly can also help create a more compassionate and understanding society, where individuals feel empowered to speak up about their struggles without fear of discrimination or shame.

Ways to promote mental health awareness:

– Organize events and seminars to educate the public about mental health issues and how to support those in need.

– Share personal stories and experiences to break down stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding mental health.

– Advocate for mental health resources and services in schools, workplaces, and communities to ensure access to proper care and support.

By delving into mental health awareness, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone, promoting mental well-being and resilience among individuals.

Investigating Technological Advancements Impact

In today’s rapidly evolving world, technological advancements have had a profound impact on various aspects of society. From communication to healthcare, education to transportation, technology has revolutionized the way we live, work, and interact with one another.

One area where technological advancements have had a significant impact is in the field of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to advance, it raises important questions about the implications for job security, privacy, and ethics. Exploring the ethical considerations of AI and its potential societal effects can provide valuable insights into the future of this technology.

Furthermore, the rise of social media and its influence on society is another compelling topic to investigate. Social media platforms have transformed the way we connect and communicate, but they also raise concerns about data privacy, misinformation, and online harassment. Analyzing the impact of social media on mental health, politics, and culture can shed light on the benefits and challenges of this technology.

In conclusion, investigating the impact of technological advancements on society is a rich and dynamic topic that offers numerous avenues for exploration and discussion. By delving into the implications of new technologies, we can better understand their effects on individuals, communities, and the world at large.

Discussing Global Economic Challenges

In the rapidly changing global landscape, economic challenges continue to be a pressing issue that affects countries around the world. From the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to trade disputes and economic inequality, there are numerous factors that contribute to the complexities of the global economy.

One key challenge that many countries face is the issue of economic recovery post-pandemic. The disruptions caused by the pandemic have led to job losses, supply chain disruptions, and reduced economic activity. Finding ways to stimulate economic growth and rebuild industries will be essential in the coming years.

Another significant challenge is the issue of trade relations between countries. Trade disputes, tariffs, and protectionist policies can hinder global economic growth and lead to strained relationships between nations. Finding a balance between protecting domestic industries and promoting international trade is a delicate balancing act that requires careful consideration.

Economic inequality is another pressing challenge that affects countries at different levels of development. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, creating social unrest and economic instability. Addressing issues of income inequality and promoting inclusive economic growth will be crucial in creating a more stable and sustainable global economy.

In conclusion, discussing global economic challenges is essential for understanding the complexities of the modern world. By addressing issues such as economic recovery, trade relations, and inequality, countries can work towards building a more resilient and prosperous global economy for the future.

Debating Gender Equality Issues

Gender equality has been a prominent topic of debate in recent years, with discussions centering around various issues affecting women and men in society. Here are some key points to consider when debating gender equality:

  • The gender pay gap: Should measures be taken to address the disparity in wages between men and women?
  • Representation in leadership: Are there enough women in top leadership positions in business, politics, and other sectors?
  • Gender stereotypes: How do traditional gender roles impact individuals and their opportunities in society?
  • Access to education: Are there equal educational opportunities for both genders, especially in STEM fields?
  • Work-life balance: How can society better support both men and women in balancing work and family responsibilities?

These are just a few of the many complex issues surrounding gender equality that warrant further exploration and discussion.

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Top 5 Narrative Essay Examples for 2021

Introduction.

Simply put, the narration is telling a story. Therefore, a narrative essay writing assignment is a paper that tells a personal story. However, a winning narrative essay isn’t just about narration. It also offers a reader valuable moral lessons.

If you’ve ever written a five-paragraph paper, then writing a narrative essay will be easier. This is because the format used to write the two is the same. However, you’ll want to be creative when working on your personal narrative assignment. In fact, creativity is the primary difference between narrative essays and other academic papers. Should you wish to skip over this guide due to reasons such as a busy schedule, our tutors are ready to ensure you’re covered by acing your essay. All you need to do is place an order with us.

Recall: A narrative essay is often focused on a personal experience. However, inspiration from other narrations can help you write a good narrative essay. Here are five samples to give you an idea of what’s expected of you.

#1 Narrative Essay Example for 2021 

Notably, the below sample is written in first-person narration . Also, the use of direct speech is evident. It’s advisable to assume the same style when writing your essay in order to submit a quality paper.

Having been a businessman for over 17 years, I can assure you that it’s a bumpy ride. Some days, I’m celebrating numerous successes. Other times failures abound and, there are also days I sweat due to hours of hard work. Sometimes my heart pounds as I face crises. Tears flow.

narrative essay topics 2021

However, there’s this particular incident that I can never forget. It’s about having friends as business partners. I run three companies which I started alongside my friends. One day I was with a friend at my place. As we casually discussed random topics, he complained about the lack of organization in his field. He was particularly concerned about plumbers who consistently earned 100 dollars a day. Interestingly, the team made the same amount within 2 hours in the climate equipment niche.

“Let’s venture into the business but offer superior services,” I suggested. I knew we’d make a perfect match because my friend was good at technology while I’m a marketing and management professional. The first month of our joint venture was promising. We recorded profits, though small. However, the modest income didn’t deter me. Sadly, my friend was doubtful because he’d earned 7 dollars. However, I later realized that he hadn’t put in much effort, and it took two good years to record the figure.

Since I was in charge of marketing, I used simple ideas like running online marketing drives and creating a blog alongside a marketing department to help generate more revenue. Consequently, we made double profits in the second month.

The competition was stiff. Although our business was relatively new, we remained afloat. I decided to share the good news but was surprised by what followed. “Let’s divide the profit equally,” said my friend. “I had to wait for two years to make a similar amount while you’ll have earned the 5 dollars within two months. That’s pretty unfair,’ he added.

I was disappointed and confused at the same time. I felt dizzy. I realized my friend overlooked my contribution to our success. Also, he dishonoured his part of the bargain. I thought quickly about it and decided to start my company within three weeks. Within a year, my institution was second-best in our region. In the second year, I sold the business to my friend; then, we parted ways.

The experience taught me the importance of adhering to legal processes in business. Also, I became emotionally stronger. I’m always prepared and can’t be easily swept by sudden business eventualities. I learned firsthand that a stitch in time saves nine. I had to research and formulate terms that I share with a friend before getting into a partnership.

#2 Narrative Essay Example for 2021

Dad often reminded me to be careful about mistakes. Day in and day out, he’d highlight the dangers of trivializing mistakes. However, dad also told me that laughing at my mistakes is alright. I would later learn the importance of what he said when I was 14 years.

We’d gone to fetch pizza with Naomi, my classmate. Mrs. Terry frequently reminded customers to stay in line, which helped the queue move pretty fast. Finally, after a few minutes, we were at the counter. I looked around but only saw mashed potatoes, fish, and vegetables. My favourite pizza was unavailable, which left me disappointed. My stomach rumbled in agreement.

narrative essay topics 2021

Had we queued in vain? I scanned the counter again. I was relieved. At the far corner on my left was one piece of pizza. I was so happy. “St. Lois pizza,” I whispered. Mrs. Coburn handed me the only remaining piece. However, my excitement was short-lived. The paper plate slid and, my pizza fell into a pot of delicious-looking mashed potatoes.

I was speechless. I could feel my face turn red. I was momentarily lost in sadness before loud laughter jerked me back to the queue. The kids were laughing in unison. I couldn’t do much. So, I joined them in the laughter.

I was interrupted by Mrs. Coburn’s voice. Clarice, “would you like your pizza with a side of mashed potatoes?” Yes! Absolutely! I couldn’t hide my excitement. Neither could Naomi, who burst out laughing. I joined her before the other kids joined us. It was pretty relieving. At that moment, I remember Dad’s words—Laughter can turn an otherwise awkward moment into a memorable event. I didn’t feel clumsy. Thanks to the laughing.

You may also want to check argumentative essay examples

#3 Narrative Essay Example for 2021

Apart from choosing unique personal narrative essay topics, students can write winning narrations by capturing their reader’s attention. To achieve that, make sure to give vivid descriptions of places, people, voices, and events when writing your essay, like in the below third essay example.

As our sheep and goats disappeared one after another, the village was in a state of confusion. No one knew what was happening to our animals. For many days, the mystery remained unresolved. Some villagers said thieves were responsible. Others thought it was a wild beast at work.

Many families suffered losses. However, my immediate neighbour was the worst hit. He lost seven sheep, nine goats, and poultry too. The villagers decided, in one accord, to track the destroyer. However, first, they had to solve the puzzle. In unity, they carefully observed how the village animals were disappearing. It was evident the destroyer was a tiger.

Next, the village leaders requested brave men to come forth and help deal with the wild beast. A group of 10 young men volunteered. I was one of them. I felt like the legendary Duke of Wellington who won the famous battle of waterloo. The strategy was simple. We decided to set a trap and deal with the enemy once and for all.

Knock! Knock! Knock! “Peter! Let’s go!” Shouted Ray before I could answer the door. I jumped out, and we headed to the meet-up point. It was late at night, but the darkness couldn’t deter us. We left for the jungle.

Hours passed. Nothing peculiar happened. The crickets continued singing their tunes while fireflies and mosquitoes jumped here and there. Suddenly we saw paws. We had finally found the tiger’s trail. We set up the trap and tied the goat to a nearby tree. Then we lay in wait. It was daybreak, and there was no sign of our enemy. Desperation started creeping in. When we were almost giving up, we suddenly heard leaves crackle. Something was moving in the nearby bush.

We tensed. I held my breath in anticipation. Then, after a short while, we saw the tiger spring towards the goat. We pointed our shot-guns towards the foe. Luckily the wild beast fell right into the trap. Within no time, one of us shot and instantly killed him. We then untied our goat and headed to the village. The villagers were happy. At least, they could keep animals without fear. It was a successful hunting trip that I can never forget.

narrative essay topics 2021

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#4 Narrative Essay Example for 2021

From this fourth sample, you’ll notice that the piece assumes the structure of a 5-paragraph essay —it has an introduction (the first paragraph),  body paragraphs that give details of the narration, and the conclusion that summarizes the paper by providing a moral lesson. In other words, the example below is a story. However, the structure is that of a standard essay. So, make sure to write a thrilling narration but remember to have the three parts of an essay (the introduction, body, and conclusion).

There are different types of personalities. For example, some people are out-going. They can’t withstand loneliness or silence. As for me, I’ve loved silence since my early teenage. Growing up, I was never worried about being alone. It’s a virtue that helped me learn life-long lessons.

Near my hometown in Southern Mexico, there was a small hill on which an old mysterious storehouse stood. No one knew when, why, and who had built the structure. There were rumours that the storehouse was once used to keep slaves. Another version claimed that warlords used it during the Second World War for unclear purposes. Yet others, especially us, the younger generation, believed the place was haunted. So, villagers, both old and young, were afraid of visiting the site. However, the wooden shack provided a place of refuge for me.

Whenever I longed for silence, I walked to the old storehouse. I’d carry a snack, sit in the attic, watch many sunrises and sunsets, and reflect upon different things. There were days when I wasn’t alone in the shack. The homeless and travellers were other visitors at the isolated storehouse. Although I was just 13 years, they’d share stories of their lives. Some talked about their failed businesses, marriages, dreams, plans, and aspirations…those who felt exploited would lament their unfair bosses. I would carry more snacks or canned food and share it with those who stayed for several days.

The old storehouse experiences molded my life. I started striving to understand myself. I wanted to know more about the people around me. My interaction with the vagabonds made me learn that people can be a source of valuable life lessons no matter their social status.

#5 Narrative Essay Example for 2021

Top narrative essays comprise a thesis statement (main idea) that forms the basis of the narration . Other sections of the piece link to the idea, making it an easy-to-understand paper like in the below essay example—similarly, it’s vital to relate your story to your main idea (thesis statement).

I knew I was too timid in school. I had been bullied for so long that I lost count and memory of some of the incidences. I also had a tiny frame which made the situation worse. I’d be called names, pushed around, locked in the washrooms, and even tied up by the big boys.

The education system didn’t help make life easier either. Manhattan Elementary was a non-graded school. So, we only received a pass or a fail instead of grades. The system has its advantages, such as lesser pressure on the students. It also had disadvantages like the inability to deal with bullies and bullying in school. So, I became an easy target for the bigger boys.

narrative essay topics 2021

In my sixth grade, I’d had enough. The same year, I received a birthday present from my mum. She knew I loved basketball, although I was pretty short. So, she bought me a basketball. I was overjoyed. I could freely enjoy my therapy sessions by dribbling anytime I wanted.

The following week after the birthday party, I carried my basketball to school. I’d planned to shoot some hoops during break time. As I played casually and enjoyed my newly found freedom, a bigger boy snatched the basketball. I was hot-red in the face. Anger took over, and within no time, I punched the boy so hard in the face and left him crying his heart out.

The principal called my mum and explained what had happened. She was indifferent. I think she had also been waiting for the day I’d stand up for myself. The incident marked the end of bullying in my life. I’m happy that it happened. I could now live a normal life without fearing bullies.

Differences Between a Narrative Essay and a Short Story

Since writing a narrative essay is simply telling your readers a story, it is easy to confuse the paper with a short story. However, the two are different in the following ways:

  • In a narrative essay, the story is often based on facts (a real-life story), while a short story is often fictitious.
  • A personal narrative essay has a pre-defined structure—the introduction , body paragraphs, and a conclusion . Contrastingly, a short story lacks those three distinct parts.
  • A narrative essay is often defined by what happened. Conversely, the plot of a short story can take different twists and turns without restrictions.
  • Since a short story is imaginary, characters and events are tweaked to fit the piece’s theme.
  • Unlike a short story, a narrative essay must have a compelling thesis statement (the main idea).
  • Given that a narrative essay is a story about a real-life experience, it’s regularly written in the first person. On the other hand, a short story can assume a second or first-person narration.
  • Generally, short stories are for entertainment. Narrative papers, however, are used to teach a specific lesson.

How to Write a Winning Narrative Essay

narrative essay topics 2021

Every student desires to score high grades in any given assignment. Aside from crafting an excellent topic, creating an outline, formatting, and editing your piece can help you write an outstanding personal narrative essay.

Formulating a Good Narrative Essay Topic

A good narrative essay topic can be an idea, a fact, or any goal you want to achieve. Also, the internet, past essay narrative papers, and essay examples taught in class can be alternative sources of inspiration.

Tips for Choosing Good Personal Narrative Essay Topics

It’s essential to have several topics from which you can narrow down and settle for the best title. To do that, make sure to choose:

  • A title that’s not easily available on the web.
  • A topic about adversity you had to overcome.
  • A title that’s neither too narrow nor too broad.
  • An attention-grabbing topic.

narrative essay topics 2021

Narrative Essay Topic Ideas

Besides getting inspiration, you can tweak one of the below personal narrative essay topics and then formulate an excellent title for your narration.

Essay topics for high school

1. Your hobby

2. Your favourite high school subject

3. The most outstanding achievement you had in high school

4. How you overcame fear

5. An experience in which you got into trouble after sharing your opinion

Essay topics for college

1. A narrative essay about a moment you protected someone

2. A story about a time you had to delete you’re a specific social media account

3. How you resolved a historical mystery

4. How rebellion taught you the importance of obedience

5. An outstanding karaoke experience

Creating an Outline

Creating an outline is essential because it keeps you on the right track. A narrative essay follows the traditional essay outline that comprises:

The Introduction:  This section features your essay hook and thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs:  It’s the second and often longest part of an essay. You’ll have the scene setting (place and time), events, the characters involved, and the moral lesson you’d like your readers to learn.

The Conclusion:  The conclusion helps to summarize your essay. A well-written narrative essay usually links back to the thesis statement.

narrative essay topics 2021

Formatting and Editing

After creating an outline and writing your essay, it’s essential to format it. You’ll also need to read through the paper, edit any typos, rewrite or delete vague and unclear sections.

It’s advisable to allow yourself time off before editing. Go for a walk. Take a nap or snack, then get back to proofreading your assignment. It helps you look at your narration with a fresh set of eyes.

Also, consider reading it loudly or ask a friend to read it aloud to identify areas of improvement. Alternatively, you can ask your tutor for suggestions to further improve your narrative essay.

narrative essay topics 2021

In Conclusion

The purpose of a narrative essay writing assignment is to test your creative skills and your understanding of different elements of writing. That’s why the assignment is popular in schools. However, the challenge of keeping your reader hooked to the end abounds.

So, it’s essential to choose a story that’ll be captivating from the beginning to the end. Therefore, start by having an exciting topic. You’ll also want to use vivid and colourful words. Remember to include conflict and sequence to make the piece both organized and exciting to read.

In case you still do not know where to start, place an order with us by clicking the green button below and our top tutors will handle it for you!

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ICSE English Composition: 25 Latest Topics

by Yash Soni on Sep 27, 2022

ICSE English language exams for Class 9 & 10 include composition writing as a mandatory question. Make sure you read important tips to write compositions in ICSE before you begin your practise.

Below are 25 trending composition topics in ICSE that you can use to practise essay writing:

Descriptive Essays

  • Describe your favourite place in the world.
  • Which of your family members do you spend the most time with? Describe your experience of being with them.
  • Describe what you like about your house and give a sneak peek of your surroundings.
  • Imagine a time you accomplished a personal goal. Give a brief description of the goal you were after and how you achieved it. Describe how you felt when you achieved it.
  • Life revolves around people. Describe how one person has had a significant influence on your life.

Narrative Essays

  • Narrate an experience you had when you were expected to perform well but for some reason were not able to. Narrate what happened and why it happened. In what way did it teach you something?
  • Think of a time when you found yourself in an embarrassing situation. Narrate how you got into that situation, how you dealt with it, and the lesson you learnt from it.
  • Explain how your teacher has influenced your life. Refer to relevant incidents or relate appropriate anecdotes to show how the actions of your teacher and his/her example have affected your life.
  • Narrate an incident when you had difficulty travelling from one place to another. Mention what made it difficult for you to travel and where did you go?
  • Narrate an incident when you were caught in a traffic jam for hours. What difficulties did you face? What were the consequences?

Argumentative Essays

  • "Teenagers today are more worldly-wise than their parents." Express your views for or against the statement.
  • "Plastic bags are convenient and should not be banned by the government." Give your views for or against this statement.
  • "Book reading is a dying phenomenon of life nowadays." Throw light on the factors responsible for it and give suggestions for its improvement.
  • "The use of Mobile Phones must be allowed in schools." Express your views for or against this statement.
  • "Money causes more harm than good." Express your views for or against this statement.

Story Writing

  • Write an original short story that ends with the words: "... I put the keys back into the drawer, hoping no one would notice they had been touched."
  • Write an original short story that begins with the words: "The day started off well enough, who thought it would..."
  • Write an original story that ends with the words: "... it came as a blessing in disguise."
  • Write a short story which illustrates the truth of the statement, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.'
  • Write an original story which illustrates the truth of the statement, 'One lie leads to another'.

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You can practice this essays and get it evaluated from your class teacher and get a better understanding of your performance. You can also improve your grammar as students lose lot of there marks due to grammar.  Our Top 5 essay writing tips can also be a game changer for your upcoming exams.

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What I’ve Learned From My Students’ College Essays

The genre is often maligned for being formulaic and melodramatic, but it’s more important than you think.

An illustration of a high school student with blue hair, dreaming of what to write in their college essay.

By Nell Freudenberger

Most high school seniors approach the college essay with dread. Either their upbringing hasn’t supplied them with several hundred words of adversity, or worse, they’re afraid that packaging the genuine trauma they’ve experienced is the only way to secure their future. The college counselor at the Brooklyn high school where I’m a writing tutor advises against trauma porn. “Keep it brief , ” she says, “and show how you rose above it.”

I started volunteering in New York City schools in my 20s, before I had kids of my own. At the time, I liked hanging out with teenagers, whom I sometimes had more interesting conversations with than I did my peers. Often I worked with students who spoke English as a second language or who used slang in their writing, and at first I was hung up on grammar. Should I correct any deviation from “standard English” to appeal to some Wizard of Oz behind the curtains of a college admissions office? Or should I encourage students to write the way they speak, in pursuit of an authentic voice, that most elusive of literary qualities?

In fact, I was missing the point. One of many lessons the students have taught me is to let the story dictate the voice of the essay. A few years ago, I worked with a boy who claimed to have nothing to write about. His life had been ordinary, he said; nothing had happened to him. I asked if he wanted to try writing about a family member, his favorite school subject, a summer job? He glanced at his phone, his posture and expression suggesting that he’d rather be anywhere but in front of a computer with me. “Hobbies?” I suggested, without much hope. He gave me a shy glance. “I like to box,” he said.

I’ve had this experience with reluctant writers again and again — when a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously. Of course the primary goal of a college essay is to help its author get an education that leads to a career. Changes in testing policies and financial aid have made applying to college more confusing than ever, but essays have remained basically the same. I would argue that they’re much more than an onerous task or rote exercise, and that unlike standardized tests they are infinitely variable and sometimes beautiful. College essays also provide an opportunity to learn precision, clarity and the process of working toward the truth through multiple revisions.

When a topic clicks with a student, an essay can unfurl spontaneously.

Even if writing doesn’t end up being fundamental to their future professions, students learn to choose language carefully and to be suspicious of the first words that come to mind. Especially now, as college students shoulder so much of the country’s ethical responsibility for war with their protest movement, essay writing teaches prospective students an increasingly urgent lesson: that choosing their own words over ready-made phrases is the only reliable way to ensure they’re thinking for themselves.

Teenagers are ideal writers for several reasons. They’re usually free of preconceptions about writing, and they tend not to use self-consciously ‘‘literary’’ language. They’re allergic to hypocrisy and are generally unfiltered: They overshare, ask personal questions and call you out for microaggressions as well as less egregious (but still mortifying) verbal errors, such as referring to weed as ‘‘pot.’’ Most important, they have yet to put down their best stories in a finished form.

I can imagine an essay taking a risk and distinguishing itself formally — a poem or a one-act play — but most kids use a more straightforward model: a hook followed by a narrative built around “small moments” that lead to a concluding lesson or aspiration for the future. I never get tired of working with students on these essays because each one is different, and the short, rigid form sometimes makes an emotional story even more powerful. Before I read Javier Zamora’s wrenching “Solito,” I worked with a student who had been transported by a coyote into the U.S. and was reunited with his mother in the parking lot of a big-box store. I don’t remember whether this essay focused on specific skills or coping mechanisms that he gained from his ordeal. I remember only the bliss of the parent-and-child reunion in that uninspiring setting. If I were making a case to an admissions officer, I would suggest that simply being able to convey that experience demonstrates the kind of resilience that any college should admire.

The essays that have stayed with me over the years don’t follow a pattern. There are some narratives on very predictable topics — living up to the expectations of immigrant parents, or suffering from depression in 2020 — that are moving because of the attention with which the student describes the experience. One girl determined to become an engineer while watching her father build furniture from scraps after work; a boy, grieving for his mother during lockdown, began taking pictures of the sky.

If, as Lorrie Moore said, “a short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage,” what is a college essay? Every once in a while I sit down next to a student and start reading, and I have to suppress my excitement, because there on the Google Doc in front of me is a real writer’s voice. One of the first students I ever worked with wrote about falling in love with another girl in dance class, the absolute magic of watching her move and the terror in the conflict between her feelings and the instruction of her religious middle school. She made me think that college essays are less like love than limerence: one-sided, obsessive, idiosyncratic but profound, the first draft of the most personal story their writers will ever tell.

Nell Freudenberger’s novel “The Limits” was published by Knopf last month. She volunteers through the PEN America Writers in the Schools program.

COMMENTS

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  4. 100 Narrative Essay Topics

    The list of 100 narrative essay topics that we've compiled is a versatile and expansive set designed to inspire students at various educational levels. The topics range from lighter, more relatable experiences like your "first job interview" or "a memorable birthday party," to deeper, more introspective themes such as "an experience ...

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  7. 200 Top Narrative Essay Topics and Ideas

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    Narrative essays are truly works of art, and good artists must practice their craft. Here is a list of 101 narrative essay topics, prompts, and short story ideas to give students the practice that they need to become better writers: Everybody gets afraid sometimes. If there were no fear, there would be no opportunity for bravery.

  9. How to Write a Narrative Essay

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    Updated December 22, 2021. A narrative essay is a story. While the narrative essay describes an actual person, event or situation that impacted the writer, the way the information is structured follows writing tips traditionally found in storytelling. A narrative essay should be a snapshot of how a person, event, or situation changed you, the ...

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    Published June 3, 2021 Updated Aug. 4, 2021 Each school day we publish a new Student Opinion question, and students use these writing prompts to reflect on their experiences and identities and ...

  12. 50 Narrative Essay Topics

    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).

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    Once you've chosen a general topic to write about, get out a piece of paper and get to work on creating a list of all the key details you could include in your essay. These could be things such as the following: Emotions you felt at the time. Names, places, and/or numbers. Dialogue, or what you or someone else said.

  15. 100+ Interesting Narrative Essay Topics For Your Next Paper

    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.

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    Narrative Essay Topics on Religion and Morality. A controversial, challenging topic about faith or morality can be a good choice for a narrative essay. Here you can point out a problematic situation, call for a change or make a personal statement: Ethical dilemmas that you've faced. The growth of Islam.

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  20. Most Popular Essay Writing Topics in 2021

    Essays englobe pretty much every sort of topic, so there is a wide range of them that we can find. Some of them cover more than one topic or type of essay itself, it can be a narrative essay where the writer tells a story, a description regarding the matter striving to express a deeper communication that reaches the reader.

  21. The Winners of Our 3rd Annual Personal Narrative Essay Contest for

    Published Jan. 20, 2022 Updated Jan. 25, 2022. For a third year, we invited students from 11 to 19 to tell us short, powerful stories about a meaningful life experience for our Personal Narrative ...

  22. Top 5 Narrative Essay Examples for 2021

    #5 Narrative Essay Example for 2021. Top narrative essays comprise a thesis statement (main idea) that forms the basis of the narration. Other sections of the piece link to the idea, making it an easy-to-understand paper like in the below essay example—similarly, it's vital to relate your story to your main idea (thesis statement).

  23. Latest 25 Composition Topics in ICSE

    ICSE English Composition: 25 Latest Topics. ICSE English language exams for Class 9 & 10 include composition writing as a mandatory question. Make sure you read important tips to write compositions in ICSE before you begin your practise. Below are 25 trending composition topics in ICSE that you can use to practise essay writing:

  24. What I've Learned From My Students' College Essays

    College essays also provide an opportunity to learn precision, clarity and the process of working toward the truth through multiple revisions. When a topic clicks with a student, an essay can ...