PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, JEDDAH- English Section

Academic Year Subject Personal Narrative

2020-2021 Mid Term English Handout 18

What is a PERSONAL NARRATIVE?

“Narrative” is a term more commonly known as “story.” Personal narratives, tell a story; a
story that tells about something in your life, for example: time, event, experience or person.

Features of Personal Narrative:

• The main character is YOU
• It's written in first person (I, me)
• It describes a small moment in your life (not the series of events)
• It describes your feeling and thoughts
The title lets the reader
know what the story is
about
My First Talent Show
To set the scene, the
writer includes details
about where the story In the
took place Standing backstage, I could feel my heart introduction, the
thumping in my chest. “Just relax,” my friend John writer describes
whispered. “You’re ready for this.” I nodded. John what happened
was right. I’d been practicing my song for the school first
talent show for six weeks. Still, picturing an audience
packed with kids, parents and teachers made me want
to run out the door.
The writer
“Too late for that,” I thought, as Mr. Peterson includes details
announced my song. John gave me a nudge, and about what he or
suddenly I was on the stage. Standing in the she was thinking
spotlight, I grasped the microphone and belted out
the lyrics. I heard my voice pour through the
The writer includes
details about what he
speakers and fill the room. “It’s going well,” I The writer
or she saw, heard, thought to myself. “Don’t mess up.” describes what
smelled or felt I looked out at the sea of faces. The happened next
auditorium was dark, but I could see hundreds of eyes
staring back at me. The smell of candy bars and
popcorn filled the room. “I hope John is saving some
for me,” I thought, as I started the chorus one last
In the conclusion,
time.
the writer
As I finished the song, the audience began to describes what
The writer includes a
clap. “Yeah, Katie!” one kid yelled. “You rock!” happened last
detail that shows how screeched another. I took a bow and walked offstage
he or she felt about with a smile plastered across my face. “How many
this experience in the days until next year’s talent show?” I asked John.
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