Narrative 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!
Good Narrative Topics
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 Ideas
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
In recent years, companies have been selling books with narrative essay prompts for adults (particularly elderly adults) to reflect on their lives.
Up Next
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.
