narrative essay your favorite vacation with your family

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Narrative Essay: My Favorite Summer Vacation

Each summer is beautiful for me because I spend it with my family. I am well aware that people my age spend their summer vacations with friends, partying all the time. But, after an entire year away from my family, I must admit I would always choose to spend a summer vacation with my family rather than friends. After all, my friends are what I get back to when the vacation time ends.

If someone asks me to choose one perfect vacation that is better than all the rest, I’d have to choose my trip to the Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes, Washington. The place was perfect for a modern camper – combining an Airstream trailer rental, canvas tent and log cabins, and surrounded by three marvelous lakes.

But, this is not my favorite summer vacation just because of the location. We have visited so many wonderful places during the summers, I am pretty sure some even looked better. What I do remember is the fun.

This is probably because of the three lakes, but the choices we had for activities were so many, we couldn’t possibly do everything before we went back home. I remember how much we fought over what we are going to do. My father wants us to do group activities when we go on summer vacation because ‘’It wouldn’t be a family vacation if we don’t stick together’’.

So, if you came and watched us on our family vacations in the summer, you would see two very bored parents just sitting next to their children when they are doing some kid activities. You could also see us trout fishing with them because my dad loves fishing.

This year that I am talking about, we fought for a long time about the trout fishing activity. We wanted to do canoeing, so we agreed that they will come with us on his, and we would go fishing with them. As it turned out, we had more fun on the fishing expedition than we had canoeing. For our dad, it was the opposite.

We fell in the water because this was our first time canoeing and we had no idea what we were doing. Both my sister and I were soaking wet because we fell exactly eleven times. Since my dad has done this in the past, they had a blast!

When the time came to go fishing, we were devastated by the idea that we’d have to spend an entire day looking for trout when there were so many things we could do. I honestly preferred just sitting near the fire pit on a picnic table all day, rather than waiting for a trout to catch my father’s bait.

However, luck was on my side that day. Fishing turned out to be such a fun activity, I am now convincing my dad to do it every summer. My dad was not so lucky. He spent over five hours just waiting and waiting, got sunburned and therefore had a fever all night. After a couple of hours of no fish caught whatsoever, he kept moving towards me in the hope that he will get lucky, too. But, the fish just seemed to run away from him and catch on my fishing rod instead.

The next day we decided to be a little less active since my father already had a tough night with the fever and the stress. We stayed near the cabin and joined those organized activities like cooking on a campfire and making tie-dyed shirts. We didn’t separate for even an hour and had the times of our lives.

This was way before I left home to go study in another city. For a family who cannot stand each other and fights all the time at home, it was a miracle how well we agreed and how fun our summer vacation was. Every summer we spend together is like this now, but now it is not such a strange thing. After over half a year of being separated and not living together, we would be happy if someone put us in one room for an entire month. That year, this was the strangest and most unexpected twist.

I will always remember that summer with my family. I don’t think I’ll be forgetting about the other places and vacations, too, but this is the summer when I understood that there is nothing more important than family. Whenever a friend jokes about my summer vacationing when I tell them I won’t be joining them this year too, I just remember that summer and everything seems right.

I don’t think I’ll ever envy my friends for spending their vacation partying. I will pity them for being away from their family once again because holidays and vacations are best spent with the people you love most. What I do know at this point is that when I have my own family, I will take them to that same spot and set the same rules as my father. I hope my fishing experience will be terrible as his, and they will fall in love with it.

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Narrative Essay Sample about My Favorite Vacation

My favorite vacation was when I went to Yemen. But on the way there, we had a layover in Jordan. So what my family did was we went to Jordan because it is closer to Yemen.

And it's closer to America than Yemen. so when we got to Jordan we got a nice hotel room.

My cousin, I went to go swim, but I didn't know how to swim so I always go to the shallow water because I am not trying to drown. The weather in Jordan was hot. I wasn't ready for that because I live in Michigan and it's mostly cold there but in Jordan, it is hot and humid. They have palm trees all around. And a kid from Michigan, I am not used to seeing palm trees and lizard's dessert.

So after we went swimming we went to eat because I was hungry. We went to a nice Jordanian restaurant that had a lot of customers and we enjoyed our meal. Everything we ate was spicey it's true they love their spices. That's where my family gets it from. By the way, we love spices. We grow some in our backyard. one more night in Jordan before we leave and go to Yemen the whole time I was in Jordan, I was culture-shocked. because I wasn't used to their culture and their way of living is different there. The way of life is a different one of the big differences. They have different types of toilets. Their toilets look like a hole in the ground and the way you use them is to squat and your Thing. 

After we went for breakfast we went to the airport to go to. Yemen to see my family and celebrate my brother's wedding. My mom made me wear a  suit in a tie. I didn't want to because it was so hot. It's hot in Yemen because we are on the equator so we get more heat from the sun. When we arrived I met a lot of my cousins for the first time and some I haven't seen in a long time like my uncle and his kids. 

When we arrived it was night. I met my cousins. They seemed pretty chill. I met my grandma and I met my aunties and their kids. I met my uncles and their kids. I ate fruit that I never had before. It was good and it smelled better but the look of the fruit was different than I used to see in America.

For sleep, I had to sleep with my cousins in one room because there was no room in the house. After all, all my cousins slept over. We stayed up all night watching random videos that asked me to teach them English and I was confused about what they wanted to learn. We played games and then they fell asleep.

I was awake all night, And then when the sun came up I fell asleep. And then in the morning, my dad told his nieces and nephews to wake me up I and by the way, I got NO sleep and these kids were pulling me pushing me and I got so mad I started fighting them because they would let me sleep I came from a long trip with no sleep and they kept on bothering me I was so mad so I just waited till they left and then fell asleep. That afternoon I got to know the people of Sana, Sana is the capital of Yemen,

So I finally met my cousins to spend more time with them. My older cousin was my favorite because he bought a lot of stuff for me at the zoo and bought me all of the fireworks for some reason. I got a ride on a motorcycle for the first time. It was great, it was really fast. I felt like I was gonna fall and die.

I saw mountains for the first time in Michigan. In Yemen, there are no mountains, just trees, and farms. Yemen is cool. I like how their farms are built. They look like a bunch of huge steps. And another cool thing is that they have houses on the edges of the mountains. And there are roads and mountains like highways. I get scared when I look down from a height, which is called acrophobia.

I also visited the biggest mosque in Yemen. It's called al saleh mosque and it's in Sana. It's big, it's so beautiful on the inside and the outside, I saw types of people from every nationality and race. This mosque is on my top list of the places I would visit again. It's a great experience. And I also went to the biggest amusement park in Yemen. They have two that I have had a lot of fun meeting new people.

After I went to the capital of Sana we went to my dad's home country to visit his family and my mom's side of the family. But we were going there. Because my older brother is getting married. In a week there. I got to see where my dad lived and my mom's house. They kinda lived in the countryside where there's a lot of agriculture. My dad had a farm with cows and sheep. After the first day, my dad bought me and my little brother baby goats. They were so cute I thought we were going to keep them as pets but when they grew up my family ate them, I was really sad.

At my brother's wedding, they had a big festival where they had a big tent full of people just vibing, talking, dancing, and singing. There is this thing we Yemen's do at a wedding: we have a big car parade. When I say big I mean BIG. We were driving on mountains, hills. You can see that the roads are filled up with cars honking and putting music on. All those people are friends of their family and they all come from faraway places. 

After a week the wedding ended and we had a big feast to celebrate. We ate a big bull with rice on the side. After that my brother and his new wife went on a honeymoon. My dad and my little brother went back to America. My mom went to the u.k to stop by to see her mom and dad and her brothers. When I went back to America it was fall and we were in 2nd grade and lived my life.

What I loved about Yemen is that I met new people and went to new places and experienced my culture. I experienced an actual Yemeni wedding that lasted a week. I ate new types of food. I wore different clothes. I experienced living in a hot area with mountains. and I went on a plane for the first time. I would go to Yemen again if I get the chance.

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The Unforgettable Vacation with my Family

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My family and I had been preparing and waiting for this to happen and I was extremely excited to be leaving the next day. The thought of being so far away from home occupied most of my time. I was eager to leave the country and finally see my family again. The awaited day was finally here; a day I was going to experience a new adventure. My mom woke me up exceptionally early because she didn’t want us to miss our flight.

As a result, we didn’t have time for a full breakfast and had to get ready immediately. My mom was double-checking everything – the tickets, passports, and everything else we needed for our trip. We arrived at SFO around 8:30 a.m., and our flight was at 10:30 a.m., which gave us about two hours to get to our gate. Upon arrival, we checked three enormous bags and went through airport security. We reached the gate just in time to board the airplane. Five long and monotonous hours later, we were in Chicago. Everyone was tired and dreading the forthcoming nine-hour flight. The first thing we did on arrival was search for a place to eat. With limited choices, we decided on McDonald’s so that we wouldn’t go hungry. Soon after eating, we made our way to the next gate.

Upon reaching our gate, we had to wait a while because of a delay due to the weather, but it didn’t bother us too much. We finally boarded the plane around 10 p.m. and we were exhausted. I couldn’t wait to lay back and watch TV. As expected, I watched a multitude of movies until my eyes couldn’t stay open any longer. I finally fell asleep and woke up to the hot sun shining in my eyes. With great enthusiasm, I anticipated landing. In about half an hour, I took my first steps in São Paulo, Brazil. My excitement knew no bounds as I saw my uncle who had come to pick us up. The city was beautiful. It was extremely tropical with palm trees outside, hot weather, and a bustling crowd. Our journey to my grandma’s house was about an hour by car but I was so intrigued by the people and lush trees that I didn’t mind. Being there felt so different and it was absolutely amazing. On arrival, I was overjoyed to see my beloved grandparents. I had missed them tremendously and was extremely happy to be reunited with them. I was thrilled at the prospect of spending Christmas and New Year’s there. The following day, we took a long drive to my uncle’s farm where we were going to spend our holiday. It was outstanding, boasting a large pool and a beach right next to it, with a variety of animals like chickens, horses, dogs, cats, pigs, cows, and sheep. I was exhilarated to see all my cousins and have a fantastic time playing games and swimming.

On Christmas, we stayed up until midnight and opened presents. I got so many, but my favorite one was the chance to be in Brazil with all of my family. I think that was probably one of the best gifts of all. On New Year’s, we went to a nearby beach and watched the fireworks go off. It was a new and fun experience to celebrate New Year’s the Brazilian way. This trip was filled with exciting new experiences. I got to ride my horse, Ella, whom I hadn’t seen for years; I was overjoyed to find that she still remembered me. I also got to play numerous board games and watch the stars late at night with my aunts and uncles. The sight of countless beautiful stars shining down on us was unforgettable. I will always cherish this vacation, and I hope to go back soon.

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Home Essay Samples Life Vacation

My Unforgettable Summer Vacation: a Tapestry of Memories

The most unforgettable summer vacation i have ever had.

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Tips for Writing a "What I Did on Vacation" Essay

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Are you required to write an essay about your summer vacation or your holiday break? This can be a tough assignment to tackle at first glance. But if you think about it, there are lots of interesting things that happen on your vacation that others might enjoy reading about. The key to success is to zero in on the experiences, people, or situations that made your vacation unique.

Summer vacation can be busy or lazy, funny or serious. You may have traveled with your family, worked every day, fallen in love, or coped with a difficult situation. To start your essay, you'll need to choose a topic and tone.

Family Vacation Essay Topic Ideas

If you traveled with your family, you may have some great stories to tell. After all, every family is crazy in its own way. Want some proof? How many Hollywood films have themes about family holidays or trips? Those films are popular because they enable us to glimpse inside the crazy family lives of others. Alternatively, you may have a more serious story to tell.

Consider these funny topics:

• Why I'll Never Go Back to (insert place name)
• How (insert name) Drove Me Crazy in Five Days
• Traveling to (insert city) Then and Now
• The Hazards of Traveling With a (person or thing)
• Why You Shouldn't Take a Dog to (insert place)
• I Left (insert city) But My (lost item) Stayed
• Why I Couldn't Sleep in (place name)

If your family vacation involved something more serious, think about one of these topics:

• The Love I Left Behind in (insert place)
• Saying Good-Bye to (insert person or place)
• Exploring (place's) Secrets
• An Emotional Trip

Summer Job Essay Topic Ideas

Not everyone gets to spend the summer having fun; some of us have to work for a living. If you spent your summer at a job, chances are you met a lot of interesting characters, dealt with complicated situations, or even saved the day once or twice. Here are some ideas for summer job topics:

• The Boss's Day Off
• The Customer From Hell
• What I Learned from My Customers
• Why I'll Never Go Into the ___ Business
• Six Things I Learned on the Job

How to Write the Essay

Once you've chosen your topic and your tone, think about the story you want to tell. In most cases, your essay will follow a typical story arc:

• The hook (the funny, sad, or scary sentence that grabs the reader's attention)
• The rising action (the beginning of your story)
• The climax (the most exciting moment in your story)
• The denouement (the aftermath or ending to your story)

Start by writing out the basic outline of your story. For example, "I started cleaning a guest's room and found that they'd left behind a wallet with $100 in cash. When I turned it in without taking a single dollar for myself, my boss rewarded me with a $100 gift certificate and a special award for honesty."

Next, start fleshing out the details. What was the room like? What was the guest like? What did the wallet look like and where was it left? Were you tempted to just take the money and turn in the wallet empty? How did your boss look when you handed her the wallet? How did you feel when you got your reward? How did others around you react to your honesty?

Once you've told your story in all its detail, it's time to write the hook and conclusion. What question or thought can you use to grab your reader's attention? For example: "What would you do if you found a wallet loaded with cash? That was my dilemma this summer."

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Vacation — Personal Narrative Essay A Trip On Vacation

Personal Narrative Essay a Trip on Vacation

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Words: 529 |

Published: Mar 13, 2024

Words: 529 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

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The journey begins, immersing in balinese culture, exploring the natural beauty, reflection and growth.

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Essays About Holidays With Family: Top 5 Examples and Prompts

Looking for an interesting topic for your next essay? Check out our top essays about holidays with family and a list of prompts for inspiration. 

Holidays with family can create memories of a lifetime – some for good reasons and some for unpleasant incidents. Aside from giving the weary a break from work, holidays also provide an opportunity for families to gather, enjoy and make new, lasting memories together. Many cultures celebrate holidays differently and have holidays unique to their cultures and countries.

If you’re writing an essay about holidays with family, here is our list of essays that will keep you glued and reflect on your holidays. 

1. A Guide To Navigating Food And Family During Holidays by Katherine Speller

2. forgiveness perfect gift for the holidays by käri knutson , 3. everything that went wrong on our family vacation (and why it was still totally worth it) by michelle weisenberg, 4. consumerism culture is dangerous to the true meaning of christmas by frank portillo, 5. holidays away from home: an ofw christmas by beatrice del rosario, anakin loewes garcia, ronald manuel laylo, 1. your most memorable holiday with family, 2. why are holidays with family important, 3. an eco-friendly family holiday, 4. planning the best holiday destination, 5. camping for the holidays, 6. holidays on the beach, 7. history of spending holidays with family, 8. avoiding covid-19 while on holidays, 9. how to ensure a stree-free family holiday, 10. budget-friendly tips for holiday travels.

“The confidence you bring — from listening to your body and being sure that you are allowed to feel however you want about your food choices — will do wonders for dealing with any criticism, comments or plate-policing from (mostly) well-meaning family members or people with their own food hang-ups.” 

Planning what to bring or cook for a family holiday dinner may come with many anxieties and pressures, especially if you have critical family members. The article presents the thoughts of a psychotherapist and eating disorder expert who advises readers on how to best respect their own dietary needs and boundaries while embracing those of their families. 

“During the holidays, people who otherwise avoid each other can be thrown together in family or social situations that force the issue. It can be painful to ask for forgiveness and risk rejection… but it’s something we sometimes have to accept.” 

There’s no better gift to present to your family on holidays than forgiveness. In this article, psychology professor Robert Enright is interviewed to talk about the process of forgiveness, why people hold back from forgiving, and what helps people let go of their anger.

“Our vacations are NEVER dull. They usually entail at least one sick child/trip to the ER and one major catastrophe. It’s gotten to the point where we simply expect these things. As our pediatrician says, ‘I wish you people would just stay home.’”

Family holidays for this author cannot be complete without a disaster, from water-submerged diabetes testers to stolen backpacks and a kid getting wounded by a knife. Yet, despite these incidents, Weisenberg still sees the beauty in their travels, with its indelible memories outweighing any unfortunate event happening in all their family holiday travels.

“Instead of buying gifts for one another, we should be focused on creating memories with each other — an immaterial gift that will last far longer than this year’s Apple Watch.”

Instead of strengthening family bonds, many look forward to holidays to get a hand at things they’ve been meaning to buy. The article laments how the culture of consumerism and materialism has engulfed us, spoiling the true meaning of family holidays, wherein making memories together should suffice. 

“OFWs sacrifice quality time with their loved ones by providing for them from afar. Each family has their own way of coping with that absence. Every shared moment, be it physically or through the aid of technology, encapsulates the spirit of Christmas for loved ones near and far.”

The article interviews overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or those who sacrifice their time with loved ones to bring more income to their families. As Christmas has a special place in the hearts of all Filipinos, OFWs’ nostalgia is at its peak during this holiday when they cannot be home with family. OFWs in the article talk about their homesickness and how they cope at Christmas time.

Writing Prompts  on Essays About Holidays With Family

Here is our round-up of creative prompts for your essay:

Describe your most memorable holiday with your family. Put in as many elements that made this holiday profoundly impact you. Then, for a more powerful effect, make the narration as vivid as you can, from the dining table filled with delectable food to how your siblings stifled a laugh upon seeing the neon sweater your aunt gave you as a present.   

Aside from creating new memories that strengthen relationships, holidays with family can help you immerse in new cultures and experiences. Collate studies that investigate the impact of family holidays on one’s well-being. Summarize their findings and provide your analysis.

Environmentalists lambast the overindulgence that comes with holiday merry-making. Enumerate the holiday practices that are dangerous to the environment. Next, encourage families to strive for a green holiday instead of resisting the strong temptation of excess. Then, provide tips on how one can step up to reduce carbon footprint and care for Mother Nature.

Deciding which destination is best for your family will largely depend on the preference of each family member and your budget. Provide tips on how one can choose their destination and how one should prepare for this. Remind readers that they don’t have to spend too much for the “best” holiday destination. As long as families are together on this special day, that should mean more to them than anything else. 

Camping is the best way to get close to nature while creating a stronger bond with parents, siblings, and relatives. Enumerate why camping is the best way to spend your holiday with family. You may also provide a list of essential things to bring when going on a camping trip. 

Frolicking on the beach is not just the best way to beat the heat. It’s also an excellent way to spend the holidays with your family, especially if you have kids who love water activities — but who doesn’t? For this prompt, you can narrate your holiday spent on the beach with your family. You can also provide your reader with a list of the best beach spots in your country.

There are several national holidays around the world. The origin of each has its unique story that makes them all interesting and worth experiencing. Pick one or a few holiday celebrations, particularly those best spent with family. First, write about their history and how they earned the designation as holidays. Then, detail the family traditions that come with their celebration. 

While many countries are now mask-free, COVID-19 remains to infect like wildfire in some places. List a few tips on how families can enjoy the holidays and be safe from COVID-19 or any raging virus. Examples could be encouraging readers to avoid COVID-19 hotspots, bringing antigen tests, and placing alcohol bottles within easy reach. 

What makes one full of fidgets when a holiday with relatives is fast approaching? Is it the critical aunt who might notice your added weight or the thought of celebrating the holidays in a remote place without internet access? First, cite the most common sources of holiday stress. Then, offer recommendations on how to put aside the nervous energy before and during the holidays.

You may also interview some friends to know their major sources of family holiday anxieties. Then, find out how they overcome them. 

Holidays can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Write a list of tips on how one can spare extra cash for accommodation, public transport, and more. Remind your readers that holidays can be fun without pumping out a lot of cash. If you’re not into travel, you can focus on budget tips for holiday shopping.

For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers . If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

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Personal Narrative: My Favorite Vacation Essay

My Favorite Vacation I sat at the resort’s buffet with my mom, grandparents, and my brother, while we were relaxed and we enjoyed ourselves. I could smell the salt from the seawater of Gulf of Mexico, it was a rather odd smell, it smelt bitter, fresh, and clean all at the same time. The smell was somewhat pleasurable, and was very distinct. Every morning, in the resort, I woke up to the smell of it, which was something I definitely get used to. When my brother and I had wakened up five nights ago, we got a pleasant surprise. We would be headed to Cancun, Mexico.

This was the first time I have been on vacation near the Gulf, and it amazed me how beautiful it was, and how we got there in the first place. My mom wasn’t the one to do surprises, but when she did, it was a great one. After my great time in Cancun for five days, it was a very sad day. Although we were very relaxed at the buffet, my whole family was dreadful because this was the last day we would be on vacation in Cancun. The day had started off great. Every night we left the window open, so we could hear when the waves crashed against the sand, which is made me feel like I was in paradise because of the great sound when you’re asleep.

I was the first person up, so I decided to go outside and sit at our patio and watched and heard the sand roar against the fine white sand. In the distance, my eyes had started to fixate on something. I went inside, trying not to be loud to wake my mom and brother up, and grabbed my binoculars. I had hoped that whatever I saw had not disappeared. Luckily it had not, and when I saw what the object, I was amazed and shocked all at the same time. I had seen a dolphin! I freaked out because I had never seen something so cool like an animal in its natural habitat.

I rushed into the hotel room to wake up my mom, because I knew she would love seeing it. After about two minutes of her making excuses to try and not get out of bed, she finally budged and went out to the patio. When I handed her the binoculars, her jaw dropped. She said she has never seen something so beautiful, and that she was glad I woke her up. About five minutes later, my brother woke up from all the noise that my mom and I made, and we had gotten a call from my grandparents saying that they were ready to go eat breakfast, and that they were going to the buffet and would meet us there.

Besides the great weather and the views that amazed me, the buffet had been one of my favorite things during the trip. It had some great food, and also, had seats outside without windows, so we could enjoy our food while we looked over everything else happening at the resort. When my brother and I walked throughout the buffet, we could hear and smell all sorts of things, like kids screaming when they jumped into the pool, and the smell of delicious breakfast foods hit my nose with delight. After the five days, I learned that the resort just seemed to have a great environment.

My family and I then went to go eat at a table outside, so we could all the exciting things happening around the resort. After we settled down, we started to eat our food in peace. After we ate, we started talking about how fun the vacation has been so far. The amazing views, the great food, and the things you could do in the resort and out, like golfing and basketball, and you can’t forget, seeing the dolphin! There was so many interesting during this vacation, we couldn’t even remember them all. Then, after our great conversation, some bad news came.

My mom had told us that this was the last day we would be staying here. After hearing, that I became very upset and sad at the same time, it was not news I wanted to hear. My mom said, “Although we’re leaving, this vacation has been great. I’ve always wanted to go somewhere exotic. ” My grandma then said, “I wish this vacation didn’t end and that it wasn’t the last day. ” I then said in a sad tone, “One day down the road, we have to do again. ” A few hours later, we started packing up our bags, and got ready to head to the airport for our flight back.

I wasn’t in the best of moods, but after I boarded the plane, I thought about the vacation, and how great it was overall, and that I shouldn’t look at the downside of leaving. This day has been a big part of my life. It has ultimately been my favorite vacation so far, even though we couldn’t stay the rest of our lives. I also learned by being there how important family is, and how important it is when you’re with them. I don’t think I would have wanted to go with anyone else.

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The Ultimate Narrative Essay Guide for Beginners

A narrative essay tells a story in chronological order, with an introduction that introduces the characters and sets the scene. Then a series of events leads to a climax or turning point, and finally a resolution or reflection on the experience.

Speaking of which, are you in sixes and sevens about narrative essays? Don’t worry this ultimate expert guide will wipe out all your doubts. So let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Everything You Need to Know About Narrative Essay

What is a narrative essay.

When you go through a narrative essay definition, you would know that a narrative essay purpose is to tell a story. It’s all about sharing an experience or event and is different from other types of essays because it’s more focused on how the event made you feel or what you learned from it, rather than just presenting facts or an argument. Let’s explore more details on this interesting write-up and get to know how to write a narrative essay.

Elements of a Narrative Essay

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of a narrative essay:

A narrative essay has a beginning, middle, and end. It builds up tension and excitement and then wraps things up in a neat package.

Real people, including the writer, often feature in personal narratives. Details of the characters and their thoughts, feelings, and actions can help readers to relate to the tale.

It’s really important to know when and where something happened so we can get a good idea of the context. Going into detail about what it looks like helps the reader to really feel like they’re part of the story.

Conflict or Challenge 

A story in a narrative essay usually involves some kind of conflict or challenge that moves the plot along. It could be something inside the character, like a personal battle, or something from outside, like an issue they have to face in the world.

Theme or Message

A narrative essay isn’t just about recounting an event – it’s about showing the impact it had on you and what you took away from it. It’s an opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings about the experience, and how it changed your outlook.

Emotional Impact

The author is trying to make the story they’re telling relatable, engaging, and memorable by using language and storytelling to evoke feelings in whoever’s reading it.

Narrative essays let writers have a blast telling stories about their own lives. It’s an opportunity to share insights and impart wisdom, or just have some fun with the reader. Descriptive language, sensory details, dialogue, and a great narrative voice are all essentials for making the story come alive.

The Purpose of a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is more than just a story – it’s a way to share a meaningful, engaging, and relatable experience with the reader. Includes:

Sharing Personal Experience

Narrative essays are a great way for writers to share their personal experiences, feelings, thoughts, and reflections. It’s an opportunity to connect with readers and make them feel something.

Entertainment and Engagement

The essay attempts to keep the reader interested by using descriptive language, storytelling elements, and a powerful voice. It attempts to pull them in and make them feel involved by creating suspense, mystery, or an emotional connection.

Conveying a Message or Insight

Narrative essays are more than just a story – they aim to teach you something. They usually have a moral lesson, a new understanding, or a realization about life that the author gained from the experience.

Building Empathy and Understanding

By telling their stories, people can give others insight into different perspectives, feelings, and situations. Sharing these tales can create compassion in the reader and help broaden their knowledge of different life experiences.

Inspiration and Motivation

Stories about personal struggles, successes, and transformations can be really encouraging to people who are going through similar situations. It can provide them with hope and guidance, and let them know that they’re not alone.

Reflecting on Life’s Significance

These essays usually make you think about the importance of certain moments in life or the impact of certain experiences. They make you look deep within yourself and ponder on the things you learned or how you changed because of those events.

Demonstrating Writing Skills

Coming up with a gripping narrative essay takes serious writing chops, like vivid descriptions, powerful language, timing, and organization. It’s an opportunity for writers to show off their story-telling abilities.

Preserving Personal History

Sometimes narrative essays are used to record experiences and special moments that have an emotional resonance. They can be used to preserve individual memories or for future generations to look back on.

Cultural and Societal Exploration

Personal stories can look at cultural or social aspects, giving us an insight into customs, opinions, or social interactions seen through someone’s own experience.

Format of a Narrative Essay

Narrative essays are quite flexible in terms of format, which allows the writer to tell a story in a creative and compelling way. Here’s a quick breakdown of the narrative essay format, along with some examples:

Introduction

Set the scene and introduce the story.

Engage the reader and establish the tone of the narrative.

Hook: Start with a captivating opening line to grab the reader’s attention. For instance:

Example:  “The scorching sun beat down on us as we trekked through the desert, our water supply dwindling.”

Background Information: Provide necessary context or background without giving away the entire story.

Example:  “It was the summer of 2015 when I embarked on a life-changing journey to…”

Thesis Statement or Narrative Purpose

Present the main idea or the central message of the essay.

Offer a glimpse of what the reader can expect from the narrative.

Thesis Statement: This isn’t as rigid as in other essays but can be a sentence summarizing the essence of the story.

Example:  “Little did I know, that seemingly ordinary hike would teach me invaluable lessons about resilience and friendship.”

Body Paragraphs

Present the sequence of events in chronological order.

Develop characters, setting, conflict, and resolution.

Story Progression : Describe events in the order they occurred, focusing on details that evoke emotions and create vivid imagery.

Example : Detail the trek through the desert, the challenges faced, interactions with fellow hikers, and the pivotal moments.

Character Development : Introduce characters and their roles in the story. Show their emotions, thoughts, and actions.

Example : Describe how each character reacted to the dwindling water supply and supported each other through adversity.

Dialogue and Interactions : Use dialogue to bring the story to life and reveal character personalities.

Example : “Sarah handed me her last bottle of water, saying, ‘We’re in this together.'”

Reach the peak of the story, the moment of highest tension or significance.

Turning Point: Highlight the most crucial moment or realization in the narrative.

Example:  “As the sun dipped below the horizon and hope seemed lost, a distant sound caught our attention—the rescue team’s helicopters.”

Provide closure to the story.

Reflect on the significance of the experience and its impact.

Reflection : Summarize the key lessons learned or insights gained from the experience.

Example : “That hike taught me the true meaning of resilience and the invaluable support of friendship in challenging times.”

Closing Thought : End with a memorable line that reinforces the narrative’s message or leaves a lasting impression.

Example : “As we boarded the helicopters, I knew this adventure would forever be etched in my heart.”

Example Summary:

Imagine a narrative about surviving a challenging hike through the desert, emphasizing the bonds formed and lessons learned. The narrative essay structure might look like starting with an engaging scene, narrating the hardships faced, showcasing the characters’ resilience, and culminating in a powerful realization about friendship and endurance.

Different Types of Narrative Essays

There are a bunch of different types of narrative essays – each one focuses on different elements of storytelling and has its own purpose. Here’s a breakdown of the narrative essay types and what they mean.

Personal Narrative

Description : Tells a personal story or experience from the writer’s life.

Purpose: Reflects on personal growth, lessons learned, or significant moments.

Example of Narrative Essay Types:

Topic : “The Day I Conquered My Fear of Public Speaking”

Focus: Details the experience, emotions, and eventual triumph over a fear of public speaking during a pivotal event.

Descriptive Narrative

Description : Emphasizes vivid details and sensory imagery.

Purpose : Creates a sensory experience, painting a vivid picture for the reader.

Topic : “A Walk Through the Enchanted Forest”

Focus : Paints a detailed picture of the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings experienced during a walk through a mystical forest.

Autobiographical Narrative

Description: Chronicles significant events or moments from the writer’s life.

Purpose: Provides insights into the writer’s life, experiences, and growth.

Topic: “Lessons from My Childhood: How My Grandmother Shaped Who I Am”

Focus: Explores pivotal moments and lessons learned from interactions with a significant family member.

Experiential Narrative

Description: Relays experiences beyond the writer’s personal life.

Purpose: Shares experiences, travels, or events from a broader perspective.

Topic: “Volunteering in a Remote Village: A Journey of Empathy”

Focus: Chronicles the writer’s volunteering experience, highlighting interactions with a community and personal growth.

Literary Narrative

Description: Incorporates literary elements like symbolism, allegory, or thematic explorations.

Purpose: Uses storytelling for deeper explorations of themes or concepts.

Topic: “The Symbolism of the Red Door: A Journey Through Change”

Focus: Uses a red door as a symbol, exploring its significance in the narrator’s life and the theme of transition.

Historical Narrative

Description: Recounts historical events or periods through a personal lens.

Purpose: Presents history through personal experiences or perspectives.

Topic: “A Grandfather’s Tales: Living Through the Great Depression”

Focus: Shares personal stories from a family member who lived through a historical era, offering insights into that period.

Digital or Multimedia Narrative

Description: Incorporates multimedia elements like images, videos, or audio to tell a story.

Purpose: Explores storytelling through various digital platforms or formats.

Topic: “A Travel Diary: Exploring Europe Through Vlogs”

Focus: Combines video clips, photos, and personal narration to document a travel experience.

How to Choose a Topic for Your Narrative Essay?

Selecting a compelling topic for your narrative essay is crucial as it sets the stage for your storytelling. Choosing a boring topic is one of the narrative essay mistakes to avoid . Here’s a detailed guide on how to choose the right topic:

Reflect on Personal Experiences

• Significant Moments:

Moments that had a profound impact on your life or shaped your perspective.

Example: A moment of triumph, overcoming a fear, a life-changing decision, or an unforgettable experience.

• Emotional Resonance:

Events that evoke strong emotions or feelings.

Example: Joy, fear, sadness, excitement, or moments of realization.

• Lessons Learned:

Experiences that taught you valuable lessons or brought about personal growth.

Example: Challenges that led to personal development, shifts in mindset, or newfound insights.

Explore Unique Perspectives

• Uncommon Experiences:

Unique or unconventional experiences that might captivate the reader’s interest.

Example: Unusual travels, interactions with different cultures, or uncommon hobbies.

• Different Points of View:

Stories from others’ perspectives that impacted you deeply.

Example: A family member’s story, a friend’s experience, or a historical event from a personal lens.

Focus on Specific Themes or Concepts

• Themes or Concepts of Interest:

Themes or ideas you want to explore through storytelling.

Example: Friendship, resilience, identity, cultural diversity, or personal transformation.

• Symbolism or Metaphor:

Using symbols or metaphors as the core of your narrative.

Example: Exploring the symbolism of an object or a place in relation to a broader theme.

Consider Your Audience and Purpose

• Relevance to Your Audience:

Topics that resonate with your audience’s interests or experiences.

Example: Choose a relatable theme or experience that your readers might connect with emotionally.

• Impact or Message:

What message or insight do you want to convey through your story?

Example: Choose a topic that aligns with the message or lesson you aim to impart to your readers.

Brainstorm and Evaluate Ideas

• Free Writing or Mind Mapping:

Process: Write down all potential ideas without filtering. Mind maps or free-writing exercises can help generate diverse ideas.

• Evaluate Feasibility:

The depth of the story, the availability of vivid details, and your personal connection to the topic.

Imagine you’re considering topics for a narrative essay. You reflect on your experiences and decide to explore the topic of “Overcoming Stage Fright: How a School Play Changed My Perspective.” This topic resonates because it involves a significant challenge you faced and the personal growth it brought about.

Narrative Essay Topics

50 easy narrative essay topics.

• Learning to Ride a Bike
• My First Day of School
• A Surprise Birthday Party
• The Day I Got Lost
• Visiting a Haunted House
• An Encounter with a Wild Animal
• My Favorite Childhood Toy
• The Best Vacation I Ever Had
• An Unforgettable Family Gathering
• Conquering a Fear of Heights
• A Special Gift I Received
• Moving to a New City
• The Most Memorable Meal
• Getting Caught in a Rainstorm
• An Act of Kindness I Witnessed
• The First Time I Cooked a Meal
• My Experience with a New Hobby
• The Day I Met My Best Friend
• A Hike in the Mountains
• Learning a New Language
• An Embarrassing Moment
• Dealing with a Bully
• My First Job Interview
• A Sporting Event I Attended
• The Scariest Dream I Had
• Helping a Stranger
• The Joy of Achieving a Goal
• A Road Trip Adventure
• Overcoming a Personal Challenge
• The Significance of a Family Tradition
• An Unusual Pet I Owned
• A Misunderstanding with a Friend
• Exploring an Abandoned Building
• My Favorite Book and Why
• The Impact of a Role Model
• A Cultural Celebration I Participated In
• A Valuable Lesson from a Teacher
• A Trip to the Zoo
• An Unplanned Adventure
• Volunteering Experience
• A Moment of Forgiveness
• A Decision I Regretted
• A Special Talent I Have
• The Importance of Family Traditions
• The Thrill of Performing on Stage
• A Moment of Sudden Inspiration
• The Meaning of Home
• Learning to Play a Musical Instrument
• A Childhood Memory at the Park
• Witnessing a Beautiful Sunset

Narrative Essay Topics for College Students

• Discovering a New Passion
• Overcoming Academic Challenges
• Navigating Cultural Differences
• Embracing Independence: Moving Away from Home
• Exploring Career Aspirations
• Coping with Stress in College
• The Impact of a Mentor in My Life
• Balancing Work and Studies
• Facing a Fear of Public Speaking
• Exploring a Semester Abroad
• The Evolution of My Study Habits
• Volunteering Experience That Changed My Perspective
• The Role of Technology in Education
• Finding Balance: Social Life vs. Academics
• Learning a New Skill Outside the Classroom
• Reflecting on Freshman Year Challenges
• The Joys and Struggles of Group Projects
• My Experience with Internship or Work Placement
• Challenges of Time Management in College
• Redefining Success Beyond Grades
• The Influence of Literature on My Thinking
• The Impact of Social Media on College Life
• Overcoming Procrastination
• Lessons from a Leadership Role
• Exploring Diversity on Campus
• Exploring Passion for Environmental Conservation
• An Eye-Opening Course That Changed My Perspective
• Living with Roommates: Challenges and Lessons
• The Significance of Extracurricular Activities
• The Influence of a Professor on My Academic Journey
• Discussing Mental Health in College
• The Evolution of My Career Goals
• Confronting Personal Biases Through Education
• The Experience of Attending a Conference or Symposium
• Challenges Faced by Non-Native English Speakers in College
• The Impact of Traveling During Breaks
• Exploring Identity: Cultural or Personal
• The Impact of Music or Art on My Life
• Addressing Diversity in the Classroom
• Exploring Entrepreneurial Ambitions
• My Experience with Research Projects
• Overcoming Impostor Syndrome in College
• The Importance of Networking in College
• Finding Resilience During Tough Times
• The Impact of Global Issues on Local Perspectives
• The Influence of Family Expectations on Education
• Lessons from a Part-Time Job
• Exploring the College Sports Culture
• The Role of Technology in Modern Education
• The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Education

Narrative Essay Comparison

Narrative essay vs. descriptive essay.

Here’s our first narrative essay comparison! While both narrative and descriptive essays focus on vividly portraying a subject or an event, they differ in their primary objectives and approaches. Now, let’s delve into the nuances of comparison on narrative essays.

Narrative Essay:

Storytelling: Focuses on narrating a personal experience or event.

Chronological Order: Follows a structured timeline of events to tell a story.

Message or Lesson: Often includes a central message, moral, or lesson learned from the experience.

Engagement: Aims to captivate the reader through a compelling storyline and character development.

First-Person Perspective: Typically narrated from the writer’s point of view, using “I” and expressing personal emotions and thoughts.

Plot Development: Emphasizes a plot with a beginning, middle, climax, and resolution.

Character Development: Focuses on describing characters, their interactions, emotions, and growth.

Conflict or Challenge: Usually involves a central conflict or challenge that drives the narrative forward.

Dialogue: Incorporates conversations to bring characters and their interactions to life.

Reflection: Concludes with reflection or insight gained from the experience.

Descriptive Essay:

Vivid Description: Aims to vividly depict a person, place, object, or event.

Imagery and Details: Focuses on sensory details to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind.

Emotion through Description: Uses descriptive language to evoke emotions and engage the reader’s senses.

Painting a Picture: Creates a sensory-rich description allowing the reader to visualize the subject.

Imagery and Sensory Details: Focuses on providing rich sensory descriptions, using vivid language and adjectives.

Point of Focus: Concentrates on describing a specific subject or scene in detail.

Spatial Organization: Often employs spatial organization to describe from one area or aspect to another.

Objective Observations: Typically avoids the use of personal opinions or emotions; instead, the focus remains on providing a detailed and objective description.

Comparison:

Focus: Narrative essays emphasize storytelling, while descriptive essays focus on vividly describing a subject or scene.

Perspective: Narrative essays are often written from a first-person perspective, while descriptive essays may use a more objective viewpoint.

Purpose: Narrative essays aim to convey a message or lesson through a story, while descriptive essays aim to paint a detailed picture for the reader without necessarily conveying a specific message.

Narrative Essay vs. Argumentative Essay

The narrative essay and the argumentative essay serve distinct purposes and employ different approaches:

Engagement and Emotion: Aims to captivate the reader through a compelling story.

Reflective: Often includes reflection on the significance of the experience or lessons learned.

First-Person Perspective: Typically narrated from the writer’s point of view, sharing personal emotions and thoughts.

Plot Development: Emphasizes a storyline with a beginning, middle, climax, and resolution.

Message or Lesson: Conveys a central message, moral, or insight derived from the experience.

Argumentative Essay:

Persuasion and Argumentation: Aims to persuade the reader to adopt the writer’s viewpoint on a specific topic.

Logical Reasoning: Presents evidence, facts, and reasoning to support a particular argument or stance.

Debate and Counterarguments: Acknowledge opposing views and counter them with evidence and reasoning.

Thesis Statement: Includes a clear thesis statement that outlines the writer’s position on the topic.

Thesis and Evidence: Starts with a strong thesis statement and supports it with factual evidence, statistics, expert opinions, or logical reasoning.

Counterarguments: Addresses opposing viewpoints and provides rebuttals with evidence.

Logical Structure: Follows a logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs presenting arguments and evidence, and a conclusion reaffirming the thesis.

Formal Language: Uses formal language and avoids personal anecdotes or emotional appeals.

Objective: Argumentative essays focus on presenting a logical argument supported by evidence, while narrative essays prioritize storytelling and personal reflection.

Purpose: Argumentative essays aim to persuade and convince the reader of a particular viewpoint, while narrative essays aim to engage, entertain, and share personal experiences.

Structure: Narrative essays follow a storytelling structure with character development and plot, while argumentative essays follow a more formal, structured approach with logical arguments and evidence.

In essence, while both essays involve writing and presenting information, the narrative essay focuses on sharing a personal experience, whereas the argumentative essay aims to persuade the audience by presenting a well-supported argument.

Narrative Essay vs. Personal Essay

While there can be an overlap between narrative and personal essays, they have distinctive characteristics:

Storytelling: Emphasizes recounting a specific experience or event in a structured narrative form.

Engagement through Story: Aims to engage the reader through a compelling story with characters, plot, and a central theme or message.

Reflective: Often includes reflection on the significance of the experience and the lessons learned.

First-Person Perspective: Typically narrated from the writer’s viewpoint, expressing personal emotions and thoughts.

Plot Development: Focuses on developing a storyline with a clear beginning, middle, climax, and resolution.

Character Development: Includes descriptions of characters, their interactions, emotions, and growth.

Central Message: Conveys a central message, moral, or insight derived from the experience.

Personal Essay:

Exploration of Ideas or Themes: Explores personal ideas, opinions, or reflections on a particular topic or subject.

Expression of Thoughts and Opinions: Expresses the writer’s thoughts, feelings, and perspectives on a specific subject matter.

Reflection and Introspection: Often involves self-reflection and introspection on personal experiences, beliefs, or values.

Varied Structure and Content: Can encompass various forms, including memoirs, personal anecdotes, or reflections on life experiences.

Flexibility in Structure: Allows for diverse structures and forms based on the writer’s intent, which could be narrative-like or more reflective.

Theme-Centric Writing: Focuses on exploring a central theme or idea, with personal anecdotes or experiences supporting and illustrating the theme.

Expressive Language: Utilizes descriptive and expressive language to convey personal perspectives, emotions, and opinions.

Focus: Narrative essays primarily focus on storytelling through a structured narrative, while personal essays encompass a broader range of personal expression, which can include storytelling but isn’t limited to it.

Structure: Narrative essays have a more structured plot development with characters and a clear sequence of events, while personal essays might adopt various structures, focusing more on personal reflection, ideas, or themes.

Intent: While both involve personal experiences, narrative essays emphasize telling a story with a message or lesson learned, while personal essays aim to explore personal thoughts, feelings, or opinions on a broader range of topics or themes.

A narrative essay is more than just telling a story. It’s also meant to engage the reader, get them thinking, and leave a lasting impact. Whether it’s to amuse, motivate, teach, or reflect, these essays are a great way to communicate with your audience. This interesting narrative essay guide was all about letting you understand the narrative essay, its importance, and how can you write one.

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Student Opinion

What Is Your Most Memorable Family Vacation?

By Natalie Proulx

• April 18, 2019

Do you take vacations with your family?

What was the last trip you took together? What do you remember about it? Over all, do you look back on it fondly? Or does the memory make you never want to travel with your family again?

In “ How Your Brain Morphs Stressful Family Vacations Into Pleasant Memories ,” Nicole Slaughter-Graham writes about how to plan enjoyable family vacations:

In 2015, my husband and I traveled to Washington, D.C., for our annual family vacation with our energetic son, who was then 8. There were no mishaps or disasters, but my husband and I spent most of our time bickering and stressed out. Maybe it was the fact that we two born-and-raised Floridians were out of our element visiting 30-degree Washington in December. It could have been that we planned hours of walking, sightseeing and museum-hopping with no downtime. It went exactly as planned but it wasn’t exactly fun. But as we sat in the airport awaiting our flight back to the Florida sunshine, all we could talk about was how we couldn’t wait to go on another vacation. We somehow had transformed a stressful experience into a great memory. How do parents do this to ourselves? “We have two ‘selves,’” explained Dr. Omar Sultan Haque, a Harvard University psychiatrist and social scientist. “The experiencing self and the remembered self. In the midst of vacation stresses, we may be stressed and annoyed by family and children and the indignities of bureaucratic travel, but the remembered self easily turns nausea into nostalgia.” Even though we think of vacation as a time to relax and recharge, traveling with children comes with a certain level of difficulty. It takes stamina, financial commitment and time. The memories, however, are typically positive because of the value we infuse into the experience. “We tend to think of these kinds of experiences on the pleasure/pain level, but really, giving a child the gift of a vacation is more on the meaning/moral plane,” Dr. Haque said. The uninterrupted time together ideally allows for sharing new experiences, great conversations and laughter. These are the moments that have parents planning the next trip.

Students, read the entire article, then tell us:

— What has been your most memorable family vacation? What makes it stand out in your memory?

— Have you ever had any major mishaps or disasters on a family vacation? What happened? How do you feel looking back on it now?

— How well do you get along with your family? Are your trips together generally pleasant and enjoyable? Or do they ever feel stressful, rushed, boring or full of bickering? Do you think family vacations are still worth taking, despite these frustrations? Why or why not?

— What would your ideal family vacation entail? Where would you go? What would you do? Who would join you?

— Are you and your family planning trips this summer? If so, what advice can you take from the article to make the most of the experience?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.