Narrative Essays
Expert Guides, Model Essays and Titles from Past Papers

Setting: A bustling city in the present day, full of opportunities and diverse talents.

Main character: Lily, a 30-year-old office worker who is shy and introverted. She is content with her quiet life but secretly harbors a hidden talent that she has never shared with anyone.

Conflict: Lily is faced with a situation where she must reveal and utilize her hidden talent to help someone in need, forcing her to confront her fears and step out of her comfort zone.

Dialogue: Use dialogue to depict Lily's interactions with other characters, showcasing her personality and thought process as she navigates the challenges she faces.

Theme: The story's central theme is self-discovery, highlighting the importance of embracing one's unique abilities and overcoming personal fears.

Tone: The tone should be engaging and inspiring, emphasizing Lily's journey of personal growth and self-acceptance.

Pacing: Start with a moderate pace to introduce the characters and setting, then increase the pace as the conflict arises and reaches its climax, and finally slow down as the story concludes with Lily's transformation.

Plotline:

Introduction: Introduce Lily and her introverted nature, her quiet life, and her hidden talent.
Unexpected challenge: Describe a situation where Lily is faced with an opportunity to use her hidden talent to help someone in need.
Inner conflict: Lily must decide whether to reveal her talent and face her fears or stay in her comfort zone.
Embracing the talent: Lily decides to use her talent and, in the process, discovers her true potential.
Climax: Lily's talent saves the day and gains the admiration of those around her.
Ending: Lily learns to embrace her unique abilities and finds newfound confidence in herself.

1. Jackson saw a figure leaving the Student Council room during recess.
2. The person was wearing a brown cap and closed the door quietly.
3. Jackson was curious and followed the stranger.
4. He saw the person get into a dark blue sedan and memorized the license plate number.
5. Later, Sophia, the treasurer of the Student Council, discovered that the money for the class trip was missing.
6. Jackson noticed that the money in the box was counterfeit.
7. Sophia called the police and gave them the license plate number.
8. The police found the man and recovered the money.
9. The thief had overheard Sophia talking about the cash at a fast-food restaurant.
10. Jackson was commended for his actions and helped solve the case.

1. Mr. Tan was working on his fish farm when he heard screams.
2. He saw a sinking truck with two men waving for help.
3. Mr. Tan jumped into his motorboat and raced to the scene.
4. He dove into the water to search for the trapped man.
5. The Singapore Civil Defence Force and Police Coast Guard arrived to help.
6. They found the unconscious victim and performed CPR.
7. All three men were taken to the hospital.
8. The two survivors were discharged the next day with minor injuries.
9. The driver was in a coma for three days but eventually recovered.
10. Mr. Tan reflected on the importance of split-second decisions and the fragility of life.

Sure, here's a simplified outline for your essay:

I. Introduction
A. Setting: The sun setting over a small town
B. Problem: The narrator shared Sam's secret about their family moving away

II. Problem Development
A. The narrator's internal struggle about admitting the mistake
B. The impact on their friendship with Sam

III. Decision to Apologize
A. The evening when the narrator decides to apologize
B. The act of calling Sam and expressing regret

IV. Conversation with Sam
A. Sam's initial reaction and expressing hurt feelings
B. The narrator's promise to make things better

V. Resolution and Lesson Learned
A. The long conversation leads to Sam's forgiveness
B. The narrator's efforts to mend the friendship
C. The friendship becomes stronger over time

VI. Conclusion
A. The narrator reflects on the importance of saying sorry and admitting mistakes
B. The gratitude for the experience and its impact on the narrator's relationship with Sam

Setting: A suburban neighborhood during the summer months

Main character: Jamie, a 15-year-old teenager who values their friendships and is usually outgoing and cheerful but struggles with admitting mistakes

Conflict: Jamie unintentionally hurts their best friend's feelings and struggles to find the courage to apologize

Dialogue: Use dialogue to reveal Jamie's personality, their relationship with their best friend, and the emotional struggle they go through

Theme: The importance of admitting our mistakes and seeking forgiveness, even when it's difficult

Tone: Maintain a thoughtful and introspective tone throughout the story

Pacing: Create a balance between moments of introspection and action, keeping the story engaging

Plotline: Introduction of Jamie and their best friend, the incident that leads to hurt feelings, Jamie's internal struggle to apologize, the climax of confronting their best friend, and the resolution

Setting: A bustling metropolitan city in the present day, with towering skyscrapers and diverse cultures

Main character: Alex, a 28-year-old aspiring musician who works as a barista, dreaming of making it big in the music industry. Alex is passionate, determined, and creative.

Conflict: Alex struggles to balance their day job, personal life, and the pursuit of their musical dreams, facing obstacles along the way.

Dialogue: Use dialogue to reveal Alex's personality, relationships with other characters, and convey important information related to their journey.

Theme: The importance of perseverance and self-belief in the pursuit of one's dreams.

Tone: Maintain an inspiring and hopeful tone that remains consistent throughout the story.

Pacing: Keep the pacing dynamic, with moments of introspection and action to balance the story and maintain reader interest.

Plotline: Introduction of Alex and their dreams, the challenges they face, a significant opportunity that tests their determination, the climax where Alex makes a breakthrough, and a resolution showcasing their growth.

1. A small town had a dangerous pedestrian crossing after a sharp bend.
2. The residents were aware of the danger but had grown accustomed to it.
3. A ten-year-old girl named Sophie was hit by a car and died at the crossing.
4. The driver had a history of reckless driving and was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
5. Detective John investigated the accident and recommended safety measures.
6. A raised pedestrian crossing was installed, and the road was painted red.
7. The driver was arrested and jailed for causing death through negligence.
8. Sophie's parents campaigned for road safety measures near every school.
9. The tragedy led to positive change and a community coming together.
10. It taught the lesson that sometimes it takes a tragedy to make us see the things we've been ignoring for too long.

1. Detective Scott receives an urgent call from Mrs. Harrison regarding a theft at her bungalow.
2. Mrs. Harrison's jewels were stolen from her library safe during a dinner party with six guests.
3. Mrs. Harrison suspects her two nephews, Jack and James, who were present at the party.
4. Detective Scott finds footprints in the mud leading from the recreation room to the library.
5. James was the only person in the recreation room at that time.
6. Detective Scott realizes that Jack could have climbed through the library window to reach the jewels.
7. Jack confesses to stealing the diamonds and framing James.
8. Jack did it because he wanted to prove that James was not as innocent as he appeared.
9. Mrs. Harrison promises to treat her nephews equally.
10. Detective Scott leaves feeling satisfied that justice has been served.

Setting: A small, rural town with a tight-knit community

Main character: Jack, 35 years old, a freelance writer, introverted and nostalgic, seeking a simpler life

Conflict: Jack struggles to fit in and adapt to the changes in his hometown since he's been away

Dialogue: Use dialogue to show Jack's attempts to connect with old friends and new acquaintances while adjusting to his new life

Theme: The challenges of returning home and adapting to change

Tone: Reflective, nostalgic, and bittersweet

Pacing: Start slow as Jack returns home and discovers the changes, then increase the pace as he faces his struggles and seeks solutions

Plotline: Introduction – Jack moves back to his hometown; Climax – Jack realizes the challenges of his new life; Story details – Jack's attempts to reconnect and adapt to his changed surroundings; Interesting plot twist – Jack discovers a hidden talent or passion that helps him find his place in the community; Ending – Jack learns to embrace change and finds a sense of belonging

Setting: The story takes place in a small suburban town in the present day, which has changed significantly since the main character last lived there.

Main character: Sam, a 35-year-old writer, who is nostalgic, introverted, and motivated by a desire to reconnect with their past and find inspiration for their writing.

Conflict: Sam struggles to adapt to the changes in their hometown and faces unexpected challenges as they try to build a new life there.

Dialogue: Use dialogue to convey Sam's interactions with old friends, new acquaintances, and family members, as well as their feelings about the changes in the town.

Theme: The struggle to reconcile past and present, the power of memory, and the importance of adapting to change.

Tone: Create a reflective and bittersweet tone that captures Sam's nostalgia for their past, as well as their struggle to adapt to their new life.

Pacing: Start with a moderate pace to establish the setting and character, then accelerate as Sam's challenges mount, and finally slow down during the resolution for an emotionally satisfying narrative.

Plotline:

Introduction: Introduce Sam and their decision to move back to their hometown.
Rising action: Sam struggles with the changes in the town and encounters unexpected challenges as they try to build a new life.
Climax: Sam faces a pivotal moment in which they must decide whether to continue living in the town or move on.
Resolution: Sam learns to adapt to their new life and finds unexpected inspiration for their writing.

Setting: A modern-day urban city, where the main character faces the challenge of overcoming their fears.

Main character: Alex, a 28-year-old graphic designer, introverted and cautious, who desires to break free from their comfort zone.

Conflict: Alex faces the decision of whether to take a risk and pursue a new opportunity, despite their fears and doubts.

Dialogue: Use dialogue to showcase Alex's internal struggles and conversations with friends and mentors who encourage them to take risks.

Theme: The central theme is personal growth, stepping out of one's comfort zone, and embracing uncertainty.

Tone: The tone should be introspective, uplifting, and inspiring, with a focus on Alex's journey of self-discovery and courage.

Pacing: Start with a moderate pace as Alex's ordinary life is introduced, then increase the pace as they face the decision and ultimately take the risk.

Plotline:

Introduction: Introduce Alex's mundane life and their desire for change.
Opportunity: Alex is presented with a life-changing opportunity.
Doubts: Alex grapples with doubts and fears about taking the risk.
Encouragement: Friends and mentors offer support and advice.
Climax: Alex takes the leap and embraces the new opportunity.
Ending: Reflect on Alex's growth and newfound confidence.

1. The hospital ward is filled with elderly patients and their visitors.
2. Two men, Harry and Atticus, are known for their deep and unyielding rivalry.
3. They exchange insults and glares daily, causing confusion and shock among the other patients.
4. Harry approaches Atticus to make amends, but Atticus refuses to forgive him.
5. A new patient, Mabel, arrives and becomes a calming presence among the others.
6. Harry and Atticus see her as a rival and continue to argue in her presence.
7. Mabel listens to their feud and encourages them to forgive each other.
8. Harry and Atticus shake hands and forgive each other, dissipating the bitterness of their feud.
9. Atticus passes away, leaving Harry alone and inconsolable.
10. Harry knows that Atticus would want him to keep fighting and living.