NARRATIVE ESSAY

In the narrative essay, students are required to tell a story based on the scenario given.
Most narrative essays are about experiences and so should be in the past tense.
Below are the steps to write a narrative essay

STEP 1: KNOW YOUR GRAMMAR

PAST TENSE
Not all the verbs end with ed. The following is a list of irregular verbs.

VERB

PAST TENSE

VERB

PAST TENSE

Break

Broke

Tell

Told

Bring

Brought

Dig

Dug

Buy

Bought

Give

Gave

Catch

Caught

Pay

Paid

Choose

Chose

Fly

Flew

Come

Came

Meet

Met

Drive

Drove

Run

Ran

Fall

Fell

Take

Took

Feel

Felt

Throw

Threw

Teach

Taught

Cut

Cut

Hold

Held

Put

Put

Make

Made

Hit

Hit

Bleed

Bled

Shut

Shut

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

A singular verb goes with a singular subject. A plural verb goes with a plural subject.

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SUBJECT

VERB-TO-BE / TO-BE (PAST TENSE)

Am (Was)

Have (Had)

He / She / It (singular)

Is (Was)

Has (Had)

You / We / They (plural)

Are (Were)

Have (Had)

ADJECTIVES
Using adjectives in a narrative essay is important because it makes your plot clearer and
more interesting. Adjectives provide the readers more information on what you describe
(person, thing, place, scene, feeling, etc).
Example:
wise

cruel

curly

delicious

diligent

handsome

awful

lovely

smart

cheerful

colourful

attractive

filthy

difficult

friendly

spacious

nervous

comfortable

tiny

wealthy

rusty

talkative

gigantic

childish

red

gloomy

helpful

boring

exciting

incredible

three

huge

careless

careful

clumsy

mysterious

eager

chubby

famous

lonely

terrific

supportive

curly

genuine

grand

honest

joyful

impressive

odd

nave

precious

perfect

suspicious

outstanding

shy

vital

unique

fragile

ideal

optimistic

harsh

jobless

painful

anxious

painful

valuable

Rewrite the story below by changing the verbs from present tense to past tense.
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Sanjeev is a doctor. He goes to work by car. He lives near my house. He always

makes sure his house is clean. Besides, he is a friendly person who loves to talk to the
patients and nurses in the hospital. When he is not working, he enjoys working out in the
gym. It is his way of staying fit and healthy. He believes that having a healthy body is
important to stay away from sicknesses. He looks good in his white coat. Everyone thinks
he is a responsible doctor who always tries his best in his job. Everyone likes him very
much.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate adjectives.

(1)

I could not carry this _______________ box by myself.

(2)

The _______________ dog walked silently towards the _______________ bird.

(3)

My aunt baked a _______________ cake for my birthday party.

(4)

Who was the _______________ lady standing near the shop?

(5)

This waterfall is _______________ and the current is very _______________.

(6)

The _______________ boy gazed at the cookies displayed at the bakery.

(7)

You have to drive carefully. The road is _______________.

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(8)

It is a _______________ night. The moon is _______________ and the stars are

twinkling in the sky.

(9)

The children saw many _______________ snakes at the zoo.

(10)

Jennys parents gave her an _______________ bracelet for her birthday.

(11)

Our neighbours have very _______________ children.

(12)

The teacher praised Amy for her _______________ work in school.

(13)

Mr. Lee returned home tired but happy after a _______________ business trip.

(14)

Kim is a very popular person as everyone likes her _______________ nature.

(15)

The children enjoyed watching the _______________ clown perform his acts.

(16)

I woke up cold and afraid from a _______________ nightmare.

(17)

The students were asked to write an _______________ essay for the competition.

(18)

Jason is a very _______________ person and has never let us down.

(19)

The sky looks dark and _______________.

(20)

The youngest daughter is the most _______________ child in the family.

It was a (21) _______________ Sunday and I was all alone at the railway station. I
saw a (22) _______________ girl who was wearing a (23) _______________ hat, (24)
_______________ gown and holding a (25) _______________ clutch in one hand and a
(26) _______________ umbrella in the other. She introduced herself as Sherena and later I
found out that she was a (27) _______________ person. She enjoyed reading (28)
_______________ books and watching (29) _______________ movies. It was indeed a
(30) _______________ day for me.

STEP 2: CONSTRUCT SENTENCES

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After learning the grammar rules, learn to construct meaningful sentences in the past tense.
Example:

School holiday hiking trekking classmates

During the last school holiday, I went hiking and jungle trekking with my
classmates.

SENTENCE LEVEL
Make sentences by using the notes provided. You may add the necessary information and
adjectives to make your sentences interesting.
(1)

Friday football stadium exhausted

.
.

(2)

mother decided party birthday

.
.

(3)

principal delivered speech assembly

.
.

(4)

last week Prime Minister visited hometown

.
.

(5)

cat stormed chased rat

...

(6)

yesterday Shirley park jogged alone

...

(7)

father postponed fishing trip stormy

...

(8)

Mary entered book shop novels

...

(9)

thief fled police

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...
(10)

last night revised midnight exam

(11)

Abu movie classmates afternoon

(12)

brother careless broke plate mother- angry

(13)

Johor football team won match fans cheered

(14)

Jennifer visited Eiffel Tower Paris last year

(15)

students finished exam an hour ago

(16)

father ordered pizza dinner

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(17)

raining Joshua forgot umbrella wet

(18)

pickpocket panicked police ran

(19)

little boy lost supermarket cried mother

(20)

wind beach strong fishermen worried

PARAGRAPH LEVEL

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Now try to construct more than one sentence to form a paragraph based on the notes
given.

(21)

Aaron walking home football practice tired

(22)

Saturday classmates and I picnic Port Dickson cycled two and a half hours

(23)

last week school Canteen Day crowded parents students many things

(24)

neighbours house robbed nobody vacation returned home made report

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(25)

Joe lazy failed subjects parents angry and disappointed tuition

(26)

brother played computer games midnight woke up late teacher scolded

(27)

teacher angry Danny cheated exam called parents punished

(28)

Sports Day students took part events parents supported happy

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(29)

night puppy scratching room door hungry woke up prepared milk

(30)

Aunty Ellen called bad news Uncle Charles admitted hospital dengue
fever

(31)

students library revision exam coming week Ismail talked loudly

teacher angry chased out

(32)

Madam Pushpa good teacher English students enjoyed classes extra

classes weekend weak students favourite teacher

(33)

Aiman played football players aggressive injured broke leg parents

scolded stopped outdoor games
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(34)

school holiday scouts camping jungle wild animals careful experience

(35)

after school Richie walked home puppy wet injured took home food

(36)

Lina poor family ambition studied hard university parents happy proud

37)

bus crowded blind man Bob offered seat thanked happy

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(38)

evening sister garden watering plants bees stung screamed hospital

(39)

last week family visited grandparents village fishing orchard fruits

happy

(40)

Roshan cycled basketball court busy road accident cars stopped helped
sent hospital warded three days

STEP 3: FOLLOW THE TEMPLATE

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PARAGRAPH 1:
...
.. Introduce a character ...
.... (describe the character / use adjectives / location / activity/ etc) ......
.
PARAGRAPH 2:

. Introduce another character .

... (describe the character / use adjectives / connection with the first character / etc) .
... ** you may introduce more than one character **
.
PARAGRAPH 3:

Create a problem / crisis (climax) .

... (accident / incident / bad luck / witness something / feeling / reaction / etc) .
.
PARAGRAPH 4:

. Have a solution to the problem / crisis

.. (how to solve / actions taken / who involved / outcome/ result / etc) ...
.
PARAGRAPH 5:

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.... State the moral value / lesson learnt...
.... (feeling / moral of the story / wish / etc) ....

Write an essay based on the template above. Expand the notes given and add the
necessary information to make your story interesting.
TASK 1
Paragraph 1:
Saturday night Kai alone home parents out for dinner lonely
Paragraph 2:
idea invited friend Kyan watched football match excited popcorn happy
Paragraph 3:
forgot lock gate bicycle missing Kyan cried

Paragraph 4:
parents back scolded Kai sent Kyan back apologised

Paragraph 5:
Kai regretted actions parents advised be alert

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TASK 2
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Paragraph 1:
Helmi hardworking teacher praised good results especially English parents
proud exercise fit healthy

Paragraph 2:
One afternoon field football new friend Amin spent time together Amins bad
habit illegal racing shared experience with Helmi

Paragraph 3:
Amin invited Helmi illegal racing accepted night police cars all directions could
not escape arrested police station

Paragraph 4:
Helmis parents arrived angry disappointed Helmi apologised parents advised
studied hard scored excellent results SPM

Paragraph 5:
Helmi learnt responsible student stay away unhealthy activities succeed life

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TASK 3
Paragraph 1:
Mr. Han busy hanging pictures nail fell ignored

Paragraph 2:
daughter Sarah wanted to play father refused went out played with brother Sam

Paragraph 3:
Sam ran in told father Sarah scratched car nail father angry hit used
hammer bleeding sent Sarah hospital cried

Paragraph 4:
doctor treated bandaged wound apologised to father got home saw I LOVE YOU
DADDY written on car regretted

Paragraph 5:
Mr. Han learnt control emotion better person

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TASK 4
Paragraph 1:
Marys family moved to Segamat sad left Johor Bahru no choice new school
SMJK Seg Hwa arrogant girl rich parents choosy friends good looks

Paragraph 2:
found Lisa new friend pretty classmates accepted Mary although many disliked
attitude advised did not listen

Paragraph 3:
after tuition waiting for driver alone corner took out phone showed off man
came grabbed phone fell down screamed

Paragraph 4:
other students helped picked up books gave tissue wiped tears realised nice
friends apologised bahaviour made friends everyone

Paragraph 5:
learnt not to judge people looks became humble
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TASK 5
Paragraph 1:
Tom lazy man never improved clerk small company not happy salary no
choice

Paragraph 2:
Boss Mr. Wong nice man raised salary sometimes worked weekend paper
work hardworking

Paragraph 3:
Tom bad habit gambling finished salary borrowed from Mr. Wong boss refused
Tom upset stole companys money boss found out fired

Paragraph 4:
Looked for job rejected many companies without good qualification thought of Mr.
Wong asked for forgiveness second chance boss agreed more hardworking
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Paragraph 5:
Tom learnt must not gamble honest hardworking

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SAMPLE ESSAY 1
Write a story about being grateful

When I was young, my mom loved to cook for my family. She would cook delicious
food for me although she was busy with the house work. Furthermore, she took good care
of me.
Dad and I loved moms cooking very much. Dad always said that she was the best
chef in the world. We would talk happily during dinner time. Every Sunday, mom would
bake cheese cake for us.
One day, I was punished by my English Language teacher because I did not do the
homework she had given. My friends laughed at me. When I reached home, lunch was on
the table. Mom, I cant eat these! I cant eat porridge and egg! I complained and then ran
into the room.

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Dad came into the room. Slowly he sat on my bed. I know you had a hard day in
school, but do you know that your mom is not feeling well either? Be grateful my dear. Mom
still tried hard to cook although the doctor advised her to rest. I felt guilty. I apologised to
mom for being rude. Mom smiled and gave me a hug.
From this incident, I have learnt that I must love my family and be nice to them.
Moreover, I should always be grateful for all the things they have done for me.
(219 words)

SAMPLE ESSAY 2
Write a story about being understanding

The weather was hot. After drinking some water, 50-year-old Pak Abu continued to
work at the farm. He had to work to earn money. He was the most hardworking farmer in
the village.
Meanwhile, his wife was at home doing the housework. She was a nice woman and
never complained about their difficult life. Sometimes she would help her husband at the
farm. Both of them had a simple but happy life.
One day, Pak Abus wife, who had very long hair, asked her husband to buy a comb
for her. He replied, It is a waste of money! I dont even have enough money to repair the
bicycle. I have to walk to the farm every day. The wife was upset after hearing that. They
did not talk to each other the whole night.
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The next morning, Pak Abu realised that sometimes he had to buy something for his
wife. So, with the little money he had saved to repair the bicycle, he bought a nice comb for
her. When he reached home, he was surprised to see his wife with short hair. I cut it short
on my own so that I do not need a comb and you can repair your bicycle. I am sorry for not
being understanding, his wife apologized to him.
After that incident, the couple learnt to be more understanding and they appreciated
each other even more.
(230 words)

SAMPLE ESSAY 3
Write a story about loving animals

Johan stopped playing the online game and turned off the laptop. Then, he put on
his sports shoes. Johan jogged every day because he wanted to lose weight. He could not
skip meals because he loved food very much. So, he chose to exercise.
Usually Johan would jog around the neighbourhood. He liked to listen to his mp3
while he was jogging. Every time he passed by Uncle Ranjits house, he liked to disturb his
dog. It was a huge dog. Johan would throw stones at the dog. Uncle Ranjit had advised him
many times not to do so but he did not listen.
One evening, Johan was jogging alone. He was tired of his friends who kept calling
him baby whale. While he was passing by Uncle Ranjits house, he saw the dog sleeping.
Johan took a stone and threw at it. The dog woke up. Unfortunately, the gate was not
locked. The dog chased after Johan. He ran as fast as lightning but the dog was faster than

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him. Uncle Ranjit! Help me! he screamed. As a result, Johan was bitten by the dog and he
cried like a baby.
Uncle Ranjit quickly took Johan to the clinic. After that, he sent him home and
explained everything to his father. Johans father scolded him for what he had done. I hope
you have learnt your lesson! his father added. Johan apologised to Uncle Ranjit and
promised that he would not disturb the dog anymore.
After the incident, Johan learnt that animals had feelings, too. Therefore, everyone
must love animals and never do anything to hurt them.
(268 words)

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