How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Guide + Templates

Narrative Essay Outline Template

Here is a narrative essay outline template, let’s take a look: 

Steps to Outline a Narrative Essay 

Writing a narrative essay is easier than you think. Unlike formal essays, it gives you freedom to tell your story in your own voice. Here's how to structure it:

Step 1: Brainstorming

• Reflect on Personal Experiences: Think about your life experiences, both significant and everyday moments, that could serve as the basis for a narrative essay.
  
• Gather Good Ideas: Jot down key events, emotions, or lessons learned that stand out in your memory.
  
• Choose a Central Theme: Identify a central theme or message that you want to convey through your narrative.

Step 2: Selecting a Topic

• Relevance: Ensure the chosen topic is relevant to the central theme and purpose of your narrative among different types of narrative.
  
• Engagement: Select a topic that will gain your readers attention and keep them interested throughout your essay.
  
• Significance: Consider the significance of the chosen topic in your life and its potential impact on your audience.

Need help choosing? Check out our narrative essay topics guide for inspiration.

Step 3: Developing a Thesis Statement 

• Clarity: Create a clear and concise thesis statement that conveys the main message or lesson you want to share.
  
• Alignment: Ensure the thesis aligns with the central theme and purpose of your narrative.
  
• Guidance: Your thesis statement should guide both your writing process and your readers' understanding of your narrative.

Step 4: Write Introduction

Your introduction should catch readers immediately—start with a hook that makes them want to know what happens next.

1. Hook: An attention-grabber (anecdote, question, surprising fact, or vivid description)
2. Scene Setting: Background info to establish context
3. Thesis Statement: Your main message or lesson

For more on crafting compelling openings, explore our guide on narrative essay hooks.

Step 5: Body Paragraphs

The body is the section where you present your story’s details, share facts and guide readers through the plot. Here are the essential elements that should be included in each body paragraph:

• Topic Sentence
  
• Vivid description
  
• Dialogues
  
• Characters involved
  
• Chronological order
  
• Climax

Let’s discuss these elements briefly: 

• Vivid Description: A narrative essay is all about setting up a scene. Hence, make sure you provide a vivid description of the event that paints a picture in the readers’ minds. The vivid description will help you take the reader to the actual happening of the event.
• Dialogues: Usage of dialogues helps you present your story in an effective way. Dialogues give life to the story and support the story’s atmosphere.
• Characters Involved: The characters are the people acting or behaving in the story. Incorporate all the characters that are involved in your story. Provide their detailed description and what role they have played in your story.
• Chronological Order: As you are telling a story, it should be in the same order as the actual happening of the event. Start telling your story from the beginning and work through the end. Write your story in a proper sequence to keep your essay organized. 
• Climax: The climax is the breaking point of the story, and it requires a detailed description. Include all the real emotion that engages the readers’ five senses, i.e. smell, sight, touch, hear, and taste. Don’t exaggerate and stray from the truth and provide the actual and accurate climax.

Need help with dialogue? Our dialogue in narrative essays guide breaks down formatting and techniques.

Step 6: Conclusion Section 

The essay conclusion is the final part, and it provides the final outcome of the story. It bears the same importance as the introduction paragraph. 

The conclusion paragraph should contain the following elements:

• The moral of the story
  
• The lesson that you have learned from the story (if any)
  
• A call to action (if required)

If you're writing a personal narrative essay specifically, our personal narrative guide offers tailored advice for first-person storytelling.

Step 7: Transition Sentences

The key to a strong narrative outline is organizing your story chronologically while ensuring each section serves your central theme.

Use transition sentences between paragraphs to create smooth flow:

- "As the day went on..."
- "Looking back now..."
- "The next morning..."
- "Before I knew it..."

Transitions keep readers moving through your narrative without getting lost.

Narrative Essay Outline Format

Here are general formatting rules for a narrative essay outline: 

• Organizational Structure: Ensure your outline follows the standard structure of a narrative essay, which includes Introduction, Body, and Conclusion sections.
• Font and Size: Use a clear and easily readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial, in 12-point size for consistency and readability.
• Spacing: Double-space your outline. This enhances readability and makes it easier to distinguish different sections.
• Text Alignment: Align your text to the left. This maintains a neat and organized appearance.
• Margin Consistency: Keep consistent margins throughout your outline for a professional and well-structured presentation.
• Formatting Guidelines: Follow any specific formatting guidelines provided by your instructor or institution, which may include APA, MLA, Chicago, or other style requirements.
• Section Labeling: Number or label each section in your outline to ensure clarity and organization, making it easy for readers to follow the structure of your narrative essay

Sample Narrative Outlines

Here are 9 free downloadable PDF templates for different types of narrative essays. Each template is designed for specific grade levels and narrative styles. Download multiple templates and compare them. Choose the one that best fits your assignment requirements and personal style.

Want to see these outlines in action? Explore our collection of narrative essay examples to see how successful writers structure their stories.

Creating a strong narrative essay outline is your first step toward crafting a story that resonates. With the right structure, your personal experiences transform into compelling narratives that engage readers from start to finish.

Remember:
- Start with brainstorming and topic selection
- Use the 5 core elements (plot, character, setting, conflict, theme)
- Follow the 7-step process for a complete outline
- Download our 9 free PDF templates for guidance
- Format according to academic standards

You now have everything you need to outline your narrative essay with confidence.