REVIEWING NARRATIVE ESSAYS- useful for the exam.

In order to write a good narrative essay, take into account the following tips.

• A narrative essay is a report of events that has happened in the past, so the TENSES you must use have to to in PAST (past simple (ate), past continuous (was eating), past perfect (had eaten), past perfect continuous (had been eating), used to; was/were going to.
• It has to be divided into different paragraphs (3 or 4). Each paragraph has a function. So,
• Paragraph #1: Introduction of the story. There you must answer the questions: who, where, when and introducing in general terms what happened.
• Paragraph # 2 and 3: give details of what you have introduced in paragraph #1.
• Paragraph #4: Conclusion of the narrative. Here you can include, if you want verbs in present tense.

In order for you to get organised, these are the steps you must follow:

• Step 1: Say when and where the events took place.
• Step 2: Describe the events in the order they occurred (chronologically), using linkers of sequence and time expressions. (first / at first / in the beginning / before/ next/ then / soon/ meanwhile/ later/ after that / afterwards/ at last/ eventually/ finally / in the end; when / while/ before/ after/ until / as soon as / by the time...)
• Step 3: Include the ending of your story (in conclusion / to sum up / in short / to conclude ( summarising / in short)
• Step 4: Check your work for mistakes (vocabulary, spelling, tenses, grammar...) 

Check this example of a narrative essay.

MY MOST EMBARRASING MOMENT.

(OPENING, sets the scene and introduce the main characters)
Last year, I invited my friend to an expensive restaurant in the twon centre to celebrate her birthday. We wore our best clothes and felt really special. However, it turned into a very embarrasing evening.
(BODY: gives details and the main events leading up to the climax)
First of all, when the waiter brought us the menu, it was written in French and neither of us could understand anything. Secondly, there were no prices on the menu! I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to pay for the meal, I could hardly eat a thing beacuse I was so worried!.
(CLOSING: gives the ending of the story and any consequences.)
At the end of the meal, when I asked for the bill, I saw that I dind't have enough money. I had no choice except to call my parents to come and pay. Now, I can laugh about it, but at the time I was very embarrased.