* Subjectivity: The author's personal feelings, thoughts, and opinions are central.
* Intimacy: The reader is invited into the author's inner world.
* Narrative: It often tells a story, even a small one, to illustrate a point.
* Reflection: It goes beyond simply recounting events; it analyzes their meaning and significance.
* Theme: While not explicitly stated as a thesis, a personal essay often explores an underlying theme or idea.
* Literary Style: It often employs literary techniques like figurative language, imagery, and evocative details to engage the reader.
Essentially, a personal essay is a chance for the author to share a piece of themselves with the reader, using their experiences to explore something meaningful.