A narrative essay begins by orienting the reader in a distinct time and place. The orientation is much like a traditional essay's introduction, but it draws on story form. To accomplish this, it uses vivid language and well-chosen details to introduce characters and establish setting (time and location) and tone (attitude, mood and atmosphere). An effective narrative essay shows setting, tone and character rather than tells them. For example, if the story is about a trip to New York City, where the main character witnesses a strange event, the writer may describe significant details in the city and the character's reaction to them. Instead of writing that we are in present-day New York, the writer describes iconic sights. Rather than telling the reader that the main character is ecstatic, the character walks quickly, looking around and talks and laughs with people. The orientation is the platform for the arc of the story.
The complication is the event or experience that challenges and, eventually, alters the main character. The complication is typically an obstacle that creates conflict. The character wants something, such as happiness or a job, and something gets in her way, such as family issues or a bad economy. Conflict is either internal, including an insight or realization, or external, such as a clash with another person or a group. Details are ordered in increasing importance toward the climax, which occurs after the complication and leads to the resolution.
The climax, or moment of highest tension, pushes the character to recognize, learn or reject something about the world or himself. The resulting change can be subtle or significant. The writer shows the main character's feelings in descriptions of her reaction to the complication. If the character witnesses someone yell at a homeless person unprovoked, for example, external and internal reactions show this. While the change is personal in a narrative essay, the experience and change that occurs should resonate with a wider audience. In the example of a character witnessing a disturbing event in New York, the character reflects on what she saw. These reflections reveal a change in her world view or her understanding of herself.
Optionally, the essay may have a short conclusion. Writers add a conclusion when further reflection on the climax can invite broader interpretations. A conclusion allows the writer to reflect on ideas and experiences and pull themes and ideas together. While a narrative essay uses the conventions of a story, it also uses essay forms. This allows the writer more room to comment on events and offer opinions.