5 Inspiring Personal Narrative Essay Examples to Read Today
Writing a personal narrative essay that resonates with readers can be a challenging task. As a writer, your job is to take your audience on a journey filled with emotions, personal experiences, and insights that inspire. However, coming up with personal story ideas can be tough, and if you’re struggling to get started, it can be helpful to read examples of narrative essays to get a feel for the kind of writing styles and topics that work. Here are five of the most inspiring personal narrative essay examples to get you started.
1. “Me Talk Pretty One Day” by David Sedaris
David Sedaris’ essay “Me Talk Pretty One Day” tells the story of his experience learning French as an adult. The essay is filled with humor, as Sedaris recounts the challenges he faced in a language immersion class and the quirky characters he met along the way. The essay’s themes of perseverance and adaptation make it a great example of how a personal narrative can be both entertaining and inspiring.
2. “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs
Nancy Mairs’ essay “On Being a Cripple” is a candid and thought-provoking account of living with a disability. Mairs uses vivid descriptions to take her readers through her daily struggles and triumphs, sharing insights on everything from independence to the social stigma of disability. Mairs’ honesty and courage make the essay a powerful example of how a personal narrative can be used to educate and inspire readers.
3. “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan
In “Fish Cheeks,” Amy Tan’s personal narrative essay, the author recounts the experience of having a boy she was crushing on over for Christmas dinner. Tan’s vulnerability and honesty in sharing her feelings of insecurity and cultural dissonance make the essay relatable to readers. Through her story, Tan encourages readers to embrace their individuality, regardless of how they may differ from others.
4. “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” by Sherman Alexie
Sherman Alexie’s essay “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me” is a poignant account of his journey to becoming a writer. As a young boy growing up on a Native American reservation, Alexie describes how reading and writing became his escape from a difficult reality. The essay’s themes of self-discovery and determination make it an inspiring read for anyone striving to overcome obstacles and pursue their passions.
5. “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift
“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift is a satirical essay that proposes a shocking solution to the poverty crisis in Ireland: selling children as food to the wealthy. The essay’s dark humor highlights the absurdity of the situation, drawing attention to the plight of the poor and the need for constructive solutions. As a personal narrative, “A Modest Proposal” provides an example of how humor can be used to convey serious messages and spark change.
In conclusion, reading inspiring personal narrative essay examples can help you find your own voice as a writer and provide insight into the kind of stories that resonate with readers. Whether you’re looking to entertain, educate, or inspire, these five essays provide a great starting point and prove that personal storytelling can be a powerful, transformative tool.
