Narrative Essay Topic Checklist

July 22, 2025

Posted by STLCC in Tutoring Resources 

Answer prompts below to determine whether the event you want to write about will make a good narrative essay topic.

Focused Event

Describe the event in two sentences or fewer.

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Central Conflict/Problem

An interesting story generally develops around one of the four conflict types shown below:

• Self v. Another Person (You v. a cyber-bully; you v. your best friend who’s competing for the same job opening)
• Self v. Self (Your ambition to become an aviator v. your fear of math skills required for pilot’s license; your conscience v. desire for making easy money with a Ponzi scheme)
• Self v. Force of Nature (Your survival v. a grizzly bear encountered on a hike; your completion of marathon v. pain from sprained ankle)
• Self v. Society (Your right to keep beloved pitbull v. community ordinance prohibiting pitbull ownership; your freedom to ride your motorcycle without a helmet v. Missouri helmet law)

1. Identify the type of conflict (“Self v. ___”) central to your narrative.

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2. Describe the specific conflict (See above examples in parentheses) central to your narrative in a short phrase or sentence.

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Outcome (Climax)

1. Which side won the conflict?

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2. In no more than two sentences, describe the moment when one side wins over the other.

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Significance

In one or two sentences, describe the major change in the way you think or feel about yourself, other people or some aspect of life as a result of this event:

Before this experience, I would describe my attitude/perspective toward…… as…

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As a result of this experience, my attitude/perspective is now:

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Did you respond to all five prompts? Terrific! The event you want to write about has passed the test for a good narrative essay topic. Now, go forth and write your narrative essay!