The following questions will serve as criteria for your personal narrative essay.
- Does the writer narrate a single event, or a series of events? How does the writer handle the use of anecdote?
- Does the writer use concrete, specific details and description?
- Does the writer make a point?
- Does the writer reflect (i.e. is the question, “so what?” answered)?
- Do all of the examples (details, images, word choice) point to the essay’s primary focus?
- Does the introduction hook the reader?
- Does the conclusion end abruptly or trail off?
- Does the essay have a logical organization?
- Are the transitions from paragraph to paragraph clear?
- Does the writer maintain a consistent tone?
- Is the level of diction appropriate for the audience, the ethos, and the essay’s point?
- Is the prose readable?
- Does the writer use correct grammar/mechanics?
- Does the writer vary sentence length and structure?
- Is the text free from distracting surface errors?
