write a narrative essay about a time when you failed

“Tell Me About a Time You Failed” (Example Answers Included)

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By Mike Simpson

Tell me about a time you failed; it’s one of the scariest interview questions around. After all, no one likes to talk about times they made mistakes or where things went wrong. It just isn’t a good time.

The thing is, that doesn’t mean you can avoid it. “Tell me about a time you failed” is a job interview staple, so you need to be ready for it.

But how do you prepare for such a tricky question? By having a great strategy. If you want to make sure you’re ready, come with us as we explore how to answer “tell me about a time you failed” like a pro.

What Is Failure?

Before we dig into how to answer “Tell me about a time you failed,” let’s talk about what “failed” means in this context.

According to Merriam-Webster , “failure” can simply mean a “lack of success.”

Why does that matter? Because the outcome doesn’t have to be catastrophic to qualify, which is actually good news for candidates.

Usually, when job seekers reflect on their failures, they focus on the biggest examples. However, something smaller could still fit the bill for the question, allowing you to steer clear of discussing situations that may genuinely hurt your chances of getting a job.

What kind of failures are your best options? Well, that depends. Hiring managers are going to want to hear about a real situation that had a genuine impact. Remember, something isn’t a failure unless there was a lack of success, so a misstep with no consequences doesn’t count.

But that doesn’t mean you don’t want to be strategic about what you choose. Ideally, you need an example that had consequences, but you were able to overcome the fallout. That way, you can highlight your resilience instead of just the mistake.

However, discussing the right kind of example isn’t the only important part of answering this question. You also need to be able to articulate your failures like a pro. Being able to remain calm, fact-oriented, and honest are all crucial to the broader equation. So is staying concise without being vague.

If you can do that, you can craft an excellent answer to the question, increasing the odds that you’ll impress the hiring manager.

Why Does the Hiring Manager Ask This Question?

So, why on earth would a hiring manager ask, “Tell me about a time you failed”? In most cases, their goal isn’t to learn about the misstep. Instead, they want to see how you deal with poor outcomes, as well as what you do after a failure to recover.

Plus, they want to see if you’re honest, accountable, and self-aware. Being able to own up to your mistakes is a big deal. If you can do that well, the odds are better that you learn from the poor outcomes, making them less likely to happen again in the future.

Ultimately, while this question asks about failures, it really isn’t about the incident itself. Instead, it’s about how you manage adversity, as well as whether you recognize the part you played and are willing to own it and found a way to move forward.

Just remember, this is just one question the hiring manager could ask you in your interview! That’s why we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview.

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Common Mistakes When Answering This Question

Before we dig into how to answer this interview question, let’s take a second to discuss common mistakes people make when responding to this prompt.

First, claiming you’ve never failed is a big no-no. If you do that, the hiring manager is going to question your mentality and self-awareness. And considering that 89 percent of new hires that fail in a position within their first 18 months because of a poor attitude, bad temperament, or similar issues, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on the job.

Second, mistakes that cost companies a ton of money aren’t ideal. While it’s okay if there is some cost, you don’t want it to be budget-derailing. If it is, the hiring manager isn’t going to feel confident about hiring you.

Third, skip failures that involved compliance or legal issues. If a hiring manager hears that your mistake caused a regulatory body, attorney’s office, or similar organization to descend upon a workplace, they won’t be too keen about bringing you on board.

Similarly, anything where the failure was incredibly high profile isn’t a great example. So, if the fallout was substantial, harming the company’s reputation, choose something else.

Tips for Answering This Question

Coming up with a great answer doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are three tips that can help you head in the right direction.

1. Take Ownership of Your Part

In some cases, candidates try to mitigate the damage by using “we” instead of “I” in their answers. While it’s fine to mention if a team was involved, make sure to take ownership of your part of the equation by saying “I” when appropriate. That way, it doesn’t look like you’re hiding your role in the situation behind other people, making your answer more genuine.

2. Quantify the Details

Quantifying the details makes your answer feel more real. You’re giving the hiring manager context they don’t have otherwise, adding depth to your response. Plus, you can use the numbers to show that the failure did have an impact, ensuring you are sharing an example that works for the question.

3. Focus on How You Moved Forward

While you do need to outline what went wrong, spend a decent amount of time talking about what went right after the failure. Talk about how you recovered or made an effort to learn from the incident to make sure it was never repeated. That way, the hiring manager can see your growth, making it less likely that they’ll worry about you repeating the mistake down the line.

How to Answer the Interview Question “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”

Here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: a look at how to answer the interview question “Tell me about a time you failed.”

So, how do you tackle it? By first recognizing that this is a behavioral interview question.

The hiring manager wants to hear the story behind what happened, as well as the outcome. Since that’s what you need to do, using the STAR Method is a must, ensuring your answer isn’t just a humdrum list of facts but a compelling narrative.

However, you don’t want to stop there. The Tailoring Method is an important part of the equation. That way, you can pick an example that’s appropriate based on the situation, ensuring you are taking the hiring manager’s needs into account.

Want to see how you bring a fantastic answer together? Great! Here’s a step-by-step guide and some example responses that can help.

Step-by-Step Guide

Putting your answer together one piece at a time is often the easiest approach to use. Here’s a step-by-step guide for answering “Tell me about a time you failed.”

1. Identify the Failure You Want to Discuss

First, reflect on your career to identify an appropriate failure to include in your answer. Ideally, it needs to be significant enough that there were consequences, but not catastrophic.

2. Define Why It’s a Failure (Optional)

In some cases, it pays off to take a second and define failure in the context of the situation. By letting the hiring manager know why you viewed an incident as a failure, you can give them context before sharing the details.

2. Summarize What Happened Concisely

When you’re answering this question, you want to keep your answer focused. Summarize the entire event in just a handful of sentences, give or take, covering what the situation was, what unfolded, and the outcome efficiently.

3. Talk About the Positives

After you outline the event, pivot toward something more positive. Talk about how you worked to recover or the lessons learned along the way. That way, you can end on a high note.

Example Answers

When push comes to shove, it’s hard to beat a good example. Here are three sample responses to “Tell me about a time you failed,” each focused on a slightly different target.

1. Missed Deadline

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“In my first position, I was still getting a feel for my workload. When I was given my first major solo project, I quoted the client a completion deadline of just four weeks. While it was true that it would take three weeks of work, that was based on me handling no other tasks during my workday. I neglected to factor in the time I needed for the rest of my responsibilities, and the project was two weeks late. The client wasn’t thrilled about the delay. This harmed the company’s reputation, as well as made the client reluctant initially to use us for future needs. I took full responsibility for the missed deadline, and the incident was ultimately a powerful lesson for me. I learned to better assess my full workload, allowing me to set reasonable deadlines moving forward. Since that project, I’ve remained on target consistently. Additionally, I was able to work with that client again, finishing that project not just on time, but a few days early.”

2. Poor Delegation

“As a manager, I believe that letting down my team is a major failure. When I was initially promoted into a management role, I struggled with setting aside my individual contributor hat. I tried to take control of everything instead of trusting my team to do what they do well. The lack of delegation was harmful to the team dynamic and made them feel undervalued. As a result, I lost an incredibly skilled employee, as they sought had out an opportunity elsewhere. When they handed in their notice, I asked if they would let me know why they were leaving. Luckily, there were very honest, telling me that their engagement had fallen since I stopped handing out meaningful work and that they believed I didn’t trust them. That moment served as a wake-up call and, while I wasn’t able to get that employee to stay, it made me focus more on engagement and trust. In the end, that made me a better manager, ensuring I kept the right priorities to support my team.”

3. Skipping Steps

“A few years ago, I was given a project with an incredibly tight deadline. I had to make several changes to the client’s system within just a couple of hours, which left me feeling a bit frantic. As I worked, I decided to forgo tests between each major change in an attempt to make the process go faster. I believed that the risk was minimal, as I had made similar changes to other client systems in the past. However, when I applied the changes, it was clear that something was wrong. Since I didn’t test between each step, I had no way of knowing when the problem arose. As a result, I had to roll everything back and schedule a new time window to attempt the changes again, which wasn’t ideal for the client. Ultimately, this was a critical lesson. Since then, I always follow testing best practices even if I’m pressed for time. That way, issues are identified at the right moment, increasing the odds that they can be corrected and the project can finish on time.”

Putting It All Together

Ultimately, you should now have a pretty solid idea of how to answer “Tell me about a time you failed” during your next interview. Use the tips and examples above to your advantage. That way, you’ll be ready with a winning answer the next time you meet with a hiring manager.

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Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

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Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

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Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

• Write a story about your first day of school.
• Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

• Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
• Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

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If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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How to Write a Perfect Narrative Essay (Step-by-Step)

By Status.net Editorial Team on October 17, 2023 — 10 minutes to read

• Understanding a Narrative Essay Part 1
• Typical Narrative Essay Structure Part 2
• Narrative Essay Template Part 3
• Step 1. How to Choose Your Narrative Essay Topic Part 4
• Step 2. Planning the Structure Part 5
• Step 3. Crafting an Intriguing Introduction Part 6
• Step 4. Weaving the Narrative Body Part 7
• Step 5. Creating a Conclusion Part 8
• Step 6. Polishing the Essay Part 9
• Step 7. Feedback and Revision Part 10

Part 1 Understanding a Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is a form of writing where you share a personal experience or tell a story to make a point or convey a lesson. Unlike other types of essays, a narrative essay aims to engage your audience by sharing your perspective and taking them on an emotional journey.

• To begin, choose a meaningful topic . Pick a story or experience that had a significant impact on your life, taught you something valuable, or made you see the world differently. You want your readers to learn from your experiences, so choose something that will resonate with others.
• Next, create an outline . Although narrative essays allow for creative storytelling, it’s still helpful to have a roadmap to guide your writing. List the main events, the characters involved, and the settings where the events took place. This will help you ensure that your essay is well-structured and easy to follow.
• When writing your narrative essay, focus on showing, not telling . This means that you should use descriptive language and vivid details to paint a picture in your reader’s mind. For example, instead of stating that it was a rainy day, describe the sound of rain hitting your window, the feeling of cold wetness around you, and the sight of puddles forming around your feet. These sensory details will make your essay more engaging and immersive.
• Another key aspect is developing your characters . Give your readers an insight into the thoughts and emotions of the people in your story. This helps them connect with the story, empathize with the characters, and understand their actions. For instance, if your essay is about a challenging hike you took with a friend, spend some time describing your friend’s personality and how the experience impacted their attitude or feelings.
• Keep the pace interesting . Vary your sentence lengths and structures, and don’t be afraid to use some stylistic devices like dialogue, flashbacks, and metaphors. This adds more depth and dimension to your story, keeping your readers engaged from beginning to end.

Part 2 Typical Narrative Essay Structure

A narrative essay typically follows a three-part structure: introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Introduction: Start with a hook to grab attention and introduce your story. Provide some background to set the stage for the main events.
• Body: Develop your story in detail. Describe scenes, characters, and emotions. Use dialogue when necessary to provide conversational elements.
• Conclusion: Sum up your story, revealing the lesson learned or the moral of the story. Leave your audience with a lasting impression.

Part 3 Narrative Essay Template

• 1. Introduction : Set the scene and introduce the main characters and setting of your story. Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture for your reader and capture their attention.
• Body 2. Rising Action : Develop the plot by introducing a conflict or challenge that the main character must face. This could be a personal struggle, a difficult decision, or an external obstacle. 3. Climax : This is the turning point of the story, where the conflict reaches its peak and the main character must make a critical decision or take action. 4. Falling Action : Show the consequences of the main character’s decision or action, and how it affects the rest of the story. 5. Resolution : Bring the story to a satisfying conclusion by resolving the conflict and showing how the main character has grown or changed as a result of their experiences.
• 6. Reflection/Conclusion : Reflect on the events of the story and what they mean to you as the writer. This could be a lesson learned, a personal realization, or a message you want to convey to your reader.

Part 4 Step 1. How to Choose Your Narrative Essay Topic

Brainstorming ideas.

Start by jotting down any ideas that pop into your mind. Think about experiences you’ve had, stories you’ve heard, or even books and movies that have resonated with you. Write these ideas down and don’t worry too much about organization yet. It’s all about getting your thoughts on paper.

Once you have a list, review your ideas and identify common themes or connections between them. This process should help you discover potential topics for your narrative essay.

Narrowing Down the Choices

After brainstorming, you’ll likely end up with a few strong contenders for your essay topic. To decide which topic is best, consider the following:

• Relevance : Is the topic meaningful for your audience? Will they be able to connect with it on a personal level? Consider the purpose of your assignment and your audience when choosing your topic.
• Detail : Do you have enough specific details to craft a vivid story? The more detail you can recall about the event, the easier it’ll be to write a compelling narrative.
• Emotional impact : A strong narrative essay should evoke emotions in your readers. Choose a topic that has the potential to elicit some emotional response from your target audience.

After evaluating your potential topics based on these criteria, you can select the one that best fits the purpose of your narrative essay.

Part 5 Step 2. Planning the Structure

Creating an outline.

Before you start writing your narrative essay, it’s a great idea to plan out your story. Grab a piece of paper and sketch out a rough outline of the key points you want to cover. Begin with the introduction, where you’ll set the scene and introduce your characters. Then, list the major events of your story in chronological order, followed by the climax and resolution. Organizing your ideas in an outline will ensure your essay flows smoothly and makes sense to your readers.

Detailing Characters, Settings, and Events

Taking time to flesh out the characters, settings, and events in your story will make it more engaging and relatable. Think about your main character’s background, traits, and motivations. Describe their appearance, emotions, and behavior in detail. This personal touch will help your readers connect with them on a deeper level.

Also, give some thought to the setting – where does the story take place? Be sure to include sensory details that paint a vivid picture of the environment. Finally, focus on the series of events that make up your narrative. Are there any twists and turns, or surprising moments? Address these in your essay, using vivid language and engaging storytelling techniques to captivate your readers.

Writing the Narrative Essay

Part 6 step 3. crafting an intriguing introduction.

To start your narrative essay, you’ll want to hook your reader with an interesting and engaging opening. Begin with a captivating sentence or question that piques curiosity and captures attention. For example, “Did you ever think a simple bus ride could change your life forever?” This kind of opening sets the stage for a compelling, relatable story. Next, introduce your main characters and provide a bit of context to help your readers understand the setting and background of the story.

Part 7 Step 4. Weaving the Narrative Body

The body of your essay is where your story unfolds. Here’s where you’ll present a series of events, using descriptive language and vivid details.

Remember to maintain a strong focus on the central theme or main point of your narrative.

Organize your essay chronologically, guiding your reader through the timeline of events.

As you recount your experience, use a variety of sensory details, such as sounds, smells, and tastes, to immerse your reader in the moment. For instance, “The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the room as my friends and I excitedly chattered about our upcoming adventure.”

Take advantage of dialogue to bring your characters to life and to reveal aspects of their personalities. Incorporate both internal and external conflicts, as conflict plays a crucial role in engaging your reader and enhancing the narrative’s momentum. Show the evolution of your characters and how they grow throughout the story.

Part 8 Step 5. Creating a Conclusion

Finally, to write a satisfying conclusion, reflect on the narrative’s impact and how the experience has affected you or your characters. Tie the narrative’s events together and highlight the lessons learned, providing closure for the reader.

Avoid abruptly ending your story, because that can leave the reader feeling unsatisfied. Instead, strive to create a sense of resolution and demonstrate how the events have changed the characters’ perspectives or how the story’s theme has developed.

For example, “Looking back, I realize that the bus ride not only changed my perspective on friendship, but also taught me valuable life lessons that I carry with me to this day.”

Part 9 Step 6. Polishing the Essay

Fine-tuning your language.

When writing a narrative essay, it’s key to choose words that convey the emotions and experiences you’re describing. Opt for specific, vivid language that creates a clear mental image for your reader. For instance, instead of saying “The weather was hot,” try “The sun scorched the pavement, causing the air to shimmer like a mirage.” This gives your essay a more engaging and immersive feeling.

Editing for Clarity and Concision

As you revise your essay, keep an eye out for redundancies and unnecessary words that might dilute the impact of your story. Getting to the point and using straightforward language can help your essay flow better. For example, instead of using “She was walking in a very slow manner,” you can say, “She strolled leisurely.” Eliminate filler words and phrases, keeping only the most pertinent information that moves your story forward.

Proofreading for Typos

Finally, proofread your essay carefully to catch any typos, grammatical errors, or punctuation mistakes. It’s always a good idea to have someone else read it as well, as they might catch errors you didn’t notice. Mistakes can be distracting and may undermine the credibility of your writing, so be thorough with your editing process.

Part 10 Step 7. Feedback and Revision

Gathering feedback.

After you’ve written the first draft of your narrative essay, it’s time to gather feedback from friends, family, or colleagues. Share your essay with a few trusted people who can provide insights and suggestions for improvement. Listen to their thoughts and be open to constructive criticism. You might be surprised by the different perspectives they offer, which can strengthen your essay.

Iterating on the Draft

Once you have collected feedback, it’s time to revise and refine your essay. Address any issues or concerns raised by your readers and incorporate their suggestions. Consider reorganizing your story’s structure, clarifying your descriptions, or adding more details based on the feedback you received.

As you make changes, continue to fine-tune your essay to ensure a smooth flow and a strong narrative. Don’t be afraid to cut out unnecessary elements or rework parts of your story until it’s polished and compelling.

Revision is a crucial part of the writing process, and taking the time to reflect on feedback and make improvements will help you create a more engaging and impactful narrative essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i create an engaging introduction.

Craft an attention-grabbing hook with a thought-provoking question, an interesting fact, or a vivid description. Set the stage for your story by introducing the time, place, and context for the events. Creating tension or raising curiosity will make your readers eager to learn more.

What strategies help develop strong characters?

To develop strong characters, consider the following:

• Give your characters distinct traits, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Provide a backstory to explain their actions and motivations.
• Use dialogue to present their personality, emotions, and relationships.
• Show how they change or evolve throughout your story.

How can I make my story flow smoothly with transitions?

Smooth transitions between scenes or events can create a more coherent and easy-to-follow story. Consider the following tips to improve your transitions:

• Use words and phrases like “meanwhile,” “later that day,” or “afterward” to signify changes in time.
• Link scenes with a common theme or element.
• Revisit the main characters or setting to maintain continuity.
• Introduce a twist or an unexpected event that leads to the next scene.

What are some tips for choosing a great narrative essay topic?

To choose an engaging narrative essay topic, follow these tips:

• Pick a personal experience or story that holds significance for you.
• Consider a challenge or a turning point you’ve faced in your life.
• Opt for a topic that will allow you to share emotions and lessons learned.
• Think about what your audience would find relatable, intriguing, or inspiring.

How do I wrap up my narrative essay with a strong conclusion?

A compelling conclusion restates the main events and highlights any lessons learned or growth in your character. Try to end on a thought-provoking note or leave readers with some food for thought. Finally, make sure your conclusion wraps up your story neatly and reinforces its overall message.

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General Education

A narrative essay is one of the most intimidating assignments you can be handed at any level of your education. Where you've previously written argumentative essays that make a point or analytic essays that dissect meaning, a narrative essay asks you to write what is effectively a story .

But unlike a simple work of creative fiction, your narrative essay must have a clear and concrete motif —a recurring theme or idea that you’ll explore throughout. Narrative essays are less rigid, more creative in expression, and therefore pretty different from most other essays you’ll be writing.

But not to fear—in this article, we’ll be covering what a narrative essay is, how to write a good one, and also analyzing some personal narrative essay examples to show you what a great one looks like.

What Is a Narrative Essay?

At first glance, a narrative essay might sound like you’re just writing a story. Like the stories you're used to reading, a narrative essay is generally (but not always) chronological, following a clear throughline from beginning to end. Even if the story jumps around in time, all the details will come back to one specific theme, demonstrated through your choice in motifs.

Unlike many creative stories, however, your narrative essay should be based in fact. That doesn’t mean that every detail needs to be pure and untainted by imagination, but rather that you shouldn’t wholly invent the events of your narrative essay. There’s nothing wrong with inventing a person’s words if you can’t remember them exactly, but you shouldn’t say they said something they weren’t even close to saying.

Another big difference between narrative essays and creative fiction—as well as other kinds of essays—is that narrative essays are based on motifs. A motif is a dominant idea or theme, one that you establish before writing the essay. As you’re crafting the narrative, it’ll feed back into your motif to create a comprehensive picture of whatever that motif is.

For example, say you want to write a narrative essay about how your first day in high school helped you establish your identity. You might discuss events like trying to figure out where to sit in the cafeteria, having to describe yourself in five words as an icebreaker in your math class, or being unsure what to do during your lunch break because it’s no longer acceptable to go outside and play during lunch. All of those ideas feed back into the central motif of establishing your identity.

The important thing to remember is that while a narrative essay is typically told chronologically and intended to read like a story, it is not purely for entertainment value. A narrative essay delivers its theme by deliberately weaving the motifs through the events, scenes, and details. While a narrative essay may be entertaining, its primary purpose is to tell a complete story based on a central meaning.

Unlike other essay forms, it is totally okay—even expected—to use first-person narration in narrative essays. If you’re writing a story about yourself, it’s natural to refer to yourself within the essay. It’s also okay to use other perspectives, such as third- or even second-person, but that should only be done if it better serves your motif. Generally speaking, your narrative essay should be in first-person perspective.

Though your motif choices may feel at times like you’re making a point the way you would in an argumentative essay, a narrative essay’s goal is to tell a story, not convince the reader of anything. Your reader should be able to tell what your motif is from reading, but you don’t have to change their mind about anything. If they don’t understand the point you are making, you should consider strengthening the delivery of the events and descriptions that support your motif.

Narrative essays also share some features with analytical essays, in which you derive meaning from a book, film, or other media. But narrative essays work differently—you’re not trying to draw meaning from an existing text, but rather using an event you’ve experienced to convey meaning. In an analytical essay, you examine narrative, whereas in a narrative essay you create narrative.

The structure of a narrative essay is also a bit different than other essays. You’ll generally be getting your point across chronologically as opposed to grouping together specific arguments in paragraphs or sections. To return to the example of an essay discussing your first day of high school and how it impacted the shaping of your identity, it would be weird to put the events out of order, even if not knowing what to do after lunch feels like a stronger idea than choosing where to sit. Instead of organizing to deliver your information based on maximum impact, you’ll be telling your story as it happened, using concrete details to reinforce your theme.

3 Great Narrative Essay Examples

One of the best ways to learn how to write a narrative essay is to look at a great narrative essay sample. Let’s take a look at some truly stellar narrative essay examples and dive into what exactly makes them work so well.

A Ticket to the Fair by David Foster Wallace

Today is Press Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, and I’m supposed to be at the fairgrounds by 9:00 A.M. to get my credentials. I imagine credentials to be a small white card in the band of a fedora. I’ve never been considered press before. My real interest in credentials is getting into rides and shows for free. I’m fresh in from the East Coast, for an East Coast magazine. Why exactly they’re interested in the Illinois State Fair remains unclear to me. I suspect that every so often editors at East Coast magazines slap their foreheads and remember that about 90 percent of the United States lies between the coasts, and figure they’ll engage somebody to do pith-helmeted anthropological reporting on something rural and heartlandish. I think they asked me to do this because I grew up here, just a couple hours’ drive from downstate Springfield. I never did go to the state fair, though—I pretty much topped out at the county fair level. Actually, I haven’t been back to Illinois for a long time, and I can’t say I’ve missed it.

Throughout this essay, David Foster Wallace recounts his experience as press at the Illinois State Fair. But it’s clear from this opening that he’s not just reporting on the events exactly as they happened—though that’s also true— but rather making a point about how the East Coast, where he lives and works, thinks about the Midwest.

In his opening paragraph, Wallace states that outright: “Why exactly they’re interested in the Illinois State Fair remains unclear to me. I suspect that every so often editors at East Coast magazines slap their foreheads and remember that about 90 percent of the United States lies between the coasts, and figure they’ll engage somebody to do pith-helmeted anthropological reporting on something rural and heartlandish.”

Not every motif needs to be stated this clearly , but in an essay as long as Wallace’s, particularly since the audience for such a piece may feel similarly and forget that such a large portion of the country exists, it’s important to make that point clear.

But Wallace doesn’t just rest on introducing his motif and telling the events exactly as they occurred from there. It’s clear that he selects events that remind us of that idea of East Coast cynicism , such as when he realizes that the Help Me Grow tent is standing on top of fake grass that is killing the real grass beneath, when he realizes the hypocrisy of craving a corn dog when faced with a real, suffering pig, when he’s upset for his friend even though he’s not the one being sexually harassed, and when he witnesses another East Coast person doing something he wouldn’t dare to do.

Wallace is literally telling the audience exactly what happened, complete with dates and timestamps for when each event occurred. But he’s also choosing those events with a purpose—he doesn’t focus on details that don’t serve his motif. That’s why he discusses the experiences of people, how the smells are unappealing to him, and how all the people he meets, in cowboy hats, overalls, or “black spandex that looks like cheesecake leotards,” feel almost alien to him.

All of these details feed back into the throughline of East Coast thinking that Wallace introduces in the first paragraph. He also refers back to it in the essay’s final paragraph, stating:

At last, an overarching theory blooms inside my head: megalopolitan East Coasters’ summer treats and breaks and literally ‘getaways,’ flights-from—from crowds, noise, heat, dirt, the stress of too many sensory choices….The East Coast existential treat is escape from confines and stimuli—quiet, rustic vistas that hold still, turn inward, turn away. Not so in the rural Midwest. Here you’re pretty much away all the time….Something in a Midwesterner sort of actuates , deep down, at a public event….The real spectacle that draws us here is us.

Throughout this journey, Wallace has tried to demonstrate how the East Coast thinks about the Midwest, ultimately concluding that they are captivated by the Midwest’s less stimuli-filled life, but that the real reason they are interested in events like the Illinois State Fair is that they are, in some ways, a means of looking at the East Coast in a new, estranging way.

The reason this works so well is that Wallace has carefully chosen his examples, outlined his motif and themes in the first paragraph, and eventually circled back to the original motif with a clearer understanding of his original point.

When outlining your own narrative essay, try to do the same. Start with a theme, build upon it with examples, and return to it in the end with an even deeper understanding of the original issue. You don’t need this much space to explore a theme, either—as we’ll see in the next example, a strong narrative essay can also be very short.

Death of a Moth by Virginia Woolf

After a time, tired by his dancing apparently, he settled on the window ledge in the sun, and, the queer spectacle being at an end, I forgot about him. Then, looking up, my eye was caught by him. He was trying to resume his dancing, but seemed either so stiff or so awkward that he could only flutter to the bottom of the window-pane; and when he tried to fly across it he failed. Being intent on other matters I watched these futile attempts for a time without thinking, unconsciously waiting for him to resume his flight, as one waits for a machine, that has stopped momentarily, to start again without considering the reason of its failure. After perhaps a seventh attempt he slipped from the wooden ledge and fell, fluttering his wings, on to his back on the window sill. The helplessness of his attitude roused me. It flashed upon me that he was in difficulties; he could no longer raise himself; his legs struggled vainly. But, as I stretched out a pencil, meaning to help him to right himself, it came over me that the failure and awkwardness were the approach of death. I laid the pencil down again.

In this essay, Virginia Woolf explains her encounter with a dying moth. On surface level, this essay is just a recounting of an afternoon in which she watched a moth die—it’s even established in the title. But there’s more to it than that. Though Woolf does not begin her essay with as clear a motif as Wallace, it’s not hard to pick out the evidence she uses to support her point, which is that the experience of this moth is also the human experience.

In the title, Woolf tells us this essay is about death. But in the first paragraph, she seems to mostly be discussing life—the moth is “content with life,” people are working in the fields, and birds are flying. However, she mentions that it is mid-September and that the fields were being plowed. It’s autumn and it’s time for the harvest; the time of year in which many things die.

In this short essay, she chronicles the experience of watching a moth seemingly embody life, then die. Though this essay is literally about a moth, it’s also about a whole lot more than that. After all, moths aren’t the only things that die—Woolf is also reflecting on her own mortality, as well as the mortality of everything around her.

At its core, the essay discusses the push and pull of life and death, not in a way that’s necessarily sad, but in a way that is accepting of both. Woolf begins by setting up the transitional fall season, often associated with things coming to an end, and raises the ideas of pleasure, vitality, and pity.

At one point, Woolf tries to help the dying moth, but reconsiders, as it would interfere with the natural order of the world. The moth’s death is part of the natural order of the world, just like fall, just like her own eventual death.

All these themes are set up in the beginning and explored throughout the essay’s narrative. Though Woolf doesn’t directly state her theme, she reinforces it by choosing a small, isolated event—watching a moth die—and illustrating her point through details.

With this essay, we can see that you don’t need a big, weird, exciting event to discuss an important meaning. Woolf is able to explore complicated ideas in a short essay by being deliberate about what details she includes, just as you can be in your own essays.

Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

On the twenty-ninth of July, in 1943, my father died. On the same day, a few hours later, his last child was born. Over a month before this, while all our energies were concentrated in waiting for these events, there had been, in Detroit, one of the bloodiest race riots of the century. A few hours after my father’s funeral, while he lay in state in the undertaker’s chapel, a race riot broke out in Harlem. On the morning of the third of August, we drove my father to the graveyard through a wilderness of smashed plate glass.

Like Woolf, Baldwin does not lay out his themes in concrete terms—unlike Wallace, there’s no clear sentence that explains what he’ll be talking about. However, you can see the motifs quite clearly: death, fatherhood, struggle, and race.

Throughout the narrative essay, Baldwin discusses the circumstances of his father’s death, including his complicated relationship with his father. By introducing those motifs in the first paragraph, the reader understands that everything discussed in the essay will come back to those core ideas. When Baldwin talks about his experience with a white teacher taking an interest in him and his father’s resistance to that, he is also talking about race and his father’s death. When he talks about his father’s death, he is also talking about his views on race. When he talks about his encounters with segregation and racism, he is talking, in part, about his father.

Because his father was a hard, uncompromising man, Baldwin struggles to reconcile the knowledge that his father was right about many things with his desire to not let that hardness consume him, as well.

Baldwin doesn’t explicitly state any of this, but his writing so often touches on the same motifs that it becomes clear he wants us to think about all these ideas in conversation with one another.

At the end of the essay, Baldwin makes it more clear:

This fight begins, however, in the heart and it had now been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair. This intimation made my heart heavy and, now that my father was irrecoverable, I wished that he had been beside me so that I could have searched his face for the answers which only the future would give me now.

Here, Baldwin ties together the themes and motifs into one clear statement: that he must continue to fight and recognize injustice, especially racial injustice, just as his father did. But unlike his father, he must do it beginning with himself—he must not let himself be closed off to the world as his father was. And yet, he still wishes he had his father for guidance, even as he establishes that he hopes to be a different man than his father.

In this essay, Baldwin loads the front of the essay with his motifs, and, through his narrative, weaves them together into a theme. In the end, he comes to a conclusion that connects all of those things together and leaves the reader with a lasting impression of completion—though the elements may have been initially disparate, in the end everything makes sense.

You can replicate this tactic of introducing seemingly unattached ideas and weaving them together in your own essays. By introducing those motifs, developing them throughout, and bringing them together in the end, you can demonstrate to your reader how all of them are related. However, it’s especially important to be sure that your motifs and clear and consistent throughout your essay so that the conclusion feels earned and consistent—if not, readers may feel mislead.

5 Key Tips for Writing Narrative Essays

Narrative essays can be a lot of fun to write since they’re so heavily based on creativity. But that can also feel intimidating—sometimes it’s easier to have strict guidelines than to have to make it all up yourself. Here are a few tips to keep your narrative essay feeling strong and fresh.

Develop Strong Motifs

Motifs are the foundation of a narrative essay . What are you trying to say? How can you say that using specific symbols or events? Those are your motifs.

In the same way that an argumentative essay’s body should support its thesis, the body of your narrative essay should include motifs that support your theme.

Try to avoid cliches, as these will feel tired to your readers. Instead of roses to symbolize love, try succulents. Instead of the ocean representing some vast, unknowable truth, try the depths of your brother’s bedroom. Keep your language and motifs fresh and your essay will be even stronger!

Use First-Person Perspective

In many essays, you’re expected to remove yourself so that your points stand on their own. Not so in a narrative essay—in this case, you want to make use of your own perspective.

Sometimes a different perspective can make your point even stronger. If you want someone to identify with your point of view, it may be tempting to choose a second-person perspective. However, be sure you really understand the function of second-person; it’s very easy to put a reader off if the narration isn’t expertly deployed.

If you want a little bit of distance, third-person perspective may be okay. But be careful—too much distance and your reader may feel like the narrative lacks truth.

That’s why first-person perspective is the standard. It keeps you, the writer, close to the narrative, reminding the reader that it really happened. And because you really know what happened and how, you’re free to inject your own opinion into the story without it detracting from your point, as it would in a different type of essay.

Stick to the Truth

Your essay should be true. However, this is a creative essay, and it’s okay to embellish a little. Rarely in life do we experience anything with a clear, concrete meaning the way somebody in a book might. If you flub the details a little, it’s okay—just don’t make them up entirely.

Also, nobody expects you to perfectly recall details that may have happened years ago. You may have to reconstruct dialog from your memory and your imagination. That’s okay, again, as long as you aren’t making it up entirely and assigning made-up statements to somebody.

Dialog is a powerful tool. A good conversation can add flavor and interest to a story, as we saw demonstrated in David Foster Wallace’s essay. As previously mentioned, it’s okay to flub it a little, especially because you’re likely writing about an experience you had without knowing that you’d be writing about it later.

However, don’t rely too much on it. Your narrative essay shouldn’t be told through people explaining things to one another; the motif comes through in the details. Dialog can be one of those details, but it shouldn’t be the only one.

Use Sensory Descriptions

Because a narrative essay is a story, you can use sensory details to make your writing more interesting. If you’re describing a particular experience, you can go into detail about things like taste, smell, and hearing in a way that you probably wouldn’t do in any other essay style.

These details can tie into your overall motifs and further your point. Woolf describes in great detail what she sees while watching the moth, giving us the sense that we, too, are watching the moth. In Wallace’s essay, he discusses the sights, sounds, and smells of the Illinois State Fair to help emphasize his point about its strangeness. And in Baldwin’s essay, he describes shattered glass as a “wilderness,” and uses the feelings of his body to describe his mental state.

All these descriptions anchor us not only in the story, but in the motifs and themes as well. One of the tools of a writer is making the reader feel as you felt, and sensory details help you achieve that.

What’s Next?

Looking to brush up on your essay-writing capabilities before the ACT? This guide to ACT English will walk you through some of the best strategies and practice questions to get you prepared!

Part of practicing for the ACT is ensuring your word choice and diction are on point. Check out this guide to some of the most common errors on the ACT English section to be sure that you're not making these common mistakes!

A solid understanding of English principles will help you make an effective point in a narrative essay, and you can get that understanding through taking a rigorous assortment of high school English classes !

Need more help with this topic? Check out Tutorbase!

Our vetted tutor database includes a range of experienced educators who can help you polish an essay for English or explain how derivatives work for Calculus. You can use dozens of filters and search criteria to find the perfect person for your needs.

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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How to Write a Narrative Essay — A Step-by-Step Guide

N arrative essays are important papers most students have to write. But how does one write a narrative essay? Fear not, we’re going to show you how to write a narrative essay by breaking down a variety of narrative writing strategies. By the end, you’ll know why narrative essays are so important – and how to write your own.

How to Write a Narrative Essay Step by Step

Background on narrative essays.

Narrative essays are important assignments in many writing classes – but what is a narrative essay? A narrative essay is a prose-written story that’s focused on the commentary of a central theme .

Narrative essays are generally written in the first-person POV , and are usually about a topic that’s personal to the writer.

Everything in a narrative essay should take place in an established timeline, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. 

In simplest terms, a narrative essay is a personal story. A narrative essay can be written in response to a prompt or as an independent exercise.

We’re going to get to tips and tricks on how to write a narrative essay in a bit, but first let’s check out a video on “story.” 

How to Start a Narrative Essay  •  What is a Story? by Mr. Kresphus

In some regards, any story can be regarded as a personal story, but for the sake of this article, we’re going to focus on prose-written stories told in the first-person POV.

How to Start a Narrative Essay

Responding to prompts.

Many people wonder about how to start a narrative essay. Well, if you’re writing a narrative essay in response to a prompt, then chances are the person issuing the prompt is looking for a specific answer.

For example: if the prompt states “recount a time you encountered a challenge,” then chances are the person issuing the prompt wants to hear about how you overcame a challenge or learned from it.

That isn’t to say you have to respond to the prompt in one way; “overcoming” or “learning” from a challenge can be constituted in a variety of ways.

For example, you could structure your essay around overcoming a physical challenge, like an injury or disability. Or you could structure your essay around learning from failure, such as losing at a sport or performing poorly on an important exam.

Whatever it is, you must show that the challenge forced you to grow. 

Maturation is an important process – and an essential aspect of narrative essays... of course, there are exceptions to the rule; lack of maturation is a prescient theme in narrative essays too; although that’s mostly reserved for experienced essay writers.

So, let’s take a look at how you might respond to a series of narrative essay prompts:

How successful are you?

This prompt begs the writer to impart humility without throwing a pity party. I would respond to this prompt by demonstrating pride in what I do while offering modesty. For example: “I have achieved success in what I set out to do – but I still have a long way to go to achieve my long-term goals.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is [Blank] because ” is how you should start this narrative essay. The “because” is the crux of your essay. For example, I’d say “Bill Russell is my role model because he demonstrated graceful resolve in the face of bigotry and discrimination. 

Do you consider yourself spiritual?

For this prompt, you should explain how you came to the conclusion of whether or not you consider yourself a spiritual person. Of course, prompt-givers will differ on how much they want you to freely express. For example: if the prompt-giver is an employee at an evangelizing organization, then they probably want to see that you’re willing to propagate the church’s agenda. Alternatively, if the prompt-giver is non-denominational, they probably want to see that you’re accepting of people from various spiritual backgrounds.

How to Write Narrative Essay

What makes a good narrative essay.

You don’t have to respond to a prompt to write a narrative essay. So, how do you write a narrative essay without a prompt? Well, that’s the thing… you can write a narrative essay about anything!

That’s a bit of a blessing and a curse though – on one hand it’s liberating to choose any topic you want; on the other, it’s difficult to narrow down a good story from an infinite breadth of possibilities.

In this next video, the team at Essay Pro explores why passion is the number one motivator for effective narrative essays.

How to Write a Narrative Essay Step by Step  •  Real Essay Examples by Essay Pro

So, before you write anything, ask yourself: “what am I passionate about?” Movies? Sports? Books? Games? Baking? Volunteering? Whatever it is, make sure that it’s something that demonstrates your individual growth . It doesn’t have to be anything major; take a video game for example: you could write a narrative essay about searching for a rare weapon with friends.

Success or failure, you’ll be able to demonstrate growth.

Here’s something to consider: writing a narrative essay around intertextuality. What is intertextuality ? Intertextuality is the relationship between texts, i.e., books, movies, plays, songs, games, etc. In other words, it’s anytime one text is referenced in another text.

For example, you could write a narrative essay about your favorite movie! Just make sure that it ultimately reflects back on yourself. 

Narrative Writing Format

Structure of a narrative essay.

Narrative essays differ in length and structure – but there are some universal basics. The first paragraph of a narrative essay should always introduce the central theme. For example, if the narrative essay is about “a fond childhood memory,” then the first paragraph should briefly comment on the nature of the fond childhood memory.

In general, a narrative essay should have an introductory paragraph with a topic sentence (reiterating the prompt or basic idea), a brief commentary on the central theme, and a set-up for the body paragraphs.

The body paragraphs should make up the vast majority of the narrative essay. In the body paragraphs, the writer should essentially “build the story’s case.” What do I mean by “build the story’s case?”

Well, I mean that the writer should display the story’s merit; what it means, why it matters, and how it proves (or refutes) personal growth.

The narrative essay should always conclude with a dedicated paragraph. In the “conclusion paragraph,” the writer should reflect on the story.

Pro tip: conclusion paragraphs usually work best when the writer stays within the diegesis. 

What is a Video Essay?

A video essay is a natural extension of a narrative essay; differentiated only by purpose and medium. In our next article, we’ll explain what a video essay is, and why it’s so important to media criticism. By the end, you’ll know where to look for video essay inspiration.

Up Next: The Art of Video Analysis →

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How to Write a Narrative Essay

Last Updated: August 3, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,901,276 times.

Narrative essays are commonly assigned pieces of writing at different stages through school. Like any story, they have a plot, conflict, and characters. Typically, assignments involve telling a story from your own life that connects with class themes. It can be a fun type of assignment to write, if you approach it properly. Learn how to choose a good topic, get a solid rough draft on paper, and revise your narrative essay.

Choosing a Good Topic

• Most of the time, narrative essays will involve no outside research or references. Instead, you'll be using your personal story to provide the evidence of some point that you're trying to make. [3] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source However, in some cases using research may enhance your story because it will allow you to provide additional detail.
• Narrative essays are a common school assignment used to test your creative story-telling skills, as well as your ability to connect some element of your personal life to a topic you might be discussing in class.

• You experienced adversity and had to overcome
• You failed and had to deal with the consequences of that failure
• Your personality or character was transformed

• Bad narrative essays are generally too broad. "My senior year of high school" or "This summer" are examples of stories that would be far too big to tell in the amount of specific detail that a good narrative essay requires. Pick a single event from the summer, or a single week of your senior year, not something that takes months to unfold.
• It's also good to limit the number of characters you introduce. Only include other characters who are absolutely essential. Every single friend from your fifth grade class will be too many names to keep track of. Pick one.

• Let your imagination fill in the gaps. When you're describing your grandmother's house and a specific weekend you remember spending there, it's not important to remember exactly what was cooked for dinner on Friday night, unless that's an important part of the story. What did your grandmother typically cook? What did it usually smell like? Those are the details we need.
• Typically, narrative essays are "non-fiction," which means that you can't just make up a story. It needs to have really happened. Force yourself to stay as true as possible to the straight story.

Writing a Draft

• It helps to limit things as much as possible. While it might seem like we need to know a bunch of specific details from your senior year, try to think of a particularly tumultuous day from that year and tell us that story. Where does that story start? Not the first day of school that year. Find a better starting point.
• If you want to tell the story of your prom night, does it start when you get dressed? Maybe. Does it start when you spill spaghetti sauce all down your dress before the dance? While that might seem like the climax of a story you want to tell, it might make a better starting place. Go straight to the drama.
• You don't need to write up a formal outline for a narrative essay unless it's part of the assignment or it really helps you write. Listing the major scenes that need to be a part of the story will help you get organized and find a good place to start.

• Don't switch perspectives throughout the story. This is a difficult and advanced technique to try to pull off, and it usually has the effect of being too complicated. There should only be one "I" in the story.
• In general, narrative essays (and short stories for that matter) should also be told in past tense. So, you would write "Johnny and I walked to the store every Thursday" not "Johnny and I are walking to the store, like we do every Thursday."
• You may be instructed to write in the 3rd person (such as he, she, it, they, them, their). If so, be consistent with your pronouns throughout the story.

• Particular details are specific and only particular to the character being described. While it may be specific to say that your friend has brown hair, green eyes, is 5 feet (1.5 m) tall with an athletic build, these things don't tell us much about the character. The fact that he only wears silk dragon shirts? Now that gives us something interesting.
• Try writing up a brief sketch of each principal character in your narrative essay, along with the specific details you remember about them. Pick a few essentials.

• Who or what is the antagonist in your story? To answer this question, you also need to find out what the protagonist wants. What is the goal? What's the best case scenario for the protagonist? What stands in the protagonist's way?
• The antagonist isn't "the bad guy" of the story, necessarily, and not every story has a clear antagonist. Also keep in mind that for some good personal narratives, you might be the antagonist yourself.

• Do a freewrite about the location that your story takes place. What do you know about the place? What can you remember? What can you find out?
• If you do any research for your narrative essay, it will probably be here. Try to find out extra details about the setting of your story, or double-check your memory to make sure it's right.

• A popular creative writing phrase tells writers to "show" not to "tell." What this means is that you should give us details whenever possible, rather than telling us facts. You might tell us something like, "My dad was always sad that year," but if you wrote "Dad never spoke when he got home from work. We heard his truck, then heard as he laid his battered hardhat on the kitchen table. Then we heard him sigh deeply and take off his work clothes, which were stained with grease."

Revising Your Essay

• Get the theme into the very beginning of the essay. Just as a researched argument essay needs to have a thesis statement somewhere in the first few paragraphs of the essay, a narrative essay needs a topic statement or a thesis statement to explain the main idea of the story.
• This isn't "ruining the surprise" of the story, this is foreshadowing the important themes and details to notice over the course of the story as you tell it. A good writer doesn't need suspense in a narrative essay. The ending should seem inevitable.

• Scene: "On our walk to the store, Jared and I stopped at the empty grass lot to talk. 'What's your problem lately?' he asked, his eyes welling with tears. I didn't know what to tell him. I fidgeted, kicked an empty paint bucket that was rusted over at the edge of the lot. 'Remember when we used to play baseball here?' I asked him."
• Analysis: "We finished walking to the store and bought all the stuff for the big holiday dinner. We got a turkey, cornbread, cranberries. The works. The store was crazy-packed with happy holiday shoppers, but we walked through them all, not saying a word to each other. It took forever to lug it all home."

• Anything spoken by a character out loud needs to be included in quotation marks and attributed to the character speaking it: "I've never been to Paris," said James.
• Each time a new character speaks, you need to make a new paragraph . If the same character speaks, multiple instances of dialog can exist in the same paragraph.

• Revise for clarity first. Are your main points clear? If not, make them clear by including more details or narration in the writing. Hammer home your points.
• Was the decision you made about the starting place of the story correct? Or, now that you've written, might it be better to start the story later? Ask the tough questions.
• Proofreading is one part of revision, but it's a very minor part and it should be done last. Checking punctuation and spelling is the last thing you should be worried about in your narrative essay.

Sample Essay

Expert Q&A

• Be sensible while writing. It is necessary to stay on the topic rather than moving away from it. Do not lose your focus. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• Divide your essay into paragraphs, according to your limit: an introduction, two body paragraph and one conclusion. Your introduction can be either a shocker one, or one just describing the setting; the conclusion can reveal a surprise, or end with just a hint of the climax, keeping the final question to be answered by the readers. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Write only when you have a perfect story to tell. When a reader finishes reading the story, he\she should feel all those emotions seep right through his\her rib cage. Only then as a narrator, have you succeeded. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/narrative-essay-examples.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/narrative_essays.html
• ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/20/learning/lesson-plans/650-prompts-for-narrative-and-personal-writing.html
• ↑ https://miamioh.edu/hcwe/handouts/narrative-essays/index.html
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-narrative-essay
• ↑ https://crk.umn.edu/units/writing-center/how-revise-drafts

About This Article

To write a narrative essay, start by choosing an interesting personal story from your life to write about. Try to connect your story to a broader theme or topic so your essay has more substance. Then, write out your story in the past tense using the first person point of view. As you write your story, use vivid details to describe the setting and characters so readers are able to visualize what you're writing. Once you've written your essay, read it several times and make sure you've illustrated your theme or topic. To learn more from our Professor of English co-author, like how to write scenes and analyses, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Narrative Essay with Tips - a Detailed Guide

Defining What Is a Narrative Essay

We can explain a narrative essay definition as a piece of writing that tells a story. It's like a window into someone's life or a page torn from a diary. Similarly to a descriptive essay, a narrative essay tells a story, rather than make a claim and use evidence. It can be about anything – a personal experience, a childhood memory, a moment of triumph or defeat – as long as it's told in a way that captures the reader's imagination.

You might ask - 'which sentence most likely comes from a narrative essay?'. Let's take this for example: 'I could hear the waves crashing against the shore, their rhythm a soothing lullaby that carried me off to sleep.' You could even use such an opening for your essay when wondering how to start a narrative essay.

To further define a narrative essay, consider it storytelling with a purpose. The purpose of a narrative essay is not just to entertain but also to convey a message or lesson in first person. It's a way to share your experiences and insights with others and connect with your audience. Whether you're writing about your first love, a harrowing adventure, or a life-changing moment, your goal is to take the reader on a journey that will leave them feeling moved, inspired, or enlightened.

So if you're looking for a way to express yourself creatively and connect with others through your writing, try your hand at a narrative essay. Who knows – you might just discover a hidden talent for storytelling that you never knew you had!

Meanwhile, let's delve into the article to better understand this type of paper through our narrative essay examples, topic ideas, and tips on constructing a perfect essay.

Types of Narrative Essays

If you were wondering, 'what is a personal narrative essay?', know that narrative essays come in different forms, each with a unique structure and purpose. Regardless of the type of narrative essay, each aims to transport the reader to a different time and place and to create an emotional connection between the reader and the author's experiences. So, let's discuss each type in more detail:

• A personal narrative essay is based on one's unique experience or event. Personal narrative essay examples include a story about overcoming a fear or obstacle or reflecting on a particularly meaningful moment in one's life.
• A fictional narrative is a made-up story that still follows the basic elements of storytelling. Fictional narratives can take many forms, from science fiction to romance to historical fiction.
• A memoir is similar to personal narratives but focuses on a specific period or theme in a person's life. Memoirs might be centered around a particular relationship, a struggle with addiction, or a cultural identity. If you wish to describe your life in greater depth, you might look at how to write an autobiography .
• A literacy narrative essay explores the writer's experiences with literacy and how it has influenced their life. The essay typically tells a personal story about a significant moment or series of moments that impacted the writer's relationship with reading, writing, or communication.

You might also be interested in discovering 'HOW TO WRITE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY'

Pros and Cons of Narrative Writing

Writing a narrative essay can be a powerful tool for self-expression and creative storytelling, but like any form of writing, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Let's explore the pros and cons of narrative writing in more detail, helping you to decide whether it's the right writing style for your needs.

• It can be a powerful way to convey personal experiences and emotions.
• Allows for creative expression and unique voice
• Engages the reader through storytelling and vivid details
• It can be used to teach a lesson or convey a message.
• Offers an opportunity for self-reflection and growth
• It can be challenging to balance personal storytelling with the needs of the reader
• It may not be as effective for conveying factual information or arguments
• It may require vulnerability and sharing personal details that some writers may find uncomfortable
• It can be subjective, as the reader's interpretation of the narrative may vary

If sharing your personal stories is not your cup of tea, you can buy essays online from our expert writers, who will customize the paper to your particular writing style and tone.

20 Excellent Narrative Essay Topics and How to Choose One

Choosing a good topic among many narrative essay ideas can be challenging, but some tips can help you make the right choice. Here are some original and helpful tips on how to choose a good narrative essay topic:

• Consider your own experiences: One of the best sources of inspiration for a narrative essay is your own life experiences. Consider moments that have had a significant impact on you, whether they are positive or negative. For example, you could write about a memorable trip or a challenging experience you overcame.
• Choose a topic relevant to your audience: Consider your audience and their interests when choosing a narrative essay topic. If you're writing for a class, consider what topics might be relevant to the course material. If you're writing for a broader audience, consider what topics might be interesting or informative to them.
• Find inspiration in literature: Literature can be a great source of inspiration for a narrative essay. Consider the books or stories that have had an impact on you, and think about how you can incorporate elements of them into your own narrative. For example, you could start by using a title for narrative essay inspired by the themes of a favorite novel or short story.
• Focus on a specific moment or event: Most narrative essays tell a story, so it's important to focus on a specific moment or event. For example, you could write a short narrative essay about a conversation you had with a friend or a moment of realization while traveling.
• Experiment with different perspectives: Consider writing from different perspectives to add depth and complexity to your narrative. For example, you could write about the same event from multiple perspectives or explore the thoughts and feelings of a secondary character.
• Use writing prompts: Writing prompts can be a great source of inspiration if you struggle to develop a topic. Consider using a prompt related to a specific theme, such as love, loss, or growth.
• Choose a topic with rich sensory details: A good narrative essay should engage the senses and create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Choose a topic with rich sensory details that you can use to create a vivid description. For example, you could write about a bustling city's sights, sounds, and smells.
• Choose a topic meaningful to you: Ultimately, the best narrative essays are meaningful to the writer. Choose a topic that resonates with you and that you feel passionate about. For example, you could write about a personal goal you achieved or a struggle you overcame.

Here are some good narrative essay topics for inspiration from our experts:

• A life-changing event that altered your perspective on the world
• The story of a personal accomplishment or achievement
• An experience that tested your resilience and strength
• A time when you faced a difficult decision and how you handled it
• A childhood memory that still holds meaning for you
• The impact of a significant person in your life
• A travel experience that taught you something new
• A story about a mistake or failure that ultimately led to growth and learning
• The first day of a new job or school
• The story of a family tradition or ritual that is meaningful to you
• A time when you had to confront a fear or phobia
• A memorable concert or music festival experience
• An experience that taught you the importance of communication or listening
• A story about a time when you had to stand up for what you believed in
• A time when you had to persevere through a challenging task or project
• A story about a significant cultural or societal event that impacted your life
• The impact of a book, movie, or other work of art on your life
• A time when you had to let go of something or someone important to you
• A memorable encounter with a stranger that left an impression on you
• The story of a personal hobby or interest that has enriched your life

Narrative Format and Structure

The narrative essay format and structure are essential elements of any good story. A well-structured narrative can engage readers, evoke emotions, and create lasting memories. Whether you're writing a personal essay or a work of fiction, the following guidelines on how to write a narrative essay can help you create a compelling paper:

• Introduction : The introduction sets the scene for your story and introduces your main characters and setting. It should also provide a hook to capture your reader's attention and make them want to keep reading. When unsure how to begin a narrative essay, describe the setting vividly or an intriguing question that draws the reader in.
• Plot : The plot is the sequence of events that make up your story. It should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with each part building on the previous one. The plot should also have a clear conflict or problem the protagonist must overcome.
• Characters : Characters are the people who drive the story. They should be well-developed and have distinct personalities and motivations. The protagonist should have a clear goal or desire, and the antagonist should provide a challenge or obstacle to overcome.
• Setting : The setting is the time and place the story takes place. It should be well-described and help to create a mood or atmosphere that supports the story's themes.
• Dialogue : Dialogue is the conversation between characters. It should be realistic and help to reveal the characters' personalities and motivations. It can also help to move the plot forward.
• Climax : The climax is the highest tension or conflict point in the story. It should be the turning point that leads to resolving the conflict.
• Resolution : The resolution is the end of the story. It should provide a satisfying conclusion to the conflict and tie up any loose ends.

Following these guidelines, you can create a narrative essay structure that engages readers and leaves a lasting impression. Remember, a well-structured story can take readers on a journey and make them feel part of the action.

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Narrative Essay Outline

Here is a detailed narrative essay outline from our custom term paper writing :

Introduction

A. Hook: Start with an attention-grabbing statement, question, or anecdote that introduces the topic and draws the reader in. Example: 'The sun beat down on my skin as I stepped onto the stage, my heart pounding with nervous excitement.'

B. Background information: Provide context for the story, such as the setting or the characters involved. Example: 'I had been preparing for this moment for weeks, rehearsing my lines and perfecting my performance for the school play.'

C. Thesis statement: State the essay's main point and preview the events to come. Example: 'This experience taught me that taking risks and stepping outside my comfort zone can lead to unexpected rewards and personal growth.'

Body Paragraphs

A. First event: Describe the first event in the story, including details about the setting, characters, and actions. Example: 'As I delivered my first lines on stage, I felt a rush of adrenaline and a sense of pride in my hard work paying off.'

B. Second event: Describe the second event in the story, including how it builds on the first event and moves the story forward. Example: 'As the play progressed, I became more comfortable in my role and connecting with the other actors on stage.'

C. Turning point: Describe the turning point in the story, when something unexpected or significant changes the course of events. Example: 'In the final act, my character faced a difficult decision that required me to improvise and trust my instincts.'

D. Climax: Describe the story's climax, the highest tension or conflict point. Example: 'As the play reached its climax, I delivered my final lines with confidence and emotion, feeling a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.'

A. Restate thesis: Summarize the essay's main point and how the events in the story support it. Example: 'Through this experience, I learned that taking risks and pushing past my comfort zone can lead to personal growth and unexpected rewards.'

B. Reflection: Reflect on the significance of the experience and what you learned from it. Example: 'Looking back, I realize that this experience not only taught me about acting and performance but also about the power of perseverance and self-belief.'

C. Call to action: if you're still wondering how to write an essay conclusion , consider ending it with a call to action or final thought that leaves the reader with something to consider or act on. Example: 'I encourage everyone to take risks and embrace new challenges because you never know what kind of amazing experiences and growth they may lead to.

You might also be interested in getting detailed info on 'HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY CONCLUSION'

Narrative Essay Examples

Are you looking for inspiration for your next narrative essay? Look no further than our narrative essay example. Through vivid storytelling and personal reflections, this essay takes the reader on a journey of discovery and leaves them with a powerful lesson about the importance of compassion and empathy. Use this sample from our expert essay writer as a guide for crafting your own narrative essay, and let your unique voice and experiences shine through.

Narrative Essay Example for College

College professors search for the following qualities in their students:

• the ability to adapt to different situations,
• the ability to solve problems creatively,
• and the ability to learn from mistakes.

Your work must demonstrate these qualities, regardless of whether your narrative paper is a college application essay or a class assignment. Additionally, you want to demonstrate your character and creativity. Describe a situation where you have encountered a problem, tell the story of how you came up with a unique approach to solving it, and connect it to your field of interest. The narrative can be exciting and informative if you present it in such fashion.

Narrative Essay Example for High School

High school is all about showing that you can make mature choices. You accept the consequences of your actions and retrieve valuable life lessons. Think of an event in which you believe your actions were exemplary and made an adult choice. A personal narrative essay example will showcase the best of your abilities. Finally, use other sources to help you get the best results possible. Try searching for a sample narrative essay to see how others have approached it.

Final Words

So now that you know what is a narrative essay you might want to produce high-quality paper. For that let our team of experienced writers help. Our research paper writing service offers a range of professional writing services that cater to your unique needs and requirements, from narrative essays to medical personal statement , also offering dissertation help and more.

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The Admissions Strategist

How to answer: tell me about a time you failed (plus sample answers).

You’re sitting in an interview , giving eloquent answers to every question that comes your way. The interviewer is smiling and leaning forward—the job is practically yours.

Then comes a question you didn’t expect: “Tell me about a time you failed.”

Candidates often struggle with this type of behavioral question. Not only can these questions catch people off guard, but they’re also very challenging to answer effectively.

• After all, you’re trying to make a great impression on your potential employer. It feels uncomfortable to share a story about a time your performance was less than impressive.

Fortunately, there’s a way to honestly describe a time you failed and impress the interviewer.

Read on for tips and examples that will help you deliver a stellar answer and land the job.

Why Do Interviewers Ask This Question?

First, it’s helpful to understand why employers want to hear about a time you failed.

It’s not because they want to expose your flaws or find a reason to reject you.

In fact, when you’re called in for an interview, the interviewer is hoping that you’re just the right fit for the open position.

So, why do they ask this question? Your answer reveals a few different aspects of your character, such as:

• Whether you’re honest and self-aware enough to admit failure and take responsibility
• If you have the capacity to bounce back and learn from failure
• How well you can handle criticism and feedback
• How well you “think on your feet”

All employees are bound to fail sometimes.

But your answer to this question shows how well you handle failure—and whether you’re able to use the lessons learned to achieve success in the future.

How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”

Let’s walk through a few steps that will help you answer the dreaded question, “Tell me about a time you failed.”

Brainstorm Examples

In any given interview, you may or may not be asked about failure. But you should always have an answer prepared just in case.

Otherwise, the question is sure to catch you off guard and lead to an awkwardly long pause, embarrassing rambling, or an answer that isn’t your best.

Brainstorm a few times you failed or made mistakes at previous jobs or internships.

• Choose a real, honest failure to talk about.

However, do not pick a failure that was a catastrophic disaster.

• If, for example, you made a million-dollar mistake or singlehandedly destroyed a major event, it’s best to keep that story to yourself.

Get personalized advice!

Pinpoint why you failed.

Interviewers want to see that you’re reflective and able to analyze and learn from your mistakes.

Instead of simply saying that you upset a valuable client, consider why the client was upset.

• What did you do that led to the problem or misunderstanding?
• Perhaps you made a promise you couldn’t keep or rushed to meet a deadline and delivered low-quality work.

The more you can demonstrate that you take the time to think about your mistakes and figure out what went wrong, the better.

Reflect on What You Learned

Once you’ve pinpointed what went wrong, you can reflect on what you learned from the experience.

• For instance, let’s say you wanted to please the client and promised you could deliver an important project by the end of the week.

This ended up being impossible, and the client was disappointed.

• What did you learn from this experience?

You learned that well-meaning, yet empty promises aren’t the way to impress a client.

• It’s always better to give a conservative estimate and make a promise you can keep.

That way, you’re sure to complete the job on time. And if you finish ahead of schedule, even better!

Share How You’ve Improved

Conclude your answer with an anecdote demonstrating how you’ve applied the lesson you learned.

• If you haven’t had a chance to apply the lesson yet, explain the steps you’ve taken to ensure you don’t make the same mistake again in the future.

Following the example above, you could explain that soon after this incident, you told a client that a project would take three weeks, and you ended up completing it in two and a half.

• Seeing how happy the client was with this result reaffirmed your newfound lesson: Under-promise and over-deliver.

To summarize, your answer should follow this format:

• Briefly describe the mistake/failure
• Pinpoint what went wrong
• Explain what you learned from the experience
• Detail how you’ve improved or how you’re working toward improvement in this area

Sample Answers to “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”

Let’s put our four-step process into practice and look at two top-notch answers to the question, “Tell me about a time you failed.”

“I was giving final approval on a catalog that my company was printing. I was working on several other projects at the time and was in a rush. Plus, the catalog had been reviewed by several people already, so I wasn’t expecting any major errors. I ended up approving the catalog, but after it was sent to the printer and we printed several thousand copies, my boss noticed a pretty significant error. I learned that rushing through a project isn’t helpful. In the long run, it can end up costing more time and money. It’s important to give every project my full attention and take my time. If I have the responsibility of approving something, I can’t just assume that it’s already been done correctly. Since then, I consciously remind myself to slow down. I’ve also worked on being more organized so that I’m not doing too many things at once. I make a daily checklist and prioritize my most important tasks for the day. My boss remarked recently that he was very upset with me when I made that mistake, but since then, my attention to detail has been superb and I’m one of his most conscientious employees.”

Analysis of Answer A:

This answer follows the principles we described above.

• The candidate describes his mistake (approving the catalog despite a significant error), pinpoints why he failed (he was rushing and assumed there were no major errors), reflects on what he learned (slow down; be more organized), and shares how he’s improved (pays attention to detail and consciously takes his time).

In addition, notice that the description of the mistake is much shorter than the rest of the answer.

You’ll need to briefly describe your failure, but your focus should be on what you learned and how you’ve improved since then.

The interviewer doesn’t want to listen to a long story about how badly you messed up; he or she wants to learn how you reflect and grow from your mistakes.

“At a previous job, I was responsible for supervising the creative team. We had one employee who was often late—to work and on deadlines. It never caused any major problems, and she contributed some of the best ideas and projects on the entire team, so I didn’t address it at first. I think she took that to mean I didn’t care or didn’t notice, and she started really dropping the ball on important projects. We ended up losing one of our most important clients based on some of her actions, and the boss let her go. If I had intervened sooner, we could have gotten her tardiness under control and continued to benefit from her ideas. We also could have avoided losing one our biggest clients. The experience taught me to have uncomfortable conversations with employees as soon as an issue comes up. You can’t just ignore issues and expect them to get better. When the employee feels that their poor behavior goes unnoticed, the behavior often becomes worse. The next person that we hired would spend too much time walking around the office talking to coworkers. We had a respectful and positive conversation about it, and the problem stopped. He’s still one of the most successful and productive employees there.”

Analysis of Answer B:

Again, Candidate B described her mistake (not addressing an issue with an employee), explained why it happened (she felt it wasn’t a major problem and the employee was contributing), outlined the lesson learned (have uncomfortable conversations as soon as they become necessary), and shared how she’s improved since then (had a productive conversation with another employee about an emerging issue).

Both Answer A and Answer B show an ability to accept responsibility, reflect on what went wrong, and change future behavior as a result.

Additional Do’s and Don’ts

Here are some additional do’s and don’ts to remember as you prepare for this tricky question.

• Rehearse -Practice your response a few times to make sure you can answer the question smoothly during the interview, even if you get nervous.
• Ask for feedback – If you aren’t certain about your answer, run it by friends or family members and ask for honest feedback.

Does your answer focus on reflection and improvement? Is the failure too big to share, or is it interview-appropriate?

• Feel confident – You’ve followed the process described above and practiced your response, so you’re well-prepared. Take a few deep breaths, relax, and remind yourself that you’re ready to handle this question.
• Give a “fake” failure – Don’t say something like, “I was hoping my marketing campaign would lead to $100,000 in sales, and we only got $90,000.”

The interviewer wants you to be honest and demonstrate the ability to reflect on and grow from a real mistake.

• Make excuses- Although you will explain what went wrong, remember to focus on what went wrong on your Don’t blame coworkers, managers, or your clients.

You want to show that you know how to take responsibility, not pass the blame to others. And if you’re making excuses, you haven’t learned much.

• Write down your response. You want to sound like you’re prepared and giving a thoughtful answer, but you don’t want to sound like you’re reading a script.

A robotic, rehearsed response will come across as disingenuous. Write a few bullet points if you’d like, then practice answering the question aloud a few times. But no writing out your response in full!

Feedback from the Experts

We asked a few professionals at the top of their respective fields what they think about answering this interview qustion.

Please use the advice they have to offer. Enjoy!

According to Salina Hoque, director of human resources and community engagement at Sweet Briar College:

The heart of this type of behavioral question is to gauge how a potential employee can overcome adversity. Interviewers don’t ask this question to place the potential employee in an uncomfortable position, it is because potential employers want to see how you handle setbacks — so get to the part where you’re dealing with the failure as quickly as possible. To answer this question, start with the situation, and explain why it was challenging. Then go into what you specifically did to try and rectify it. By the end of your response, relay the outcome of your story, and then get to the good stuff. You want to wrap up with your lessons learned. When approaching this question, talk about why you think things went badly, maybe what you would have done in hindsight, and, of course, what you’ll be doing going forward.

Steve Pritchard, HR Consultant for Ben Sherman :

Before the interview, make sure you practice this question; the more you stumble upon your answer when the question comes around, the less genuine you seem and the more likely you are to waffle or say the wrong thing, which makes your failure appear worse and untrustworthy. Talking about your past failures to an employer who you want to impress is tough, but the key ingredient to answering this question is to make sure you own it. Your failure is a part of your work experience, one which you learnt from. So, tell the interviewer about your failure honestly, but ensure you make it clear that this failure was a learning experience and has driven you to improve your work ethic. Also, ensure you detail the steps you made to improve and work on your failure; employers want to know you won’t make the same mistake again.

Laurie Richards, CEO of LR&A :

You want to craft an answer that demonstrates a willingness to take responsibility and how this mistake has made you a better candidate or employee. To do that, here’s a three-step process: 1. Acknowledge the truth using a superlative (biggest, hardest, first, last, most, least, etc.). “The biggest mistake I made with a client was approving a change in a plan without the client’s written approval.” The superlative focuses the listener on this one mistake and discourages them from asking for more. If you say, “One mistake was…,” you’ll likely get, “What was another…” 2. Identify a piece of good news. “The good news is that the change was something the client needed — but I didn’t have it in writing, and that was not good.” You’re going to have to look hard from some good news, but find it. The good news may be that the client is happy with the end product or that the problem is fixed. 3. Tell them what you learned and how you’ll ensure it will never happen again.. “What I learned is that it’s imperative to have the client’s approval prior to any additional expenditures. In the future, I’ll put it in a quick email and follow up with phone calls and texts until I get approval. I don’t ever want to face that type client and management wrath again.” The third step is the most important. No one believes the person who says “It will never happen again.” They want to know specifically what you’ll do to prevent it from happening again.

Tony Ellison, CEO of Shoplet.com :

Answering the question, “Tell me about a time you failed” should not be something feared when at an interview. Rather, try to see it as a chance for you to demonstrate a way in which you faced a difficult situation and were able to correct the problem. Approaching the answer to this question with a growth mindset will give your prospective employer a taste of how you handle problems. It also gives insight into your character. Most employees seek employers who are motivated, optimistic and aren’t afraid to take calculated risks. If you play the “I’ve never made a mistake” card, you’re missing an important opportunity for your employer to see how you persevere in times of stress.

From BJ Enoch, the vice president of enterprise accounts for SocialSEO :

When I ask someone to tell me about a time they failed, I’m not overly concerned about what the actual failure was or what it was related to. I’m much more interested in how you handled the failure in the moment and repercussions of that failure. I want to hear if you take full responsibility, if you try to shift responsibility from yourself, and how seriously you take the situation. Even more important to me is understanding what you learned from that failure and what steps you took to avoid that particular incident in the future. Someone looking to score a “perfect 10” on that question would tell me “this is what I failed at,” “this was the situation,” “here’s how I handled it in the moment,” “here’s how I mitigated any potential long-term issues from it,” “this is what I learned from that failure,” and “this is how I used what I learned from that failure.”

Rich Franklin, founder of KBC Staffing :

When approaching this question, you must remember that your interviewer knows that everyone, including themselves, has failed at one point in their life. For that reason, your answer should acknowledge this reality and provide a legitimate failure, preferably from your time in the workplace. Once you have explained what happened, identify why you failed (the mistakes you made), what you could have done differently to have produced a better outcome (the specific alternate behaviors) and the lessons you learned for the future (the general alternate behaviors). By structuring your answer in this manner, you demonstrate the critical skill that most interviewers are looking for – insight. People who have insight into their own behavior tend to be the most valuable employees as they are capable of adjusting, learning and growing on the job.

Final Thoughts: How to Answer the “Tell Me About a Time You Failed” Job Interview Question

Even the most challenging job interview questions can help you win the job if you’re well-prepared.

“Tell me about a time you failed,” doesn’t have to ruin your chances of success. A great answer should include:

• A brief description of the failure/mistake
• A reflective summary of what went wrong
• An explanation of the lesson(s) learned as a result
• Information about how you’ve improved moving forward

By focusing on the last three steps, you’ll demonstrate that you take responsibility for your actions, learn from your failures, and make a conscious effort to avoid making the same mistake twice.

Now that sounds like an employee any interviewer would like to hire !

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How To Answer “Tell Me About A Time You Failed” (With Examples)

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Getting asked “Tell me about a time you failed” in an interview can happen at any moment, so it’s important to know how to answer correctly. This common interview question is a job interviewer ’s bread and butter, as it’s a chance for them to learn a lot about you in many different ways at once — from the story you choose to tell to how much responsibility you take on yourself for the mistake.

To help you answer what the interviewer is looking for, we’ll go over how to answer “Tell me about a time you failed”, provide some sample answers, as well as go over some common mistakes to avoid when answering this interview question . Key Takeaways:

Be honest with the interviewer about your mistake.

Make sure you prepare your answer ahead of time. You don’t want to look like a deer in headlights when you’re asked this question.

Talk about how you have grown and what you have done to fix the mistake.

How to answer “Tell me about a time you failed”

Example answers to “tell me about a time you failed”, why interviewers ask “tell me about a time you failed”, common mistakes to avoid when answering “tell me about a time you failed”, tips for answering “tell me about a time you failed”, “tell me about a time you failed” faqs, final thoughts.

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When answering “Tell me about a time you failed” you need to be honest about your answer and show the interviewer what you learned from your mistake. Here is a more detailed list of how to answer this interview question:

Be honest. It’s important to choose a real failure for your story, and for you to own up to that failure. Giving someone an honest portrayal of a time that you made a mistake at work means nothing if you end it with “…but it wasn’t really my fault, anyway.”

This goes beyond the obvious dishonesty of making up an answer out of whole cloth, which by itself would be a pretty obvious ploy (unless you’re a very good liar). The biggest mistake people make with this answer isn’t that they lie outright about their biggest failure, but instead, it’s that they choose an answer that isn’t really a failure at all.

Show that you learned from your mistake. You’ll want to demonstrate how you learned from this failure and what you did to help resolve it. A hiring manager wants to see how you handled it and how it affected the outcome.

Think ahead to the ending. What has the hiring manager learned about you from you telling about this experience? Did they learn that you know how to accept and move on from mistakes, or that you have some serious character flaws that might prevent you from being a good job candidate ?

Use the STAR method. STAR is (situation, task, action, result) to give your answer a coherent narrative that’s easy to follow. In fact, the STAR method works for all behavioral interview questions.

Here are some tell me about a time you failed examples as well as some common failures that you can use when answering this interview question:

Tell me about a time you failed at a task at work example answer

“When I started my first internship , I was overly eager to go the extra mile. So much so that I agreed to take on unrealistic deadlines with coworkers. I was late completing at least one task each week, and my coworkers were not happy with me. After that experience, I devised a tracking system to make sure I knew how long each task would realistically take, and made sure never to fall behind again. I understand now that it’s better to give a longer timeline and be early than promise the moon and fail to deliver.”

Why it works: This answer works well because he owns up to his mistake and shows awareness that it was negatively affecting his coworkers. It’s always good when you can show that you see yourself from other people’s perspectives. He also shows how he grew from the experience and turned this weakness into an organizational strength .

Tell me about a time you failed to follow the proper protocol example answer

“The biggest mistake that I made at my last job as a warehouse foreman involved a duplicate order that went out. There had been an issue with the new software that the corporate office installed, but I failed to follow the proper protocol that would have caught this mistake. Luckily, the client was very understanding, but I now keep a checklist for each and every order to ensure consistency.”

Why it works: Notice that she brings up that a software error contributed to the mistake without trying to completely exonerate herself. She owns up to her part in the error. Also, she’s not complacent just because the client wasn’t upset; that shows that she holds herself to a high standard in all her work.

Tell me about a time something didn’t go as planned example answer

“About a year ago, I was working on a project with a tight deadline. We had a plan and were making good progress until a critical team member fell ill unexpectedly and had to take a prolonged medical leave. At first, we tried to redistribute the workload among the remaining team members, but it quickly became apparent that it was too much for us to handle without compromising the quality of the project. I communicated this with the manager and proposed a few alternatives. We eventually decided to bring in a temporary contractor to fill in for the absent team member. Although this situation was challenging, we were able to adapt and keep the project on track.”

Why it works: This answer works because the candidate was able to demonstrate their ability to adapt to unexpected challenges. They were also able to show their problem-solving skills and this skill is crucial in any setting.

Tell me about at time when you lost a customer example answer

“I lost a customer when I was responsible for managing a key account for my previous company. The relationship with the customer had been positive for a long time, but due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, we couldn’t meet their needs and expectations. I recognized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the customer and took the initiative to communicate with them openly about the challenges we were facing. I expressed empathy for their situation and assured them that we valued their feedback. I also provided a clear timeline for when we could realistically address their request. Despite my efforts, the customer decided to switch to a competitor that could meet their immediate needs. In the aftermath of this loss, we implemented improvements and proactively reached out to other customers to gather feedback and address their concerns.”

Why it works: This answer works because the candidate took ownership and accountability and acknowledged that losing a customer was a shared responsibility. The answer also showed that they were willing to learn from their mistake and improve and grow to avoid it from happening again.

Examples of failures for interviews

Here are some examples of failure you can use when answering this interview question:

Failure to meet a project deadline

Ignoring customer feedback

Taking on too many responsibilities at once and failing to complete them

Not meeting other expectations

Over-promising to help others when you can’t

Failing an assignment

Not getting a job

Underestimating a project’s budget and overspending

Miscommunication with a team member

Interviewers ask you to tell them about a time you failed because it’s a behavioral interview question , which means the interviewer wants to see how the interviewee performed in a past situation. In this case, an unpleasant situation where you messed up.

Talking about one of your work-related failures can give a hiring manager a lot of insight into what kind of employee you might turn out to be. But it’s a lot harder than other common interview questions like “ Tell me about yourself .”

Having to tell a person you’re actively trying to impress about a time when you made a huge mistake can be daunting, but fortunately, we’ve got some tips to help make your interviewing experience a little easier.

When it comes to talking about a failure of yours to a potential employer, the fear can be palpable. Which do you choose? How do you frame it to make yourself look good without seeming dishonest?

You should avoid putting the blame on others or bringing up any failures that involve a crime. Here are some more common mistakes to avoid when answering this question:

Putting blame on others. To repeat ourselves one last time, this is a story about why you failed. The tendency to try to excuse yourself from blame is a natural impulse, but if it wasn’t your fault, then you didn’t really fail — you were just a victim of circumstance. In which case, the whole story you just told has absolutely no bearing on the question you were asked.

Bringing up failures involving a crime. There are a lot of mistakes a person can make while they’re on the job. As long as a person learns from them, it’s usually okay, but there are certain scenarios in which a mistake is so colossal that it doesn’t really matter whether or not you learned anything from it.

Don’t bring up that particular story. That might seem like an extreme case, but it’s happened before. But even less extreme examples, like talking about how you missed three weeks’ worth of meetings before getting fired , can still set off a lot of red flags.

Claiming you haven’t failed at anything. Hiring managers will question your honesty. They will also think you might be pushing the blame on others and not taking any blame. Everyone fails at something at one point or another, we are only human after all.

Behavioral interview questions like this are all about the future, not the past. Sure, you need to own up to your weaknesses. And then you do need to, you know, actually mention how you’ve grown and built strengths off the experience.

Focus on how you moved forward. This is the most important part of the story you’re telling — how, after having failed or made some kind of major mistake, you were able to grow and change as both a person and an employee. While managers would prefer that all their employees be perfect all the time, they know that realistically the people under them are going to screw up on occasion. They can forgive that.

What they can’t forgive, however, is someone who makes the same mistakes over and over again. A person who can’t learn from their mistakes is not a good employee . Speaking of red flags as we were a moment ago, this is pretty much the biggest. Basically, your story needs a happy ending.

Bring up extenuating factors Maybe part of the reason why you missed so many meetings was that your dog had become sick recently and you were spending extra time taking care of her. That’s a good thing to mention, and it helps to humanize some of your decision-making .

But you still need to bring it back to the problem at hand — in this case, that you were missing meetings, and you hadn’t yet spoken to your boss about the reasons why. Whatever the extenuating factors, your productivity was suffering and you were missing work responsibilities. In the telling of your story, these things still need to be your fault, so that you can go on to recover from them and grow at the end of the story.

How do you answer a job interview question about failure?

To answer a job interview question about failure, you will want to:

Show that you learned from your failure

Focus on the future

Use the STAR method to answer your question

These steps ensure that you answer the question in such a way that shows you are a qualified candidate for the position. Everyone makes mistakes at work, but it is how you overcome your failures that help define you as a professional.

What are examples of failing at work?

Examples of failing at work include:

Missing a deadline

Losing a client

Not making a sale

Deleting a project file by accident

Unable to speak in public

Not responding to an important email on time

There are many examples of failing at work because it happens all the time. You probably have a few that are so common, you didn’t even realize it. You don’t need to beat yourself up when you look back on your own failures.

What is a failure in a positive way?

Failure in a positive is re-framed as an opportunity. It may seem surprising, but failure offers opportunity. It offers the opportunity to learn from your mistakes, to take what you have learned, and to grow as an individual. Additionally, failure can lead to new circumstances which provide new opportunities that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

What are the types of failure?

There are many types of failure, such as preventable failure, systemic failure, and intelligent failure. Preventable, or predicted, failure is the result of deviating from a process known to avoid failures. Systemic failure is the failure that is the result of an entire systemic causing an issue, which in turn affects the system throughout. Intelligent failure is failure that comes from trial and error as you test for some sort of result.

How do you talk about a failure in an interview?

When discussing a failure in an interview, be sure to describe the situation and explain what went wrong. The best way to do this is to use the STAR (situation, task, action, and result) method in your answer. Once you discuss the situation, you should talk about what you learned and what actions you will take to improve yourself so the mistake doesn’t happen again.

So now you’ve got the general idea of it. Talking about your mistakes is easy, but not always advisable. But talking about the right mistakes, and going on to talk about how you’ve grown and implemented changes to the way you work based on these mistakes — that’s how you’ll impress a hiring manager.

And that’s how I learned I should never suddenly raise pharmaceutical prices all at once. I’m a better person now. Now I raise them slowly over time, so no one notices they’re being overcharged.”

The question might be to talk about a time you failed, but that’s not quite true. What employers really want to know is how you went on to succeed in the face of a previous failure.

After all, everyone loves an underdog story.

U.S. Department of Labor – Interview Tips

Harvard Business Review – How to Answer “Tell Me About a Time You Failed” in a Job Interview

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Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.

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