How to write a narrative paragraph
Short answer: A narrative paragraph tells what happened in time order. Start with a topic sentence that sets up the story, tell the events with time words such as first, then and finally, keep the verbs in the past tense, and close with how it ended or what you learned.
🎯 I can write a story paragraph.
At a glance
| Part | Job | Example |
|---|---|---|
| topic sentence | sets up the story | Last Sunday I got lost on a hike. |
| events | what happened, in order | First I took the wrong path. Then it began to rain. |
| closing | ending or lesson | Now I always carry a map. |
How to write it
- Choose one event and write a topic sentence that sets it up.
- List the events in the order they happened.
- Write them in the past tense and add first, then, after that and finally.
- Close with the ending or what you learned.
A model text
Last Sunday I got lost on a hike. First, I took the wrong path because the sign was hidden by leaves. Then it began to rain, and I had no umbrella. After that, I found a small hut and waited until the sky cleared. Finally, a guide showed me the way back. Now I always carry a map.
- The topic sentence sets up the story.
- Time words show the order.
- The ending gives a lesson.
Common mistakes
Last Sunday I get lost.→ Last Sunday I got lost.
Use the past tense.Finally I got home. First I took a wrong path.→ First I took a wrong path. Finally I got home.
Keep time order.Then I walked. Then I ran. Then I sat.→ I walked, ran and then sat down.
Vary the time words.
Narrative and informative
A narrative follows time. An informative paragraph follows topics.
| Type | Order | Tense |
|---|---|---|
| narrative | time | past |
| informative | topic | present |
Check yourself
- Which words show time order?
Show the answer
First, then, after that, finally. They link events.
- Which tense?
Show the answer
The past tense. The story already happened.
- What ends a narrative?
Show the answer
The ending or a lesson. It closes the story.
Rule cards that help
- A or The?: Say a the first time. Say the when we both know which one.
- at 7, on Monday, in May: time words: Say when with at (a clock time), on (a day) and in (a month or part of the day).
- Past: was and were: was and were tell about the past. Use was with I, he, she and it. Use were with you, we and they.
- Past simple: regular -ed: To talk about the past, most action words add -ed. It is the same for every person.
- Past simple: irregular verbs and did: Some action words have a special past form. After did or didn't, use the plain action word.
- Telling a story: first, then, next, finally: Order words put the steps of a story in order. Keep the whole story in the past.
- Full stops and commas between ideas: A full stop ends a sentence. A comma follows a starting when / if / before part. A comma alone cannot join two sentences.
Sounds that help
- Pronouncing -ed: Past -ed endings in stories
- Rhythm & Chunking: Tell a story in chunks
- Telling Short Stories: Telling short stories
Questions
How many events should I include?
Three to four is enough for one paragraph.
Can I use I?
Yes, a personal story is told with I.
Where can I practice?
The paragraph stone has narrative lessons.
Part of 📄 Paragraphs that flow (stone 3 of the Learning Path). See also the English writing guide. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30