Whenever you write a narration, have a purpose in mind, whether that purpose is to explain what happened, to prove something, or simply to entertain someone. If you do not know the purpose of your narration, your readers will not know it either.

Also consider who your audience is and what they know and do not know. Finally, be clear on your main point — what is important about the narration. Generally, college instructors will want your main point to indicate what is important to you about a story. For clarity, state the main point in the first paragraph, and remind readers of it at the end of your narration.

Take another look at the passage under the Four Basics of Good Narration (see “Understand What Narration Is”).

. . . I also learned how unexpected new traditions can . . . make a holiday even more meaningful.

This statement emphasizes the event’s importance to the writer.

In writing a narrative, make sure your topic sentence (for paragraphs) and thesis statement (for essays) communicate your general topic and the main point you are making about the topic.