Narrative Essay Topics and Prompts - English Teaching Worksheets

It’s an unfortunate fact of life, but bullying is very common. Write about a time someone tried to bully you.
Everyone loses something from time to time. Write about a time you lost something important.
We should always be willing to help people in need. Write about a time someone thanked you for helping them.
One of the most basic human emotions is anger. Write about a time you felt really angry at someone.
We all hope for happiness in our lives. Write about a time you felt really happy with someone.
Even though envy is not very useful, it’s hard not to envy others sometimes. Write about a time you envied someone.
Sometimes we get our hopes up, but things don’t turn out the way we were hoping they would. Write about a time you felt disappointed.
It happens to everyone. We do something stupid or silly in front of other people and we feel embarrassed. Write about a time you were embarrassed about something.
Life is full of difficult moments and obstacles that stand in our way. Write about a time you overcame a challenge.
There is an old saying: “Variety is the spice of life.” Write about a time you tried something new.
We all have fears, whether we want to admit them or not. Write about a time you did something even though you were afraid.
At some time in our lives, we all wish we hadn’t done something that we did. Write about something you did that you regretted.
Traveling is one of the best ways to learn about the world. Write about a time you traveled to an interesting place.
No matter how similar you are to another person, there will always be something that you disagree about. Write about a time you argued with someone.
Maya Angelou said, “Try to be the rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” Write about a time you were kind to someone.
Write about a time someone was kind to you.
The best way to excel at something is to practice, practice, practice. Write about a time you got better at doing something.
No matter how old you are, you can never be too old to learn something new. Write about a time you learned a new skill.
You don’t have to work in a school to be a teacher. Write about a time you taught someone else how to do something.
Winning is one of the best feelings in the world. Write about a time you won a game.
Whenever you play a game, there’s a chance you will lose. Write about a time you lost a game.
One of the best things in life is to sit down and eat a wonderful meal. Write about a time you ate something delicious.
One thing that makes food taste better is if you cook it yourself. Write about a time you made something to eat.
Even though it doesn’t seem like it sometimes, we actually can live without our phones. Write about a time you didn’t use your phone for one hour.
One of the best ways to learn is to fail. Write about a time you tried to do something, but you failed. What did you learn?
Sometimes you think really hard and a great idea pops out! Write about a time you had a really good idea.
Our parents usually want to keep us safe and sound, but sometimes that means not being able to do what we want. Write about a time you wanted to do something, but your parents wouldn’t let you.
Friends are one of those things that make life worth living. Write about a time you did something fun with a friend or a group of friends.
One of humanity’s greatest inventions was the moving picture, or “movie.” Write about a time you watched a great movie. What was it about?
A good book can inform, entertain, or do both at the same time! Books can take us anywhere in the world. Write about a time you read a great book.
Stories are not just for reading. You can write them, too! Write about a time you wrote a story. What was it about?
Did you know Nintendo started as a card game company? Now millions of people play their video games every day. Write about a time you played a video game. Which game did you play? Was it fun?
One of the most satisfying feelings is making something yourself. Write about a time you made something yourself. What did you make? Was it difficult? Why or why not?
No matter how healthy you are, you can’t avoid getting sick at some time during your life. Write about a time you were sick.
Life comes with its share of bumps, bruises, and other injuries. Write about a time you got hurt. What happened? How long did it take you to feel better?
Whether you’re having a sleepover at a friend’s house or you’re finishing an important paper for school, sometimes you just don’t sleep for a whole night. Write about a time you stayed up all night.
No matter how smart you are (or how smart you think you are), you have done something stupid in your life. Write about a time you did something stupid.
There’s nothing quite like stepping into a new pair of shoes or putting on a shirt that fits you well. Write about a time you bought a new piece of clothing.
You might be ashamed to admit it, but some time in your life, you have lied to someone. What happened? Why did you lie? Did you get away with it or did you get caught?
Sometimes we cry from sadness, sometimes we cry from joy. Write about a time you cried.
It might have been in a museum, online, or even in a comic or video game, but everyone has seen great art. Write about a time you saw a great piece of art.
Friends are great because they help and support us when we need it. However, that also means that we should support them when they need it. Write about a time you talked to a friend who needed you.
Another thing friends are great for is advice. When you don’t know what to do, one great option is to ask a friend. Write about a time you asked a friend for advice. Was it good advice?
Every grandchild has benefited from a grandparent’s generosity at some point. However, grandparents give us something more valuable than money and toys. They are full of wisdom and experience. Write about a time you talked to a grandparent. What did you learn?
One of the greatest things you can do in life is help others. Write about a time you did volunteer work, donated to a charity, or helped people in some other way.
It happens all the time. You lend something to someone and you never get it back. Write about a time someone took something from you and didn’t give it back.
Even though it sometimes feels like it, friends don’t just drop on us from heaven. We meet them and a friendship blossoms. Write about a time you made a friend.
Whether you have any or not, someone will always ask you for some. Write about a time someone asked you for money.
Write about a time you saw someone do something wrong. What did they do? How did you react to it?
No matter how good you are at staying calm, something has made you lose your cool. Write about a time you got very angry.
Write about a time you were very frightened. What scared you? What did you do?
We all make mistakes, and if they hurt someone, we should say sorry. Write about a time you apologized to someone.
Most of life is boring and forgettable, but every once in a while, something really important happens. Write about a time when something happened that you will never forget.
Singing (when you want to) is one of the most joyful things you can do in life. Write about a time you sang a song and felt happy.
Even if you’re not a musician, you’ve probably picked up an instrument at some time in your life. Write about a time you played a musical instrument. What was the instrument? Did it sound good when you played it?
For some, it takes courage to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know. For others, it’s a daily occurrence. And sometimes, someone you don’t know starts talking to you. Write about a time you talked to someone you didn’t know.
Life gets pretty busy at times. If you don’t slow down, you may miss the chance to enjoy it. Write about a time you felt very relaxed. Where were you? What were you doing?
No matter who you are, you’re going to need something from someone sooner or later. Write about a time you asked someone for a favor. What did you need? Did they help you?
Trying new things is one of the best ways to keep life interesting. Write about a time you played a sport you had never played before. Was it difficult to learn? Did you play it again after that?
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes you see something that you have a hard time believing. Write about a time you were amazed by something.
You don’t have to do something amazing to feel proud of yourself. As long as you do your best, you can be proud. Write about a time you did something that made you proud.
Most of us don’t realize it, but we often get by through the efforts of others, whether it be family, friends, teachers, or total strangers. Write about a time you were grateful for something.
For better or worse, life doesn’t always go the way we expect. Write about a time you were surprised by something.
It can be embarrassing sometimes, but it’s okay to get excited about something, even in front of other people. Write about a time you were enthusiastic about something.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get what you want. It can even feel like the world takes pleasure in denying us what we want. Write about a time you were frustrated about something.
You might not be Batman or Wonder Woman, but chances are you have had to do something that required courage. Write about a time you did something brave.
It may have killed the cat, but we just can’t help it. People are curious by nature, which is great, because curiosity has led to some of humanity’s greatest discoveries. Write about a time you were curious about something.
Humans are social creatures. We tend to thrive in groups and communities. That’s why we often feel like something’s wrong when we’re alone. Write about a time you felt lonely.
For much of life, nothing interesting is happening. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes we just wish something would happen. Anything. Write about a time you were really bored. What did you do to alleviate your boredom?
For some, it’s tests, for others, it’s performances. It could even be meeting someone for the first time. Write about a time you were nervous about something.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes, just sometimes, you get lucky. Write about a time you were lucky.
For every time we get lucky, we seem to be unlucky twice. Write about a time you were unlucky.
It could have been a movie or TV show, or perhaps a book. It might even have been something that happened in your life. Write about a time you were touched by something.
Sometimes it happens on Christmas or a birthday, though it would be nice if it happened all the time. Write about a time you got something you really wanted.
Sometimes you just feel like your personal battery has run down all the way. Write about a time you were exhausted.
Maybe you were playing out in the snow or maybe you were just sitting in a cold classroom. Write about a time you were freezing cold.
It might have been a sports game, a birthday party, or some other noteworthy occasion. Or it might have been something most people don’t care about, but that you care about deeply. Write about a time you were very excited.
It’s great to have role models. It can be a great way to improve yourself and become more successful in life. Write about a time when you admired someone.
Oh, how satisfying it is when you insist on something and someone else disagrees just as forcefully, and in the end, it turns out that you were right! Write about a time this happened. What did you say afterward?
It happened to Caesar and it can happen to you. Write about a time you felt betrayed.
Most of us are busy much of the time, but sometimes we get really busy. Write about a time you were really busy. How did you react? Are you one of those weird people who aren’t happy unless they’re running at 100% all the time?
Everyone needs some peace and quiet every once in a while, even those who thrive on stress. Write about a time you went to a very peaceful place. Where was it? Why was it so peaceful?
Respect is the foundation of every relationship. Without it, you and the other person will start to drift apart, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly. Write about a time you felt disrespected.
It’s not always easy to do the right thing. If it were easy, people would do the right thing all the time. However, that just isn’t the case. Write about a time you did the right thing even though it was difficult.
Inspiration comes in many different forms. It might be a work of art or a great book. It could even be something seen in everyday life. Write about a time you were inspired by something.
It’s wonderful spending time with family and friends, but sometimes you just need to get away. Write about a time you enjoyed being alone.
Ghost stories are not just for campfires. They’re all around us, in books and horror movies. Write about a time you heard a ghost story. Were you frightened?
It can be a frightening experience or it can be an opportunity to go somewhere you never would have gone otherwise. Write about a time you got lost.
Maybe you heard a great joke or maybe something funny happened in your life. Everyone laughs. Write about a time you laughed really hard.
“Expect the unexpected” is a seemingly paradoxical quote that often pops up when talking about exploring new places or encountering unfamiliar situations. However, it often happens in our everyday lives. Write about a time something unexpected happened.
Not even scientists completely understand dreams and what function they serve in the brain, but we all have them. Sometimes they’re pleasant. Sometimes they’re not. Write about a time you had a nightmare.
“Sweet dreams.” Someone has probably said this to you at some time in your life, and hopefully their wish for you came true. Write about a time you had a pleasant dream.
Most people took a family trip somewhere when they were younger. For some, it was a fun experience. For others, it wasn’t so fun. Write about a time you took a trip with your family.
In the age of text messages, it’s not very common to dial someone’s number anymore. Write about the last time you actually talked to someone on the phone.
It might not mean much to you, but it will probably mean a lot to the person you are talking to, whether they are a family member or a significant other. Write about a time you told someone you loved them.
For children (and some adults), staying away from home for long periods of time can be a challenge. Write about a time you stayed away from home for more than one night.
It’s not as popular now as some other forms of entertainment, but for many, it’s a magical experience. Write about a time you saw a play.
It can be a memorable experience for good reasons or bad. Write about a time you ate something really spicy.
For those with a sense of adventure, it’s a common experience. For those who are homebodies, it probably doesn’t happen very often. Write about a time you went to a new place.
Reading books and traveling are not the only ways to broaden your horizons. Food is a great (and delicious) way to learn about the world. Write about a time you tried a new kind of food.