It’s 2:17 AM. The Bean is glistening in the distance. The wind is howling outside your window with that special Chicago vindictiveness. While you’re having an emotional struggle, your roommate is fast asleep and totally oblivious. You’re six hours deep into a narrative essay that was supposed to take two hours tops, with nothing but a blinking cursor, three sentences you’ve rewritten seventeen times, and the faint scent of desperation.
Welcome to the narrative essay experience in Chicago.
Pursuing creative writing at Columbia College Chicago, literature at the University of Chicago, storytelling at DePaul or taking that one mandatory English class at Loyola can never escape the dreaded narrative essay which arrives as relentless and harsh as winter in Chicago.
But what if I shared that it can actually be a lot easier? Maybe working on a narrative essay could feel as enjoyable as a carefree summer day at North Avenue Beach and not as tough as facing a polar vortex.
Let’s take a moment to define exactly what this is all about. Because half the battle is understanding the assignment—something Chicago writing professors seem to believe is intuitive. (Spoiler: it’s not.)
A narrative essay is, at its core, a story. But not just any story—it’s a story with intention. Think of it as the literary equivalent of the L train: it needs to take readers from one place to another with purpose, even if there are delays and interesting characters along the way.
A proper narrative essay includes:
What a narrative essay is NOT:
Professor Eleanor Martinez at Columbia College Chicago explains: “The most common misconception I see among students is treating narrative essays like diary entries. Your diary doesn’t need a point. Your narrative essay absolutely does.”
There’s something uniquely challenging about writing narrative essays in Chicago, and it’s not just because we’re too distracted by the eternal debate between deep dish and tavern-style pizza.
Many celebrated writers from Chicago include Gwendolyn Brooks, Stuart Dybek, Sandra Cisneros and Saul Bellow. Being on the same soil as Native Son and The House on Mango Street, writing here feels like you have something big to prove.
As Professor James Nguyen of DePaul University notes: “Chicago students face a unique paralysis when writing narratives. They walk the same streets as literary legends and sit in the same cafés where great American novels were penned. That creates both inspiration and intimidation.”
Chicago is a city of extremes and contradictions—architectural beauty alongside urban decay, extreme wealth beside poverty, brutal winters followed by glorious summers. This environment creates unique storytelling challenges:
Chicago’s academic institutions have developed their own particular demands when it comes to creative writing and narrative essays:
Now that we’ve established what we’re up against, let’s break down the structure of a narrative essay that will impress even your most intimidating writing professor.
Like Chicago’s elevated train, your introduction should lift readers above the ordinary and give them a new perspective. It needs to be both functional (getting them where they need to go) and provide a compelling view.
Essential elements:
Example of a weak introduction: “I was really nervous on my first day of college at UIC. I did not recognize anyone and I felt like I didn’t fit in. This experience taught me about belonging.”
Example of a strong hook: “At UIC-Halsted, the Blue Line came to a stop and spat me out, together with my big backpack and little confidence, among lots of students who looked comfortable. I held my campus map so tightly that it was already wet with sweat and it was only October.”
Why it works: It establishes character (nervous new student), setting (UIC campus, Blue Line), atmosphere (intimidating, overwhelming), and suggests the theme (belonging) without explicitly stating it.
Just as Michigan Avenue builds from the Chicago River to Oak Street Beach, your rising action should escalate, creating a pathway of increasing interest and tension.
Key components:
The Chicago Detail Rule: Include specific Chicago references that serve the story without becoming tourist brochure material. A mention of “the sound of jazz floating from Andy’s on Hubbard” works better than “Chicago’s famous jazz scene.”
The climax of your narrative should be like reaching the Skydeck—a moment of clarity where everything comes into perspective, even if that perspective is terrifying.
Characteristics of an effective climax:
Example climax structure: “Standing at the intersection of Washington and Wabash, watching the L rumble overhead as strangers pushed past me in both directions, I finally understood what Professor Zhao had meant. Chicago wasn’t going to make space for me—I would have to carve that space myself.”
Just as Chicago famously reversed its river—an engineering feat that changed the city’s relationship with its environment—your resolution should show how your experience reversed or altered something fundamental in your understanding.
Elements of successful resolution:
Professor Amara Washington of Roosevelt University advises: “The strongest narrative essays don’t tie everything up with a bow. They show how one experience created ripples that continue to affect the writer’s life and thinking.”
Struggling to find your story? Here are seven quintessentially Chicago narrative frameworks that provide rich ground for meaningful essays:
Chicago is famously a city of neighborhoods, each with distinct character and often invisible but powerful boundaries. Narratives about crossing these boundaries—whether physical, cultural, or socioeconomic—provide natural conflict and opportunity for growth.
Potential angle: A first experience venturing from your home neighborhood to another part of the city, and how it challenged your assumptions or expanded your understanding.
Chicago’s brutal winters and sweltering summers aren’t just small talk—they’re formative experiences that test resilience and often create unexpected moments of community or insight.
Potential angle: How a particular weather event (blizzard, polar vortex, summer heat wave) became a backdrop for a more personal crisis or breakthrough.
The CTA becomes a character in most Chicagoans’ lives, and its confined spaces force encounters with diversity, inequality, kindness, and occasional chaos.
Potential angle: A significant conversation or observation during a commute that shifted your perspective on the city or yourself.
The Art Institute, Field Museum, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Steppenwolf Theatre—Chicago’s cultural institutions often provide settings for profound personal experiences.
Potential angle: How an artwork, performance, or exhibit created a mirror for examining your own life choices or values.
There is much more to Chicago’s food than just its famous deep-dish and tavern-style pizzas. There are plenty of culinary experiences in the city, helping us understand concepts of identity, heritage and belonging.
Potential angle: How eating or preparing a traditional Chicago food affects how you feel about your identity or community.
Chicago’s coastline, place for meditation and place to play are all provided by Lake Michigan. Because it is expansive and sometimes changes rapidly, the outdoors is a perfect backdrop for gaining clear thoughts.
Potential angle: A specific moment when the lake provided perspective on a personal struggle or decision.
Personal narratives gain depth when connected to Chicago’s rich history—labor movements, Great Migration, political machines, architectural innovation, literary movements.
Potential angle: How discovering a piece of Chicago history helped you understand your own place in the city’s ongoing story.
Now that we’ve covered structure and potential topics, let’s explore the technical and stylistic elements that elevate an average narrative essay to an exceptional one.
In Chicago, you can hear the lyrical poems of Gwendolyn Brooks and the realistic style of Nelson Algren. You need to speak in a voice that is your own, but you must also carefully build it.
Voice development strategies:
Professor Leon Jackson of Truman College advises: “Many students believe they need to write in ‘academic language’ for narrative essays. Actually, your authentic voice—thoughtfully refined—is your strongest asset.”
Chicago is a deeply sensory city—the sound of the L overhead, the smell of caramel corn mixing with lake breeze, the feeling of wind cutting through streets. Effective narratives use sensory details strategically, not decoratively.
The sensory detail hierarchy (from strongest to weakest impact):
Pro tip: For each scene in your narrative, include at least two different sensory details (not just visual), but no more than four total to avoid overwhelming the reader.
Use dialogue in your essay sparingly, to reflect memorable or important moments or to build knowledge of your characters.
Guidelines for effective dialogue:
Example of ineffective dialogue: “Hey,” she said. “Hi,” I replied. “How are you doing?” she asked. “I’m fine,” I told her. “How are you?” “I’m good,” she answered.
Example of effective dialogue: “Is this not your hometown?” The cashier gave me my order after raising an eyebrow at me. Lying, I said I was born and raised here, forming each vowel indistinctly to sound fitting.
Just as Chicago architecture balances function with artistic expression, your reflective elements should serve both practical and aesthetic purposes.
Reflection dos and don’ts:
DO:
DON’T:
Even the most talented Chicago writers fall into common traps when crafting narrative essays. Here’s how to recognize and avoid these pitfalls:
Many narrative essays present polished facades without inviting readers into deeper, messier truths—like walking down Michigan Avenue without ever exploring the more authentic neighborhoods beyond.
Warning signs:
Solution: Identify a moment of genuine vulnerability or uncertainty within your experience. Center your narrative around this moment rather than around achievements or realizations that came easily.
Chicago writers often gravitate toward narratives of hardship—academic struggles, financial challenges, harsh winters—but forget to transform those experiences into meaningful insights.
Warning signs:
Solution: For every hardship described, include both an active response (what you did) and a reflective component (how it changed you). Ask yourself: “What would this experience mean to someone who’s never faced this specific challenge?”
Just as locals avoid Navy Pier despite its prominence, strong narratives avoid predictable Chicago references and experiences that feel inauthentic or touristy.
Warning signs:
Solution: When including Chicago-specific elements, choose details that are personal to your experience rather than postcard images. Ask yourself: “Could only I have experienced Chicago in this particular way?”
Many essays fall into repetitive patterns—like riding the Loop L train around and around without ever reaching a destination.
Warning signs:
Solution: Map your narrative arc visually, identifying the purpose of each paragraph or scene. Eliminate any that serve identical functions, and ensure each section moves the story forward in terms of action, understanding, or emotional development.
Ernest Hemingway had an editor too. It’s perfectly fine to get help from an expert, as it demonstrates your commitment to your writing.
1. Narrative Structure Consultation Professional guidance on organizing your story elements for maximum impact.
Recommended resource: DissertationHive offers specialized narrative structure sessions tailored to creative writing requirements.
2. Developmental Editing Comprehensive feedback on the effectiveness of your narrative, with suggestions for strengthening weak areas.
Recommended resource: StudyCorgi provides in-depth developmental editing with experienced creative writing professionals.
3. Line Editing and Polishing Refining language, dialogue, and prose to elevate your authentic voice.
Recommended resource: EssayPro specializes in preserving unique voice while improving technical elements.
4. Last-Minute Narrative Rescue Emergency assistance when deadlines loom and blocks persist.
Recommended resource: EssayShark offers rapid-response help with narrative essays while maintaining quality.
5. Full-Service Narrative Development Guidance through every stage from concept to final draft.
Recommended resource: StudyCreek provides comprehensive narrative essay support with specialized creative writing expertise.
6. Ethical Collaborative Writing Professional partnership that enhances your ideas while ensuring the final work authentically represents your voice and experience.
Recommended resource: Edusson maintains strict ethical standards while providing comprehensive narrative development support.
Professional assistance should enhance your authentic narrative, not replace it. Ethical services:
As Professor Diana Williams of Northeastern Illinois University notes: “There’s a significant difference between getting help shaping your narrative and having someone create a narrative for you. The former is a valuable part of the writing process; the latter undermines the purpose of the assignment.”
While creativity is essential, so is professionalism. Here are the standard technical requirements for narrative essays in Chicago’s academic institutions:
Different Chicago schools have slightly different preferences. Always check your specific assignment guidelines, but these are common variations:
University of Chicago:
Columbia College Chicago:
DePaul University:
Loyola University:
Most Chicago institutions now require digital submission of narrative essays. Ensure your work stands out for the right reasons:
Waiting until the last minute to write a narrative essay is like deciding to visit the Signature Room during tourist season without a reservation—technically possible, but unnecessarily stressful and likely to end in disappointment.
Weeks 3-4 Before Deadline: Exploration Phase
Weeks 2-3 Before Deadline: Drafting Phase
Week Before Deadline: Development Phase
Days Before Deadline: Polishing Phase
72 Hours Before Deadline:
48 Hours Before Deadline:
24 Hours Before Deadline:
Pro tip: If you’re in the emergency timeline zone, professional services like StudyCreek offer rapid narrative essay assistance without sacrificing quality.
The Windy City offers unique resources for narrative writers seeking inspiration or support:
A narrative essay isn’t just an assignment—it’s an opportunity to make meaning from your Chicago experience. In a city of nearly three million stories, yours matters. It contributes to the ongoing narrative of this complex, challenging, beautiful city.
Remember:
As Nelson Algren wrote in “Chicago: City on the Make,” this city “forever keeps two faces, one for winners and one for losers, one for hustlers and one for squares.” Your narrative essay is your chance to show which face the city has shown to you—or perhaps to reveal a third face that only you have seen.
For personalized assistance with any aspect of narrative essay development, consider these professional resources:
Information
Paper Format: Number of pages: Type of work: Type of paper: Sources needed MLA 1 Double spaced Writing from scratch Essay No specific sources required Subject Business Topic PATENT CASE STUDY QUESTIONS
Academic Level: Bachelor
Paper details
1 page double spaced
Roger Schlafly applied for a patent for two prime numbers. (A prime number cannot be evenly divided by any number other than itself and 1—2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, for example.) Schlafly’s numbers are a bit longer—one is 150 digits, the other is 300. His numbers, when used together, can help perform the type of mathematical operation necessary for exchanging coded messages by computer. Should the PTO issue this patent?
Name:
Tutor:
Date:
Roger Schlafly Patent
Roger Schlafly prospered in exploiting something that no mathematician has ever achieved. Essentially, the scholar untested a number. The inexplicable incident is the newest turn in the legend of conveying software copyrights that irritated U.S. Trademark and Patent for about twenty years (Ludwig, 2016). Schlafly describes that if one surveyed asking about the patent of prime numbers, the answer most individuals would give is that it’s ridiculous. Roger has not only patented any number, but also ensures that his figures have a length of approximately 150 digits.
This implies that the figures have a feature that makes them conceivable to yield the definite shortcut while executing integrated division. An enhancement in division is good start for individuals applying the Hellman primary civic cryptography method. This method uses recurring integrated divisions as a device for decrypting and encrypting secret programs (Golovanov, pg 57). Cryptographic are formulated by hundreds of characters long, meaning any slightest advancement it’s time-saving.
Even though this patent assists in speeding up few calculations in mathematics, patents decelerate evolvement of emerging software. These patents are escalating, nearly 4500 were approved in 1994, and 5400 were anticipated to be granted in 1995. In the year 1972, the U.S. Supreme reigned that the computer systems should not be patented. In 1978 the lower court reinterpreted, the higher court’s decision of banning patenting algorithms (Golovanov, pg 87). Regrettably, the governing never demarcated the meaning of algorithms in mathematics.
Roger’s patent appears apt reliable with new Patent Organization strategy. Patent that is titled “Partial Integrated Reduction Technique” terms algorithm as getting prime numbers of having this precise feature. Most presentations of patent stop there. Roger’s proceeds, appealing the prime figures of having the feature. One has 500 characters long; the other has 1,024. However, the numerals gratify the main desires of patentability (Ludwig, pg 74). It is innovative, since there is no record of being used before, and they are valuable since they can be used for cryptography. The PTO should issue this patent since it is solely available for any idea and the algorithms are beneficially applied.
Work Cited
Golovanov, Sergey Y., and Alexey V. Monastyrsky. “System and methods for detection of fraudulent online transactions.” U.S. Patent No. 9,363,286. 7 Jun. 2016.
Ludwig, Adrian L., Curtis Gerald Condra IV, and Nicholas Neil Kralevich IV. “Configuration file updater.” U.S. Patent No. 9,275,006. 1 Mar. 2016.
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