A View from the Bridge

Essay 1 Prompt – Summarize a Narrative
For this essay, you will summarize the short essay “A View from the Bridge” (page 90 in our textbook) and tell what makes the essay a narrative. You will probably need to read the essay more than once to write a well-constructed and informed summary.
Thing to keep in mind as you write:
– Remember that when you summarize, your primary “job” is to decide which details are the most important ones to highlight in order to retell the story and relay its message. Using a casual outline may be helpful in the prewriting stage.
– Your essay should be organized according to the points you wish to make (not as a play by play that mirrors the organization of the essay you’re summarizing).
– As the writer, you need to remain objective. Do not include personal stories or anecdotes. You are not writing a narrative yourself.
– You will also need to discuss how the film represents the narrative genre. In order to do this, you must identify specific elements of narrative in the essay (review ch. 5). The key here is to be specific, provide concrete examples, and explain fully.