Inquiry 1: Final Rhetorical Narrative Essay

Inquiry 1 Rough Draft

Xuesong Li

Inquiry 1 Rough Draft

In my life, I have encountered many instances, which together have shaped my life. Above all the others, my car accident greatly impacted my life and taught me the importance of respecting life, mine and that of other people. It is the respect of life that enables us to make the right decisions when faced with challenges, enabling us to be better human beings.

The day of the accident still ringers in my mind today. It was ion a Friday evening, and my parents were out, attending a work-related retreat. This meant I was alone at home, having previously refused to go to my uncle’s place to spend the weekend. I highlighted the many things I had to do in the garden at home, and I was finally able to convince my parents to let me stay home alone. What they did not know is that I had my plans for the weekend.

Immediately they had left, I headed for the garage, and there it stood. The rose-red Audi was parked at the far end of the garage. I walked over to it admiring all its features, as for the first time today; I was all alone with the lovely car. The urge I always felt of driving this sleek car was now at a point of explosion, and I could not resist it anymore.

Having previously worked with my father at the garage, I knew exactly where the car keys were kept. I started the car and drove out of the runway. I did not care that I had no license, and my father had never allowed me to drive his car. I drove the car through the runway into the highway at lightning speed, as the roar of the engine pushed me to drive faster. Little did I know that I was about to pay for driving when it is illegal.

As I was overtaking around a bend, another car suddenly appeared ahead of us. I froze as I did not know what to do when faced with the possibility of death. It was at this instance when I suddenly swayed the car out of the road and into a tree where I passed out. I woke up after two days in the hospital had several bones cracked and with bandages around my head. I was discharged after two months, and although I fully recovered, the incidence taught me many lessons and entirely changed my life.

References

Feldman, M. S., Sköldberg, K., Brown, R. N., & Horner, D. (2004). Making sense of stories: A rhetorical approach to narrative analysis. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 14(2), 147-170.