Sample Writing: Narrate a True Event Involving a Person or Historical Event

Prompt: Compose an essay recounting a true event related to a historical figure or event.

Compose an essay narrating a true event related to a historical figure or event.

I. Outline for Recounting a True Event Involving a Person or Historical Event

1. Introduction:

- Present a true event related to a historical figure or event that the text will narrate.

- Explain the reasons or circumstances under which the writer collected relevant materials.

2. Body:

- Recreate the context, story, or traces related to the person or historical event.

+ Story, legend related to the person or event

+ Relevant traces

- Recapitulate the content/development of the true event related to the historical figure or event.

+ Start - development - conclusion

+ Utilize some evidence (documents, quotations, etc.); combine storytelling with description.

- Discuss the significance, impact of the event on life or perception of the historical figure/event.

3. Conclusion:

- Assert the significance of the event or state the writer's impression about the event.

II. Sample essay recounting a true event related to a historical figure or event

1. Essay recounting a true event related to a historical figure or event - Sample essay #1

'The Marching Song' is an artistic masterpiece that I deeply cherish. The song has become a familiar melody in every flag-raising ceremony and important national events. I cannot forget the days I composed this anthem.

There were times when I was immersed in boredom and disappointment, unable to find an ideal and dreams of youth. However, the appearance of my mentor, Ph.D., saved me from the dark days, allowing a young man like me to step into a new chapter. Through Ph.D.'s introduction, I had the chance to meet Vu Quy, the elder who had always observed and supported my artistic path.

The meeting with Vu Quy was a significant milestone in my life, as I found a new path, the path of revolution and enlightenment, imbued with the ideals of the Communist Party of Vietnam. At that time, I longed to obtain a gun and join the armed forces to directly fight the enemy. However, I was assigned the artistic task. The historical context posed an urgent situation: to create a morale-boosting song for the upcoming anti-Japanese resistance campaign. Although I had composed numerous patriotic songs like 'Dong Da,' 'Thang Long March,' 'The Sound of the Forest,' etc., I had never written a revolutionary anthem. I encountered many difficulties in the creative process because I had never held a gun, never joined any armed forces; I only knew I was writing a song. In my memory, there had never been the appearance of a guerrilla area, only the familiar streets like Ga Street, Hang Bong Street, and the Hoan Kiem Lake area where I lived. I had never met revolutionary soldiers in the first course of the anti-Japanese resistance school to know how they sang. With all my enthusiasm and patriotic fervor, I felt like I was in the 'Capital of a Thousand Winds' to compose the lyrics and melody of the anthem 'The Marching Song' in a small garret on Nguyen Thuong Hien Street - Hanoi.

During the time I composed the song, my two mentors, Ph.D. and Vu Quy, were the first witnesses to the birth of the song and were introduced to the anthem 'The Marching Song.' In addition, the success of the song was also thanks to the presence of poet and musician Nguyen Dinh Thi - the first person to sing the melody for this anthem. I could clearly see the emotion on his face.

What surprised me the most was that shortly after, thousands of people sang the song loudly in front of the Opera House Square on August 17, 1945, during the mass rally in Hanoi. Hearing the resounding sound of the crowd, I couldn't hide my emotions. Tears streamed down my face. I noticed that the yellow bands of Tran Trong Kim's government on everyone's arms had been replaced by red flags with yellow stars. Participants of the rally all received leaflets with the lyrics of the song printed on them. Everyone sang along to the lively music. I merged into the crowd and heard the familiar voice of my mentor, Ph.D., through the loudspeaker.

The second time, I heard 'The Marching Song' during the rally on August 19. At that time, thousands of people and children sang the melody together. That singing sounded like a cry of resentment, resisting the imperialists with all the heroism and revolutionary victories.

My song is the song of a patriot, believing in the Communist Party and proud of the glorious victory of the nation. I am proud to have excellently fulfilled the task entrusted by the Party and the people.

2. Essay recounting a true event related to a historical figure or event - Sample essay #2

The nation enjoys peace today, thanks to the countless sacrifices of our forefathers, who spared no blood and bone to defend independence and freedom for the people. Kim Dong is a shining example among such heroes.

Kim Dong was a Tay ethnic minority. His father passed away early, leaving him to live with his mother, a strong but frail woman. Growing up in a country under invasion, Kim Dong was courageous, decisive, strong-willed, patriotic, and resentful of the enemy. Though young, he enthusiastically performed liaison tasks, transporting Viet Minh and delivering letters. He was elected the first squad leader of the Children's Rescue Team. Despite challenges and dangers, he always fulfilled his tasks well. On one mission, he was shot and sacrificed by the French enemy. At that time, he was only 14 years old. Numerous poems and songs have been composed to commemorate his contributions.

The image of Kim Dong will forever shine as a role model for Vietnamese youth, embodying profound patriotism, intelligence, courage, and loyalty to the Fatherland.

Last April, our school organized an excursion as part of the extracurricular activities. This time, the destination was the Hung Temple in Viet Tri, Phu Tho. This is where the Kings of the Hung dynasty are worshiped and commemorated. It is associated with the Hung Kings' Anniversary held annually on the 10th of March lunar calendar. This is an occasion for the younger generation to visit the temple, pay tribute to those who contributed to the nation.

I have heard many stories about the Hung Kings through famous legends such as the Legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day, Son Tinh - Thuy Tinh... and witnessed the solemnity and wisdom of the kings. This made me even more eager for this trip.

At the foot of the mountain lies the majestic and grandiose scenery of Nghia Linh Mountain with forests and mist covering it. The place of worship for the kings is situated on the mountain with three main temples: Lower Temple, Middle Temple, and Upper Temple. The Lower Temple is traditionally known as the place where Mother Au Co gave birth to a sac of one hundred eggs. Those hundred eggs hatched into one hundred children, fifty following their father to the sea, and forty-nine following their mother up the mountain. The remaining child stayed behind to become the first Hung King. The Middle Temple is where the kings convened major events. The Upper Temple is the tomb of the sixth Hung King. The Hung Temple Festival is held annually, including cultural and artistic activities with traditional ritualistic characteristics and other folk cultural activities... The remaining ritualistic cultural activities to this day are the king's procession and the incense offering ceremony. Under the cool shade of ancient trees and the resonant sound of bronze drums, the procession moves like a dragon winding its way up the legendary stone steps to the peak of the Holy Mountain.

Before visiting the temples, we performed the incense offering ceremony and listened to speeches about the Hung Kings. The solemn and majestic atmosphere made me proud of my nation's history. They built and preserved the country for future generations to enjoy the independence and peace. And now we are here to show our gratitude and respect, to demonstrate our adherence to the tradition of 'gratefulness to those who planted trees.' They laid the foundation for the current Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and we are all grateful for that.

After that, we visited the temples dedicated to the kings on the mountain. The decoration and arrangement of artifacts were done in a straightforward and solemn manner. I was impressed by the plaque at the Lower Temple engraved with words by Uncle Ho: 'The Hung Kings made contributions to the country, our generation together preserves it.' It's like a promise from Uncle to the young generation, stating the responsibility of the young generation towards the country.

It was truly a beneficial and meaningful trip. Although it only lasted for a short morning, it helped me understand my responsibility to the country. We must respect and be grateful to the previous generations, especially the Hung Kings, and remember:

'Regardless of who goes against or in favor,

Remember the anniversary of our ancestors on the tenth day of the third month.'

3. Essay recounting a real-life event related to a historical figure or event - Sample essay number 3

During the Tet holiday of the Lunar New Year Nhâm Dần, I had the opportunity to visit the Yen Tu Spring Festival in Uong Bi city (Quang Ninh) to attend the ceremony of offering incense for national peace and prosperity at Yen Tu Spring 2022. This is one of the largest and longest traditional spring festivals in the country. The Yen Tu Spring Festival takes place annually, starting from the 10th day of the Lunar New Year and lasting for about 3 months. On this occasion, thousands of people from all over come to offer incense, commemorate King Tran Nhan Tong, and participate in the pilgrimage to Yen Tu.

I learned that Yen Tu is where King Tran Nhan Tong came to practice and created the Truc Lam Zen Buddhism, deeply imbued with Vietnamese national identity. He was a gentle and wise king, compassionate towards his people.

Attending the Yen Tu Spring incense offering ceremony, my heart was filled with indescribable emotions. The incense offering starts from the Huệ Quang pagoda garden up to the Hoa Yen Pagoda. The Huệ Quang pagoda garden with 64 stupas and tombs has a rich history. The courtyard is surrounded by high and wide walls. At the center of the pagoda is a statue of King Tran Nhan Tong made of jade, in the posture of a monk meditating, wearing a chest-revealing robe, with folds flowing down the statue's base. The image is extremely solemn and venerable. In that solemn atmosphere, the monks and leaders lead the procession to Hoa Yen Pagoda. There are architectural structures with a mossy, ancient color. People surrounding the ceremony, monks, and provincial leaders begin to preside over the ceremony.

In that solemn atmosphere, the prayer for peace speech was held. Everyone held an incense stick to offer to King Tran Nhan Tong. Hoping that this year will be a year of peace, luck, and national prosperity.

After offering incense, people began to disperse to admire the surrounding scenery, some started the pilgrimage to Yen Tu. They enthusiastically pulled each other up to the top of the Dong Pagoda where there is a statue of King Tran Nhan Tong, extremely magnificent.

Indeed, King Tran Nhan Tong's merits are still preserved for thousands of generations. Therefore, the Yen Tu Spring Festival is also one of the festivals to commemorate his merits. The Yen Tu Spring Festival has long become an indispensable tradition of the people of Quang Ninh province in particular and the people of the country in general. This festival always attracts a large number of people and tourists to participate.

Lý Công Uẩn, from the ancient village of Phap in Dong Ngan, Tu Son district, Bac Ninh province. The village of Dinh Bang still retains the tombs and temples of the Ly kings.

Legend has it that Cong Uan had no father; his mother, Pham Thi, visited the Tien Son pagoda (Tien Son village, Tu Son district) and dreamt of 'interacting' with deities, then became pregnant and gave birth to a son. At the age of three, the child grew up handsome and was given to the monk at the ancient Phap pagoda named Ly Khanh Van as an adopted son. Ly Cong Uan was educated in Confucianism, Buddhist scriptures, and martial arts from an early age, growing up under the temple roof to become an extraordinary talent in both literature and martial arts.

At the age of 20, Ly Cong Uan became a military general under King Le Dai Hanh, achieving great success in the Battle of Chi Lang (981) by defeating the invading Song army and beheading the enemy general Hau Nhan Bao. Later, he held the position of Deputy Commander of the Palace Guards, wielding full military authority. Highly respected for his virtue and talent, he was greatly revered by the courtiers and generals. In 1005, King Le Dai Hanh passed away. The throne was passed to Le Long Viet. Just 3 days later, Le Long Dinh killed his brother, seizing the golden throne. Le Long Dinh was an extremely cruel king like Kiet, Tru in ancient times. He was excessively lewd, so he suffered from being unable to sit; during court sessions, he would lie down and hold court, hence he was called the Debauched King. At the end of 1009, King Debauched died. That year, Ly Cong Uan was 35 years old. People were already resentful of the Pre-Le dynasty; the courtiers and monks elevated him to the throne, initiating the Ly dynasty (1010-1225).

Ly Cong Uan ascended to the throne in early spring 1010, known as King Ly Thai To of the Ly dynasty. He ruled for 19 years, lived to the age of 55, and passed away in 1028.