Examples of Anecdotes: Short Stories With a Practical Purpose

An anecdote is a short story or account about a person or event that is typically amusing, informative, entertaining, or biographical in nature. Anecdotes usually relate to the subject matter that people are discussing to make a point or simply share a relevant story. They can be used in everyday life or in literature. For example, if coworkers are discussing pets, and one person tells a story about how her cat comes downstairs at a certain time every night, then that individual has just shared an anecdote.

Anecdote Examples in Everyday Life

Anecdotes cover a wide variety of stories and tales, especially since they can be about basically any subject under the sun. You might be checking out at the supermarket one day and the cashier comments on your brand of apple juice. Perhaps that will spark the employee to share a quick story about the summer she and her four-year-old went apple picking in Upstate New York. That's an anecdote; such stories come up all the time. Other everyday examples of anecdotes include:

• I once had a border collie. She was so smart! Every morning, I'd open up the front door and she'd run out, pick up the newspaper and deliver it to my husband at the breakfast table.
• Oh, I love Ireland! I visited the west coast six times last year. Last time I went to Kilmacduagh, an old monastery where the winds whip with songs of the deceased who are laid to rest there. While I was there, I swore I heard something. I think it was a ghost!
• El Meson is my favorite Mexican restaurant. They have the best Sunday brunch every week. One time when I went there, they prepared a wonderful traditional buffet with tetelas, gordita de harina, café de olla in a clay pot, and more that you just can’t get anywhere else. It was just like my abuela used to make!
• Is that a white rose? Wow! I love them. My grandfather had a massive rose garden with over 200 different species. Every Friday, he'd go out into the garden, clip a dozen, and make my grandmother a bouquet. Does love like that exist anymore?

Childhood Anecdote Examples

It's very common for people to share stories about their childhood experiences with friends and other family members. Reminiscing in this way can be a lot of fun. It's also a great way to get a conversation started or keep one going. After all, everyone has childhood experiences they can share, and to which others can relate.

• When I was a child, my family went on a summer vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains every year. One year, my aunt saw a black bear while she was hiking. She was so terrified, she ended up sitting on a boulder for an hour just to make sure it had gotten far enough away from her. She still won't go hiking alone anywhere.
• I remember learning how to swim. I took lessons at the community pool in the town where I grew up. One of the lifeguards, Ms. Jen, really helped me get comfortable with holding my breath. She'd play this bobbing game with us that had a fun song to go along with it. Whenever I get in a pool, I still sing that song in my head.
• Some of my favorite childhood memories revolve around the time I spent helping my mother plant and tend a vegetable garden in our backyard. She let me help till the rows and plant the seeds. Going near okra plants made her itch, so she let me pick all of that myself. To this day, okra makes me think of her.
• Before I had my tonsils removed in sixth grade, I was sick a lot. I got strep throat often and I missed a lot of school. I dreaded going to the doctor, as I would always get a shot and foul-tasting medicine. After the tonsillectomy, I hardly ever got sick again. As a result, middle school was a lot better for me than elementary school.