The elements of a captivity narrative typically include a first-person account of being captured or enslaved by an enemy group, experiences of suffering and hardship, survival strategies, and the eventual escape or release from captivity. These narratives often highlight themes of resilience, endurance, and cultural encounters.

Briton Hammon is a slave of African American descent. He is well known for writing a narrative about his captivity, which described his hardships during and after captivity.

Mary Rowlandson wrote "A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" to recount her experiences as a captive of Native American tribes during King Philip's War. The purpose of her narrative was to provide a firsthand account of the hardships and challenges she faced during her captivity, as well as to emphasize her religious faith and the role it played in helping her endure the ordeal. Through her narrative, Rowlandson sought to highlight the providential nature of her survival and restoration.

the event that happened first in this narrative was Mary Rowland caring for her sick baby until its death

The captivity narrative was a form of writing found only in the Americas