Narrative Writing

adjective | "Writing that tells a story. This writing is often anecdotal, and personal--allowing students to express themselves in creative and, quite often, moving ways" (ELA Glossary, page 82).

Literacy Progression

Standard 3 

Progression 

objectives in chronological order with shifts bolded

Narrative writing begins with drawing, telling, and using emergent writing like scribbles, letter like forms, random letters, beginning sound, etc. This is where students share their thoughts and opinions about topics that are well-known to them.

2.3.W.1 Students will write narratives incorporating characters, plot (i.e., beginning, middle, end), and a basic setting (i.e., time, place) with guidance and support. 

Grade Level Focus

3.3.W.1 Students will write narratives incorporating characters, plot, setting, point of view, and conflict (i.e., solution and resolution).

While composing, teachers and students need to keep in mind the writing process (3.2.W), word choice (3.4.W), and language (3.5.W). Students continue to write narratives and establish a point of view, determining if a narrator or other character is telling the story and develop a plot including a conflict and resolution. 

4.3.W.1  Students will write narratives incorporating characters, plot, setting, point of view, conflict (i.e., solution and resolution), and dialogue.

While composing, teachers and students need to keep in mind the writing process (4.2.W), word choice (4.4.W), and language (4.5.W). Character dialogue is introduced and incorporated at this time as the students continue writing narratives that establish characters, setting, point of view, as well as develop plot that illustrates beginning, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. 

5.3.W.1  Students will write narratives incorporating characters, plot, setting, point of view, conflict, (i.e., internal, external), and dialogue. 

7.3.W.1  Students will write narratives incorporating characters, plot, setting, point of view, conflict, dialogue, and sensory details to convey experiences and events. 

8.3.W.1  Students will write narratives incorporating characters, plot (i.e., flashback and foreshadowing), setting, point of view, conflict, dialogue, and sensory details. 

While composing, teachers and students need to keep in mind the writing process (8.2.W), word choice (8.4.W), and language (8.5.W). Students continue to write narratives that establish characters, a more sophisticated plot with flashback and foreshadowing, setting (time and place), point of view, conflict (internal, external), dialogue, and sensory details. 

Grade Level Focus

9.3.W.1  Students will write non-fictions narratives (e.g., memoirs, personal essays). 

Students will compose a variety of nonfiction narratives, using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. Students will engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters. Students will create a smooth progression of experiences or events. Students will use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. Students will use a variety of techniques to sequence events, so they build on one another to create a coherent whole. Students will provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.

The shift beginning at 10th grade involves students composing narratives within other modes of writing to achieve specific purposes. Building on the skills addressed in previous grades, students will use narrative writing within a larger argumentative or informative essay to support the thesis.

For example, one may write a blog entry to inform people about new legislation that is being proposed. However, due to the complexity of the language of the legislation, the writer may use a narrative to explain the details of the bill. In this case the narrative would help simplify complex ideas for the purpose of informing readers.

In a persuasive piece, the writer may include a narrative account of how that legislation would impact an average family. The narrative would work to affect the emotions of those readers for the purpose of persuading others.