Write a Narrative Essay

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Amy Goings

Write a Narrative Essay

Grade Level:6

Subject: Grammar- Write a Narrative Essay

Duration: Four 45 minute class periods

DOK Level: 2

SAMR Level: Substitution

Indiana Standard:

6.W.3.3 Write narrative compositions in a variety of forms that –

● Engage and orient the reader by developing an exposition (e.g., describe the setting, establish the situation, introduce the narrator and/or characters).

● Organize an event sequence (e.g., conflict, climax, resolution) that unfolds naturally and logically, using a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.

● Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.

● Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.

● Provide an ending that follows from the narrated experiences or events.

Objective: Students will be able to plan and write a narrative essay.

Procedure:

Day One (45 minutes):

  1. After students have learned about narrative essays and how to write them, assign the Google document titled Narrative Essay Assignment.
  2. Share the Google documents titled Narrative Essay Scoring and Narrative Essay Planner with students. I will print out both of these documents to distribute with my students as well. (Both student papers will need to be turned back in to me eventually.)
  3. Have a couple of small plastic containers filled with exactly three colored dice (1 red, 1 yellow & 1 blue). Pass the containers around so that students can shake them. Instruct students to write down each of the dice colors with their results on the top of their I-chart planners. (For example: red-3, yellow-1, blue-4)
  4. Read the Narrative Essay Assignment directions with the class.
  5. Read the Narrative Essay Scoring with the class.
  6. Go over any questions the class has. If time, allow them to start working on their I-chart planners.

Day Two (45 minutes):

  1. Spend 5-10 minutes discussing/summarizing with the class about exactly what their narrative essays will look like (paragraph 1: hook & establish setting/situation/characters, paragraph 2: conflict, paragraph 3: climax, paragraph 4: resolution, paragraph 5: ending).
  2. Give students time to write their rough drafts/I-chart planners. They are due at the beginning of the next day if students do not finish in class.

Day Three: (45 minutes):

  1. After the teacher has looked over the rough drafts/I-chart planners, distribute them back to the class and/or conference with students as needed.
  2. Allow class time to type the narrative essays.

Day Four (45 minutes):

  1. Continue working on final draft of narrative essays as needed. Edit, revise. Peer edit and revise as necessary if time allows.
  2. Final draft is due at the start of class tomorrow.

Product or Assessment: an I-chart planner on paper and a typed narrative essay

Accommodations: Some students may benefit from being given a planner that lists the actual events and characters. Students can then fill in the storyline with more details and develop ideas in order to complete the essay. (Think of the planner as a detailed template.)

Enrichment:

  1. Students could read their essays aloud in class.
  2. Students could peer edit two essays. Revisions could be made as necessary. Then essays could be shared orally with the class and then turned in.
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