Personal Narrative

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Personal Narrative and Raising the Quality of Narrative Writing

It is suggested that the personal narrative unit begin in October in grades 1-5 and in February in Kindergarten. The sample lessons below will help you begin to build a logical sequence of focus lessons that transition writers for from the launch to more in-depth writing experiences. These lessons correspond to those in the unit trajectories. They are listed below in no particular order. Modify the mentor texts and language in the lessons as necessary for your grade level.

Grades K-2

Good writers reveal their internal stories.

Good writers understand a "small moment" story.

Good writers can discover one small moment.

Good writers establish long-term partnerships.

Good writers use an inverted triangle to find a writing topic.

Small moments anchor chart

Grades 3-5

Good writers add scenes from the past and future. (3-5)

Good writers use yesterday's revisions as today's standard practice. (3-5)

Good writers bring forth the story arc. (3-5)

Good writers edit using the power of commas. (3-5)

Good writers end their stories. (3-5)

Good writers listen for significance in seed ideas. (3-5)

Good writers read with a writer's eye. (3-5)

Good writers ask "What am I really trying to say?" (3-5)

Good writers study and craft leads. (3-5)

Good writers tell the story from inside of it. (3-5)

Good writers start with turning points. (4)

Good writers start with turning points. (5)

Good writers bring forth the internal story. (4-5)

Good writers start with strong feelings. (3-5)

Good writers know where to begin. (3-5)

Good writers develop the internal story. (3-5)

Good writers revise endings. (3-5)

Good writers revise leads. (3-5)

Good writers develop the middle. (3-5)

Good writers zoom in on a small moment. (3-5)

Good writers think "Show! Don't tell!" (Part I) (3-5)

Good writers think "Show! Don't Tell!" (Part II) (3-5)

Good writers write with voice. (3-5)