Discovering the Depth of Narrative Writing

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This week’s focus on narrative writing was truly eye-opening for me. I never imagined that narrative writing carried so many layers and elements beneath the surface. I have always enjoyed reading fairy tales, science fiction, and other imaginative stories, yet I never realized how much goes into teaching students to write narratives of their own. Before these sessions, I honestly did not understand how many foundational skills students need before they even begin drafting a story.

Delving into the elements of narrative writing was a major moment of growth for me. As a teacher, I was already familiar with plot, characters, and conflict, but I was completely unaware of how important style, theme, and point of view are to shaping a strong narrative. Understanding these components helped me see narrative writing not just as a story with events, but as a meaningful piece shaped by voice, perspective, and deeper themes.

Another invaluable takeaway this week was the 5W + H questioning method. This strategy was new to me, but quickly became one of the clearest tools for supporting narrative development. Encouraging students to answer Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How gives them a solid foundation to start a story with purpose and direction. It makes the planning stage far less intimidating for young writers and equips them with the essential details needed to build a strong narrative structure.

Reflecting on these sessions made me aware that I have never explicitly taught narrative writing to my students. Now that I understand how much thinking, planning, and skill building goes into crafting a narrative, I feel more confident and motivated to guide my students through the process. I want them to experience narrative writing not simply as an assignment, but as an opportunity to explore their creativity, express their ideas, and make meaningful choices as writers.

This week has reminded me that teaching writing is not about jumping straight to the final product, it is about helping students develop the tools, confidence, and understanding they need along the way. I am excited to return to the classroom with a clearer vision of how to scaffold narrative writing and make the process accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for all learners.

                                        Gloria Wells

Comments

  1. Cami GeorgeNovember 15, 2025 at 6:19 PM

    Gloria, reading your reflection made me pause because I felt the same way. I never really thought about how much goes into narrative writing until this week. I liked how you pointed out style, theme, and point of view because those little things really change a story. The 5W + H method also stood out to me. It makes planning a story feel so much easier and less scary for students.
    Your post reminded me that teaching writing is not about getting to the finished story quickly, but about helping students build the skills and confidence along the way. I am curious, how do you plan to help your students use these tools while still letting their creativity shine?

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  2. Polly M. JeremiahNovember 16, 2025 at 11:11 AM

    Gloria this is a good account of details and its general impact on your emotions, in relation to the teaching and learning process, involving writing. You stating and explaining your knowledge gained and excitement experienced, with the learning of the elements of narrative writing, is evidence of a lightbulb moment of learning. I can see you are eager to return to the classroom, where you will certainly implement all that you have learned in relation to teaching writing.

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