Narrative Writing Teaching Resources
Teach narrative writing this school year with writing prompts, printable worksheets, storyboards and story maps and more teaching resources created by teachers for elementary teachers like you.
This collection of TEKS and Common Core curriculum-aligned teaching resources has been carefully curated by our expert teacher team. That means not only is every resource teacher-created, but each one has undergone our review process to ensure it's ready for your lesson plan and your students!
Is this your first year teaching students about writing narratives? Or maybe you're just looking for some fresh ideas to tackle the topic? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is Narrative Writing?
Narrative writing is the act of writing a story, and those stories can be fictional or non-fiction accounts of something the student has experienced or learned about.
This type of writing is often popular with students as it allows them to use their imagination and creativity.
Which Elements Does Strong Narrative Writing Always Contain?
To make their narrative writing engaging and strong, there are certain key elements students need to understand and include, so we've compiled this quick refresher for you.
Plot
The plot of strong narrative writing is crucial — without it, there's no narrative! Keeping the reader interested from the start of a story involves developing the characters well and including conflict.
Structure
Structure of the text is just as important as the plot when writing a strong narrative. Students should be writing texts that include a beginning, middle and end. This can include a clear introduction that sets up the main conflict, a rising action that builds tension and excitement and a resolution that provides closure and ties up loose ends.
Descriptive Language
Teaching students to go beyond overused words like "said" or "nice" and using more descriptive language can help them make their narrative writing stronger. This graphic element of writing works with imagery and figurative language to help readers visualize the story.
Descriptive language helps the reader to visualize the setting and the characters. Sensory details can help kids set the scene in their essay or story.
Point of View
Whether it is written in the first-person, the third-person or flips back and forth, a piece of strong narrative writing has a clear point of view. This helps the reader better understand the narrator or protagonist.
What Is a Hook in Narrative Writing?
One feature of narrative writing you may want to focus on with your students this school year is the art of writing a "hook" to capture the reader's attention and draw them into the story. This is a compelling introduction that will engage the reader and make them want to keep reading!
There is no one kind of hook! It can be anything from an interesting fact or question to a dramatic opening scene or dialogue.
8 Narrative Writing Examples and Assignments to Get Students Writing
Are you looking for some different examples of narrative writing assignments that will engage your students and inspire them to write? Try these ideas from our teacher team!
- A personal narrative about a special day the student will never forget
- A fictional narrative about a group of friends going on an adventure
- A descriptive narrative that uses sensory details and describing words to create a vivid image of riding a rollercoaster
- A historical narrative that tells the story of their favorite president
- A reflective narrative that explores the writer's thoughts and feelings about going to high school one day
- A fantastical narrative that includes magical or imaginary elements, like the arrival of a magic hat in the classroom
- A humorous narrative that uses comedic elements to entertain the reader about a time their gym teacher was replaced by an alien
- A collaborative narrative that involves students writing a chapter book in small groups
- Free Plan
Readers Theater – Play Writing Template
A template for students to use when writing their own Readers Theater script.
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Onomatopoeia Poems Poster
A poster providing a definition and example of an onomatopoeia poem.
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Roll to Create a Superhero Character
A fun, hands-on activity using a die and a chart to create a superhero to include in a comic.
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Sensory Poem Poster
A poster providing a definition and example of a sensory poem.
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Roll to Create a Groundhog Story
A fun, hands-on Groundhog Day activity using a die and a chart to create a narrative text.
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Writing Template - Primary Grades
A blank template to use for a variety of writing pieces in the primary grades.
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Acrostic Poem Template - LEARN
An acrostic poem template for the word 'learn'.
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Playground Narrative Writing Worksheet
Practice writing personal narratives with your young students with this writing template.
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Story Leads To Hook Your Readers
How to hook your reader: 11 techniques to open your story with a bang and grab your reader's attention!
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Personal Recount Planning Template
A template for students to use when planning a personal recount.
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Simple Recounts - Writing Scaffold
A simple scaffolding worksheet to use when writing a recount.
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Introduction to Personal Recounts PowerPoint
An 18 slide editable PowerPoint template to use when teaching younger students about the structure and language features of personal recounts.
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Surprise! - Narrative Text Structure Worksheet
A worksheet for teaching students how to write using a narrative text structure.
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Assessment Rubric - Narrative Writing
An assessment rubric designed to help teachers to assess students' narrative writing.
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Writing a Color Poem Worksheet
Learn how to write a color poem with this two-page worksheet.
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5 Narrative Writing Prompt Stimulus Sheets
A set of 5 writing prompt stimulus sheets with a narrative focus.
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Simple Recount Writing Checklist
A checklist for students to use when proofreading and editing their recount writing.
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Narrative Writing Stimulus Wheels
5 writing wheels that provide stimulus ideas for narrative writing.
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Narratives Display Banner
A classroom display banner to use on your 'Narratives' display board.
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Narrative Writing Checklist (Simplified Version)
A checklist for students to use when proofreading and editing their narrative writing.
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Literary Description Text Type Poster With Annotations
A poster about literary descriptions, including an annotated example.
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Choose Your Own Destiny - Writing Template
Students use a template to help them write stories with alternative pathways for their friends to read.
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Developing Characters Poster Pack - Show, Don't Tell Feelings
Enhance story development and characterization in student writing with a set of 16 Show, Not Tell Posters.
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Fairy Tales Narrative Writing Pack
A fairy tale themed narrative writing teaching pack containing 8 worksheets and posters.
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Writing an Ode Worksheet
Learn how to write an ode with this two-page worksheet.
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Writing a Cinquain Poem Worksheet
Learn how to write a cinquain poem with this two-page worksheet.
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Poetry Poster With Annotations
A poster about poetry, including an annotated example.
- Free Plan
Letter to a Paralympian - Lined Paper Pack
Write a letter to a Paralympian using our printable letter-writing templates.
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My Monster Story Template
Use this simple story template to get your students writing simple narratives based on a sequence of events.
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Magical Story Craft and Writing Template
Use this printable craft and writing template to get your students writing stories that are truly magical!
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Magical Story Starters Task Cards
Get your students writing magical stories with this set of story starter task cards.
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Build a Magical Story Interactive Activity
Use this “Build a Magical Story” narrative writing interactive activity to model the purpose, structural elements and language features of narrative texts.