Sep 25, 20232 min read

How to Have Fun with Narrative Writing Prompts

Quality narrative writing can be a challenge for many students. By 5th grade, students must be able to:

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences/events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events.
Use concrete words/phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.

WOW!! My head is spinning!

On the CAASPP, the standardized test for the state of California, Narrative and Informational writing are the most common writing prompts for students grades 3-5.

Therefore, it is important to ensure students understand the required elements of narrative writing.

While standardized tests require students to write a narrative in response to text, a great way to prepare students is to exercise their creative brains and write narratives about fun topics!

One strategy I have used in my classroom is a Narrative Quick Write using Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then.