Writing Personal Narratives Lesson Plan for 12th Grade Example Students

Topic:Writing Personal Narratives

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will be able to write a personal narrative with a clear focus, vivid details, and a strong conclusion.

Materials

• Pencils and paper for each student
• Examples of personal narratives for the class to analyze

Warm-up

• Ask the students to think about a memorable event or experience from their lives.
• Have them write down the event or experience in a few sentences, then share with the class.
• As a class, discuss what makes a good story, and what elements should be included in a personal narrative.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of personal narrative writing, and explain that personal narratives are stories that explore a unique or unusual experience or event from a writer's life.
• Discuss the importance of using personal narratives to share unique or personal experiences with an audience, and how this kind of writing can be a powerful way to connect with others.
• Outline the steps for writing a personal narrative, including brainstorming, drafting, and revising.

Direct Instruction

• Have students work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm ideas for a personal narrative.
• Have them write a brief paragraph outlining their chosen topic, and discuss as a group to ensure that everyone is on the same track.
• Next, have students begin drafting their personal narratives, starting with an introductory paragraph that introduces the topic and sets the stage for the story that follows.
• As students are drafting, provide feedback and guidance as needed to help them shape their stories and improve the writing.
• Once students have a draft of their personal narrative, have them reread it and make any necessary edits before moving on to the final step: revising.

Independent Practice

• Have students work on their personal narratives independently, making any final edits and revisions.
• Encourage them to be self-aware as they are writing, paying attention to their use of language and the overall flow and coherence of their stories.
• As students are working, periodically check in to provide any additional guidance or assistance as needed.

Closure

• End class by having each student share his or her personal narrative with the class.
• Have students pay attention to the structure and style of the other narratives, and discuss what they liked or found interesting about them.
• Encourage students to reflect on their own narratives and discuss what they learned about themselves and about writing personal narratives.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided and independent practice activities to assess their understanding of the structure and style of personal narratives.
• Evaluate the final personal narratives for their ability to effectively communicate an experience or event, their use of narrative elements and style, and their overall quality.