ELA.T

STANDARDS

KEY STANDARDS

RL.12.3 Analyze the impact of the author's choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama

W.12.3b Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters

W.12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is more significant for a specific purpose and audience

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXTENSIONS

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Students should be familiar with the elements of fiction stories, such as plot, conflict, characters. Additionally, students should have had exposure to various narrative techniques such as figurative language, dialogue, and sequencing.

PLACEMENT

BEFORE

Prior to engaging in this Cornerstone, students should have completed and received teacher and peer feedback on a series of narrative writing tasks and assignments. While reading the anchor text, students should consider the narrative techniques used to engage the reader. These narrative techniques will serve as critical elements of their own personal essays. 

DURING

1. Analyze Common Application college essay prompts and identify narrative elements from selected stories.
2. Read and annotate sample college essays and discuss how the essays utilize identified narrative elements or could be enhanced by narrative elements.
3. Identify possible topics for their own college essays through textual analysis and collaborative conversations.
4. Analyze essay structures and develop outlines for their own personal essays.
5. Draft, provide feedback, and revise early drafts of their college essays.

AFTER

After completing a second draft of their college essays, students can engage in opportunities to showcase their work. Suggestions for these presentations are included in Days 5-7 of the Materials and Resources.

PLANNING

PLANNING

Students will understand what it means to tell a powerful and impactful story that highlights their own unique personalities and experiences. Through collaborative conversations, oral storytelling, and free-writing, students tap into moments and experiences that best define who they are. They utilize narrative techniques to best present their stories. 

INSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH

As students prepare for college and careers after high school, it is critical that they know how to represent themselves, both oral and written. This Cornerstone gives students the opportunity to work with their peers and engage in reflections that help them generate ideas on moments and experiences that best represent their personalities and experiences. Taking students through a brainstorming and collaboration process helps them prepare for college and careers.  

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Story2 provides supplemental lesson plans on narrative writing. For these lessons, please use this link: info.story2.com/dcps Links to an external site..