Narrative Arc Planner

This worksheet supports students in Grades 5 and 6 as they plan a personal narrative using the stages of a classic narrative arc. By outlining exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, learners organize characters, setting, key events, and turning points before drafting, building stronger story structure and logical flow.

Academic Focus

• Narrative Structure (Grades 5-6)
  Understand and apply the stages of a complete story arc.
• Prewriting and Planning
  Organize ideas intentionally before beginning a draft.
• Sequencing Events
  Arrange story moments in a clear, logical order.
• Developing Story Elements
  Plan characters, setting, conflict, and resolution with purpose.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Planning Tool
  Designed to support thoughtful, organized narrative writing.
• Reduces Drafting Overwhelm
  Helps students break a story into manageable parts.
• Builds Awareness of Tension and Resolution
  Shows how events build toward a turning point and conclusion.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Works well for writing workshops, prewriting lessons, or assessment preparation.

This activity helps students see narrative writing as a process that begins with careful planning. By mapping a personal experience onto a narrative arc, learners gain stronger control over structure, pacing, and story development. It fits naturally into classroom and homeschool language arts instruction focused on organized, purposeful storytelling.

This worksheet is part of our Personal Narrative Worksheets collection.