ABSTRACT
Think about a strong narrative you’ve read. Now, reflect back on the main experiences and events in that book; did the author briefly mention these experiences and events? Or did they develop them in great detail? Chances are that you answered “yes” to the second question. The Common Core State Writing Standards highlight the importance of developing experiences and events—Standards W.3.3.B, W.4.3.B, W.5.3.B, W.6.3.B, W.7.3.B, and W.8.3.B emphasize the significance of this concept. In this chapter, we’ll explore: what “developing experiences and events” means; the importance of this writing tool to effective narrative writing; a description of a lesson on this concept; and five recommendations for helping your students develop experiences and events in their own works. In addition, we’ll look at how published narrative writers apply this strategy to their works, and reflect on what makes those authors’ pieces so effective.
