Standard: 8.W.3e – Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
Grade level: Grade 8
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Writing
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of crafting conclusions that not only summarize the narrated experiences or events but also reflect on their significance. Mastering this skill is crucial as it enhances students’ ability to create meaningful and impactful narratives. Students should have a firm grasp of narrative structure and be comfortable with reflective writing. They should also have experience in writing personal narratives.
Upon mastering this standard, students will be able to create more nuanced and reflective conclusions in their writing, enhancing their overall narrative skills and critical thinking abilities.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that any ending can serve as a conclusion. This is incorrect because a true conclusion should provide closure and reflect on the narrated events, offering insights or deeper understanding.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, teachers can provide examples of weak and strong conclusions, guiding students to identify the elements that make a conclusion reflective and meaningful.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that a conclusion should only summarize the narrated events. This is incorrect because an effective conclusion should also include the writer’s reflections and insights about the events.
Intervention 2
Teachers can remedy this by encouraging students to include personal reflections in their conclusions through targeted writing exercises and feedback.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand basic narrative structure, including the introduction, body, and conclusion. They should also be familiar with the concept of reflection in writing and have experience with writing personal narratives.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to create more complex and nuanced conclusions in their writing. They will also develop skills in critical thinking and reflection, which will enhance their ability to analyze and critique narrative works.
Instructional Activities
- Analyze the conclusions of various short stories and discuss their effectiveness.
- Write a personal narrative with a focus on creating a reflective conclusion.
- Peer-review sessions where students provide feedback on each other’s conclusions.
- Create a storyboard that includes a detailed plan for the conclusion.
- Engage in reflective journaling exercises that emphasize concluding thoughts.
