Since we previously discussed character development (at length) with their own stories, students are equipped to use the tools they’ve already acquired when analyzing a character within a literary text. Plus, characters are compelling! No need to dive into deeper symbol or theme yet; just start with the characters.

I couldn’t compete with the amazing master teachers who lectured down the hall, and I wanted to see my students challenged both intellectually and creatively in my classes. So I dove into pedagogical research. It was around this time that student-led learning strategies were gaining momentum in the educational world.

This might be one of my favorite paper assignments. The Embedded Narrative serves as a bridge from story to analysis, helping students creatively master a skill necessary for strong analytical writing: the ability to seamlessly embed quotations.

One afternoon stands distinctly in my mind. As I climbed onto our balcony to avoid the acrid fumes of freshly painted walls, I unlocked my diary with its tiny key and scribbled these words, “I have a secret to tell. My best friend isn’t real. But in my mind, she is. How can I love a character in a book so much?!”

I’m often asked how to engage older students with the writing process. My answer is simple: begin with story.