Prior to reading the narrative, provide students with ample background information related to the text. This will broaden their perspective on ideas and situations presented in the narrative. First, provide detailed background information about the author, as well as any interesting details regarding the narrative's publication. Also include information about the culture from which the narrative was written. This gives students the appropriate context to keep in mind while reading the narrative.
Hold regular classroom discussions as students progress through the narrative. This gives them the chance to voice their ideas and opinions, and thus learn from each other's perspective. Provide direction to classroom discussions by giving students prompts that help them explore the most crucial aspects of the narrative. Beyond that, you should allow students the freedom to lead the discussion so that they can explore their own ideas and opinions. A good time for classroom discussion is at the beginning of each class. This gives students the chance to voice their own opinions about the prior reading assignment without basing their discussion on the day's lecture notes.
Writing exercises allow students to further explore and express their thoughts and opinions on the narrative. While reading the narrative, regularly assign short classroom writing prompts based on the prior reading assignment. These can be relatively informal in nature, though detailed enough to ensure students are keeping up with their reading. Once the class finishes the narrative, assign a longer, formal essay that collaborates many elements from the shorter assignments. Students can then respond to the narrative from the perspective of the overall text while elaborating on ideas they have developed through the classroom activities.
After the class finishes the narrative, provide students with a plot diagram to help them grasp the overall text. On the diagram, include a conventional map of the plot that conveys the structure of the narrative. Also include specific notes that relate occurrences in the text to the plot structure. Students can use the diagram as a study tool for exams and essays, and it will help their understanding of how events, characters and ideas in the text are related.