Writing narratives can be a mental break from the usual routine of essays or analyses that students are accustomed to. Because of this, most students welcome the opportunity to write on a topic that is significant to them. It may take some time to adjust to the different style, but students may begin to feel a real connection to their work since it is about something they have experienced or something they are passionate about. They may also like being able to express their feelings and opinions since in other pieces of work, that is not always encouraged.
To tell a successful narrative, a student needs to know how to craft a story that is succinct. The narrative needs a clear beginning, middle and end, which all comes together to give a complete picture. They learn how to smoothly link these sections together by organizing and outlining. Typically, the narrative has some larger lesson or aims to teach something. Students learn how to incorporate their main focus while learning how to engage a reader, and tell a fluid, compelling narrative.
Narratives can often be a cathartic experience for students to write. They may find that through writing, they are expressing emotions they may not have otherwise emoted. You may want to ask students to peer edit or share their narratives with one another. It can be a rewarding experience when students realize their writing can touch someone else on an emotional level, or if someone can learn from the writer's experience. This feeling of satisfaction may encourage them to continue to write in the future, or enjoy writing in a way they may not have otherwise.
Perhaps the most essential benefit from teaching narratives is the more a student practices writing, the more their writing can improve. It's essential that students become strong writers in a variety of genres as this increases their overall writing ability. Typically, students are more engaged when writing about something personal to them, and are more susceptible to feedback. This means they may be inclined to spend more time drafting, writing and editing. Because it's so personal and a reflection of who they are, they may invest more time and effort to reach a final product.