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Worksheet8th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 8th Grade Planning a Narrative: Story Arc, Conflict and Resolution Worksheet

Students learn to plan a narrative before they write it. They study the five stages of a story arc (orientation, complication, rising action, climax and resolution), identify types of conflict, put the events of a short story plan in order, judge whether a resolution is satisfying, and complete a full story map with a character goal, an obstacle and a turning point for their own narrative.

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Grade
8th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Narrative Writing
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
35 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
11
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • identifying the stages of a story arc
  • identifying different types of conflict
  • sequencing events to build to a climax
  • judging whether a resolution is satisfying
  • planning a narrative with a story map

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Planning a Narrative: Story Arc, Conflict and Resolution

  1. 1Should School Start Later? — Argumentative Essay
  2. 2Counterclaims and Rebuttals in Argumentative Writing
  3. 3Evaluating Sources and Evidence for Argumentative Writing

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

8th Grade students (typically ages 13–14) working on narrative writing. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 35 minutes for 11 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Should School Start Later? — Argumentative Essay.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets8th Grade · English · Narrative Writing

Planning a Narrative: Story Arc, Conflict and Resolution

Name

Date

Score /

A plan is not a cage. It is a map, so you always know where your story is heading.

Part A: The story arc

Circle the stage of the story arc each event belongs to.

1.Jun moves to a new town where he knows nobody.
  1. Aorientation
  2. Bcomplication
  3. Crising action
  4. Dclimax
  5. Eresolution
2.On his first day, Jun is chosen for the debating team, even though he is terrified of public speaking.
  1. Aorientation
  2. Bcomplication
  3. Crising action
  4. Dclimax
  5. Eresolution
3.Jun rehearses in secret, freezes at a trial debate and almost quits, but a teammate helps him prepare.
  1. Aorientation
  2. Bcomplication
  3. Crising action
  4. Dclimax
  5. Eresolution
4.In the final debate, Jun's mind goes blank, then he remembers his teammate's advice and delivers the winning speech.
  1. Aorientation
  2. Bcomplication
  3. Crising action
  4. Dclimax
  5. Eresolution
5.Jun walks home with his new friends, already planning for next year.
  1. Aorientation
  2. Bcomplication
  3. Crising action
  4. Dclimax
  5. Eresolution

Part B: Conflict drives the story

Every story needs a conflict: something the main character wants and something standing in the way.

6.Match each type of conflict to an example.
  • character versus character
  • character versus self
  • character versus nature
  • character versus society
  • Sailors fight to survive a violent storm.
  • Two rivals compete for the last place on the team.
  • A boy speaks up against an unfair rule that everyone else accepts.
  • A girl must overcome her fear of water to save her brother.
7.Which type of conflict does Jun face in the story in Part A? Explain. (answer space)

Part C: Satisfying endings

8.Which resolution to Jun's story is the least satisfying?
  1. AJun wins the debate because he overcomes his fear with help from his friend.
  2. BJun loses the debate but discovers he is proud he did not give up.
  3. CJun wakes up and discovers it was all a dream.
  4. DJun's team loses narrowly, but he is asked to lead the team next year.
9.Why should the climax usually come close to the end of a story, not in the middle? (answer space)
10.Many short narratives fail because they try to include too many events. What advice would you give a writer with only 600 words? (answer space)
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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