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Writing Prompt8th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 8th Grade The Day Before — Narrative Writing

A narrative writing prompt for 8th grade: write a story set on the day before something in a character's life changes for good. Students practice showing rather than telling and choosing an effective opening, plan their character, conflict and structure, study a model opening, and then write a complete story checked against clear success criteria.

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Grade
8th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Narrative Writing
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
50 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
12
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • planning a narrative around a character, a conflict and a turning point
  • showing a character's feelings through action, dialogue and detail
  • writing an engaging opening that establishes setting and character
  • controlling pace with sentence length and paragraphing
  • crafting an ending that resolves or reflects on the change

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: The Day Before — Narrative Writing

  1. 1Building Tension and Suspense in Narrative Writing
  2. 2Planning a Narrative: Story Arc, Conflict and Resolution
  3. 3Should School Start Later? — Argumentative Essay
  4. 4Counterclaims and Rebuttals in Argumentative Writing

How to use this writing prompt

  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 writing prompt 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 50 minutes for 12 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 Building Tension and Suspense in Narrative Writing.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets8th Grade · English · Narrative Writing

The Day Before — Narrative Writing

Name

Date

Plan for ten minutes, write for thirty-five minutes, then spend five minutes editing.

Warm-up — Writing techniques

1.Which sentence best shows rather than tells that a character is nervous?
  1. AAva was very nervous.
  2. BAva felt nervous and worried.
  3. CAva twisted the strap of her bag around her finger until it left a red mark.
  4. DAva was the most nervous person in the world.
2.Which is the most engaging way to open a story?
  1. AOnce upon a time there was a boy called Leo.
  2. BHi, my name is Leo and this is my story.
  3. CThe boxes had been arriving for a week, and now there was only one thing left on Leo's shelf.
  4. DThis story is about the day before Leo moved.
3.Rewrite to show, not tell: "Sam was angry with his sister." (answer space)
4.Rewrite to show, not tell: "The old house felt empty." (answer space)

Plan

Spend about ten minutes planning. A sample plan is given on the answer sheet, but your ideas should be your own.

5.Character: who are they, and how do they feel about tomorrow's change? (answer space)
6.Conflict: what does your character want, fear or need to decide? (answer space)
7.Setting: where and when does the story happen? List three sensory details. (answer space)
8.Structure: opening, rising tension, turning point and ending. (answer space)
9.Central object or image that carries meaning: (answer space)
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

More 8th Grade narrative writing resources

  • Worksheet

    Building Tension and Suspense in Narrative Writing

    Students learn how writers make readers hold their breath. Using an original suspense passage, they examine techniques such as short…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    35 min
    Questions
    10 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Planning a Narrative: Story Arc, Conflict and Resolution

    Students learn to plan a narrative before they write it. They study the five stages of a story arc (orientation, complication, rising…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    35 min
    Questions
    11 questions
    Answers
    Answers included

Narrative Writing in other year levels

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About this resource

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

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.