After reading a narrative text, students and teacher should complete a chart that lists all narrative elements.

After completing the chart students should decide the level of contribution of each of these elements to the entire text. Then the narrative elements should be ordered from most to least important in helping a reader construct meaning from the text.

After reading a narrative text, divide the class into six groups. Assign each group a narrative element from the text: character, setting, plot, conflict, point of view, and relationships. Each group should analyze the text and record pertinent information about that particular element. Once this is completed, students will be rearranged in mixed groups where each narrative element is represented. Finally each mixed group will review the complete text giving attention to each narrative element. Decisions can be made about the balance or imbalance of the text based upon the strength or weakness of the narrative elements.