History isn’t just what happened. It’s understanding how we make sense of what happened. Every historical narrative is constructed, layered, intentional, and shaped by the questions we ask. We love learning about the past, but we want to learn in a way we can connect with. We want a crafted story with a beginning and an ending, but, more importantly, we want a structure or meaning in the middle. This is where historians become storytellers. Seeing the structure behind a historical narrative helps students, readers, and writers read with more clarity and intention.
Why anatomy of a story? Everyone learned the parts of a story in high school. That is true, but that was not necessarily how to apply those parts to historical narratives or historical moments. By creating and explaining a narrative, students can read more critically, writers craft better, and the public can understand what and how history is written. By understanding the anatomy of the historical narrative, you can deepen your understanding of the past.
Wendi Kavanaugh 
Leave a comment