Narrative Crossroads
A methodology for literary character analysis using tabletop roleplaying game mechanics
What Is This?
Narrative Crossroads helps students analyze literary characters from the inside out. Instead of observing characters from a distance, students step into pivotal moments—crossroads—where characters face meaningful choices, using structured TTRPG mechanics to explore motivation, consequence, and agency.
The method works particularly well with multilingual learners and students who find traditional literary analysis alienating.
Read the full methodology overview →
Quick Links
For Teachers
- Implementation Guide — How to run this in your classroom
- Character Analysis Tools — Worksheets and mechanics
- ML Scaffolding — Adaptations for multilingual learners
For Researchers
- Theoretical Foundations — Huizinga, Piaget, Vygotsky
- Annotated Bibliography — Key sources
- Research Gaps — Where the field needs work
For Game Designers
- Gaming Literacy Model — How TTRPG mechanics map to literacy
About
Narrative Crossroads was developed by Geoffrey Sperl, an ELA/ESL teacher at Hamtramck High School in Michigan, as part of his MAT thesis at Wayne State University (2025).
- Website: teaching.geoffreysperl.com
- Contact: geoffrey@geoffreysperl.com
- GitHub: View the repository
Related Resources
- TabletopEDU — Nonprofit advancing TTRPGs in education
- Resources & Links — Tools, communities, and further reading
This work is licensed under CC BY 4.0.