Writing Scenes Using Humans of New York

This lesson invites students to explore how effective storytelling can distill powerful emotions and experiences into brief, memorable scenes. Drawing inspiration from Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York (HONY), students will analyze real narratives to understand how writers use figurative language, vivid details, and dialogue to convey meaning—and how these strategies can be used in memoir/personal writing.

Big Ideas

• Powerful stories are built on specific moments, not general summaries.
• Writers use narrative techniques (imagery, tone, figurative language, dialogue, pacing) to make scenes come alive.
• Personal stories can reflect broader human themes such as resilience, grief, identity, love, and connection.
• Analyzing micro-stories like HONY helps writers make purposeful choices in their own storytelling.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and analyze narrative strategies in short personal stories.
• Evaluate how writers capture emotion and meaning through scene-based storytelling.
• Apply figurative language, vivid detail, and purposeful structure in their own memoir scenes.
• Reflect on how specific moments from real people’s lives can inform their own writing.

Before the Lesson

• Download the slideshow
• Review the Humans of New York website
• Upload the slideshow to your learning platform (Google Classroom, Canvas, etc.)
• Bookmark or project examples of Humans of New York for visual reference
• Review or plan a mini-lesson on: Narrative writing vs. summary, the role of specific scenes in storytelling, and/or literary devices to look for (imagery, dialogue, tone, etc.)
• Prepare anchor charts, slides, or quick reviews of figurative language terms and dialogue formatting rules (if students will use this later in writing).
• Optional: Create a graphic organizer or worksheet version for students to record their answers (digital or print)

What to Do

Step 1: Set the Purpose

• Introduce the lesson by saying something like: “Today we’re diving into storytelling—not the long, drawn-out kind, but powerful moments that capture emotion, connection, and meaning in just a few lines or images. These are the kinds of moments you’ll craft in your own memoir scenes soon.”

Step 2: Introduce Humans of New York 

• Briefly explain Brandon Stanton’s HONY project (1–2 minutes)
• Show a few compelling HONY examples if needed
• Emphasize how short stories can communicate big emotions or ideas

Step 3: Review Literary Devices to Look For

• Remind students of key narrative strategies:
  • Imagery
  • Figurative language
  • Dialogue
  • Tone/emotion
  • Human connection/theme

Step 4: Explain the Task

• Students will:
  1. Read and analyze stories from the slideshow
  2. Answer the guiding questions for each story
     • If a question doesn't apply (e.g., no imagery), they may skip it—but should briefly note why
  3. Complete the reflection slide at the end of the deck after all assigned stories are analyzed

Note: There are several stories so that this can be jigsawed or completed in small groups.

Step 5: Model One “Scene” or “Story” Together

• Walk through a sample story and think aloud:
  • Highlight specific language
  • Identify tone or emotional impact
  • Connect to a broader human theme

Step 6: Independent or Partner Work

• Let students begin reading and analyzing the stories
• Encourage them to pace themselves and choose stories that resonate with them
• Circulate to support students, answer questions, or prompt deeper analysis

Step 7: Debrief as a Class or in Small Groups

• Invite a few volunteers to share:
  • A story that stood out and why
  • A theme or emotion they saw across multiple stories
  • A technique they want to try in their own writing

Step 8: Debrief as a Class or in Small Groups

• Ensure students complete the reflection slide: What did you learn about storytelling from this activity? What techniques might you use in your own memoir scene?
• Optional: Use this as an exit ticket

Step 9: Review Student Work 

• Look for:
  • Depth of analysis
  • Use of literary vocabulary
  • Engagement with the emotional or human aspects of the stories

Step 10: Prepare for Next Lesson

• Use this analysis as a launchpad for:
  • Writing a personal memoir scene
  • Mini-lessons on dialogue, figurative language, or pacing
  • Storytelling circles or peer workshops

Teacher Tips

• Allow choice in which stories students analyze—it builds engagement.
• Emphasize quality of analysis over quantity of words.
• Keep reminding students: “Memoir is about the moment, not the summary.”

Ideas for Differentiation

• Identify students who may need:
  • Fewer stories to analyze (e.g., 5 instead of 8)
  • Sentence starters or model analysis
  • Audio versions of the stories (optional)
• Prepare extension options for fast finishers:
  • Drafting their own HONY-style scene
  • Writing a reflection comparing two different stories

Lauren Peterson , M.A. Ed. - Highlands High School Schoolwide Literacy Leader; Curriculum and Instructional Coach; creator of College
Board pilot curriculum designed to remediate common AP English Language challenges; AP English Language Reader and Trainer.