Personal Narratives on Conflict Resolution

Narrative 1: The Group Project Misstep

I still remember the biology group project that nearly fell apart the week before it was due. Our team of four was responsible for a presentation on cellular regeneration. I assumed everyone would research their own section—and I’d focus on the conclusion. By midweek, two teammates had done nothing and our third member was struggling with the science. Tempers flared when I confronted them in front of the class. I accused them of slacking off; they accused me of micromanaging.

After class, our teacher asked us to stay and calmly explain what went wrong. I felt embarrassed, but I apologized for my harsh tone and admitted I should have checked in earlier. My teammates acknowledged they’d been overwhelmed and afraid to ask for help. We drafted a short agreement: weekly check-ins, shared slide editing, and clear roles. By the presentation day, we’d bonded over our shared effort—and earned an A.

Narrative 2: A Rumor Between Friends

Last semester, I learned that someone said I’d spread a rumor about my friend Kendra. It wasn’t true, but Kendra believed it and stopped answering my texts. A week later, I cornered her in the hallway and angrily demanded an explanation. She told me she felt betrayed and needed space.

That evening, I wrote her a message: “I’m sorry for yelling. Let’s talk when you’re ready—I never spread that rumor.” Kendra replied that she’d listen but needed me to be patient. Over coffee the next day, I let her speak without interrupting. She described how rumors hurt her trust, and I shared how hurt I felt when she didn’t hear my side. We agreed to check facts before reacting and to ask questions instead of assuming. Our friendship grew stronger.

Narrative 3: The Teammate’s Critique

As captain of the soccer team, I often gave feedback on drills. One afternoon, I sharply told my teammate Marcus that his passing was “lazy.” He stormed off the field and missed the rest of practice. I realized later that my words felt personal, not constructive.

The next day, I approached Marcus after warm-ups. I apologized and explained that I should have offered a helpful suggestion, not a criticism. He admitted he felt embarrassed in front of everyone. Together we spoke with our coach about creating a “feedback first” rule: always start with at least one positive comment, then offer one way to improve. Over the season, we all felt more confident giving and receiving feedback.

Reflection Questions

1. What repair strategy did the narrator use in each story to rebuild trust?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. How did listening and perspective-taking change the outcome of each conflict?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Which narrative felt most relatable to you, and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Based on these stories, what are two principles you would include in our own group’s repair agreement?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Agreement Draft Workshop Activity Guide

Purpose

In this activity, pairs will draft and refine three repair agreement statements that reflect the group’s core principles.

Instructions

1. Review the core principles you co-created and posted on the board.
2. Individually draft three agreement statements using positive, action-oriented, and inclusive language.
3. Exchange your drafts with your partner and use the Peer Feedback Criteria Rubric to give one “glow” (strength) and one “grow” (suggestion) comment for each statement.
4. Revise your statements based on feedback.
5. Be ready to share your final statements aloud when prompted.

Draft Your Agreement Statements

1. Statement #1:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Statement #2:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Statement #3:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Peer Feedback

Use the rubric to note one glow and one grow for each statement.

Statement #1
• Glow:



• Grow:

Statement #2
• Glow:



• Grow:

Statement #3
• Glow:



• Grow:

Final Revisions

1. Revised Statement #1:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Revised Statement #2:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Revised Statement #3:
   
   
   
   
   
   

Peer Feedback Criteria Rubric

Use this rubric to give one “glow” (strength) and one “grow” (suggestion) comment for each draft statement.

Scoring:
• Excellent = 3 points
• Satisfactory = 2 points
• Needs Improvement = 1 point

Use your rubric scores to inform your “glow” and “grow” feedback for each statement.