This symposium is interactive and has been organized because of a concern by leaders in the narrative research community such as editors of educational journals and book series (e.g. Journal of Teacher Education, Frontiers Teacher Education, Studying Teacher Education, Emerald Insight) and reviewers for journals, conferences, and books. It focuses on the need for researchers using narratives or story in their research to have stronger skill in analysis. By developing versatility and strength in their analytic skills, researchers will be able to produce more nuanced and trustworthy accounts and will increase the trustworthiness and insights that research based on narrative data can provide. The purpose of this symposium is to enable researchers who are using or desire to use narratives in research new understandings of the variety of narrative analysis tools available or stronger skill in analytic tools they already utilize in their research. The objectives of the session are (1) Participants will engage in hands-on activities that enable them to either hone or strengthen their skill as narrative researchers. (2) Participants will be able to develop or increase strength in analytic skills they may not be familiar with. (3) Participants will have materials that they can use as they design and implement research projects using narrative as data. The session begins with an overview of theoretical underpinnings for analyzing narratives and descriptions tools that can be used. Participants will then engage in two 30-minute (out of six) hands-on workshops (Handouts, and other materials will be provided as well as opportunity for practice). Included are workshops on using visual tools, condensing huge data sets into vignettes, basing studies in narrative beginnings, analysis using literary elements, memory work, multicultural analysis, using serial interpretation. The session ends with an open question forum to examine lingering questions.