Introductory programming languages have been researched for multiple decades. We will point out the lack of a systematic prescriptive theory in the field, and propose to consider the explanation-oriented approach as a possible step to remedy this situation. We also explain how the seed for this idea is already present in work on traceability which evolved towards explanation-orientation. Regarding our goal of systematizing introductory language theory, we believe one can make use of both the insight gained from research on explanation-oriented languages as well as certain sources of that research. As an example for this, we take a closer look at narrative structure, a concept utilized in both explanation-oriented and introductory programming.