the point in the narrative where the suspense and excitement reach their highest point

the feeling or atmosphere in a section of text

details that tell us what a character is experiencing (seeing, hearing, doing, smelling) during a scene

details that tell us what a character is feeling and thinking during a scene

vocabulary chosen to create a particular impression or to have a particular effect on the reader

Writing the first half of a narrative climax scene in 'When The Sky Falls'

English

In this unit, pupils write a narrative climax and use it as the stimulus for writing a diary entry from a character's perspective.

In 'A Kind of Spark’: Narrative Writing', pupils finessed writing a build-up and climax with a focus on switching between the past and present tense to highlight a jump in perspective. In this unit, pupils will write a narrative climax and use it as the stimulus for writing a diary entry from a character's perspective.

In this unit, pupils write a narrative climax and a journalistic report based on the text, 'When the Sky Falls', focusing on changing tone and style to meet each outcome's purpose. The journalistic report is based on an event in the novel. These outcomes can be used for KS2 SATS writing.

'When the Sky Falls': narrative and journalistic report writing

What is the mood of the climax in 'When the Sky Falls'?

What are Joseph's motivations in the climax? 

Match the features of writing a narrative climax to the examples. 

Which technique for increasing pace and tension is shown here? 'He pushed on. He had to. He had no choice.'

Which cohesive device for increasing pace and tension is shown here? 'Just then, an explosion nearly knocked Joseph off his feet.'

Joseph, who was determined to get to the zoo, dashed through the chaos.

When Joseph was determined to get to the zoo, Joseph dashed through the chaos.

Joseph dashed through the chaos; determined to get to the zoo. 

Joseph dashed through the chaos: he was determined to get to the zoo. 

Which examples combine these two ideas correctly using cohesive devices? 'Joseph dashed through the chaos. He was determined to get to the zoo.'

Joseph runs through the streets during the air raids.

Joseph climbs the fence, grabs the gun and trains it on Adonis.

Joseph is knocked down several times by explosions.

Which event will **not** be covered in our rewriting of part of the climax of 'When the Sky Falls'?

Match the techniques for using precise vocabulary with the examples. 

Eventually, he reached the gates of the zoo. 

Flames raced across the dry ground towards him.

Which examples below use 'fast' words to help to add pace and speed to a narrative? 

Which features of a good narrative plan are shown in this note? 'Joseph knew he had to carry on.'

Joseph gritted his teeth and he heaved himself up.

Which example uses show-not-tell to give us Joseph's emotions? 

The air was thick with the choking scent of smoke. 

Match the example notes below to the features of a good narrative plan.

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Writing the first half of a narrative climax scene in 'When The Sky Falls'

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.