Self-editing the climax of 'A Kind of Spark'

English

Understanding the historical context of the Scottish witch trials

Exploring Addie's character

Using drama to explore a character 'low'

Adopting different perspectives

Planning the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' including switches in perspective

Writing the first half of the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark'

Writing the second half of the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark'

Self-editing the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark'

Exploring a historical scenario linked to ‘A Kind of Spark’

Exploring Addie's speech in the climax of 'A Kind of Spark'

Planning the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' including flashbacks

Writing the first section of the climax of 'A Kind of Spark'

Writing the next two sections of the climax, including a flashback

Writing the final sections of the climax, including a flashback

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

In 'Beowulf’, pupils rewrote the build-up and climax of a scene from the end of ’Beowulf’, focusing on interspersing dialogue to convey atmosphere and advance the action. In this unit, pupils will finesse 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 write a build-up and climax based on the text, 'A Kind of Spark'. They learn to switch tense to highlight a jump in perspective from narrative prose to an internal monologue and from present to past tense to indicate a flashback. These outcomes can be used for KS2 SATS writing.

'A Kind of Spark': narrative writing

to rephrase or rethink sections of our text

Which of the following is a purpose of editing? 

When Mr Macintosh pulled back the curtain they saw the plaque. 

As Miss Murphy speaks I perch on the too large chair in the office.

Before long, Nina was able to help Keedie to her bed. 

Jenna - my former friend Jenna stands by, doing nothing at all. 

I breathe deeply, looking up; at the tree I want to make them all proud. 

I breathe deeply, looking up at the tree; I want to make them all proud. 

I breathe deeply, looking up at the tree I want to make; them all proud. 

I breathe deeply; looking up at the tree I want to make them all proud. 

Addie sat in the office. Miss Murphy glared at me. 

I sit in the office and I wished Nina would hurry.

Addie sat in the office. Miss Murphy glared at her. 

Addie sat in the office. I wish Nina would hurry.

Which passage below uses tense and person consistently?

The flashback is less formal than the first person section.

The flashback is more formal than the first person section.

Which of these is true in regards to the formality of the different sections of our text? 

Even good work can be improved - professional writers edit for months!

Editing is easy - it's just about checking your spellings and capital letters. 

Sam says, "I don't see the point of editing! My work was good already." What would be the best response?

I rush to my seat, putting my hands over my ears as people applaud.

Maggie shook her head as the accusations flew around her.

I sit on the edge of my seat, waiting to be called to speak.

Maggie awoke with a start: someone was banging on her door. 

Which of these sentences would appear first in our narrative? 

"You act like you're normal," said one of the villagers "but you're a witch!"

"You act like you're normal" said one of the villagers, "but you're a witch!"

"You act like you're normal," said one of the villagers, "but you're a witch!"

"You act like you're normal," said one of the villagers, "but you're a witch"

In which sentence is the direct speech correctly punctuated? 

Which features below can be seen in the following passage? 'I look out and I see a sea of faces in front of me. They're listening. It's working.' 

Which features below can be seen in the following passage? 'Maggie stood in the dark courtroom and she looked down at the angry, shouting faces. Why did they despise her so much?'

Which of the following language features help us to show informality? 

Which steps in the writing process have we now completed for our climax? 

Starter Quiz

Which of these sentences would appear first in our narrative?