Adopting different perspectives
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can switch between third person and first person perspectives in writing and I can use a range of techniques to write a detailed internal monologue.
Key learning points
- Narratives are often written in the third person, but we can switch perspectives during a narrative.
- Including first person perspectives allows us to show the protagonist's thoughts.
- An internal monologue is a type of first person writing focused on the protagonist's inner thoughts.
- We can use a range of language techniques to lend internal monologue an informal tone.
- We can include sensory details to show more of the protagonist's emotions.
Keywords
Third person perspective - the 'he/she/it/they' perspective
First person perspective - the 'I/we' perspective
Past tense - tells the reader the action happened before now
Present tense - tells the reader the action is happening now
Internal monologue - the inner voice of a character - their thoughts to themselves, not spoken aloud
Common misconception
Pupils may think that any piece of first person writing is internal monologue.
Internal monologue is first person writing that focuses on the inner thoughts of the person.
Teacher tip
You may wish to read the relevant sections of the book aloud to the children for inspiration, but encourage them to make the writing their own by coming up with their own ideas for what Addie may feel and think.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2020 Knights Of edition of ‘A Kind of Spark’ written by Elle McNicoll, illustrated by Kay Wilson, for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these will not form part of the build-up of a story?
Q2.Which of these events fall into the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark'?
Q3.Which of these events from the build-up comes first?
Q4.Which of the following best describes an 'internal monologue'?
Q5.Which of the following is most likely to be a piece of Miss Murphy's internal monologue?
Q6.Which character's internal monologue might include the following idea? 'I just don't believe Miss Murphy has Addie's best interests at heart; I think I need to intervene.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which pronouns are most likely to appear in the first person perspective?
Q2.Which of these sentences use a third person perspective?
Q3.Which tense and person is used here? 'Addie looked on in horror as Miss Murphy crumpled her work.'
Q4.Which tense and person is used here? 'I can't believe no-one else is upset by what Mr Patterson is saying.'
Q5.Which features of an internal monologue are shown here? 'The lights are almost blindingly bright. But no-one else seems to notice.'
Q6.Why is including details about senses particularly important in our narrative?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Adopting different perspectives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Adopting different perspectives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'A Kind of Spark': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.