'Beowulf': narrative writing
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Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on the Year 6 unit, 'Beowulf': reading', in which pupils analysed a modernised version of the text. Techniques for increasing and maintaining tension in a build-up, describing powerful action in a climax and conveying a sense of calm in a resolution are developed whilst maintaining use of a range of cohesive devices. This unit prepares pupils for sophisticated narrative writing in the Year 6 unit, ''A Kind of Spark': narrative writing', where pupils finesse writing a build-up and climax and focus on switching tense to highlight a jump in perspective.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Beowulf is classified as an epic poem.
- Beowulf was originally written in Old English.
- Old English was the language spoken in Anglo Saxon England before the Norman Conquest.
- The poem follows the character of Beowulf and his battles both in youth and in age.
- The text is believed to have been written between 700 - 750 CE.
- Beowulf is one of the most frequently translated texts of Old English literature.
- Epic poems are narrative poems that are often very long.
- Epic poems often track adventures of heroic characters.
- Themes of courage, honour and struggle against adversity are often explored through epic poetry.
- Epic poems can feature dialogue.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on the Year 6 unit, 'Beowulf': reading', in which pupils analysed a modernised version of the text. Techniques for increasing and maintaining tension in a build-up, describing powerful action in a climax and conveying a sense of calm in a resolution are developed whilst maintaining use of a range of cohesive devices. This unit prepares pupils for sophisticated narrative writing in the Year 6 unit, ''A Kind of Spark': narrative writing', where pupils finesse writing a build-up and climax and focus on switching tense to highlight a jump in perspective.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Beowulf is classified as an epic poem.
- Beowulf was originally written in Old English.
- Old English was the language spoken in Anglo Saxon England before the Norman Conquest.
- The poem follows the character of Beowulf and his battles both in youth and in age.
- The text is believed to have been written between 700 - 750 CE.
- Beowulf is one of the most frequently translated texts of Old English literature.
- Epic poems are narrative poems that are often very long.
- Epic poems often track adventures of heroic characters.
- Themes of courage, honour and struggle against adversity are often explored through epic poetry.
- Epic poems can feature dialogue.
Reading, writing & oracy
'Beowulf': narrative writing
In this unit, pupils rewrite the build-up, climax and resolution of the historical classic 'Beowulf', focusing on interspersing dialogue to convey atmosphere and advance the action. Pupils work to generate vocabulary that is appropriate for each section of the narrative.
10 lessons in unit
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