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      Writing the second half of the duel scene

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write the second half of the duel scene, using a range of cohesive devices and all the elements of a narrative.

      Key learning points

      1. We have planned the structure, content and vocabulary for our narrative.
      2. When we write, we use cohesive devices to connect these plan notes together into coherent sentences.
      3. We should aim to include all the narrative elements of action, description, dialogue and emotions in our writing.
      4. Oral rehearsal prior to writing helps us to write more easily.
      5. We can use adverbs to add detail to describe how verbs have been done.

      Keywords

      • Narrative elements - the content of a narrative, often including action, description, dialogue and emotions

      • Adverb - a word that describes or gives more information about a verb, often showing the manner in which it happens

      • Cohesive devices - language features that contribute to text cohesion

      Common misconception

      Pupils may find it difficult to punctuate direct speech correctly.

      Complete lessons on punctuating direct speech can be found in our Year 5 Grammar curriculum; you may wish to briefly review a couple of these slides based on your assessment of pupils' work in the previous lesson.

      Teacher tip

      A slide has been left lined for you to complete shared writing with your class. You may feel that you want to use shared writing again in the second part of the lesson, depending on the needs of your group.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of serious crime

      Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which person and tense does our narrative retelling of the duel scene in 'Romeo and Juliet' use?

      first person, present tense
      first person, past tense
      Correct answer: third person, past tense
      third person, present tense

      Q2.
      Which narrative element is shown here? 'At that moment, Tybalt lunged forward and he landed a heavy blow on Mercutio’s chest.'

      Correct answer: action
      description
      dialogue
      emotion

      Q3.
      Which narrative elements are shown here? '“Are you hurt?” cried Benvolio, rushing towards his friend.'

      Correct answer: action
      description
      Correct answer: dialogue
      Correct answer: emotion

      Q4.
      Which cohesive devices are shown here? 'Suddenly, he rushed towards Mercutio and he pushed his dazzling rapier aside.'

      adverbial complex sentence
      relative complex sentence
      Correct answer: compound sentence
      Correct answer: fronted adverbial

      Q5.
      Which cohesive device is shown here? 'Letting out a soft groan, the wounded man fell to the ground.'

      adverbial complex sentence
      compound sentence
      Correct answer: non-finite (-ing) complex sentence
      relative complex sentence

      Q6.
      Which pieces of dialogue are punctuated correctly with inverted commas?

      “A plague on both your houses” he rasped.
      He rasped “A plague on both your houses!”
      Correct answer: “A plague on both your houses!” he rasped.
      He rasped “a plague on both your houses!”
      Correct answer: He rasped, “A plague on both your houses!”

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which adjectives best describe the atmosphere we have aimed for in our narrative?

      slow
      Correct answer: fast
      relaxed
      Correct answer: tense

      Q2.
      Which narrative elements are used in the following example? 'Dropping his rapier, Mercutio grimaced in pain.'

      Correct answer: action
      description
      Correct answer: emotion
      dialogue

      Q3.
      Which adverb could complete the following sentence? 'Mercutio swaggered __________ towards Tybalt.'

      anxiously
      Correct answer: arrogantly
      reluctantly
      uncontrollably

      Q4.
      Which adverb could complete the following sentence? '“Romeo, get up! Here’s Tybalt approaching!” Benvolio gasped __________.'

      happily
      reluctantly
      Correct answer: worriedly
      confidently

      Q5.
      Which of these options could complete the following sentence? 'Romeo wept bitter tears __________.'

      that was why he felt sad.
      Correct answer: that spilled onto Mercutio's lifeless corpse.
      Correct answer: that he let fall onto Mercutio's open wound.
      that was the problem.

      Q6.
      What cohesive devices have been used here? 'Plunging his rapier violently into the young man’s chest, Romeo cut a jagged wound that oozed crimson blood. Immediately, Tybalt fell down heavily.'

      Correct answer: non-finite (-ing) complex sentence
      relative complex sentence
      adverbial complex sentence
      Correct answer: fronted adverbial of time

      To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Writing the second half of the duel scene, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...