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      Writing the climax of a narrative based on 'Jabberwocky'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write the climax of a narrative based on ‘Jabberwocky’.

      Key learning points

      1. The purpose of the climax is to describe the main action and take the suspense and excitement to its highest point.
      2. Direct speech is punctuated using inverted commas. Dialogue moves the action forward.
      3. Notes from a plan are used to form full sentences.
      4. A range of sentence types (simple, compound and complex) improves text flow for the reader.
      5. A range of fronted adverbials is used to improve text flow.

      Keywords

      • Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged

      • Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma

      • Direct speech - shows that a character is speaking out loud in a text

      Common misconception

      Pupils may struggle with remembering the punctuation rules in speech second sentences.

      Provide a visual scaffold of the speech second punctuation rules. Encourage pupils to use this when writing direct speech.

      Teacher tip

      Ensure children have access to the notes from their plan to support them in writing the climax.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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.
      How do you use a plan to write part of a narrative?

      copy it out word for word
      Correct answer: use the notes to form a range of full sentences
      Correct answer: follow the sequence of events

      Q2.
      What is a fronted adverbial?

      a word used to describe a verb
      Correct answer: a sentence starter
      a conjunction
      a type of subordinate clause

      Q3.
      What are the different sentence types that you can use in your writing?

      Correct answer: complex
      fronted adverbial
      Correct answer: simple
      subordinate clause
      Correct answer: compound

      Q4.
      Which piece of punctuation follows a fronted adverbial?

      a full stop
      an exclamation mark
      Correct answer: a comma
      inverted commas

      Q5.
      Put the four key moments of the climax in chronological order.

      1 - The ferocious Jabberwock moved closer and closer to the boy.
      2 - The boy threatened the Jabberwock with his sword.
      3 - The Jabberwock became enraged and it lunged at the boy.
      4 - The boy swiped his sword and he beheaded the Jabberwock.

      Q6.
      What is an adverbial complex sentence?

      a sentence formed of two main clauses
      Correct answer: a sentence formed of one main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
      a sentence formed of two main clauses and a co-ordinating conjunction

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      True or false? We should use a range of sentence types (like simple, compound and varied complex) in our writing.

      Correct Answer: true, True

      Q2.
      Match the sentence type to its definition.

      Correct Answer:simple,The vicious beast destroyed everything in its path.

      The vicious beast destroyed everything in its path.

      Correct Answer:compound ,The knight rose to his feet and he pointed his sword at the beast.

      The knight rose to his feet and he pointed his sword at the beast.

      Correct Answer:adverbial complex,The monster stomped towards the boy as it roared loudly.

      The monster stomped towards the boy as it roared loudly.

      Q3.
      What is the name of the punctuation mark that indicates where the words the character said begin and end?

      comma
      Correct answer: inverted commas
      question mark
      exclamation mark
      full stop

      Q4.
      Which direct speech sentence is correctly punctuated?

      The boy shouted Don't come any closer!''
      Correct answer: The boy shouted, ''Don't come any closer!''
      The boy shouted, ''don't come any closer!''
      The boy shouted, ''Don't come any closer!

      Q5.
      Complete the following sentence with an appropriate fronted adverbial: '__________ he lunged at the terrified boy.'

      Happily,
      The next morning,
      Correct answer: With boiling blood,
      Slowly,

      Q6.
      Which of the following uses 'show-not-tell' to describe how the boy was feeling in the climax?

      The boy was terrified.
      The boy raised his sword at the Jabberwock.
      ''I'm really scared!'' exclaimed the young man.
      Correct answer: With shaking knees, the boy rose to his feet as his heart pounded in his chest.

      To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Writing the climax of a narrative based on 'Jabberwocky', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...