Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

Editing the build-up of 'The Viewer'

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can edit the build-up of ‘The Viewer’.

Key learning points

  1. Editing is the process of improving writing to ensure text flow and overall quality.
  2. Editing involves making improvements to a piece of writing without completely rewriting it.
  3. Punctuation, sentence structure, grammar, vocabulary and spelling are sensible areas to focus on in editing.
  4. Editing is a vital part of the writing process.

Keywords

  • Editing - the process of improving writing to improve text flow and overall quality

  • Grammar - the set of rules that govern a language

  • Punctuation - a set of standardised symbols and marks used in written language to structure sentences

  • Sentence structure - the way that words are arranged within sentences to convey meaning

  • Vocabulary - the language choices made by a writer

Common misconception

Pupils may think that editing is simply checking for things that are missing rather than editing and improving what is already there.

Teach pupils to analyse their language choices to be sure each word is appropriately descriptive and ambitious.

Teacher tip

Having pupils peer-edit each other's work may lead to a more thorough editing process.

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2012 Hodder Children's Books edition of ‘The Viewer’ written by Gary Crew and illustrated by Shaun Tan, for this lesson.

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

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name for the thoughts, ideas, or questions that occur within an individual's mind?

external thoughts
Correct answer: internal thoughts
individual thoughts

Q2.
Internal thoughts are important to include in our writing because they tell the reader about how a character is ...

Correct answer: feeling.
standing.
breathing.

Q3.
Including a character's internal thoughts in your writing will not help to vary the sentence structure within a paragraph.

True
Correct answer: False

Q4.
Which of these is not an example of reported speech?

James said he wanted rice for dinner.
Correct answer: "I'm not hungry," replied Sita.
Carl asked the children to keep quiet.

Q5.
Relative clauses are used to add ...

Correct answer: additional information.
additional punctuation.
additional adjectives.

Q6.
Figurative language is used to build atmosphere.

Correct answer: True
False

6 Questions

Q1.
Fill in the blank. __________ is the process of improving writing to improve text flow.

Correct answer: editing
grammar
punctuation

Q2.
Grammar is the name for the standardised symbols and marks used in written language.

Correct answer: True
False

Q3.
Which of these is not a function of a comma?*

to separate adjectives in an expanded noun phrase
after a subordinate clause that comes first in a complex sentence
Correct answer: to mark the end of a sentence

Q4.
Which of these is not a device used to create figurative language in fictional narratives?

similes
personification
Correct answer: statistics

Q5.
Select the correct spelling.

Correct answer: noticed
notised
notisced

Q6.
Select the fronted adverbials.

the
ancient
Correct answer: A moment later,
Correct answer: Lifting the contraption to his eyes,

To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Editing the build-up of 'The Viewer', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...