Writing a narrative scene with direct speech in 'Whale Rider'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write a narrative scene with direct speech in 'Whale Rider'.
Key learning points
- The purpose of direct speech in a narrative is to develop characters and advance the plot.
- Using a range of sentence types (simple, compound and complex) improves text flow.
- Fronted adverbials of time, place or manner add extra detail to a main clause.
- This narrative version of 'Whale Rider' is written in the past tense.
- Oral rehearsal before writing helps to structure grammatically correct sentences and check for sense.
Keywords
Direct speech - the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma
'show-not-tell' - shows a character’s feelings by describing their actions, body language and facial expressions
Ambitious vocabulary - high-level language in writing that meets the text purpose
Common misconception
Pupils may confuse speech punctuation rules when writing speech first and speech second in a narrative.
At the end of speech first, a full stop must not be used. At the end of speech second, a full stop can be used.
Teacher tip
Pupils should be given lots of opportunities to say sentences aloud or to write sentences on whiteboards, paying particular attention to direct speech and to speech second sentences and using the notes from their plan ahead of writing.
Equipment
You must have access to the film 'Whale Rider' (South Pacific Pictures, 2002) to complete this unit. Images of the characters and scenes from the film will be helpful.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which sentence is written in the past tense?
Q2.True or false? You can copy out the notes from your plan exactly as they are.
Q3.Which of the following is a simple sentence?
Q4.Order the four key moments of the build-up chronologically.
Q5.What is the name of the punctuation mark used in direct speech to indicate when the words being spoken start and finish?
Q6.What is an adverbial complex sentence?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?
Q2.Which speech first sentence is correctly punctuated?
Q3.Which speech second sentence is correctly punctuated?
Q4.True or false? A rhetorical question is meant to be answered by the reader.
Q5.Which of the following is an example of 'show-not-tell' language?
Q6.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Writing a narrative scene with direct speech in 'Whale Rider', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Writing a narrative scene with direct speech in 'Whale Rider', 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 'Whale Rider': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.