The five part narrative structure
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan a narrative using a five part structure.
Key learning points
- The structure of a narrative means how the plot is organised - its sequence.
- Readers need to feel that the structure of a story has been planned.
- One way to plan a narrative is to rely on the five part narrative structure.
- The five part narrative structure divides a story into exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.
Keywords
Yemoja - in the Yoruba religion, goddess of creation, water, moon, motherhood and protection
Mami Wata - a water spirit or deity (god) sacred to West, Central and Southern Africa
Reactive - responding quickly and unthinkingly to something
Disgruntled - unhappy
Flashback - a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters
Common misconception
The five part narrative structure is the only way to structure a story.
There are lots of ways to create a story that is structured. This is one example. The most important thing to remember is that whatever your structure, it should be considered and carefully planned.
Teacher tip
Consider if the stories which break down the five part narrative structure are appropriate for your pupils. You may have other examples that you wish to use instead.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each story type to its example, all taken from 'Myths, legends and stories that inspire'.
'The Song of Achilles'
'The Lady of Shalott'
'The Fisherman and the Jinni'
'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey'
'The Canterbury Tales'
Q2.Match each character, all from 'Myths, legends and stories that inspire', to what we know about them.
a formidable storyteller
a tyrannical king
a renowned warrior
a Mami Wata, a mermaid
a hubristic young boy
a cursed woman
Q3.Match the sentence stems about Simidele, a mermaid from Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire'), to their endings.
Yemoja transformed her into one.
she was once human.
she gathers the souls of the enslaved who die at sea.
Q4.Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'The Fall of Icarus' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') in chronological order.
Q5.Starting with the first, put these plot points from 'The Fisherman and the Jinni' ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') in chronological order.
Q6.What is the technical term for a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The part narrative structure is a way of sequencing a story so that it has a logical and engaging structure. ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
Q2.Starting with the first, put these sub-headings from the five part narrative structure ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') in chronological order.
Q3.Match the sub-headings of the five part narrative structure to their function. ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
establishes character/setting; introduces a problem
develops character and problem
most intense, and often deciding moment, of a story
aftermath of the climax
how the story ends
Q4.Which sentences use the word disgruntled (or a form of it) correctly? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
Q5.Which sentences use the word reactive (or a form of it) correctly? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
Q6.A is a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters.
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: The five part narrative structure, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: The five part narrative structure, 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 3 English lessons from the Myths, legends and stories that inspire unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.