Third person omniscient writing: ‘The Execution of Lady Jane Grey’ as stimulus
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can plan a well-structured piece of descriptive writing inspired by a painting ('The Execution of Lady Jane Grey') which employs a third person omniscient narrator.
Key learning points
- A third person omniscient narrator can move between the thoughts, feelings and experiences of all characters.
- Paragraphs can allow us to signal shifts in focus to a different character.
- To structure your piece, your first and final paragraph could focus on the same character.
- To further structure your piece, you could link the concluding sentence of paragraphs to the next topic sentence.
Keywords
Third person limited - the narrator isn’t a character in the story and presents the feelings and experiences of one character using pronouns like 'she', 'he', 'they', 'it'
Third person omniscient - the narrator isn’t a character in the story and presents the feelings and experiences of multiple characters using pronouns like 'she', 'he', 'they', 'it'
Sumptuous - expensive looking, luxurious, rich
Common misconception
A third person omniscient narrator must develop each character in the same amount of detail.
Whilst a third person omniscient narrator can develop many characters, they don't need the same amount of space, detail and time in a written piece. You can still have a central character, and minor characters who are more or less important.
Teacher tip
Consider if there are examples of texts you have read with your pupils which employ a third person omniscient narrator which could be used to develop the explanation. Alternatively, you could refer back to a text with a first person narrator as a contrast to support understanding.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each narrative to perspective to its definition ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire’).
the narrator is a character in the story, using pronouns like 'I'
the narrator is speaking directly to the reader, using 'you'
the narrator isn't a character in the story; 'her', 'he', 'it', 'they'
Q2.In 'Myths, Legends and stories that inspire', we look at an historical figure called Lady Jane Grey. What is true of Lady Jane Grey?
Q3.Match each of these words to their definitions ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
describing something still (often water or air) that smells bad
kind, gentle, caring
to bottle up or hide an emotion
Q4.What is a pronoun? ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q5.Which sentences, all inspired by 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), are written using the first person?
Q6.Which sentences, all inspired by 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), are written using the third person?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each section of the single paragraph outline to its function ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
introduces the main focus of your paragraph
notes on vocabulary, techniques and ideas you will include
completes your ideas and leads onto the next paragraph
Q2.What is true of a third person omniscient narrator? ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q3.Which of these sentences, all inspired by 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), use the word 'sumptuous' (or a form of it) correctly?
Q4.What is true of concluding sentences of descriptive paragraphs? ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire').
Q5.A third person narrator is when the narrator isn't a character in the story and presents the feelings and experiences of one character using pronouns like 'she', 'he', 'they', 'it'.
Q6.A third person narrator is when the narrator isn't a character in the story and presents the feelings and experiences of multiple characters using pronouns like 'she', 'he', 'they', 'it'.
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Third person omniscient writing: ‘The Execution of Lady Jane Grey’ as stimulus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 English lesson on: Third person omniscient writing: ‘The Execution of Lady Jane Grey’ as stimulus, 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.