Writing the opening to an impactful narrative
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the opening to an impactful narrative.
Key learning points
- To create atmosphere, you might use similes, dialogue and motifs.
- To avoid clichés, you might think about how you can add extra detail and sensory aspects to similes.
- To write effective dialogue, you might consider how you present body language and the balance of the lines.
- To create motifs that represent emotions, you might think about what colours or objects symbolise that emotions.
Keywords
Impactful - having a powerful effect on a situation or person
Exposition - sets up the setting, characters and atmosphere of the story
Atmosphere - the overall mood of a story or poem
Motif - an object, image, sound or phrase that is repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes
Common misconception
The words exchanged between characters are the most effective way to convey the relationship between them.
Often, the most effective dialogue comes from considering body language and the balance of the lines.
Teacher tip
You might like to look at the opening of a story that the pupils have read recently and consider how it sets up the atmosphere of the entire novel.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'The overall mood of a story or poem' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q2.'A conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
Q3.Which of the following animals might we associate with jealousy and envy?
Q4.'A figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as' ' is the definition of which word?
Q5.Which of the following might we think of as closed body language?
Q6.'Having a powerful effect on a situation or person' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which type of atmosphere might the simile 'the branches reached out as if with open arms' might create?
Q2.'A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q3.Which of the following are examples of closed body language?
Q4.'Sets up the setting, characters and atmosphere of the story' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Q5.'An object, image, sound or phrase that is repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?
Q6.Which of the following flowers typically symbolises jealousy?
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Writing the opening to an impactful narrative, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Writing the opening to an impactful narrative, 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 4 English lessons from the Fiction: books that changed my world unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.