New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Exploring the use of time in Galloway's ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’

I can analyse how Galloway uses time and use that as inspiration for the structure of my own narrative.

New
New
Year 10
Eduqas

Exploring the use of time in Galloway's ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’

I can analyse how Galloway uses time and use that as inspiration for the structure of my own narrative.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. You can experiment with time to create an interesting structure to your narrative.
  2. The use of flashback is powerful in 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' to help the reader connect to the character.
  3. The use of flashforward adds a sense of inevitability and a poignant tone to writing.
  4. Flashbacks are powerful when they contrast to the present moment in some way.
  5. Using certain phrases before your time shifts can help to create seamless transitions.

Keywords

  • Flashback - a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters

  • Flashforward - a transition in a story to a future time in the life of one or more characters

  • Poignant - evoking a sense of sadness or regret

Common misconception

We can only manipulate time in one way in a narrative.

When we know the effect that we want our flashbacks and flashforwards to have, we can use both.

You may want to show pupils other examples of time manipulation in extracts that you have enjoyed or studied together.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to Chapter 1 of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' by Steven Galloway for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is not a structural feature?
Correct answer: simile
flashback
repetition
chronological order
Q2.
Which of these is a structural feature involving the writer's use of time?
repetition
use of dialogue
Correct answer: non-linear narrative
Q3.
What is a flashback?
when a writer shifts to a moment in the future
Correct answer: when a writer shifts to a moment in the past
when writer sets their narrative in the past
Q4.
What is a flashforward?
Correct answer: when a writer shifts to a moment in the future
when a writer sets their narrative in the future
when the writer describes a futuristic world
Q5.
What does it mean if something is inevitable?
It will never happen.
Correct answer: It will definitely happen.
It is lucky.
It is unlucky.
Q6.
Which of these sentences has a poignant tone?
The old man sat on the bench looking at a photograph.
The old man chuckled as he looked at the photograph.
Correct answer: The old man clutched the photograph, tears trickling down his face.

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these does Galloway not use in the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'?
Correct answer: chronological order
flashback
non-linear narrative
Q2.
Which moment does Galloway not flashback to in the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'?
finding a manuscript in 1945
the cellist's sister's wedding
Correct answer: the first day of the siege
Q3.
What can you do to make your flashback more powerful in a piece of creative writing?
Correct answer: make the flashback contrast with the present moment
make the flashback similar to the present moment
make it more sad than the present moment
Q4.
How does Galloway use a flashforward in the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'?
He describes the cellist's childhood.
Correct answer: He conveys the inevitability of destruction and grief.
He conveys the cellist's hope.
Q5.
Which phrase might be useful to help you transition into a flashback?
Correct answer: She remembered a time when …
They don't know it now but …
Years later ...
Q6.
Why is it important to plan the phrases you will use when you shift time in your narrative writing?
Correct answer: to help ensure a seamless transition in your narrative
Correct answer: to make the time shift clear to the reader
to extend the length of your narrative