Withholding information and timing revelations
I can explain the narrative techniques of withholding information and timing revelations.
Withholding information and timing revelations
I can explain the narrative techniques of withholding information and timing revelations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Withholding information is a powerful narrative technique for increasing reader engagement.
- You can withhold information about the who, what, where, when and how of a story.
- Readers can respond in different ways to the withholding of information.
- Timing the revelation of the full information affects how your reader responds to the story.
Keywords
To withhold - to keep something back
To reveal - to make known or show something that was previously secret
Resourceful - skilled at solving problems and making decisions on your own
Resilience - the ability to continue to be happy and positive after something difficult or bad has happened
Common misconception
Students often think that they should show or tell the key details of a story immediately.
Encourage them to think about mysteries and thrillers which keep the identify of the villain secret.
Equipment
You will need access to the Prologue to 'The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind' by William Kamkwamba.
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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