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Year 3 - English

Planning the opening of 'The BFG' (part two)

'The BFG': reading and narrative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils write their own version of two sections of narrative based on 'The BFG', using their exploration of the original text by Roald Dahl in the accompanying reading unit. Pupils write a narrative opening and build-up, using literary devices to meet specific purposes.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to plan the second part of an opening of a narrative based on 'The BFG'.

Key Notes

  • The purpose of the opening is to engage the reader and introduce the setting and characters.
  • Precise and ambitious vocabulary is logged on a plan for future use.
  • Notes should not be written in full sentences and bullet points can be used to make notes clear.
  • Fronted adverbials of time, place and manner indicate when, where and how action takes place.
  • 'Show-not-tell' language shows a character's feelings by describing their actions, body language and facial expressions.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • plan: a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text
  • notes: written out of full sentences
  • ambitious vocabulary: high-level language in writing that meets the text purpose
  • fronted adverbial: a sentence starter followed by a comma
  • 'show-not-tell': showing a character's feelings by describing their body language and facial expressions

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may think they need to write full sentences on their plan.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The purpose of the opening is to engage the reader and introduce the setting and characters. Precise and ambitious vocabulary is logged on a plan for future use.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'plan'

a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may think they need to write full sentences on their plan. Correction: Plans are written to support pupils with future writing. Plans include ambitious vocabulary in note form.

More Lessons In This Unit

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