Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 3 English Guides

Year 3 - English

Writing the build-up of 'The BFG' (part one)

'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 write the first part of a build-up of a narrative based on 'The BFG'.

Key Notes

  • The purpose of the build-up is to build tension and suspense.
  • Saying sentences aloud before they are written helps to check for sense.
  • Using the full range of sentence types (simple, compound and complex) improves text flow for the reader.
  • A rhetorical question engages the reader and makes them feel more curious about the narrative.
  • Fronted adverbials of time, place and manner describe the action in the main clause in further detail.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • text flow: how a text is written to keep the reader engaged
  • fronted adverbial: a sentence starter followed by a comma
  • rhetorical question: a question asked to the reader that does not expect an answer
  • suspense: when you are feeling anxious or excited about what may happen

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils might write about moments that take place later in the narrative.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The purpose of the build-up is to build tension and suspense. Saying sentences aloud before they are written helps to check for sense.

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

how a text is written to keep the reader engaged.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils might write about moments that take place later in the narrative. Correction: The first part of the build-up follows a clear, chronological order that includes the three key moments from pupils' plans.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 English guide library.