Year 3 - English
Writing the opening of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon'
'The Man on the Moon': narrative writing
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils write their own version of the short film 'The Man on the Moon'. The unit encourages pupils to build on their understanding of the narrative structure of opening, build-up, climax and resolution. Each section is written with a focus on using certain sentence types.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to write a narrative opening based on 'The Man on the Moon'.
Key Notes
- The purpose of a narrative opening is to introduce the characters and to describe the setting to the reader.
- 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.
- Show and tell language uses characters' movements, body language and facial expressions to describe feelings.
Vocabulary To Learn
- text flow: how a text is written to keep the reader engaged
- fronted adverbial: a sentence starter followed by a comma
- past tense: shows that the action happened before now
- show and tell: a writing technique for showing a character's feelings with description of their actions, body language and facial expressions
- rhetorical question: a question asked to the reader that does not expect an answer
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils might write about moments that take place in the build-up, climax or resolution.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
The purpose of a narrative opening is to introduce the characters and to describe the setting to the reader. 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 in the build-up, climax or resolution. Correction: The opening follows a clear, chronological order that includes the three key moments from pupils' plans.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Developing initial responses to 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Editing a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Generating ambitious vocabulary for narrative writing Study Guide
- Planning the build-up of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Planning the climax of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Planning the opening of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Planning the resolution of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Summarising and sequencing the story of 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Writing the build-up of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Writing the climax of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
- Writing the resolution of a narrative based on 'The Man on the Moon' Study Guide
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