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Year 4 - English

Writing paragraph two of the build up of 'A Christmas Carol'

'A Christmas Carol': narrative writing and reading

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore A Christmas Carol, learning about its context and developing comprehension through targeted questions. They analyse characterisation, themes, and the story's ending. Pupils then plan and write a setting description, along with the opening, build-up and climax.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to write the second paragraph of the build-up of 'A Christmas Carol'.

Key Notes

  • The second paragraph of the build-up heightens the suspense and reveals the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
  • Precise vocabulary is used to describe sensory details and 'show and tell' conveys Scrooge's emotions.
  • Fronted adverbials of time, place and manner add greater detail to the main clause and support in building suspense.
  • Marley informs Scrooge of the visits he will be paid by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
  • Reported speech is used to share the important messages Marley conveys without quoting him directly.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • suspense: a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen
  • fronted adverbial: a sentence starter followed by a comma
  • reported speech: the form of speech used to share what was said by someone without using a direct quote

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • The examples given for fronted adverbials of manner are adverbs ending in 'ly'. Children may assume this is the only way to write a fronted adverbial of manner.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The second paragraph of the build-up heightens the suspense and reveals the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Precise vocabulary is used to describe sensory details and 'show and tell' conveys Scrooge's emotions.

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

a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: The examples given for fronted adverbials of manner are adverbs ending in 'ly'. Children may assume this is the only way to write a fronted adverbial of manner. Correction: Provide additional examples of fronted adverbials of manner that are phrases rather than individual words. E.g. 'With a grave expression on his face,...'.

More Lessons In This Unit

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