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Year 4 - English

Writing the climax 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 climax of 'A Christmas Carol'.

Key Notes

  • The climax takes the suspense to its highest point as Scrooge encounters the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
  • The climax is written over two paragraphs and it is important to demonstrate cohesion across them.
  • Cohesion refers to how a text flows in order to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve the purpose.
  • Scrooge's emotions increase in intensity across both paragraphs in the climax which supports cohesion.
  • Oral rehearsal helps to structure grammatically correct full sentences and supports cohesion.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • climax: the point in the narrative that describes the main action and takes the suspense to its highest point
  • suspense: a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen
  • cohesion: how a text flows in order to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve the purpose
  • direct speech: the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may find it hard to write ideas for Scrooge's inner thoughts in this lesson.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The climax takes the suspense to its highest point as Scrooge encounters the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The climax is written over two paragraphs and it is important to demonstrate cohesion across them.

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

the point in the narrative that describes the main action and takes the suspense to its highest point.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may find it hard to write ideas for Scrooge's inner thoughts in this lesson. Correction: Ensure pupils have a plan to use with ideas for Scrooge's inner thoughts and model how to write these.

More Lessons In This Unit

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