Year 4 - English
Practising writing direct speech for 'Whale Rider'
'Whale Rider': narrative writing
Study Hub
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 a range of narrative outcomes based on the film 'Whale Rider'. They analyse sections of the film carefully, from which they write an opening, an emotive scene and a resolution. Pupils also practise using speech punctuation accurately in their narratives.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to write sentences using accurate speech punctuation.
Key Notes
- Direct speech is the term used for a person speaking out loud in a text.
- Speech first is punctuated with inverted commas and a comma, question mark or exclamation mark.
- Speech second is punctuated with inverted commas and a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark.
- Inverted commas are used to demarcate the direct speech from the reporting clause.
- A range of synonyms for 'said' and use of adverbs can offer detail about how a character spoke and felt.
Vocabulary To Learn
- direct speech: the term used for a person speaking out loud in a text
- inverted commas: punctuation marks used to indicate the beginning and end of direct speech
- reporting clause: tells the reader who said the speech and how
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that punctuation rules in direct speech are optional or may apply them inconsistently.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Direct speech is the term used for a person speaking out loud in a text. Speech first is punctuated with inverted commas and a comma, question mark or exclamation mark.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'direct speech'
the term used for a person speaking out loud in a text.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think that punctuation rules in direct speech are optional or may apply them inconsistently. Correction: Explain that the reader must know where the direct speech begins and ends to understand what is being said. Display examples of speech with and without punctuation to emphasise this.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Editing paragraphs of a narrative in 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Exploring characters' perspectives Study Guide
- Learning about the context of 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Planning a narrative scene with direct speech in 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Planning an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Planning the opening of 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Planning the resolution of 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Publishing and reading my 'Whale Rider' narrative aloud Study Guide
- Retelling the story of 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Writing a narrative scene with direct speech in 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Writing paragraph one of an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Writing paragraph two of an emotive narrative scene in 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Writing the opening of 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
- Writing the resolution of 'Whale Rider' Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 4 English guide library.