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Year 5 - English

Planning the build-up of 'The Viewer'

'The Viewer': narrative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils use a picture book stimulus to write the opening and build-up of a narrative. They develop their understanding of how to hook a reader through a narrative opening and how to build and maintain tension in a narrative build-up, using cohesive devices and show-not-tell.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to plan the build-up of 'The Viewer'.

Key Notes

  • The purpose of the build-up is to develop the plot and characters, introduce a problem and build up tension.
  • Show-not-tell allows the reader to observe the emotions a character may be experiencing.
  • A relative clause can be used to give additional information about a noun.
  • A relative clause always starts with a relative pronoun e.g. 'who' or 'which'.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • planning: using a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text
  • relative clause: a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
  • relative pronoun: a word that starts a relative clause like 'who' or 'which'

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may find it hard to develop 'show-not-tell' ideas.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

The purpose of the build-up is to develop the plot and characters, introduce a problem and build up tension. Show-not-tell allows the reader to observe the emotions a character may be experiencing.

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

using a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may find it hard to develop 'show-not-tell' ideas. Correction: Encourage pupils to act out different parts of the build up and to show the character's emotions through body language and facial expressions, while others describe what they are doing.

More Lessons In This Unit

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