Year 6 - English
Adopting different perspectives
'A Kind of Spark': 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 a build-up and climax based on the text, 'A Kind of Spark'. They learn to switch tense to highlight a jump in perspective from narrative prose to an internal monologue and from present to past tense to indicate a flashback. These outcomes can be used for KS2 SATS writing.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to switch between third person and first person perspectives in writing and you can use a range of techniques to write a detailed internal monologue.
Key Notes
- Narratives are often written in the third person, but we can switch perspectives during a narrative.
- Including first person perspectives allows us to show the protagonist's thoughts.
- An internal monologue is a type of first person writing focused on the protagonist's inner thoughts.
- We can use a range of language techniques to lend internal monologue an informal tone.
- We can include sensory details to show more of the protagonist's emotions.
Vocabulary To Learn
- third person perspective: the 'he/she/it/they' perspective
- first person perspective: the 'I/we' perspective
- past tense: tells the reader the action happened before now
- present tense: tells the reader the action is happening now
- internal monologue: the inner voice of a character - their thoughts to themselves, not spoken aloud
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think that any piece of first person writing is internal monologue.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Narratives are often written in the third person, but we can switch perspectives during a narrative. Including first person perspectives allows us to show the protagonist's thoughts.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'third person perspective'
the 'he/she/it/they' perspective.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may think that any piece of first person writing is internal monologue. Correction: Internal monologue is first person writing that focuses on the inner thoughts of the person.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Exploring a historical scenario linked to 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Exploring Addie's character Study Guide
- Exploring Addie's speech in the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Planning the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' including switches in perspective Study Guide
- Planning the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' including flashbacks Study Guide
- Self-editing the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Self-editing the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Understanding the historical context of the Scottish witch trials Study Guide
- Using drama to explore a character 'low' Study Guide
- Writing the final sections of the climax, including a flashback Study Guide
- Writing the first half of the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Writing the first section of the climax of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
- Writing the next two sections of the climax, including a flashback Study Guide
- Writing the second half of the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' Study Guide
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