Year 6 - English
Planning the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark' including switches in perspective
'A Kind of Spark': narrative writing
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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 plan the structure and content of a scene from the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark', using both third and first person perspectives.
Key Notes
- Writing is most successful when it is planned.
- We can plan to describe particular details and use figurative language to build a particular mood.
- Our plan will cover two events from the build-up of 'A Kind of Spark', using a tense, anxious mood.
- For each event, we will describe it in the third person and reflect on it using internal monologue in the first person.
Vocabulary To Learn
- third person perspective: the 'he/she/it/they' perspective
- internal monologue: the inner voice of a character - their thoughts to themselves, not spoken aloud
- build-up: the part of a narrative where problems are introduced and tension rises
- figurative language: the use of metaphors, similes, personification and other literary devices to create imaginative meanings
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may feel they have to cover every event from this part of the book in this piece of writing.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Writing is most successful when it is planned. We can plan to describe particular details and use figurative language to build a particular mood.
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 feel they have to cover every event from this part of the book in this piece of writing. Correction: Encourage pupils to zoom in on just two moments, drawing out all the details from these; this will allow them to really focus on the quality of writing rather than the plot details.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Adopting different perspectives Study Guide
- 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 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
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.