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Year 6 - English

Writing the first half of the build-up of 'Beowulf and the dragon'

'Beowulf': narrative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils rewrite the build-up, climax and resolution of the historical classic 'Beowulf', focusing on interspersing dialogue to convey atmosphere and advance the action. Pupils work to generate vocabulary that is appropriate for each section of the narrative.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to write the first half of the build-up of 'Beowulf and the dragon', using a range of narrative elements and a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas.

Key Notes

  • As we write, we aim to include a range of narrative elements and to connect ideas using a range of cohesive devices.
  • A range of types of complex sentence - adverbial, relative and non-finite (-ing) - can be used as cohesive devices.
  • Colons and semi-colons are also useful cohesive devices.
  • We can orally rehearse our ideas prior to writing in order to make it easier when we come to write.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • narrative elements: the content of a narrative, often including action, description, dialogue and emotions
  • cohesive devices: language structures that develop text cohesion
  • complex sentence: a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause
  • oral rehearsal: practising saying ideas for sentences out loud before you write them

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may believe that their oral rehearsal has to be perfect or excessively detailed.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

As we write, we aim to include a range of narrative elements and to connect ideas using a range of cohesive devices. A range of types of complex sentence - adverbial, relative and non-finite (-ing) - can be used as cohesive devices.

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

the content of a narrative, often including action, description, dialogue and emotions.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may believe that their oral rehearsal has to be perfect or excessively detailed. Correction: The oral rehearsal is a first attempt; it may not be perfect. It reduces the cognitive load when writing, allowing extra details to be added more easily.

More Lessons In This Unit

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