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Year 6 - English

Writing the first half of the climax and resolution 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 climax and resolution of 'Beowulf and the dragon', using a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas and using techniques to increase pace and tension.

Key Notes

  • Writing is most successful when structure, content and vocabulary are planned.
  • We aim to use a range of narrative elements in our writing and to set an appropriate mood with them.
  • We use a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas, including a variety of fronted adverbials.
  • Short sentences, rhetorical questions and 'quick' fronted adverbials of time can add pace to a piece of writing.
  • Dashes can add dramatic effect, often by restating the noun phrase that is being described in a different way.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • cohesive devices: language structures that develop text cohesion
  • fronted adverbial: a sentence starter followed by a comma
  • dashes: a punctuation mark to add extra information in a clause often for dramatic effect
  • oral rehearsal: practising saying ideas for sentences out loud before you write them

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils may be tempted to over-use short sentences in their writing.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Writing is most successful when structure, content and vocabulary are planned. We aim to use a range of narrative elements in our writing and to set an appropriate mood with them.

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

language structures that develop text cohesion.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may be tempted to over-use short sentences in their writing. Correction: Show in your shared writing that short sentences are impactful **because** they contrast with the longer or more complex sentences we tend to use in formal narrative writing.

More Lessons In This Unit

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