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Year 7 - English

'The Twisted Tree': understanding narrative arcs

'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils read, explore and respond to the modern fairytale novel 'The Twisted Tree'. They start by reading the novel before practising writing analytically about the novel's key characters and themes. They finally respond creatively to the novel by writing an article and short script.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to understand the arc of a narrative and how the plot of 'The Twisted Tree' fits within it.

Key Notes

  • Lots of stories, particularly fables and fairy tales, fit into a traditional narrative arc.
  • A narrative arc starts with an exposition.
  • A story's rising action leads to its climax.
  • After the climax, falling action leads to a resolution.
  • 'The Twisted Tree' mostly follows this traditional structure, however there are arguably two climaxes.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • narrative arc: the structure and sequence of events in a story
  • exposition: the beginning part of a story where characters, setting, and the main conflict are introduced
  • action: events in a story that move the plot forward; they can be divided into rising action and falling action
  • climax: the most intense and exciting part of a story where the main conflict reaches its peak
  • resolution: the end of a story where the conflicts are resolved, and the story concludes

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students might think that all stories fit perfectly into a traditional narrative arc with only one climax.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Lots of stories, particularly fables and fairy tales, fit into a traditional narrative arc. A narrative arc starts with an exposition.

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

the structure and sequence of events in a story.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students might think that all stories fit perfectly into a traditional narrative arc with only one climax. Correction: While many stories follow a traditional narrative arc, some can have multiple climaxes or may not fit perfectly into the structure. The narrative arc is a helpful guide, but it's important to recognise that stories can vary and still be effective.

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