the structure and sequence of events in a story

the beginning part of a story where characters, setting, and the main conflict are introduced

events in a story that move the plot forward; they can be divided into rising action and falling action

the most intense and exciting part of a story where the main conflict reaches its peak

the end of a story where the conflicts are resolved, and the story concludes

'The Twisted  Tree': understanding narrative arcs

English

In 'The Twisted Tree', pupils explore Gothic imagery in a contemporary text. In 'Dystopian Settings', pupils use their own dark imagery to write their own descriptive pieces.

In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', pupils begin to analyse the choices of an author. in 'The Twisted Tree', pupils develop their analytical writing skills. 

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.

'The Twisted Tree': fiction reading

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

What is the beginning part of a story, where characters, setting and the main conflict are introduced, called?

Martha runs away from home to visit her grandmother Mormor.

Martha and Stig are haunted by evil spirits.

Stig and Gandalf return from the underworld.

In 'The Twisted Tree', what happens during the exposition?

It provides a summary of the entire story.

It reveals the story's resolution and ties up loose ends.

It shows the highest point of tension and conflict in the story.

It introduces the characters, setting and main conflict.

Why is the exposition important in a narrative arc?

Which part of the narrative arc involves the tension growing and leading to a conflict?

Consider 'The Twisted Tree': 'Martha and her mother decide to remain and tend to the twisted tree.' - what part of the narrative arc is this?

to confuse the reader with several unresolved conflicts

to build up multiple points of high tension due to a complex plot

to introduce new characters and settings midway through the story

Why might some stories have multiple climaxes, like 'The Twisted Tree'?

In 'The Twisted Tree' Martha is the novel's ...

The novel 'The Twisted Tree' is written in {{}} person.

a teenage boy Martha finds living in Mormor's cabin

a neighbour of Mormor's that Martha meets on the ferry

Martha's brother who is mentioned but doesn't appear in the story

an undead creature that haunts the living

In the title 'The Twisted Tree' - the word 'twisted' is ...

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Content guidance

Supervision

Worksheet