Lesson video

Hello everyone, my name is Mr. Brown, and I'm your teacher for today's English lesson.

We're going to be writing, writing the opening of "The Viewer," a fabulous picture book by Gary Crew.

In this lesson, you will need a copy of that book.

So can you pause the video and go and get your own copy of "The Viewer" by Gary Crew now? Welcome back.

Now that you have your copy of the book, I think you are ready to start writing, writing the opening of "The Viewer" by Gary Crew.

Let's go for it, shall we? The outcome for today's lesson is, I can write the opening of "The Viewer." The keywords we'll use are opening, figurative language, and non-finite clause.

Let's say those together.

My turn and then your turn.

Opening.

Figurative language.

Non-finite clause.

Amazing, well done.

Let's look at the definitions.

The opening is the first section of a story where the writer describes the setting and main characters.

Figurative language is the use of metaphor, simile, and personification to paint vivid pictures for the reader.

A non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause that can start with a verb in the progressive tense.

Let's look at our lesson outline.

We'll start by preparing to write, and then move on to writing the opening.

In today's lesson, we'll be writing the opening section of "The Viewer." "The Viewer" is a narrative fiction text written by Gary Crew and illustrated by Shaun Tan.

The purpose of the opening is to provide the reader with a detailed description of the main characters and the setting.

Let's check our understanding.

Which of these would not be described in the opening of a narrative? Is it A, the main characters, B, the problem, or C, the setting? Which would not be described in the opening? Pause the video and decide now.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's see if you are right.

Which would not be described? Well, the main characters, A, would be described, the setting, C, would be described.

It's B, the problem.

That's reserved for the buildup, not the opening.

Well done if you said B.

A complex sentence is a sentence consisting of a main clause and any type of subordinate clause.

A main clause contains a verb and makes sense on its own.

A subordinate clause? Well, that contains a verb and does not make sense on its own.

There are different types of subordinate clause.

There are three types of complex sentence that you may know.

The adverbial complex sentence, non-finite complex sentence, and relative complex sentence.

Let's check our understanding.

Match the clause types to their definition.

A main clause, is that containing a verb and does not make sense on its own, or contains a verb and makes sense on its own? And subordinate clause, which one would that be? So, match the clause types to their definitions.

Pause the video and have a go at this task now.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's see if you were right.

So, a main clause contains a verb and makes sense on its own.

A subordinate clause also contains a verb but does not make sense on its own.

Well done if you matched those correctly.

We can tell the type of complex sentence from the word that starts the subordinate clause.

As the sun began to set, that's the subordinate clause.

Tristan arrived at the shadowy dump, that'd be the main clause.

"As" is the word that starts the subordinate clause.

It's our subordinating conjunction.

And we know if the subordinated conjunction is as, when, before, or after, then it's an adverbial complex sentence.

So, the subordinate clause, starts with as, tells us that that's adverbial complex sentence.

Okay, how about if the subordinate clause starts with "who?" Well, that's a relative pronoun.

Now, if you see who or which, then we know that's a relative complex sentence.

And that's the relative clause there, who was completely alone.

Now, how about this one? Hunting for something unique, the curious boy sifted through piles of broken treasures.

So, Hunting for something unique, that's our subordinate clause.

It starts with hunting, which is in the progressive tense.

It's a progressive tense verb with I-N-G suffix or -ing suffix.

That tells us that it's a non-finite complex sentence.

If you see a subordinate clause which has an -ing word at the start, an -ing verb, a progressive tense verb, then we know that's a non-finite complex sentence.

In this lesson, we'll be focusing on including non-finite clauses in our writing.

The main clause in a sentence tells the reader what's the subject is doing.

So, Tristan shuffled around the dump, that's a main clause.

A non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause and extends the sentence by telling the reader about a second thing that the subject is doing at the same time, so something else that Tristan is doing while shuffling around the dump.

So here's an example.

Examining the different objects, Tristan shuffled around the dump.

So he's examining the different objects and shuffling around the dump at the same time.

And that's how a non-finite clause works.

It extends the sentence by adding a bit more detail.

So we could just have the main clause, Tristan shuffled around the dump, but by adding this non-finite clause, a type of subordinate clause, we're extending the sentence and giving the reader more detail.

You'll notice that the first word of our non-finite clause is an -ing word, examining, in the progressive tense.

So, Examining the different objects is our non-finite, our -ing clause.

A non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause that can start with a verb in the progressive tenses.

Really important to remember.

The subordinate clause is made up of a non-finite, an incomplete or unfinished verb, and that's where the -ing comes in.

It is an incomplete or unfinished verb and is separated from the main clause using a comma.

So that clause starts with an -ing, incomplete or unfinished verb, and is separated from the main clause using a comma.

The non-finite verb ending -ing, for example, Examining the objects, Weaving through the debris.

So, Assessing his options.

Let's look at those.

Examining the objects, then there's that comma that we said, Tristan walked through the dump.

Weaving through the debris, comma, Tristan searched through the machinery.

Assessing his options, comma, Tristan stared at a heap of twisted metal.

The non-finite verb ends in -ing, that starts our sentence.

And that tells us that it is a non-finite clause.

Now, you can vary the position of the non-finite clause.

It can come first.

That's the way that we've looked at examples so far.

Examining the different objects, Tristan shuffled around the dump.

The non-finite clause is, Examining the different objects.

The main clause, Tristan shuffled around the dump.

But you can switch this.

Tristan shuffled around the dump, examining the different objects, the non-finite clause comes second.

Which of these sentences features non-finite -ing clauses? Let's have a look.

Creeping quietly through the dump, Tristan examined object after object.

That's A.

B, Tristan picked up a rusty piece of metal, studying it to understand what it was previously.

That's B.

C, Next to Tristan, lay a television with its screen smashed.

Which of these sentences feature non-finite -ing clauses? Maybe more than one.

Pause the video and decide the correct answer now.

Welcome back, let's see if you manageed to find the correct answers.

There are two.

So, we know that we are looking for non-finite clauses.

We know they start with an -ing verb, an incomplete or unfinished verb.

So we have the first one, creeping.

Perfect, that looks like a non-finite clause.

We are still creeping, it's not creeped as if it was finished.

So A is the correct answer.

How about B? Tristan, well that doesn't start with an -ing.

But I know that non-finite clauses don't have to come at the start.

So that could be my main clause.

Tristan picked up a rusty piece of metal, okay, comma.

I'm starting to think that a non-finite clause could come next because I know that the main clause and the non-finite clause are separated by a comma.

Tristan picked up a rusty piece of metal, comma, studying, okay, studying it to understand what it was previously.

Studying is a non-finite clause starting word, it has -ing at the end.

It's an unfinished verb.

So my non-finite clause is, studying it to understand what it was previously.

Perfect, B is the correct answer too.

Let's just double check C.

Next to Tristan, lay a television with its screen smashed.

There are no verbs there with -ing at the end.

So just A and B are the correct answers.

Time for a practise task.

Underline the non-finite clauses in these sentences.

So we have three sentences for you.

Crouching down, Tristan rummaged through the discarded objects.

B, Tristan looked around, searching for something unique to take home.

C, spluttering out thick smoke, enormous factories loomed over Tristan.

That's your first task, underline the non-finite clauses in these sentences.

You may want to write out the whole sentence and underline the non-finite clause, or you could just write down the non-finite clause if you'd wish.

And number two, write your own complex sentence with a non-finite -ing clause starting it.

So, two tasks.

Underline the non-finite clauses in these sentences.

And two, write your own complex sentence with a non-finite clause.

Over to you.

Pause the video and have a go at these tasks now.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's see how you got on.

So we had, A, Crouching down, Tristan rummaged through the discarded objects.

Crouching down is the non-finite clause.

That's the part of the sentence that cannot work on its own.

Tristan rummaged through the discarded objects.

Well, yeah, that could be a perfectly plausible main clause sentence.

How about B? Tristan looked around, searching for something unique to take home.

Searching for something unique to take home is the non-finite clause.

C, Spluttering out thick smoke is the non-finite clause.

Enormous factories loomed over Tristan is the main clause.

Now, number two, write your own complex sentence with a non-finite -ing clause.

Let's see an example.

Rising into the sky.

there's my non-finite clause, black smoke began to fill the air.

We know, Black smoke began to fill the air, and I'm adding extra information, Rising into the sky.

That's that extra detail that the non-finite clause brings to that sentence.

Well done.

Let's move on to writing the opening.

When writing an opening, we will be focused on describing the setting and main character in the past tense.

An effective way to do this is to describe the setting from the top down.

And we looked at this previously.

We start with the sky above, focusing on the sky, clouds, smoke, and birds.

Then we move down to the landscape, looking at chimneys, factories.

Then the ground level.

And that's the dump, which was full of all the different objects that the dump contains.

And finally, Tristan.

Let's check our understanding.

True or false? An effective way to describe the setting is from the top down.

Is that true or false? Pause the video and decide now.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's see if you've found the right answer.

An effective way to describe the setting is from the top down is absolutely true.

It is an effective way.

Let's justify our answer.

Are you going to justify with, A, describing things from the top down will help the readers to feel like they are looking down on the action, or B, describing things from the top down will help to ensure you paint a detailed and vivid picture in the reader's mind.

Hmm, interesting.

Pause the video and decide how you will justify your answer now.

Welcome back.

Okay.

Now, both of these are ways that you could justify your answer.

A, describing things from the top down will help the reader to feel like they're looking down on the action.

Possibly.

This may happen.

But it's not something we're looking to do.

B, describing things from the top down will help to ensure you paint a detailed and vivid picture in the reader's mind.

This is what we're aiming for.

B is the correct answer.

We are looking to not miss any parts of our setting out, and starting at the top and working your way down provides a structure and gives you an opportunity to ensure that you include everything in your description.

Well done if you justified your answer with B.

Here is a plan we'll use for our descriptive opening.

You can see we have notes about the sky, the landscape, the ground level, and that's the dump, and then Tristan.

If you have your own plan, you are more than welcome to use it.

If not, you can use this one.

Use this part of your plan to say the first two sentences of your descriptive opening.

So, try to include a non-finite clause in one of your sentences.

We have the sky section.

This is what you're going to be using.

So, pause the video and say the first two sentences of your descriptive opening.

Try to get a non-finite clause in one of your sentences if you can, and do this now.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's have a look at an example.

Above the dreary city, an amber, cloud-scattered sky was gazing down on the world below.

Full stop.

Setting slowly, the hot, evening sun illuminated several huge factories.

So you can see I have my non-finite clause, setting slowly.

It's a clause that starts with a unfinished, progressive tense verb, setting.

I've got lots of things from my plan.

Amber, cloud-scattered sky was taken directly, was gazing down.

You can see that's taken directly from the first note in my plan.

I wonder how you got on.

When we write, we always try to do these things.

Plan and say each sentence before we write it, use punctuation where we know the rules, showcase each sentence type we know, write letters neatly on the line in joined handwriting, use spelling strategies to spell words accurately, and check and improve our writing when we think we have finished.

Here's the success criteria we'll use in our writing today.

Three things that we are focusing on.

I have used my plan to describe the setting from the top down.

I have used at least two non-finite clauses, varying their position.

And I have used a range of figurative language to build atmosphere.

Okay, so I will now show you a model of the beginning of a descriptive opening.

We'll then come together and use the success criteria to see how I've got on.

Okay, I know I'm starting to describe the setting from the top down.

That's the first thing it says in my success criteria.

So let's start with the very top, and that will be the sky.

So I could say above the city, above the dreary city.

Above the dreary city, an amber, cloud-covered sky, so that's me using my plan, was gazing down.

That's some personification.

Was gazing on the world below.

Full stop.

Okay, that's a nice first sentence.

I've used my plan.

I've got some figurative language in there.

Okay, so now, setting slowly, to start my second sentence, talking about the sun.

Well, that gives me a non-finite clause straight away.

Setting slowly, the hot, evening sun illuminated several huge factories.

Lovely.

Great.

Okay, let's talk about these factories.

These concrete, these concrete monsters, these concrete dragons, these concrete beasts.

That could be some metaphor.

Some metaphors used there to be able to create a more figurative language.

And I think I have an opportunity here to use a non-finite clause in the second half of the sentence 'cause I know my success criteria wants me to vary their position.

So these concrete monsters had tall chimneys, comma, that's the end of my main clause.

Reaching, that's my non-finite clause starting with that progressive tense verb.

Reaching vertically like, this is going to be a simile, like skeletal fingers.

Really nice.

Okay, great, let's come together.

And I need your help to check that I've used my success criteria fully, correctly.

So I've used my plan to describe the setting from the top down.

Yes, I had made a real effort to start at the top and to use my plan.

All that hard work generating descriptive language, that wasn't wasted.

I used it in my writing.

So I can tick that.

I have used at least two non-finite clauses varying their position.

I've got setting slowly, and I've got reaching vertically like skeletal fingers.

So, setting slowly is a non-finite clause at the start of a sentence.

Reaching vertically like skeletal fingers is a non-finite clause that came after the main clause.

So I can tick that.

Figurative language.

Yeah, dreary city, amber, cloud-covered sky, gazing down, there's some personification there.

We've got a metaphor, didn't we? Concrete monsters.

A simile, reaching vertically like skeletal fingers.

Definitely enough there to be able to tick that.

Okay, now it's your turn.

I would like you to write the first paragraph of your descriptive opening for "The Viewer," focusing on the sky and the landscape.

So that will be our first paragraph.

Use the success criteria and your plan to help you.

Now, if you do not have your own plan, you are more than welcome to use this one.

So, if you need to, you can pause the video now to be able to copy this plan down or take some notes.

Okay, so we have our success criteria and our plan.

The last thing I want to say to you is, once you have finished, read your writing back.

So important to read your writing back and check it makes sense.

And check for any punctuation errors, particularly focusing on commas and their use with non-finite clauses.

Remember, a non-finite clause is separated from the main clause using a comma.

Okay, it's over to you now.

I'm going to pause the video with the plan on the screen if you would like to use that.

Pause the video and write your opening, the first paragraph, focusing on the sky and the landscape.

And do this now.

Welcome back.

Okay, let's see how you got on.

So here is an example.

Above the dreary city, an amber, cloud-scattered sky was gazing down on the world below.

Setting slowly, oh, so that's my non-finite clause.

Isn't it great? Comma, the hot, evening sun illuminated several huge factories.

These concrete monsters had tall chimneys reaching vertically like skeletal fingers.

So that is the non-finite clause used after the main clause.

Reaching vertically like skeletal fingers and were coughing out toxic, black smoke.

Personification there.

Marching relentlessly into the air, more personification.

The inky ribbons, metaphor, spread and tore up the golden sky.

Below the looming factories, a chaotic dump lay almost motionless.

All except for one boy.

Who could it be? Question to the reader.

Rhetorical question at the end there, just to be able to keep their interest at the end of my paragraph.

Okay, let's just have a quick look through.

I've used my plan.

Yep, above the dreary city, an amber, cloud-scattered sky was gazing down.

That was all taken from my plan and shows that I'm starting at the top, I'm working my way down.

So that can be a tick on my success criteria.

I've used at least two non-finite clauses.

Yep, we had "Setting slowly" and "Marching relentlessly into the air" in terms of starting the sentences.

And then we had, of course, the second half of the sentence, we had "reaching vertically like skeletal fingers." So we can tick that.

Figurative language.

We've got, the sky was gazing down, concrete monsters, skeletal fingers, coughing, marching relentlessly.

Lots of personification, lots of metaphors.

So definitely enough to be able to tick that.

Okay, it's now time for you to have a go at writing the second paragraph of your descriptive opening.

And this is when you're going to focus on the dump and Tristan.

Again, use your success criteria and plan to help you.

Here is your plan if you'd like to pause the video to take any notes on this.

And again, once you are finished, read back and check for errors.

Okay, I'll do exactly the same.

I will pause the video on this screen so that you can see this plan if you need to use it.

Pause the video and write the second paragraph on the ground level that's the dump and Tristan.

Please do that now.

Welcome back.

I am so intrigued to see how you got on.

Let's look at another example.

This graveyard of broken, discarded objects was a playground of possibilities for a curious boy named Tristan.

The scrawny explorer was searching tirelessly through the piles of rusted, faulty machinery, examining each object as he went.

The junkyard breathed life into Tristan and he often visited, hunting for treasure he could rescue.

Moving from one abandoned object to the next, Tristan suddenly floated around like a ghost searching for life.

Stopping suddenly in his tracks, he seemed to spy something unique, something interesting, something he had to explore further.

Okay, let's use my success criteria again.

So, again, using my plan, we've got, broken, discarded objects, scrawny explorer, rusted, faulty machinery, silently floated.

These were all things taken from my plan.

Non-finite clauses.

Now, in this instance, I've used non-finite clauses at the start of a sentence, moving from one abandoned object to the next, stopping suddenly in his tracks.

But again, I've used it at the end of a sentence.

So after the main clause, examining each object as he went.

And you can see there is a comma separating the main clause from that non-finite clause.

Definitely worth a tick there.

And then figurative language.

Yeah, we've got graveyard, playground of possibilities.

Couple of nice metaphors there.

Breathed life into Tristan, that's personification.

Tristan silently floated around like a ghost, that's a simile.

Definitely can be ticked there.

Okay, so we have our first paragraph and our second paragraph.

These come together to build a very creative, descriptive, and vividly interesting opening.

And that's what we're aiming for.

Well done if you did the same.

Let's summarise our learning today.

The opening of a story describes the main characters and the setting.

The opening should be descriptive and use figurative language to build an atmosphere for the reader.

A non-finite complex sentence contains a non-finite clause.

A non-finite clause is a type of subordinate clause and extends the sentence by telling the reader about a second thing that the subject is doing at the same time.

A non-finite clause can vary its position in a sentence.

Superb work today.

Well done.

I will see you again very soon.