Emulating Murakami’s craft to write a descriptive opening

English

In 'Fiction: Read Around the World', pupils identify and comment on a range of language devices in extracts from texts. In 'Fiction: Science Fiction Writing', pupils identify and comment on recurring images and symbolism in texts.

In 'A World at War: Short Stories', pupils read short stories, analysing how authors structure full texts. In 'Fiction: Read Around the World', pupils analyse structural choices in smaller extracts of texts.

In this unit, pupils read extracts from four novels from around the world, and use them to develop their narrative writing. In particular, pupils explore writers' use of structure. At the end of the unit, pupils consider their own use of paragraphs for effect and write an engaging narrative.

Fiction: read around the world

Arguably, which narrative perspective allows for the most immersive experience of a scene?

What does Murakami use to provide a wide scope of his opening scene of 'After Dark'?

What does Murakami use to paint a vivid image of his opening scene in 'After Dark'?

Which of the following is used in the following sentence: "The endless roads stretch ahead, like fatigued conveyor belts."

it offers a perspective on nature's seasonal changes

it offers a heavily zoomed out perspective

Match the narrator to the unique perspective of the world that they offer.

It allows you to visualise the full scope of a scene.

It allows you an insight into how a particular character is feeling.

It provides a narrow focus of one particular part of a scene.

Why is an omniscient perspective particularly suitable when writing a description? 

the point of a view a text is written from

a comparison of two things using the words 'like' or 'as'

when multiple sentences begin with the same word

a direct comparison that spans several lines of text

gives an insight into a character's feelings

makes the reader feel as if they are involved in a text

creates a vivid image and wide scope of a scene

Match each perspective to the general effect it can have.

Which perspective can offer an omniscient view?

Match each technique to the corresponding example.

it allows us to be immersed in the entirety of a scene

it can persuade us to take action on a particular matter

Why might an omniscient perspective be effective in descriptive writing?

Introduction

What will you need for this lesson?

Are you ready to learn?

Equipment

Worksheet