Lesson video

Hello, everyone and welcome to this lesson on writing the opening to an impactful narrative.

Today we're going be considering how you can create atmosphere through similes, dialogue or motifs in order to set up a narrative that might have a powerful, profound impact on someone's life.

So if you're ready, grab your pen and laptop, whatever you use for this lesson, and let's get started.

So by the end of the lesson, you'll be able to write the opening to an impactful narrative.

So we have four words today we're going to focus on as our keywords.

They'll be identified in bold throughout the learning material.

And I'll try to point them out to you as well so you can see them being used in context.

So our first keyword is impactful, and this means having a powerful effect on a situation or person.

We're going to explore the idea that stories might have a powerful effect on someone.

Through helping them process an emotion, revealing something about human nature, or helping them realise the situation they're in is not healthy.

Our second keyword is exposition, and this is the part of the story that sets up the setting, characters, and atmosphere of the story.

So when we're talking about the opening of a story, we're talking about the exposition.

Our third keyword is atmosphere, and this means the overall mood of a story or poem.

We're going to consider how we can use specific techniques in order to craft a particular atmosphere that will set up the mood of the rest of the story.

Finally, our fourth keyword is motif.

And this is an object, image, sound or phrase that's repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes.

We're going to think about how you might use the motifs in order to influence the atmosphere of your narrative.

So I'll just give you a moment to write down those keywords and their definitions.

So pause the video, write them down now.

Fantastic.

Let's get started with the lesson.

So we have two learning cycles for us today.

For our first learning cycle, we're going to think about how we can use similes, dialogue and motifs in order to influence the atmosphere of our opening and how they can help set up the rest of the narrative.

For our second learning cycle, you are going to use those tools order to write the opening to your impactful narrative.

So let's start by thinking about the overall task of writing the opening to an impactful narrative.

An impactful narrative means a narrative that has a powerful effect on someone.

Perhaps change their perspective, it helps them deal with emotions or it reveals something about human nature.

So what I'd like you to start off by thinking about is what do you think you could write about that would have an impact on someone? Now, if you're with someone else, you might talk about ideas with them.

If going through this by yourself, you might just think about ideas.

So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's talk through what you might have said.

So you might have thought about the theme of friendship.

We're all inherently social beings.

We look for connections with other people.

We're also emotional people, and those friendships can be wonderful, they can also be fraught with tension and jealousy.

And stories about friendship might help us to navigate them.

You also might have thought about relationships.

Now, relationships might look different to different people, but we all do experience them.

And as with friendships, they can be very difficult to understand and navigate.

And reading stories about characters who are going through similar situations can be incredibly helpful for people.

You also might have thought about universal human emotions such as jealousy and grief.

Great works of literature such as Shakespeare consider those emotions and we respond to them because we all understand and experience those emotions.

Now we're only gonna be writing the opening, the exposition to the story.

Now the exposition needs to set up the atmosphere of the narrative.

We're gonna spend the rest of this learning cycle thinking about how we might do that.

Now, one of the Oak pupils thought about the potential themes of an impactful narrative as she decided she wants to write a story about a girl finally breaking free from a toxic friendship.

So the overall narrative plot looks like this.

Lacey and her friends are hanging out before school.

A rumour about Lacey swirls around the year group.

She finds out that Mary started it.

Lacey confronts Mary, Mary demands their friends choose between them.

And then finally, Lacey realises she's better off without them all.

Now this story meets the five part structure of a narrative.

We're specifically focusing on the exposition, the part that sets up the narrative.

So what I'd like you to do is tell me which part of the story is the exposition.

Pause the video.

Take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now, as we said before, the exposition sets up the story, and therefore the part where Lacey and her friends are hanging out before school is the exposition as this is the part that's able to give us the context of the narrative in terms of the characters and their friendship.

Now, as I said, we're focusing on writing an effective opening to a story, an effective exposition.

Therefore, Sofia's going to be writing this element of the story, the part where Lacey and her friends are hanging out before school.

Now, an effective exposition builds up the atmosphere of the narrative.

It sets up the emotion and might foreshadow what the central conflict's going to be.

So what I'd like you to think about is what feelings or ideas do you think Sofia will need to set up in our exposition to build to Lacey leaving this toxic friendship.

Pause the video.

Take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

You might have said you'd want to set up feelings or ideas of tension, jealousy, and unbalanced power dynamics within the friendship.

Now we're going to think about how you might craft that particular atmosphere using certain techniques.

Now, some techniques that Sofia might use to convey those feelings and ideas are, figurative language, which are similes, dialogue between the characters, and symbolism such as the motifs.

We're going to spend the rest of this learning cycle defining those techniques and think about how we might use them for effect.

So let's begin by looking at similes.

A simile is a figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things, using the words like or as.

Now writers might use similes to create evocative or emphatic imagery for the reader and therefore depict atmosphere.

Now similes are very common techniques used in writing, but they can be difficult to use effectively.

What I'd like you to think about is what might be the common pitfalls of using similes in your writing? Pause the video.

Take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

You might have said that since similes are a very common figurative language feature, it can be easy to fall into using cliches.

It's just like a green-eyed monster to show jealousy.

Cliches are overused similes, and while they're effective at conveying an idea they aren't original and therefore they don't show off your creativity.

To craft original similes, we might use the following ideas.

So we might use an existing similes as starting point.

We might consider not only the visual of the comparison, but also other sensory details that might help it.

We might add in extra details such as adding in adjectives.

Now we're going to think about how you might go about using that toolkit to craft original similes.

So in order to practise using the toolkit, let's consider how Sofia might alter like a green-eyed monster to show jealousy.

So what I'd like you to think about is how can Sofia use these steps to enhance the existing simile.

So how can she use green-eyed monster as a starting point? How might she consider not only the visual of the comparison, but also other sensory details and how might she had in extra detail, such as adjectives? So pause the video, take a few minutes to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's talk through what you might have said.

Now, instead of specifically using green-eyed monster, you might take the idea of a monster and subtly apply it to a character.

So just maybe noticing a reflection of green on someone's skin.

This might also help us with considering any other sensory details.

So you might think of the texture associated with a monster, such as scales, and we might extend that further by adding an extra details such as adjectives associated with something monstrous, such as distorted.

So we have the essence of green-eyed monster.

We've adapted to make it more creative and effective.

So now for a quick check for understanding, what I'd like you to do is fill in the gaps to complete the list.

So, to craft original similes, we might use the following ideas.

Use simile as a starting point.

Consider not only the visual of the comparison, but also other that might help it and add in, for example, adjectives.

So pause the video and fill in the gaps.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now the correct answers are, you might use an existing simile as a starting point.

You might consider not only the visual of the comparison, but also other sensory details that might help it.

You might add in extra details such as adjectives.

So very well done if you've got those right.

Now, one way to demonstrate the relationship between two characters is to use dialogue.

Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people.

In order to write effective dialogue, you might consider the body language of the characters.

We don't just communicate with our words, we communicate through our facial expressions and our gestures attached to those words.

So just try and build in descriptions of those into your writing.

You might also think about the balance of the lines between the characters.

Imagine a real conversation.

We might determine something about the relationship through who's speaking the most.

Is everyone being allowed to speak their turn? Is anyone interrupting anyone else? All those details can give us insights into relationships.

So what I'd like you to think about is how might Sofia consider those elements to show tension between Lacey and Mary? Pause the video.

Take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now in terms of the body language, perhaps Sofia might describe the lack of eye contact someone glancing at someone else while having the conversation and facial expression, just a sneer.

In terms of the balance, perhaps she might show the tension by having Mary cutting Lacey off and talking over her.

So now for a quick check for understanding.

What I'd like you to do, is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false that using an uneven balance of lines within dialogue can show tension between characters? Pause the video, make your selection now.

The correct answer is true.

Now I'd like to tell me why it's true.

So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

You might have said that depicting one character as having more dialogue or interrupting the other can represent that character being more powerful than the other, having less respect.

So very well done if you got those right.

Now, a further effective technique to set up the exposition of a narrative is using motifs.

A motif is an object, image, sound or phrase that's repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes.

For example, if you're writing a story about feeling isolated and excluded, you might use a repeated image of looking out through a closed window to represent that distance and that separation.

Now, what I'd like you to think about is what motif might Sofia use to show tension and jealousy? Pause the video.

Take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Let's talk through what you might have said.

Now, I think that using colour imagery is a really effective way of showing emotions because we all naturally respond to certain colours and we understand the emotions attached to them.

So Sofia might use certain colours throughout the narrative in terms of the setting or the clothing used by the characters.

Now we typically associate green with jealousy, but yellow actually represents jealousy as well.

You also might have thought that flowers are a great way for representing emotions.

You might have chosen yellow hyacinths for jealousy.

Now the origin of the association with jealousy comes from Greek mythology where the mortal Hyacinth was killed by a god in a fit of jealousy.

Animals are also particularly symbolic.

We might use snakes to symbolise jealousy.

So we associate snakes with negative emotions, particularly in Western culture, due to the biblical associations of Adam, Eve and the snake in the Garden of Eden.

So snakes represent ideas of envy and temptation.

Now for a quick check for understanding.

So which colours might Sofia use to represent jealousy, A, yellow, B, pink, C, blue, or D, green? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now the correct answers are yellow and green.

We typically associate pink with love and the feminine, while we associate blue with either sadness or tranquillity.

So very well done if you got those right.

Amazing work so far, everyone for the first task for the lesson.

Now we're going to think about bringing this whole learning cycle together.

So what I'd like you to do is think about how you might apply those techniques to your own narratives.

So I'd like to think about the themes we discussed earlier.

Such as friendship, relationship, grief and jealousy, how are you gonna construct a story around one of those themes in order to have an impact on someone? Then I'd like you to complete the table to make notes on how you might use language device to convey the feelings and ideas in your exposition.

So remember the exposition is the opening of the story that sets up the characters, setting and atmosphere.

So how might you use a simile, how might you use dialogue and how might you set up a motif? How are those techniques going to convey the emotions you want them to in order to set up the narrative for the reader? So pause the video, take a few minutes to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Some fantastic ideas there.

Now let's think about Sofia's plan.

Remember Sofia's story is about a toxic friendship.

So Sofia thought she might represent ideas of tension and jealousy through the simile.

"Under the light, her skin seems to take on a green hue that glinted almost like distorted scales." She thought she might add details of positive body language to smiles and open arms, a lack of eye contact, catching glimpse of smiles at other people, and a slight hint of a sneer to her dialogue.

And she thought she might use a repeated image of yellow hyacinths to set up a motif.

Now what I'd like you to do is think about which element feels out of place.

Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now Sofia's trying to create ideas of jealousy and tension.

Therefore, the idea of describing positive body language doesn't fit with the emotion that Sofia's trying to portray.

So how do you think Sofia might rewrite her notes to make them more cohesive? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now, we want to display tension and therefore you might have thought Sofia might add in details of negative body language such as crossed arms and leaning away to show distance between the characters.

Now they don't really want to interact with each other.

Finally, I'd like you to check your own notes.

Do they create a cohesive atmosphere? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Amazing work.

Now, we're going to take those notes and we're gonna write them into our opening for our next learning cycle.

Fantastic work, everyone.

We're now on to the second learning cycle.

We're going to spend a little bit of time looking through a snippet of Sofia's opening, and then you're going to write your own opening to an impactful narrative.

So in the first learning cycle, we talked through how Sofia might use certain techniques to craft an atmosphere of tension.

Now we're going to read through a snippet and think about how she included those techniques.

So the snippet reads, "As Lacey approached the red-brick walls of school, she could see that Mary and the girls were already waiting for her.

Amy waved, 'Good weekend?' Even as Lacey opened her mouth, Mary cut in.

'No, I'm absolutely not in the mood to hear about another gorgeous trip.

' She flicked her hair and turned to pick at the embroidered yellow hyacinth on her bag.

Under the light, her skin seemed to take on a green hue that glinted almost like distorted scales." So here we can see that Sofia's used a simile that uses green-eyed monster as inspiration, but she's altered it to use that monster associations rather than just using the cliche itself.

She's added in details of body language to suggest tension.

She has Mary cutting Lacey off before she's even speaking.

Mary flicking her hair in a dismissive gesture.

And Mary turning away from Lacey in a way that suggests tension.

Finally she's included the image of a yellow hyacinth and attached it onto Mary's clothing.

Now the idea of her picking at it could suggest that jealousy is bubbling up underneath the surface.

So now you've seen an idea of how these techniques might work.

You can take it forward into your own writing.

Now for a quick check for understanding.

What I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false? The exposition is only designed to introduce us to the characters and their backstories.

Pause the video, make a selection now.

Now the correct answer is false.

Now I'd like to tell me why it's false.

Pause the video.

Take a few moments to consider.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now you might have said that while introducing the characters is important, as we saw in Sofia's ideas, the exposition also is designed to set up the whole narrative by creating the atmosphere.

So very well done if you got that right.

Amazing work everyone.

And now the final task of the lesson, what I'd like you to do is take everything we've talked about in this lesson and use it to write the opening to your impactful narrative.

So while you're writing, remember to use the exposition to set up the atmosphere of your narrative.

To create the atmosphere by using devices and techniques.

So similes, dialogue, and motifs.

So pause the video, write your opening now.

Fantastic work, everyone.

Now I'd like you to just take a moment to reflect on your opening and ask yourself the following questions.

So what sort of impact do you think your narrative might have on someone? How has your exposition set up the atmosphere of the narrative? Does the use of similes, dialogue, motifs help create that atmosphere? So pause the video, reflect on your opening now.

Welcome back, everyone.

Now it's always a good idea to take a moment to pause and read back over your writing and think about whether it's creating the effect you want it to.

It's a really good habit to get into, especially when you're thinking about wanting to enlist a certain emotion from the reader.

'Cause you really have to think carefully about the imagery and the connotations of the words you're using.

So very well done for taking a moment to reflect on your writing.

You all did amazingly well today, everyone.

Here's a summary of what we covered.

To create atmosphere, you might use similes, dialogue and motifs.

To avoid cliches, you might think about how you can add extra details and sensory aspects to similes.

To write effective dialogue, you might consider how you present body language and the balance of lines.

To create effective motifs that represent emotions, you might think about what colours or objects symbolise that emotion.

I really hope you enjoyed the lesson everyone.

Hopefully you can take these ideas of constructing similes, dialogue, motifs forwards into your other pieces of writing to create effective atmosphere.

But I also hope this lesson has helped you consider the importance of stories and how they might have a powerful, profound impact on someone's life through the central themes and what they might tell us about the experience of being human.

I hope to see you for another lesson soon.

Goodbye.