Planning the opening of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can generate precise vocabulary to plan a narrative opening.
Planning the opening of 'A Christmas Carol'
I can generate precise vocabulary to plan a narrative opening.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The purpose of the opening is to set the scene and introduce the main characters.
- Ebenezer Scrooge is a miser who holds disdain for Christmas and this contrasts the general atmosphere in the setting.
- The use of precise and descriptive vocabulary ‘shows and tells’ the reader about Scrooge’s character.
- Direct speech is an effective way to convey a character’s thoughts and feelings.
- An effective plan captures key vocabulary and is organised concisely.
Keywords
Opening - the first section of a story where the writer describes the setting and main characters
Contrast - the comparison of two or more elements that are strikingly different
'show and tell' - a writing technique for showing a character’s feelings with description of their actions and expressions
Direct speech - the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text
Plan - a framework that writers create before they write a section or whole text
Common misconception
Children may find it difficult to generate some of their own ideas for precise and ambitious vocabulary.
Model use of a thesaurus and brainstorm ideas as a class to up level simple pieces of vocabulary. For example, instead of 'walked', children might use 'trudged', 'dragged' or 'stomped'.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the comparison of two or more elements that are strikingly different
a person who hoards wealth and spends as little money as possible
the feeling that something is unworthy of consideration or respect