Writing the second half of the climax and resolution of 'Beowulf and the dragon'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the second half of the climax and resolution of ‘Beowulf and the dragon’, using a range of cohesive devices to connect ideas and using techniques to increase pace and tension.
Key learning points
- Writing is most successful when structure, content and vocabulary are planned.
- We are aiming to set a tense, pacy atmosphere in our climax and resolution.
- Short sentences, rhetorical questions and 'quick' fronted adverbials of time can add pace to a piece of writing.
- We can use a colon to introduce a question to show a character's inner thoughts.
- We can use a relative complex sentence as a cohesive device to add detail after a noun.
Keywords
Colon - a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce a list or a question
Cohesive devices - language structures that develop text cohesion
Relative complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause
Oral rehearsal - practising saying ideas for sentences out loud before you write them
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to integrate techniques for increasing pace into their writing.
Model during oral rehearsal and shared writing how we can do this. For instance, ask pupils to consider what characters might be thinking at different points to generate rhetorical questions.
Teacher tip
A slide has been left lined for you to complete shared writing with your class. You will find specific lessons on colons and dashes for dramatic effect in our Year 6 Grammar curriculum.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the climax and resolution paragraphs of our narrative about 'Beowulf and the dragon' in order.
Q2.Which narrative elements are featured here? 'Determined, Wiglaf picked up his trusty, wooden shield.'
Q3.In which sentence are the dashes for dramatic effect in the correct positions?
Q4.Which technique has been used here to increase pace? 'How could they betray their brave king? How could they leave him to die?'
Q5.Match each type of fronted adverbial to the correct example.
At that moment,
On his right,
Full of despair,
Q6.Which fronted adverbials of manner could fill the gap in the following sentence? '__________ the dragon opened its vast maw.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which paragraph explores the resolution of the narrative of 'Beowulf and the dragon'?
Q2.Which of the following are good techniques for increasing pace in our writing?
Q3.Which techniques to increase pace have been used here? 'Instantly, the skin split open. Blood poured out.'
Q4.In which example is the colon in the right place to introduce a question?
Q5.Which of these words in the following sentence is a preposition? 'He swung it violently at the dragon’s mighty head.'
Q6.Which relative pronoun should complete the following relative complex sentence? 'The dragon, __________ stomach had been slit open, dropped Beowulf instantly.'
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Writing the second half of the climax and resolution of 'Beowulf and the dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Writing the second half of the climax and resolution of 'Beowulf and the dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the 'Beowulf': narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.