Exploring characterisation in 'Escape from Pompeii'
I can compare characterisation across a text.
Exploring characterisation in 'Escape from Pompeii'
I can compare characterisation across a text.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- ‘Escape from Pompeii’ is written from the perspective of Tranio, a young boy.
- Characterisation can change over the course of a text’s narrative.
- Characterisation can be conveyed through a character’s appearance, their dialogue and actions they perform in the text.
Keywords
Perspective - Perspective refers to the point-of-view or position from which the reader reads, influencing the way events or ideas are portrayed and understood.
Character traits - Character traits are the special qualities that make a character in a story unique and interesting.
Characterisation - Characterisation is the way an author and illustrator describes and develops the personalities and traits of the characters in a story.
Convey - To convey means to communicate a message directly or indirectly.
Common misconception
Pupils may find it challenging to think of character traits to describe Tranio in Task B.
A list of common traits could be displayed or printed for pupils to refer to. These could include traits such as: courage, selflessness, honesty, compassion, integrity, determination and leadership.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2005 Frances Lincoln Children's Books edition of ‘Escape from Pompeii’ written and illustrated by Christina Balit, for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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 special qualities that make a character in a story unique
the way authors describe and develop traits of the characters
to communicate a message directly or indirectly