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      Using speech in the climax of 'The Firework Maker's Daughter'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can develop and punctuate direct speech for a dialogue in the climax.

      Key learning points

      1. Direct speech is the term used for a person speaking out loud in a text .
      2. It is crucial to consider character perspective when developing ideas for direct speech.
      3. Direct speech between two characters forms a dialogue.
      4. Inverted commas are used to demarcate speech and a piece of punctuation separates speech from the reporting clause.
      5. A range of synonyms for ‘said’ and use of adverbs can offer detail about how a character spoke and felt.

      Keywords

      • Direct speech - the term used for a person speaking out loud in a text

      • Character perspective - a character's point of view

      • Dialogue - a conversation between two or more people, written in a text or story to show what each person is saying

      • Inverted commas - punctuation marks used to indicate the beginning and end of direct speech

      • Reporting clause - tells the reader who said the speech and how

      Common misconception

      Children may struggle with remembering punctuation rules for direct speech.

      Leave a modelled example of correctly punctuated direct speech in view for children. Provide them with the speech first punctuation rules to follow as they write.

      Teacher tip

      Include a teaching point on alternative nouns for the characters who are speaking to improve text flow. E.g. 'Razvani' could also be referred to as 'the great fire spirit' or 'the blazing fire god'.

      Equipment

      You will need a copy of the 2018 Penguin Random House UK edition of ‘The Firework Maker's Daughter' by Philip Pullman for this lesson.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is direct speech written within a story?

      the thoughts a character has
      Correct answer: the exact words a character says
      the actions a character takes

      Q2.
      Who does Lila have a conversation with in the second half of the climax?

      Correct answer: Razvani
      the fireflies
      her father

      Q3.
      True or false? Lila and Razvani speak to one another in the same way.

      Correct Answer: False, false

      Q4.
      Which types of word do we use to describe how a character spoke?

      Correct answer: verbs
      adjectives
      nouns
      Correct answer: adverbs

      Q5.
      Which of the following verb and adverb pairs would you use to describe how Razvani speaks?

      politely requested
      Correct answer: mockingly asked
      Correct answer: fiercely roared
      nervously muttered

      Q6.
      Which of the following verb and adverb pairs would you use to describe how Lila speaks?

      Correct answer: quietly stuttered
      Correct answer: anxiously pleaded
      confidently stated
      happily replied

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Why do Lila and Razvani speak to one another differently?

      Correct answer: because Razvani holds the power
      because Lila is a girl
      because Razvani likes Lila but she doesn't like him

      Q2.
      What is a dialogue?

      the words of one person
      Correct answer: a conversation between two or more people
      the description of how two characters act

      Q3.
      Direct speech should be enclosed in what piece of punctuation?

      commas
      full stops
      Correct answer: inverted commas
      apostrophes

      Q4.
      What is a reporting clause?

      a clause which tells the reader what the character said
      a clause which tells the reader what the character thought
      Correct answer: a clause which tells the reader who said the speech and how

      Q5.
      Order the following to show punctuation rules for direct speech.

      1 - open inverted commas
      2 - capital letter to begin speech
      3 - exclamation mark, question mark, or comma at end of speech
      4 - close inverted commas
      5 - reporting clause and full stop

      Q6.
      True or false? A range of synonyms for 'said' can be used in a reporting clause.

      Correct Answer: True, true

      To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Using speech in the climax of 'The Firework Maker's Daughter', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...