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Year 4

Writing the build-up of a narrative based on 'Jabberwocky'

I can write the build-up of a narrative based on ‘Jabberwocky’.

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Year 4

Writing the build-up of a narrative based on 'Jabberwocky'

I can write the build-up of a narrative based on ‘Jabberwocky’.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The purpose of the build-up is to develop the characters’ emotions and build tension and suspense.
  2. Notes from a plan can be used to form full sentences.
  3. A new paragraph signifies a new key moment.
  4. A range of sentence types (simple, compound and complex) improves text flow for the reader.
  5. A relative complex sentence is formed of a main clause that can be interrupted by a relative clause.

Keywords

  • Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged

  • Relative clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun

  • Rhetorical question - a question asked to the reader that does not expect an answer

  • Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle with how to apply the comma rule in a relative complex sentence.

Provide a visual scaffold of a relative complex sentence. Ask children to identify the relative pronoun that begins the relative clause and ensure that the visual highlights the comma rule.


To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Writing the build-up of a narrative based on 'Jabberwocky', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils should be given lots of opportunities to say sentences aloud or to write sentences on whiteboards, using the notes from their plan ahead of writing.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which sentence is written in the past tense?
He wipes the sweat from his brow as he gathers his strength.
Correct answer: He wiped the sweat from his brow as he gathered his strength.
He will wipe the sweat from his brow as he gathers his strength.
Q2.
True or false? You can copy out the notes from your plan exactly as they are.
Correct Answer: false, False
Q3.
Which of the following is a simple sentence?
Darkness enveloped the forbidden forest and shadows lurked in the corners.
As dusk approached, darkness enveloped the forbidden forest.
Correct answer: Darkness enveloped the forbidden forest.
Q4.
Order the four key moments of the build-up chronologically.
1 - The young man bravely walked through the dark forest looking for the Jabberwock.
2 - He rested on a tree when he heard a strange, ominous noise.
3 - The Jabberwock appeared from the shadows and slowly approached him.
4 - The Jabberwock’s eyes were burning-red and it had fierce teeth and lethal claws.
Q5.
What is a complex sentence?
a sentence formed of two main clauses
Correct answer: a sentence formed of one main clause and a type of subordinate clause
a sentence formed of two main clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction
a sentence formed of one main clause
Q6.
Which of the following is a compound sentence?
The knight sought solace against a tree although he knew he had to carry on.
Correct answer: The brave knight sought solace against a tree, but he knew he had to carry on.
The brave knight sought solace against a tree.
As he became tired, he sought solace against a tree.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Fill in the missing word: The __________ is the section of a story where the writer develops the main characters and builds up the excitement. It is often a tense section.
opening
Correct answer: build-up
climax
resolution
Q2.
True or false? 'A complex sentence is a sentence consisting of a main clause and a type of subordinate clause.'
Correct Answer: true, True
Q3.
Which of these relative complex sentences is punctuated correctly?
The warrior whose heart was in his mouth now glanced behind him.
The warrior whose heart was in his mouth now, glanced behind him.
The warrior, whose heart was in his mouth now glanced, behind him.
Correct answer: The warrior, whose heart was in his mouth now, glanced behind him.
Q4.
Fill in the missing word: 'You can start a new __________ to signal the start of a new idea or key moment.'
Correct Answer: paragraph, Paragraph
Q5.
What is the purpose of a rhetorical question?
Correct answer: to build up tension
to give the reader general facts
to make the reader feel frustrated
Correct answer: to engage the reader in the story
Q6.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
As he wiped his brow, he heard an ominous sound from the depths, of the forest.
As he wiped his brow he heard an ominous sound from the depths of the forest.
Correct answer: As he wiped his brow, he heard an ominous sound from the depths of the forest.
As he wiped, his brow he heard an ominous sound from the depths of the forest.

Additional material

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