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Year 6

Writing the first half of a journalistic report based on 'When The Sky Falls'

I can write the introduction and first two main paragraphs of a journalistic report about the events in the resolution of 'When the Sky Falls'.

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New
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Year 6

Writing the first half of a journalistic report based on 'When The Sky Falls'

I can write the introduction and first two main paragraphs of a journalistic report about the events in the resolution of 'When the Sky Falls'.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A journalistic report has a formal tone and it combines factual statements with different perspectives on an event.
  2. The introduction gives a summary and a description of the event.
  3. The main paragraphs give different perspectives using both direct and reported speech.
  4. Throughout, a range of cohesive devices can be used to connect ideas together.

Common misconception

Pupils may find it difficult to choose appropriate cohesive devices to connect ideas.

Emphasise that often, we can choose from a wide range of cohesive devices that serve the same purpose; it is simply the writer's choice. Allow plenty of time for oral rehearsal before writing.

Keywords

  • Formal tone - the effect created by using serious, factual language

  • Direct speech - when we write the exact words spoken by someone, enclosed in inverted commas to indicate speech

  • Reported speech - when we write what someone said without using the exact words they spoke and without using inverted commas

  • Cohesive devices - language structures that contribute to text cohesion

Ensure that pupils have access to their plan from the previous lesson. Complete lessons on using the whole range of cohesive devices can be found in our Grammar curriculum if further input is needed.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which part of a journalistic report gives different individuals' perspectives?
the headline
the introduction
Correct answer: the main paragraphs
the conclusion
Q2.
Which of the following could be a headline for a journalistic report?
A gorilla was shot last night after it escaped its cage during an air raid.
Correct answer: Gorilla Shot in Zoo Raid Chaos
Correct answer: Death at North London Zoo
Mrs Farrelly said that the zoo would remain closed.
Q3.
Which of these are true of this passage? 'Joseph Palmer said that he understood the wardens' actions, but that he was still very upset by the death of the gorilla.'
it includes direct speech
Correct answer: it includes reported speech
it is presented as factual information
Correct answer: it is presented as a perspective on events
Q4.
Which features of a main paragraph can we see in this passage? 'Andy Mayo, the air raid warden who attended the scene, said, "It was lucky we arrived when we did!"'
Correct answer: the name of the person whose perspective we're giving
Correct answer: direct speech quoting that person
the 'official' perspective about what happened
reported speech explaining what they said
Q5.
Where in a journalistic report might we find this passage? 'The zoo will remain closed, but it welcomes donations to support the surviving animals during this time.'
headline
introduction
main paragraphs
Correct answer: conclusion
Q6.
Which part of a journalistic report contains a summary of the factual information relating to the event, including 'who, what, where, when and why'?
headline
Correct answer: introduction
main paragraphs
conclusion

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Put the paragraphs of our journalistic report in order.
1 - introduction
2 - main paragraph describing air raid warden's perspective
3 - main paragraph describing Mrs F's perspective
4 - main paragraph describing Joseph's perspective
5 - conclusion
Q2.
Which of these are features of a formal tone?
contractions
chatty, imaginative language
Correct answer: factual language
Correct answer: serious language
Q3.
Which sentence uses a formal tone appropriate for a journalistic report?
Mr Mayo said he'd never seen the like of it.
Correct answer: Mr Mayo said that he was shocked by what he saw.
Mr Mayo told me he was shocked by what he saw.
Mr Mayo - who seemed like a reliable chap - said the situation was very bad.
Q4.
What does this sentence from an introduction show? 'Yesterday evening, a gorilla was shot dead at a London zoo after it escaped its cage.'
Correct answer: a general summary of the event
a specific summary of the event
an additional important event
Q5.
Which of the following are found in the main paragraphs of our journalistic report?
Correct answer: an individual's perspective on the event
Correct answer: direct speech
Correct answer: reported speech
a general summary of the event
Q6.
What cohesive devices are used in this sentence? 'Spotting an escaped wolf heading towards a child (12-year-old Joseph Palmer), the wardens acted fast, shooting it dead.'
Correct answer: non-finite (-ing) complex sentence
parenthesis in commas
Correct answer: parenthesis in brackets
adverbial complex sentence