Use of flashback in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea'
I can include a flashback in a piece of creative writing inspired by Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea'.
Use of flashback in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea'
I can include a flashback in a piece of creative writing inspired by Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea'.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A flashback is a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters.
- Flashbacks are often vivid and give us further information about a character.
- Natasha Bowen makes use of flashback in the opening chapter to hint at Simidele's life before she became a Mami Wata.
- Bowen relies on the present participle verb and imagery to make the flashback vivid.
Keywords
Mami Wata - a water spirit or deity (god) sacred to West, Central and Southern Africa
Flashback - a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters
Present participle verb - the -ing form of the verb e.g. giggling
Vivid - clear, deep, strong
Common misconception
Flashback is the only way to include information about a character's past.
Flashback is a powerful method and one which lots of writers rely on. However, there are many other ways to include details about a character's past. For example, explanation from a character or dialogue between characters.
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Use of flashback in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 english lesson on: Use of flashback in Natasha Bowen's 'Skin of the Sea', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the extract from 'Skin of the Sea' by Natasha Bowen published by Penguin Random House in 2021.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a method of comparison using 'like' or 'as'
a describing word
the -'ing' form of the verb
when two or more words close by start with the same letter
The sharks cut through the water like knives.
The sea is a vivid blue.
I am spinning through the water.
The sails of the ship were taught and tight, trembling in the wind.
doing something with great effort
stroking gently and lovingly
moving or shaking in a rough, lurching way
something that disappears