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'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
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.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Myths, legends and stories that inspire unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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