New
New
Year 10
AQA
Exploring the use of time in Galloway's ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’
I can analyse how Galloway uses time and use that as inspiration for the structure of my own narrative.
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Exploring the use of time in Galloway's ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’
I can analyse how Galloway uses time and use that as inspiration for the structure of my own narrative.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- You can experiment with time to create an interesting structure to your narrative.
- The use of flashback is powerful in 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' to help the reader connect to the character.
- The use of flashforward adds a sense of inevitability and a poignant tone to writing.
- Flashbacks are powerful when they contrast to the present moment in some way.
- Using certain phrases before your time shifts can help to create seamless transitions.
Keywords
Flashback - a transition in a story to an earlier time in the life of one or more characters
Flashforward - a transition in a story to a future time in the life of one or more characters
Poignant - evoking a sense of sadness or regret
Common misconception
We can only manipulate time in one way in a narrative.
When we know the effect that we want our flashbacks and flashforwards to have, we can use both.
You may want to show pupils other examples of time manipulation in extracts that you have enjoyed or studied together.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need access to Chapter 1 of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' by Steven Galloway for this lesson.
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).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of these is not a structural feature?
flashback
repetition
chronological order
Q2.
Which of these is a structural feature involving the writer's use of time?
repetition
use of dialogue
Q3.
What is a flashback?
when a writer shifts to a moment in the future
when writer sets their narrative in the past
Q4.
What is a flashforward?
when a writer sets their narrative in the future
when the writer describes a futuristic world
Q5.
What does it mean if something is inevitable?
It will never happen.
It is lucky.
It is unlucky.
Q6.
Which of these sentences has a poignant tone?
The old man sat on the bench looking at a photograph.
The old man chuckled as he looked at the photograph.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of these does Galloway not use in the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'?
flashback
non-linear narrative
Q2.
Which moment does Galloway not flashback to in the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'?
finding a manuscript in 1945
the cellist's sister's wedding
Q3.
What can you do to make your flashback more powerful in a piece of creative writing?
make the flashback similar to the present moment
make it more sad than the present moment
Q4.
How does Galloway use a flashforward in the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'?
He describes the cellist's childhood.
He conveys the cellist's hope.
Q5.
Which phrase might be useful to help you transition into a flashback?
They don't know it now but …
Years later ...
Q6.
Why is it important to plan the phrases you will use when you shift time in your narrative writing?
to extend the length of your narrative