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Year 11
AQA

Using emotion-led plot and detailed description to write an excellent narrative

I can write an excellent narrative using an emotion-led plot and detailed descriptions.

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New
New
Year 11
AQA

Using emotion-led plot and detailed description to write an excellent narrative

I can write an excellent narrative using an emotion-led plot and detailed descriptions.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Narratives that try to tell too much story are often unsuccessful
  2. Using an emotion-led narrative will help keep your plot manageable so you don't try and say too much
  3. Single paragraph outlines can be used to plan each section of your narrative
  4. Figurative language can be used to make the descriptions within your narrative more vivid

Common misconception

Students think that they need to write an 'exciting' story which includes lots of action.

A genuinely engaging story allows the reader to empathise with the character(s) and experience the same emotions as them, at the same time.

Keywords

  • Discernible - If something is discernible, it is recognisable.

  • Shear - If you shear a sheep, you are cutting its fleece to use for wool.

  • Disassociate - If you no longer want to be attached to someone or something, you might disassociate from them or it.

  • Reckless - Somebody reckless does not think about the consequences of their actions before acting.

  • Luscious - Somebody with luscious hair would have thick, glossy and well-kept hair.

Make sure students are aware that, for narrative writing, the single paragraph outline for each section of the narrative may actually translate into more than one paragraph.
Teacher tip

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.
What makes an excellent narrative?
the most sophisticated vocabulary possible
Correct answer: precise vocabulary chosen for effect
Correct answer: figurative language used to create vivid imagery
an example of every linguistic device used
lots of speech and characters communicating with each other
Q2.
How many nouns are in the following sentence: He was cavorting around like a bull fresh into the ring.
one
Correct answer: two
three
four
five
Q3.
Which adjective would be the most specific to describe this street?
An image in a quiz
thin
close
Correct answer: narrow
crowded
cramped
Q4.
Which of the following is the most useful simile?
He was as angry as a bull.
She was as fearless as a lion.
She was sweeter than honey.
Correct answer: She had the spirit of an unbroken horse.
His eyes were as deep as the ocean.
Q5.
Which of these uses punctuation not only accurately, but also for effect?
The shop was chaotic: clothes all over the floor and receipts strewn around.
Correct answer: It was always when Mr Smith was teaching (if you could call it that).
Correct answer: The silence spoke the words that Ethan hadn't been able to ...
Henry's best friend had always been by his side.
Correct answer: The house at the end of the street was strange - really strange.
Q6.
Which of the following is the best description of this picture?
An image in a quiz
The cliffs sat on top of the ocean waters.
The vast cliffs stretched for miles along the coastline.
The cliffs met the sea in a frothy handshake.
Correct answer: The mouth of the cliff yawned out onto the open waters of the ocean.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
When using single paragraph outlines to plan your narrative, each single paragraph outline covers one of your three .
Correct Answer: emotions, Emotions, emotions., Emotions.
Q2.
What is the role of the topic sentence in the single paragraph outline for a narrative?
to introduce yourself to the reader
to give your opinion
Correct answer: to introduce the main ideas
to give details to support your ideas
Q3.
How many ideas do you need for your supporting detail?
one minimum
two minimum
Correct answer: three minimum
four minimum
five minimum
Q4.
Which sentence uses the word 'luscious' properly?
I could luscious his hair from where I stood.
His hair was the colour of a raven and luscioused down his back.
His hair was the colour of luscious, cascading down his back.
Correct answer: Thick and luscious hair cascaded down his back.
Q5.
Which of the following uses the word, or a form of the word 'discernible' properly?
I wanted to be discerned by him.
I greeted him with great discern.
Correct answer: The two colours were not discernible from one another.
Correct answer: I could not discern exactly where he was from.
This act had been a discernible one - it was shocking!
Q6.
Which of the following is the best description of this lion's paws?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: His immense paws, like two giant boxing gloves, were posed in front of him.
His immense paws, like two giant boulders, were posed in front of him.
His immense paws, like two giant whales, were posed in front of him.
His immense paws, like two giant mammoths, were posed in front of him.