New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Writing the opening to an impactful narrative
I can write the opening to an impactful narrative.
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Writing the opening to an impactful narrative
I can write the opening to an impactful narrative.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- To create atmosphere, you might use similes, dialogue and motifs.
- To avoid clichés, you might think about how you can add extra detail and sensory aspects to similes.
- To write effective dialogue, you might consider how you present body language and the balance of the lines.
- To create motifs that represent emotions, you might think about what colours or objects symbolise that emotions.
Keywords
Impactful - having a powerful effect on a situation or person
Exposition - sets up the setting, characters and atmosphere of the story
Atmosphere - the overall mood of a story or poem
Motif - an object, image, sound or phrase that is repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes
Common misconception
The words exchanged between characters are the most effective way to convey the relationship between them.
Often, the most effective dialogue comes from considering body language and the balance of the lines.
You might like to look at the opening of a story that the pupils have read recently and consider how it sets up the atmosphere of the entire novel.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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.
'The overall mood of a story or poem' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Q2.
'A conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?
Q3.
Which of the following animals might we associate with jealousy and envy?
tigers
owls
sharks
Q4.
'A figure of speech that involves comparing two unlike things using the words 'like' or 'as' ' is the definition of which word?
Q5.
Which of the following might we think of as closed body language?
open arms
eye contact
Q6.
'Having a powerful effect on a situation or person' is the definition of which word beginning with 'i'?
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which type of atmosphere might the simile 'the branches reached out as if with open arms' might create?
menacing
apathetic
Q2.
'A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Q3.
Which of the following are examples of closed body language?
eye contact
open arms
Q4.
'Sets up the setting, characters and atmosphere of the story' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Q5.
'An object, image, sound or phrase that is repeated throughout a story that relates to the themes' is the definition of which word beginning with 'm'?
Q6.
Which of the following flowers typically symbolises jealousy?
red roses
violets
foxgloves