Creating a structurally interesting narrative opening
I can use interesting structural features to create an engaging narrative opening.
Creating a structurally interesting narrative opening
I can use interesting structural features to create an engaging narrative opening.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- You can utilise elements from a traditional story arc to help you create an interesting narrative opening.
- A mundane setting offers an opportunity for an interesting shift in tone.
- Shifting from a wider setting to a close focus on a specific thing or person demonstrates control of focus.
- Saramago crafts a shift in tone with the conjunction 'but', a list and the manipulation of sentence length.
- You can build suspense in a narrative by making the reader wait longer for a climax.
Common misconception
The traditional story arc can only be applied to full narratives.
You can find elements of the traditional story arc in writing of any length.
Keywords
Mundane - ordinary and therefore not interesting
Climax - the most important or exciting part of a story
Tension - a feeling of nervousness
Innovate - to introduce changes and new ideas
Equipment
You will need access to the first two paragraphs from Chapter 1 of Jose Saramago's 'Blindness' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
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).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
an introduction to a scene or characters
part of a story where tension builds
the narrative reaches the peak of tension