Writing paragraph two of the build up of 'A Christmas Carol' | English

Starter quiz

True or false? The second paragraph of the build-up should heighten the suspense.
- True ✓
- False
Put the following events for paragraph two of the build-up in the correct order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  Scrooge's home is filled with the sharp ringing of bells.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  Scrooge's nervousness turns to fear.
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  The Ghost of Marley appears.
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  Scrooge is terrified.
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  Marley informs Scrooge of the ghosts that will visit him.
- 6
  
  ⇔
  
  Scrooge is left shaken.
What is a fronted adverbial?
- a sentence starter followed by a comma ✓
- a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
- a word that has the opposite meaning to another word
Match each type of fronted adverbial to its definition.
- fronted adverbial of time
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence starter that tells the reader when something happens ✓
- fronted adverbial of place
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence starter that tells the reader where something is or happens ✓
- fronted adverbial of manner
  
  ⇔
  
  a sentence starter that tells the reader how something happens ✓
True or false? I can only convey Scrooge's emotions by explicitly stating how he felt.
- True
- False ✓
True or false? When heightening the suspense, a range of sensory details should be described before Marley appears.
- True ✓
- False

Exit quiz

Which piece of punctuation always follows a fronted adverbial?
- a question mark
- a full stop
- a comma ✓
Match the types of fronted adverbial to the correct examples.
- fronted adverbials of time
  
  ⇔
  
  Suddenly, ... / In the middle of night, ... / Just at that moment, ... ✓
- fronted adverbials of place
  
  ⇔
  
  Out of the floorboards, ... / In the darkest corner of the room, ... ✓
- fronted adverbials of manner
  
  ⇔
  
  Hauntingly, ... / Fearfully, ... / Sternly, ... ✓
True or false? Fronted adverbials of manner are particularly helpful for conveying a character's emotions.
- True ✓
- False
Match each example of a fronted adverbial of manner to their definitions.
- hauntingly
  
  ⇔
  
  a way that will not be easily forgotten ✓
- fearfully
  
  ⇔
  
  a way that shows fear ✓
- sternly
  
  ⇔
  
  a serious and severe manner, asserting authority ✓
What is reported speech?
- when you directly quote a character
- when you share what was said by a character without directly quoting them ✓
- when you share a character's internal thoughts
True or false? A range of verbs and adverbs should be used when writing reported speech.
- True ✓
- False

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The second paragraph of the build-up heightens the suspense and reveals the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
Precise vocabulary is used to describe sensory details and ‘show and tell’ conveys Scrooge’s emotions.
Fronted adverbials of time, place and manner add greater detail to the main clause and support in building suspense.
Marley informs Scrooge of the visits he will be paid by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Reported speech is used to share the important messages Marley conveys without quoting him directly.

Common misconception

The examples given for fronted adverbials of manner are adverbs ending in 'ly'. Children may assume this is the only way to write a fronted adverbial of manner.

Provide additional examples of fronted adverbials of manner that are phrases rather than individual words. E.g. 'With a grave expression on his face,...'.

Keywords

Suspense - a state of feeling excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma
Reported speech - the form of speech used to share what was said by someone without using a direct quote