Planning a narrative using the five part narrative structure | English

Starter quiz

Starting with the first, put these sub-headings from the five part narrative structure ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire') in chronological order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  exposition
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  rising action
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  climax
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  falling action
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  resolution
Match the sub-headings of the five part narrative structure to their function. ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
- exposition
  
  ⇔
  
  establishes character/setting; introduces a problem ✓
- rising action
  
  ⇔
  
  develops character and problem ✓
- climax
  
  ⇔
  
  most intense, and often deciding moment, of a story ✓
- falling action
  
  ⇔
  
  aftermath of climax ✓
- resolution
  
  ⇔
  
  how the story ends ✓
Match each perspective to its definition ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
- first person
  
  ⇔
  
  the narrator is a character in the story using pronouns like 'I' ✓
- second person
  
  ⇔
  
  the narrator speaks directly to the reader using 'you' ✓
- third person omniscient
  
  ⇔
  
  narrator isn't a character in the story, explores multiple characters ✓
- third person limited
  
  ⇔
  
  narrator isn't a character in the story, focuses on one character ✓
What do we learn about the character of the Miller in Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales'? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
- He is very strong. ✓
- He plays the bagpipes. ✓
- He overcharges people. ✓
- He has a red beard. ✓
- He sings beautifully.
Match each character, all from 'Myths, legends and stories that inspire', to what we know about them.
- Shahrazad
  
  ⇔
  
  a formidable storyteller ✓
- Shahrayar
  
  ⇔
  
  a tyrannical king ✓
- Achilles
  
  ⇔
  
  a renowned warrior ✓
- Lady Jane Grey
  
  ⇔
  
  Queen of England for 9 days in 1553 ✓
- Yemoja
  
  ⇔
  
  a powerful water goddess ✓
- the Lady of Shalott
  
  ⇔
  
  a cursed woman ✓
The five part narrative structure is made up of exposition, rising action, climax, ______ and resolution ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
- 'falling action' ✓

Exit quiz

Match each aspect of the single paragraph outline to its function. ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
- topic sentence
  
  ⇔
  
  the first sentence of a paragraph stating its main idea ✓
- supporting detail
  
  ⇔
  
  the vocabulary and techniques you will rely on in the paragraph ✓
- concluding sentence
  
  ⇔
  
  the final sentence of a paragraph ✓
Which section(s) of the single paragraph outline should be written in note form? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
- every section
- no sections
- the topic sentence
- the concluding sentence
- the supporting detail ✓
What is true of the five part narrative structure? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
- Each section equals one paragraph in your story.
- Each section requires the same number of paragraphs.
- It is a way of sequencing a story that is clear and compelling. ✓
- It must be written chronologically.
- The ending should be happy.
Which of these sentences uses the word wily (or a form of it) correctly? ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
- You thought you were being wily but I saw through your tricks. ✓
- He jumped up and down wily.
- She told the story truthfully and wilily.
- He came up with a very wily story to avoid getting into trouble. ✓
A ______ is the first sentence of a paragraph which states its main idea. ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire')
- 'topic sentence' ✓
The five part narrative structure is made up of exposition, rising action, ______, falling action and resolution ('Myths, legends and stories that inspire').
- 'climax' ✓

Worksheet

Loading worksheet ...

Presentation

Loading presentation ...

Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

The 5 part narrative structure divides a story into: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.
Each section of the narrative does not have to have the same number of paragraphs.
Single paragraph outlines are a way of planning a narrative paragraph.
Single paragraph outlines have topic and concluding sentences written in full, and supporting detail in note form.
To further structure your piece, you could link the concluding sentence of paragraphs to the next topic sentence.

Common misconception

Each section of the five part narrative structure equals one paragraph in your writing.

The five part narrative structure is a helpful way to help plan plot and character. However, some sections might be longer than others. Some might require multiple paragraphs, others just one.

Keywords

Miller - a person who grinds grain to make flour
Third person omniscient - the narrator isn't a character in the story and presents the feelings and experiences of multiple characters using pronouns like 'she', 'he', 'they', 'it'
First person - the narrator is a character in the story using pronouns like 'I' and 'me'
Single paragraph outlines - a way of planning a paragraphs by preparing the first and final sentences, as well the detail in the middle
Wily - cunning