Starter quiz
- Match the different parts of the story with the correct definition.
- Exposition⇔an introduction to a scene or characters ✓
- Rising action⇔part of a story where tension builds ✓
- Climax⇔the narrative reaches the peak of tension ✓
- Which of the below could be described as mundane?
- going on holiday
- brushing your teeth ✓
- redecorating your house
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- What is a clause?
- a long sentence
- a section of text containing a subject and verb ✓
- a short phrase
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- Which of the below might build tension?
- describing a strange noise but not telling the reader where it is coming from ✓
- describing the weather at a beach
- keeping a consistent tone throughout an extract
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- Which of the below uses sensory language?
- The room had a lot of flowers.
- Roses stood on the windowsill.
- The fresh scent of peonies filled the air. ✓
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- What type of sentence would slow down the pace of a narrative the most?
- simple
- compound
- complex ✓
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Exit quiz
- What can be used to set the scene successfully at the beginning of a narrative?
- sensory language ✓
- contrasting conjunctions
- direct address
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- Why might Saramago have chosen to begin his narrative by describing a mundane traffic setting in 'Blindness'?
- to make the reader feel in awe of the setting
- to create a strong contrast between the mundane and the chaotic ✓
- to allow intrigue to build as the scene develops ✓
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- How could you craft a sentence to build tension?
- use a semantic field
- describe the sensory experiences within a mundane setting
- craft a long sentence where each additional clause adds panic ✓
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- "Each pair of legs was a cog in a machine: quick, determined, relentless, but one pair halted the rhythm: faltering limp, immobile." Which word here presents a shift?
- quick
- but ✓
- one
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- Starting with the first, put the parts of Saramago's opening to 'Blindness' in chronological order.
- 1⇔We are placed in a mundane situation: cars at a traffic light.
- 2⇔Green signal for cars, most drive off but one is left stationary.
- 3⇔The man inside the vehicle grows frantic, people try to help.
- 4⇔The man is revealed to be blind.
- What is unique about the sentence that Saramago uses to reveal the man is blind in the opening of 'Blindness'?
- it is incredibly short
- it is a sentence fragment
- it is incredibly long ✓
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Worksheet
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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
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