Starter quiz
- What is a symbol in narrative writing?
- when you compare two things using the words 'like' or 'as'
- when an object within your narrative represents an abstract idea ✓
- when you repeat a phrase throughout your writing
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- What might the colour red symbolise?
- danger ✓
- hope
- joy
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- What symbol does the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' focus on?
- art
- literature
- music ✓
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- Which of the below sentences contains an adjective?
- The poppy bloomed in the field.
- In the field, the poppy bloomed peacefully.
- The vibrant poppy bloomed in the field. ✓
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- Which of the below is tangible?
- hope
- love
- resilience
- tree ✓
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- Which of the below is an abstract idea?
- a court
- justice ✓
- a judge
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Exit quiz
- What is the key symbol in the opening of 'The Cellist of Sarajevo'?
- a painting
- a cello ✓
- bread
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- Match each symbol in 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' to the abstract idea it could represent.
- tuxedo⇔normality, routine, control ✓
- blood⇔violence, loss ✓
- wedding⇔love, family ✓
- What object would best symbolise sadness?
- a coat
- a broken window ✓
- a flower
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- How might we describe a poppy if the poppy symbolises hope?
- a wilting poppy
- a bright crimson poppy ✓
- a lonely poppy
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- What can we do to craft our symbols effectively?
- describe the way a character interacts with the symbolic object ✓
- use the symbol twice
- make every symbol link together
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- How might a soldier interact with a letter if the letter symbolises hope?
- he might clutch it ✓
- he might toss it away
- he might skim-read it
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Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In narratives, objects can symbolise key themes or ideas.
- Galloway's key symbol is the cello which could represent hope, joy or defiance.
- You can craft a symbol in your own narrative through the use of an important object, colour, weather or event.
- Using adjectives to describe the object can help the symbol take on its intended meaning.
- The way in which a character treats or interacts with an object can help bring the meaning of your symbol to life.
Common misconception
Pupils may use objects to symbolise ideas but the object may not quite match the idea e.g. violence represented by a flower.
Thinking about the feelings that an object makes us feel might help us to decide whether it will be an appropriate symbolic object.
Keywords
Symbol - something that represents intangible ideas; for example, a rose as a symbol for love
Defiance - behaviour in which you refuse to obey something or someone
Illuminate - make something visible or bright by shining light on it
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