Narrative writing: What makes a good opening?

In this lesson, we will define exactly what the ingredients of a narrative piece are before moving on to examine how to write an effective opening. In order to do this, we'll look at the example of George Orwell's '1984' as well as reviewing the opening from our set text Samphire. You'll then have an opportunity to plan a narrative and write your own opening paragraph to try out your learning from the session.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is the term used to refer to the space and dynamics between characters?

1/5

Q2.What does catharsis literally mean?

2/5

Q3.A narrative always has to give equal time to each of the 5 phases - true or false?

3/5

Q4.Which of the following list are not an example of binary opposites?

4/5

Q5.The tradition of the Lady on the Pedestal is often criticised for doing what to the woman?

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is the term used to refer to the space and dynamics between characters?

1/5

Q2.What does catharsis literally mean?

2/5

Q3.A narrative always has to give equal time to each of the 5 phases - true or false?

3/5

Q4.Which of the following list are not an example of binary opposites?

4/5

Q5.The tradition of the Lady on the Pedestal is often criticised for doing what to the woman?

5/5

Video

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

English - Narrative writing - what makes a good opening?

Narrative writing - what makes a good opening?

Q1.Which one of the following is not a type of narrative?

1/5

Q2.'From this narrative perspective, the narrator knows everything.' Which of the following is the correct label?

2/5

Q3.What is it called when you open a narrative in the middle of a moment of action?

3/5

Q4.Which narrative genre presents an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice?

4/5

Q5.Narratives always have to start with a position of equilibrium. True or false?

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Unit quizzes are being retired in August 2023

Why we're removing unit quizzes from the website >
Quiz:

English - Narrative writing - what makes a good opening?

Narrative writing - what makes a good opening?

Q1.Which one of the following is not a type of narrative?

1/5

Q2.'From this narrative perspective, the narrator knows everything.' Which of the following is the correct label?

2/5

Q3.What is it called when you open a narrative in the middle of a moment of action?

3/5

Q4.Which narrative genre presents an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice?

4/5

Q5.Narratives always have to start with a position of equilibrium. True or false?

5/5

Lesson summary: Narrative writing: What makes a good opening?

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Time to move!

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