narrative writing
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of narrative writing
- Apply narrative writing to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for narrative writing first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: The Five-Part Structure, Show Character Through Action, Dialogue Rules
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: narrative writing
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about narrative writing. Then check against the key terms: The Five-Part Structure, Show Character Through Action, Dialogue Rules. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: The Five-Part Structure, Show Character Through Action, Dialogue Rules.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: The Five-Part Structure, Show Character Through Action, Dialogue Rules.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: narrative writing. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: narrative writing. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of English Language because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: What are the five parts of a classic story arc?
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about narrative writing.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: narrative writing
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on narrative writing. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Definition: Narrative writing tells a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It features characters, a plot with events, a setting, and often explores themes through conflict and resolution.
The Five-Part Structure: Exposition: Introduce characters, setting, situation Rising Action: Build tension through complications Climax: The turning point or peak of tension Falling Action: Consequences of the climax Resolution: Loose ends tied up, new equilibrium
Show Character Through Action: Instead of telling us someone is brave, show them facing fear. Instead of telling us someone is kind, show them helping another character.
Dialogue Rules: Each character should have a distinct voice Keep it realistic - people interrupt, trail off, use incomplete sentences Avoid info-dumps - don't use dialogue to explain the plot Use action beats instead of endless "he said, she said"
Exam Tip: Don't try to write a complete novel. Focus on ONE key moment or incident, and explore it fully. Quality over quantity.
Examiner's Tip: The best narratives focus on a single key moment and explore it in depth. Don't try to cover years of story - find the drama in one significant incident.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tense | Shadows, silence, confined spaces, cold | |
| Peaceful | Open spaces, natural light, gentle sounds, warmth | |
| Mysterious | Fog, twilight, hidden areas, unfamiliar places | |
| Nostalgic | Old objects, familiar sounds, seasonal markers | |
| Too much backstory | Slows down the narrative | Weave background into action |
| Flat characters | Reader doesn't care what happens | Give characters wants and flaws |
| Weak opening | Examiner loses interest quickly | Start with action, conflict, or intrigue |
| Rushed ending | Feels unsatisfying | Plan your ending, leave time to write it |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: What are the five parts of a classic story arc?
Answer: Exposition (introduction), Rising Action (complications), Climax (turning point), Falling Action (consequences), Resolution (conclusion).
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: narrative writing
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: The Five-Part Structure, Show Character Through Action, Dialogue Rules. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: What are the five parts of a classic story arc?
Answer: Exposition (introduction), Rising Action (complications), Climax (turning point), Falling Action (consequences), Resolution (conclusion).
Q2: What does "in medias res" mean and why is it effective?
Answer: "In medias res" means starting in the middle of the action. It's effective because it immediately grabs the reader's attention and creates intrigue from the first line.
Q3: Name two ways to reveal character without directly stating traits.
Answer: Through dialogue (how they speak), through actions (what they do), through reactions (how they respond to events), through interactions with others, through telling details of appearance or behaviour.
Q4: What is the difference between first person and third person narrative voice?
Answer: First person uses "I" and is limited to the narrator's perspective, creating intimacy. Third person uses "he/she/they" and can be more flexible, showing multiple perspectives or maintaining distance.
Q5: Rewrite this weak opening to be more engaging: "One day I went to the shops and something happened."
Answer: Example: "The shops were the last place I wanted to be on a Tuesday. But that was before I saw the man in the grey coat watching me from across the street."
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: narrative writing
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Exam-Style Question
Attempt a past-paper style question on narrative writing from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.
Exam Tips: Plan before you write - know your beginning, middle, and end | Focus on ONE key incident - don't try to cover too much | Start with impact - hook the reader immediately | Show character through action and dialogue, not description | Use short sentences to build tension in key moments | Include a turning point - something must change | End with resonance - leave a final impression | Leave time to check spelling and punctuation
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often try to cover too much story in too little time. Wrong: Telling a life story — "She was born in 2005, went to school, then one day something happened when she was 15." Correct: Focusing on one key moment — "The letter arrived on a Tuesday. She recognised the handwriting immediately, and her hands began to shake." Students often tell emotions instead of showing them. Wrong: "He was really angry and upset about what happened." Correct: Revealing emotion through action — "He slammed his fist onto the table. The coffee cup jumped. He stared at the wall, jaw working, until finally he spoke, and his voice was barely a whisper." Students often rush the ending because they r
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how narrative writing connects to another English Language topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of narrative writing
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in narrative writing?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: The Five-Part Structure, Show Character Through Action, Dialogue Rules (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on narrative writing from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain narrative writing to someone else in your own words (10 mins)