Progression in Fiction Writing
Prompt Posters
Narrative Prompt Poster - Reception
Problem / dilemma
Openers:
But….(simple conjunctions)
Unfortunately…(adverbs)
Resolution
Build-up
Openers:
First..
Then…
Next…
Eventually…(adverbs)
Openers:
Luckily… / Fortunately... (adverbs)
So…. (simple conjunction)
Ending
Openers:
Introduction / Opening
Openers:
All lived happily ever after..
Once….
Finally
Once upon a time….
One sunny day…
Include: Adjectives e.g. old, little, big, small, quiet,
Adverbs e.g. luckily, unfortunately, fourthly, happily,
Use similes like a and as a
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 1
Problem / dilemma
Openers: Suddenly… Unfortunately… Sadly… While…
Tell the reader what the problem or dilemma is. Introduce the ‘evil’ character, situation to over
come an obstacle. Explain what is happening using additional subordinating conjunctions.
Resolution
Build-up
Openers: One day..
Soon after….
When…
Tell the reader a little more about the
character and what is happening. Use
additional subordinating conjunctions
Openers: As soon as…
Carefully…..
Tell the reader how the problem or
dilemma was solved.
What did the main character
do/say?
Ending
Introduction / Opening
Use story openers such as:
Once upon a time..
One sunny day…
Late, late at night…
Tell the reader where the story is set.
Tell the reader about the main character.
Use a who relative clause e.g. Once
upon a time there was a little old woman
WHO lived in a forest.
Openers: Luckily….. Fortunately …
The next day ….
This should be 2 or 3 sentences
that tell the reader;
How the main character is feeling.
What they are going to do next.
Include: adjectives to embellish sentences with description,
similes ( as…. as….) alliteration, exclamation marks, question
marks, speech bubbles, begin use of compound sentences
(coordination conjunctions and, so, but, or, because, then)
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 2
Problem / dilemma
Openers: To his/her amazement… ____ ran quickly …..
Tell the reader what the problem or dilemma is. Introduce the ‘evil’ character,
situation to over come an obstacle. Explain what is happening using additional
subordinating conjunctions.
Resolution
Build-up
Openers: Later that day….
Soon after….
Eventually ….
Tell the reader a little more about the
character and what is happening. Use
additional subordinating conjunctions
Openers: As soon as…
Carefully…..
Tell the reader how the problem
or dilemma was solved.
What did the main character
do/say?
Ending
Introduction / Opening
Use story openers such as:
In a far away land…..
One cold but bright morning….
Tell the reader where the story is
set.
Tell the reader about the main
character.
Openers: Luckily….. Fortunately
….
The next day ….
This should be 3 or four sentences
that tell the reader;
How the main character is feeling.
What they are going to do next.
Include: Two adjectives to describe the noun, adverbs
for description, speech, drop in relative clauses:
Who/which, secure use of compound sentences
(coordination conjunctions and, so, but, or)
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 3
Problem / dilemma
Adverb Openers: Carefully, she crawled along the floor of the cave…
-ing clause as starters (subordinating clauses): Shaking, she got to her feet.
Tell the reader what the problem or dilemma is. Introduce the ‘evil’ character, situation to over
come an obstacle. Explain what is happening using additional subordinating conjunctions and
dialogue using verb synonyms for said.
Build-up
Build in some suspense towards the
problem/dilemma
Fronted adverbials – where, when, or how.
Over the mountains..
A few days later…
Climbing through the cave…
Tell the reader a little more about the character
and what is happening. Use compound
sentences, and/or/but/so/for/nor/yet.
Relative clauses; who/whom/which/whose/that
Introduction / Opening
Should include detailed description of
setting or character. Sentence of 3 for
description:
The cottage was almost invisible,
hiding under a thick layer of snow and
glistening in the sunlight.
Resolution
Prepositional openers: Next to…
Use adverbs to add detail: Carefully..
Amazingly, she clambered to her feet…
Tell the reader how the problem or dilemma
was solved.
What did the main character do/say?
Use dialogue with verb synonyms for said.
Ending
Fronted adverbials openers using a
comma: Later that day,_______
The next day, ______
From that day on, _____
The ending should link back to the start,
show how the character is feeling, how
the character or situation has changed
from the beginning.
Include: Two adjectives to describe the noun, adverbs for
description, speech, drop in relative clauses: Who/Whom/
Which/Whose, Secure use of compound sentences
(coordination conjunctions and, so, but, or, nor, yet), Use
determiners A or AN.
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 4
Problem / dilemma
Adverb Openers: Carefully, she crawled along the floor of the cave…
-ing clause as starters (subordinating clauses): Shaking, she got to her feet. Grinning menacingly, he
slipped the treasure into his rucksack.
Problem should follow from the build up. Create suspense and tension. Introduce the ‘evil’ character,
situation to over come an obstacle. Explain what is happening using additional subordinating
conjunctions and dialogue using verb synonyms for said. Use short and long sentences for impact.
Build-up
Build in some suspense towards the problem/dilemma
Fronted adverbials – where, when, or how.
Over the mountains..
A few days later…
Climbing through the cave…
Use compound sentences, and/or/but/so/for/nor/yet.
Relative clauses; who/whom/which/whose/that
Open with simile for description: As curved as a ball, the
moon shone brightly in the night sky.
-ing drop in relative clauses; the tornedo, sweeping
across the city, destroyed the houses.
Introduction / Opening
Should include detailed description of
setting or character. Sentence of 3 for
description.
The cottage was almost invisible,
hiding under a thick layer of snow and
glistening in the sunlight.
Resolution
-ed clause starters (subordinating clauses)
Fightened, tom ran straight home to avoid
being caught.
Use adverbs to add detail: Carefully..
Amazingly, she clambered to her feet…
Tell the reader how the problem or dilemma
was solved.
What did the main character do/say?
Use dialogue with verb synonyms for said.
Ending
Fronted adverbials openers using a
comma: Later that day,_______
The next day, ______
From that day on, _____
Thinking back of the days events, _____
The ending should be clearly defined from
resolution. Ending should show the
characters reflections on events.
Include: Two adjectives to describe the noun, adverbs for
description, speech, drop in relative clauses: Who/Whom/
Which/Whose, Secure use of compound sentences (coordination
conjunctions and, so, but, or, nor, yet), Use determiners A or AN.
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 4
Genre:
For pupils who are expected to exceed national
expectations.
Problem/ dilemma 1
Build-up
Introduction
The introduction
should include:
*Action
*Description of
setting or
character
*Dialogue
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Problem/ dilemma 2
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Should develop
suspense using a
range of
techniques.
Resolution 1
Clear link to problem one
with build-up to problem
two.
Resolution 2
Clear link to problem two.
Ending
Character should
reflect on events,
any changes or
lessons look
forward to the
future ask a
question.
Could be an
opening for a
sequel.
Include: relative clauses (Who/which/that/where/when/whose); Long and short sentences for effect; main
and subordinate clauses using a full range of subordinates; elaboration of starters using adverbial phrases
(beyond the dark gloom of the cave/ Throughout the night, the wind howled like an injured animal); -ed
clause starters (Encouraged by the bright weather, Jane set out for a long walk); -ed relative clauses (Poor
Tim, exhausted by so much effort, he ran home); Moving clauses to restructure sentences; Speech +verb+
action (“stop!” he shouted, picking up the stick and running after the thief.).
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 5
Genre:
Problem/ dilemma 1
Build-up
Introduction
The introduction
should include:
*Action
*Description of
setting or
character
*Dialogue
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Problem/ dilemma 2
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Should develop
suspense using a
range of
techniques.
Resolution 1
Clear link to problem one
with build-up to problem
two.
Resolution 2
Clear link to problem two.
Ending
Character should
reflect on events,
any changes or
lessons look
forward to the
future ask a
question.
Could be an
opening for a
sequel.
Include: relative clauses (Who/which/that/where/when/whose); Long and short sentences for effect; main
and subordinate clauses using a full range of subordinates; elaboration of starters using adverbial phrases
(beyond the dark gloom of the cave/ Throughout the night, the wind howled like an injured animal); -ed
clause starters (Encouraged by the bright weather, Jane set out for a long walk); -ed relative clauses (Poor
Tim, exhausted by so much effort, he ran home); Moving clauses to restructure sentences; Speech +verb+
action (“stop!” he shouted, picking up the stick and running after the thief.).
Genre:
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 6
For pupils who are expected to
exceed national expectations.
Problem/ dilemma 1
Build-up
Introduction
The introduction
should include:
*Action
*Description of
setting or
character
*Dialogue
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Problem/ dilemma 2
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Should develop
suspense using a
range of
techniques.
Resolution 1
Clear link to problem one
with build-up to problem
two.
Resolution 2
Clear link to problem two.
Ending
Character should
reflect on events,
any changes or
lessons look
forward to the
future ask a
question.
Could be an
opening for a
sequel.
Children should use a range of techniques that include: cliff hangers; flash forwards; flash backs; time slips; start story form any
point in the structure; the main plot should be consistent throughout; paragraphs should be fully developed with secure links
between them.
Include: relative clauses (Who/which/that/where/when/whose); ;Long and short sentences for effect; main and
subordinate clauses using a full range of subordinates; elaboration of starters using adverbial phrases (beyond
the dark gloom of the cave/ Throughout the night, the wind howled like an injured animal); -ed clause starters
(Encouraged by the bright weather, Jane set out for a long walk); -ed relative clauses (Poor Tim, exhausted by
so much effort, he ran home); Moving clauses to restructure sentences; Speech +verb+ action (“stop!” he
shouted, picking up the stick and running after the thief.).
Genre:
Narrative Prompt Poster - Year 6
Problem/ dilemma 1
Build-up
Introduction
The introduction
should include:
*Action
*Description of
setting or
character
*Dialogue
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Problem/ dilemma 2
Include:
Action
Description
Dialogue
Should develop
suspense using a
range of
techniques.
Resolution 1
Clear link to problem one
with build-up to problem
two.
Resolution 2
Clear link to problem two.
Ending
Character should
reflect on events,
any changes or
lessons look
forward to the
future ask a
question.
Could be an
opening for a
sequel.
Children should use a range of techniques that include: cliff hangers; flash forwards; flash backs; time slips; start story form any
point in the structure; the main plot should be consistent throughout; paragraphs should be fully developed with secure links
between them.
Include: relative clauses (Who/which/that/where/when/whose); ;Long and short sentences for effect; main and
subordinate clauses using a full range of subordinates; elaboration of starters using adverbial phrases (beyond
the dark gloom of the cave/ Throughout the night, the wind howled like an injured animal); -ed clause starters
(Encouraged by the bright weather, Jane set out for a long walk); -ed relative clauses (Poor Tim, exhausted by
to much effort, he ran home); Moving clauses to restructure sentences; Speech +verb+ action (“stop!” he
shouted, picking up the stick and running after the thief.).
Narrative Prompt Poster
Genre:
Problem / dilemma
Build-up
Resolution
.
Introduction / Opening
Ending
Narrative Prompt Poster
Genre:
Build-up
Introduction
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Problem/ dilemma 1
Problem/ dilemma 2
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Resolution 1
Resolution 2
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Ending
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