Talk for Writing – A Close Call | 4-Week Narrative Writing Unit (Year 3 / Lower KS2)

A complete Talk for Writing planning unit for teaching suspense stories in Upper Primary

This unit is also included in a full 22-unit KS2 narrative writing bundle covering an entire term of structured writing.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

This 4-week Talk for Writing narrative writing unit is based on the suspense story A Close Call and is designed for Year 3 / Lower KS2 pupils.

The unit follows the Talk for Writing teaching sequence, supporting pupils to develop confidence, structure, and control when writing suspense narratives through a clear, scaffolded approach.

This resource provides teacher planning and guidance, allowing flexibility for modelling, shared writing, and discussion to suit your class.

What’s Included

✔ Complete 4-week narrative writing unit

✔ Structured Talk for Writing sequence

✔ Weekly focus, learning intentions, and outcomes

✔ Teacher guidance for oral rehearsal, modelling, and innovation

✔ Clear progression from imitation to independent writing

📌 This resource provides planning guidance only and does not include worksheets, slides, or a written model text.

4-Week Teaching Sequence

Week 1 – Imitation

• Oral retelling and story mapping

• Exploring narrative structure

• Identifying key events

Week 2 – Analysis

• How suspense is created

• Character reactions and choices

• Setting, atmosphere, and language choices

Week 3 – Innovation

• Adapting the model story

• Changing characters, settings, or dangers

• Planning an adapted suspense narrative

Week 4 – Independent Application

• Planning and drafting an original suspense story

• Editing for clarity, tension, and structure

• Producing a final independent narrative

Skills Developed

• Narrative structure

• Building suspense and tension

• Character development

• Setting and atmosphere

• Sentence structure and vocabulary choice

• Planning, drafting, editing, and presenting writing

Additional Information

• Suitable for whole-class teaching
• Lessons designed to last approximately 45 minutes
• Activities can be adapted for different abilities
• Oral rehearsal is a key feature throughout

FILE DETAILS

• Format: PDF
• Pages: 10
• Printable and digital-friendly
• For personal classroom use only
• Not for redistribution

⭐ Want the FULL writing curriculum? ⭐

This unit is part of a complete 22-unit KS2 narrative writing bundle covering an entire term.

✔ 22 ready-to-teach units 

✔ Full progression across the term 

✔ Save hours of planning every week 

👉 Get the full bundle here:

https://payhip.com/b/jfic6

Talk for Writing

Narrative Writing

Suspense Writing

Year 3 Writing

Lower KS2 Writing

Writing Planning

Story Structure

Creative Writing

English Planning

Teacher Resources