Module 06 —Writing With Flow
A2 Key writing skills: telling a clear picture story · sequencing and linkers
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Applies Module 06 linking work to Writing 2.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
Look at three mixed-up pictures. Discuss: what order do they go in, and why?
Recall: what's the difference between a short story and a short message? Which one uses more past tense?
Discuss: why is checking your own story before finishing just as important as writing it?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minTelling a clear story from three pictures
Describe picture 1, 2 and 3 in order, mostly in the past simple, and link the events with time words like first, then, after that and in the end.
- 1A clear picture story usually has three parts that match the three pictures: an opening sentence that sets the scene (who, where, when); a middle part where something happens, often a problem or a surprise; and an ending that shows how it finishes.
- 2The whole story is normally told in the past simple, because it already happened.
- 3Time linkers like first, then, after that, suddenly and in the end connect the pictures into one flowing story, instead of three separate, disconnected sentences.
- 4Examiners reward a story that clearly follows the three pictures in order far more than one with impressive but disconnected vocabulary.
Opening: 'Last Saturday, Amy and her dog went to the park.'
Linking the middle: 'Then, the dog ran towards the lake. Suddenly, it jumped in!'
Ending: 'In the end, Amy dried the dog with a towel and they both laughed.'
Question 1.A three-picture story usually needs how many main parts?
Question 2.Which tense should you mainly use for a picture story?
Question 3.Which sentence is the strongest opening for a story?
Question 4.Examiners reward stories that are mainly:
Question 5.A good ending for a picture story usually:
Quick check 1.True or false: it's fine to describe all three pictures separately without linking them.
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
a linking word that joins story events, like 'then' or 'after that'
Give one connector you could use in a story.
to check and improve your own writing before finishing
Name one thing you always check when you self-edit a story.
a list used to check something has been done correctly
What would you put on a checklist for a good picture story?
logical and easy to follow
What makes a story feel clear and well-linked to you?
a first, unfinished version of a piece of writing
Do you usually write a rough draft before a final version?
to check a text carefully for mistakes before finishing
What kind of mistakes do you usually find when you proofread?
What to do
Match each writing-process word with its meaning.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use today's writing-process words to talk about your own habits.
Ask your partner
- Do you write a rough draft first, or straight to a final version?
- What do you check when you proofread?
- What's the hardest part of self-editing your own story?
"A good opening for a story about a school trip could be..."scene
Is it more important to have an interesting event or clear time order in a story? Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words telling a short story using at least one connector and past tense verbs.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minReading your own story aloud to check flow
If you run out of breath or get confused reading a sentence aloud, it's probably too long or badly linked.
- • First, Tom went to the park with his kite.
- • Suddenly, the wind blew the kite into a tree.
- • In the end, his dog brought the kite back.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minModel story: A day at the beach
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Last Sunday, Leo and his little sister Mia went to the beach with their parents. It was a sunny day, and they were both very excited to build a huge sandcastle together.
They worked hard all morning. Then, just as they finished the castle, a big wave suddenly came in from the sea. Mia screamed, and they both ran towards it, but they were too late. The wave washed the whole sandcastle away in seconds!
At first, Mia looked upset and almost started crying. However, Leo laughed and said, 'Let's build an even bigger one further from the water!' In the end, they built a second castle together, and this time they made sure it was safe from the waves.
That evening, Mia said it was the best day of the summer, even though their first castle didn't survive.
Question 1.Who did Leo and Mia go to the beach with?
Question 2.What happened just as they finished the sandcastle?
Question 3.How did Mia feel at first after the wave?
Question 4.What did Leo suggest doing?
Question 5.How did Mia describe the day in the end?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minTwo students planning a picture story together
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Amir:Right, we've got three pictures: a boy flying a kite, a strong wind, and his dog with the kite. Where do we start?
Beth:First, we need an opening sentence that sets the scene — who, where, and when.
Amir:How about 'Last Sunday, Tom went to the park to fly his new kite'?
Beth:That's good. Then for the second picture, we need a connector to show something suddenly happened.
Amir:We could write 'Suddenly, a strong wind blew the kite out of his hands.'
Beth:Exactly. And for the third picture, his dog gets the kite back, so we need an ending connector too.
Amir:'In the end, his dog caught the kite and brought it back' — and we should keep it all in the past tense.
Beth:Yes, past tense throughout. Let's also check we've got at least 35 words when we finish.
Amir:Good idea. Let's write a rough draft now and proofread it together after.
Beth:Perfect. Then we'll read it aloud to check it flows well.
Question 1.How many pictures are Amir and Beth planning a story from?
Question 2.What does Beth say the opening sentence should set?
Question 3.What connector does Amir suggest for the second picture?
Question 4.What tense do they agree to use throughout?
Question 5.What do they agree to check about word count?
Question 6.What will they do after writing a rough draft?
What to do
Tick the writing-process words you hear in the dialogue.
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minA2 Key writing skills — picture story
Plan, write, self-edit — always check your story follows the pictures in order and uses the past tense.
Task
Write a short story of at least 35 words based on three pictures, telling what happens in the order the pictures show.
Example
Pictures show: a boy flying a kite → a strong wind blowing the kite away → his dog bringing the kite back. Plan: opening sentence → suddenly event → in the end resolution.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Give one word meaning 'a linking word that joins story events'.
Q2.Give one word meaning 'to check writing carefully for mistakes'.
Look at the three pictures and write the story they show. Write at least 35 words. Picture 1: A boy is flying a kite in the park. Picture 2: Suddenly, a strong wind blows and the kite flies away. Picture 3: The boy's dog catches the kite and brings it back, and the boy is happy.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Last Sunday, Tom went to the park to fly his new kite. He was very happy because the weather was sunny. Suddenly, a strong wind blew the kite out of his hands and it flew high into a tree. Tom felt worried and didn't know what to do. Then his dog, Max, jumped up and pulled the kite down! In the end, Tom laughed and thanked Max for saving his kite. Teacher-Mode key: covers all three pictures in order; uses past simple throughout; time linkers used (suddenly, then, in the end); 71 words (well over the 35-word minimum).
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
What to do
Read the message from your friend Jamie and write a short reply covering all three notes.
Hi! I heard something exciting happened to you at the weekend. What happened? Where were you? Was it fun?
Your reply must cover:
- What happened
- Where it happened
- Whether it was enjoyable
Show model answer
Hi Jamie, I went to my cousin's birthday party on Saturday. It was at a big park near the river. We played games and ate pizza. It was really enjoyable and I want to go again soon!
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
In pairs, plan a short story from three imagined pictures about 'a day that went wrong', deciding on the scene, the problem and the ending before either of you writes anything.
Examiner
"Now talk together about what makes a story easy to follow."
Talk together about
What makes a picture story easy for a reader to follow?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- Clear order of events
- Past tense used throughout
- How events are linked together
Round off the discussion
Agree on the three most important features of a clear picture story.
Useful discussion language
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the writing and self-editing finishes early. ~14 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Write a full 35+ word story from three pictures of your choice, following the beginning–middle–end structure.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Checklist
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Take a messy set of story sentences (provided) and reorder them into a clear, well-linked story.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Messy sentences
Model rewrite
Proofread a partner's homework story using the checklist and give two pieces of feedback.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Feedback focus
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- A clear picture story has an opening that sets the scene, a middle event, and an ending that resolves it.
- Time linkers (then, after that, suddenly, in the end) connect the three pictures into one flowing story.
- Read your writing aloud to check whether it flows — confusing sentences are usually too long or badly linked.
- Always leave time to self-edit against a checklist before finishing a writing task.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameChecking your writing
Practise this exam skill
Fix the common mistake
Practise this exam skill
Habits vs right now
Practise this exam skill