Plan an action story with Jason Rohan (episode 27)

Invite a professional children’s author into your classroom with this dynamic action-writing unit inspired by Jason Rohan’s S.T.E.A.L.T.H: Access Denied.

Linked to the Author In Your Classroom podcast, this resource guides KS2 pupils through creating high-energy action stories with engaging characters and fast-paced plots.

Rohan shares how his Marvel Comics internship in New York and experiences living in Japan influenced his storytelling and shaped his creative process. Short podcast clips accompany each stage of the teaching sequence, offering pupils a behind-the-scenes look at how authors plan and craft their stories.

Teaching overview

Across the structured sessions, pupils will:

• Find story inspiration – Explore how Rohan discovers ideas and use visual prompts to generate their own “jumping-off points.”
• Plan story arcs – Map beginnings and endings to maintain pace using comic-style planning sheets.
• Create contrasting characters – Analyse traits and apply “role-on-the-wall” templates to develop richer characters.
• Craft gripping openings – Understand why strong openings hook readers and practise writing their own.
• Write action-packed scenes – Use short, punchy sentences to build momentum and structure stories with clear action and transitions.

Throughout the unit, pupils discuss plot and character, rehearse ideas aloud and refine their writing through drafting and peer feedback.