Collect ideas for characters with Lisa Thompson (episode 26)

In this teaching sequence, pupils are guided by a virtual visit from bestselling author Lisa Thompson to develop ideas for engaging and memorable characters.

Based on an episode of the Author in Your Classroom podcast, this fully resourced unit helps pupils explore how to create compelling characters for their own stories. Using The Graveyard Riddle as a springboard, the unit breaks down the creative process, showing how professional authors craft distinctive characters and build intrigue through careful use of detail and dialogue.

How to use this resource

Across five structured sessions, pupils listen to selected podcast extracts and respond through discussion, planning and writing.

They start by gathering unusual and interesting character ideas, then shape these into original, fully formed characters. Pupils analyse how Lisa Thompson introduces characters, investigate how dialogue reveals personality and practise their own dialogue through talk and role play.

The sequence concludes with pupils writing and refining a short narrative scene that incorporates purposeful, correctly punctuated speech.

Learning outcomes

Pupils gain practical strategies for generating character ideas, understand how dialogue conveys personality and information, and apply these techniques in their own writing.

The unit also develops spoken language, planning, drafting and editing skills, with clear progression and opportunities for peer discussion and feedback.