Lesson video

Hello, everyone.

It's lovely to see you all here today.

My name's Dr.

Clayton and I'm to guide you through a learning journey today.

So grab your pen or laptop, whatever you're using for this lesson, and let's get started.

Welcome to today's lesson.

The lesson is called Creating an Atmospheric Setting in a Piece of Writing.

So in order to create atmosphere, we're first going to consider what atmosphere is, and then we're going to talk through how you can use sensory language and figurative language in order to influence the atmosphere of your setting.

Then you're going to have a go at responding to an image and creating your own atmospheric description.

So five words today we're going to focus on as our keywords.

Our first keyword is setting, and this means the time, place, and environment in which something occurs.

Today, we're looking at how we can use language to influence the perception and mood of that setting.

Our second keyword is sensory, and this means relating to sensation or physical senses.

Today, we're going to consider how using sensory language can really enhance your writing and influence the mood.

Our third keyword is atmospheric, and this means the way an author uses setting, objects, or internal thoughts of characters to create emotion.

Our fourth keyword is mood.

This means the emotional response a writer wants to give the reader.

You can influence the mood through the way you use language and structure.

Our final keyword is figurative language, and this means non-literal wording that adds creativity or rhetorical meaning to your writing.

So I'll just give you a moment to write down those keywords and their definitions.

So pause the video and write them down now.

Amazing.

Let's get started with the lesson.

So we have three learning cycles in our lesson today.

For our first learning cycle, we're going to consider how we can use sensory language to enhance our descriptions.

So we're gonna define what sensory language is, consider how it'd be useful in descriptive writing, and then practise creating some sensory language.

For our second learning cycle, we're going to consider how we can use figurative language to enhance our descriptions.

We're going to focus on personification specifically.

We're going to start by considering what personification is, consider how it might be useful, and then you'll have a go at practising creating some personification.

Finally, for our third learning cycle, you're going to have go responding to an image and creating your own description of an atmospheric setting using sensory and figurative language.

So today, we're going to be thinking about how to create an atmospheric setting.

Now, setting is one of our keywords, means the time, place, and environment in which something occurs.

"The atmosphere in literature is the way an author uses a setting, objects, or internal thoughts of the characters to create an emotion, mood, or experiences for the reader." So before we focus on sensory language and think about how you might create your own setting, let's look at an example of an atmospheric setting in order to understand what it might look like.

So the extract is taken from Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" and details the moment that Oliver has been taken through London by Mr. Sikes.

So the extract reads, "It was a cheerless morning when they got into the street, blowing and raining hard, and the clouds looking dull and stormy.

The night had been very wet.

Large pools of water had collected in the road and the kennels were overflowing.

There was a faint glimmering of the coming day in the sky, but it rather aggravated than relieved the gloom of the scene.

The sombre light only serving to pale that which the street lamps afforded without shedding any warmer or brighter tints upon the wet housetops and dreary streets." Now what I'd like you to think about is what is the atmosphere of the setting? So what emotion do you get from this setting and how do you know that this is the emotion? So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Amazing, some great discussions there about the words that people are picking up on and what kind of emotion they get from those words.

You might have said that, "The atmosphere is out of sadness and darkness." We know this from two things.

So there's an excessive rain in the scene and that indicates the negativity of the scene.

It almost feels as if the scene is crying.

We also might have noticed a semantic feel of sadness through words as gloom and sombre.

It really seeks to give us this really negative and sombre feeling to the image and makes us fear as if something bad is about to happen.

So sensory language refers to words or phrases that create a connection to one or more of the five senses, and they are sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

So what I'd like you to start off by thinking is, why might using sensory language help us to create an atmospheric setting? So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Amazing.

Now you might have said, "Using sensory language helps the reader to really imagine the scene and what it would feel like if they were in the scene." If we're describing to the reader what the scene smells like, what it feels like, what it sounds like, it truly allows us the reader to inhabit the scene rather than just being able to create a two-dimensional version of it in our mind's eye.

So now I'd like you to consider, which of the following two descriptions is more effective in transporting you to the forest and why? So description number one, "The leaves are a verdant green.

When it hit them, the sunlight created a dappled effect that made it almost seem as if the leaves were moving.

I could see an opening in the forest canopy in the distance." Description two, "The musty smell of the forest floor filled my nose.

I could taste the dampness on my tongue.

The rustling leaves were a verdant green.

They felt smooth and luscious to the touch." So pause the video and consider, which is more effective in transporting you to the forest and why? Amazing discussions there are from.

Let's just take a moment to deconstruct the two descriptions.

So in the first image, we have the effective use of vocabulary when the leaves are described as verdant green, 'cause that gives a specific shade of green for the leaves.

Then they did the sunlight hitting the leaves, 'cause the dappled effect really allows us to visualise the scene and imagine what it looks like.

However, the description's only really giving us a sense of sight.

It's effectively telling us what the image looks like, but it's not really offering any other sensory description.

So our mind's image of the description would be rather two-dimensional.

In the second description though, rather than opening with a sense of sight, the description opens with a sense of smell to tell us that the forest floor smells musty, which sort of damp, earthy smell.

It then tells you can taste that dampness on your tongue.

So we've already got the sense of what the forest smells like and what it tastes like.

We've then got this idea that leaves rustling and that gives an idea of what we might hear in the forest.

As with the first description, the leaves describes as verdant green, which gives us that specific shade of green and allows to visualise them.

But not only can we visualise them, the description also tells they feel smooth to touch.

Therefore, like Aisha, you might have thought, "The second description really makes you feel as if you're in the forest, because it engages all of your senses, tells you what the forest looks like, smells like, tastes like, sounds like, and what you can hear as well." So it really gives you that immersive experience of the forest so you can not only visualise it, but really inhabit it as well.

Now for a quick check for understanding.

What I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false? Using sensory language helps to enhance the atmosphere of a setting.

So pause the video and make your selection now.

The correct answer is true.

Now I'd like you to justify that answer.

So is it true, because A, using sensory language allows you to use more language devices in your description, or B, using sensory language allows the reader to immerse themselves in the scene? So pause the video and make your selection now.

The correct answer is B, using sensory language allows the reader to immerse themselves in the scene.

So very well done if you got that right.

Amazing work, everyone.

We're now the first task of the lesson where you're going to have a go answering the following questions for the image.

Now, the images that have roses and lights are dawning an archway.

So number one, what can you see in the image? Number two, what can you hear in the image? Number three, what might you smell in the image? Number four, what might you taste in the image? And number five, what might you touch in the image? Now it's important to remember that apart from what we can see in the image, everything else is down to your imagination.

So you imagine you are within that image.

What do you think things would smell or taste like? So pause the video and answer the questions now.

Amazing.

It was great to see people looking back at the example of sensory language in the forest to get an idea of what they might say.

You might have said for number one, what can you see in the image? You might have said lights twinkling on the archway.

Now this is probably the easiest sense to reference, but you want to make sure you're selecting details that will give the reader a chance to visualise the scene and really be able to picture it.

Number two, what can you hear in the image? You might have said the breeze rustling the foliage.

Now I would say this is the second easiest sense to reference, because we can always consider what the weather or the birds might sound like in the background.

What you need to consider here is creating a sense of cohesion in your image.

So whatever you think you might be able to hear must fit with the mood you're trying to create.

So the idea of leaves rustling is a soft and gentle sound as opposed to something like the sound of an aeroplane flying overhead, for example.

So what might you smell in the image? You might have said the scent of roses.

Now smell is a tricky sense to reference, but in this case, we know that roses have a unique scent so we can reference the scent of roses.

Now that gentle perfume smell adds to the atmosphere.

Now question four was what might you taste in the image? You might have said the perfume of the roses in your tongue.

Now I think this is the hardest sense to reference, because unless there's something edible in the scene, we really have to use our imaginations.

In general, you want to think about perhaps being able to taste the saltiness or dryness from the air on your tongue.

In this instance, we can taste the perfume of the roses.

Question five was what might you touch in the image? You might have said the smoothness of the white picket gate.

Imagine reaching out your hand.

What would you feel in the image? Remember to again focus on the sense of mood.

So I want you to feel the smoothness of the gate rather potentially any roughness or splintering, because everything so far is, remember, soft and gentle and relaxing, and therefore you want to reference that rather than bring in something harsh and rough.

Amazing work so far, everyone.

We're now to the second learning cycle.

We're going to specifically look at personification and practise creating it.

So let's start by thinking about figurative language more generally, because personification is a type of figurative language.

Now, figurative language is non-literal wording that adds creativity or rhetorical meaning to writing.

So for example, a simile, such as, "The cloying air made me feel like I was drowning," doesn't mean the character's literally drowning.

Instead, the thick air makes them feel as if they're underwater and they can't breathe properly.

So what I'd like you to think about is why might using figurative language help to create an atmospheric setting? So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Amazing, you might have said that, "The non-literal nature of figurative language allows the reader to understand the emotion behind the image because you're describing a sensation to them rather than something that's literally happening to the character." So the type of figurative language we're gonna focus on today is personification.

Now here's an example of personification.

"The leaves danced and swayed in the breeze." Now what I'd like you to do is based on that example, discuss what you think personification is.

So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Amazing.

Now, personification is when non-human objects or things such as the leaves in the example, are given human characteristics such as the dancing in this example.

Amazing work, everyone.

Now what I'd like you to think about is why might using personification help to create an atmospheric setting? So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Amazing, some great ideas there.

Like Lucas, you might have said that, "Giving human characteristics to non-human things within the scene helps us to read what the emotion is in the scene and what it's intended to be.

So for example, we tend to think of dancing as an expression of happiness, and therefore if the leaves are dancing, we know it's a positive, happy atmosphere that's being created." Now for a quick check for understanding, what I'd like you to do is tell me whether the following statement is true or false.

So is it true or false that personification can be effective in creating an atmospheric setting? Pause the video and make your selection now.

The correct answer is true.

Now I'd like you to justify that answer.

So is it effective because A, it adds more complex and imaginative imagery to the scene, or B, it helps the reader to understand the emotion of the scene.

So pause the video and make your selection now.

The correct answer is B, it helps the reader understand the emotion of the scene.

So very well done if you got that right.

Fantastic work, everyone.

We're now to the second task of the lesson, but we're going to look at the same image, but this time, we're going to create personification to match the image by answering the following questions.

So number one, what mood do you want to create? Now this is an essential first step as you need to know what emotion you want the reader to feel, and then you can create your language and structure to match.

Number two, which three non-human objects or things could you choose from the image to give human characteristics to? And number three, which human characteristics would you give those three non-human objects or things? So pause the video and answer the questions now.

Amazing work, everyone.

Now you might have said for number one, you might want to create a relaxing atmosphere.

When I look at the image, I see the dim lights, I imagine the smell of roses, and I think of it as a relaxing scene.

For number two, you might have decided the objects you're gonna focus in on are the roses, the lights, and the white picket fence.

For number three, the characteristics might be that the roses could exhale, the lights could smile, and the white picket fence could have its eyes nearly closing.

All of these things are human characteristics and it's how I imagine I might react if I were in that setting.

I'll probably exhale deeply and smile as that sign of relaxation.

Fantastic work, everyone.

We're now onto our final learning cycle.

We're going to bring what we've practised this lesson together and have a go at creating our own atmospheric setting.

So what we're going to do, as I said, is create our own atmospheric setting.

Now the setting of a text is a time, place, and environment in which it occurs.

So what I'd like you to think about is why do you think it's important to create an atmospheric setting? So why is it important to attach emotion to that setting? Pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Amazing, some fantastic ideas there.

You might have said that, "Some of the best stories transport us to a different place.

In order to truly envelop us in the experience of a different world, the setting needs to be atmospheric in order to influence the reader's mood and enhance their reading experience." We need to understand the emotion of a setting in order for us to truly connect to it and feel transported to it.

So let's just take an example from Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden", and consider how Burnett's created atmosphere before you begin creating your own.

So she said, "There she was standing on the grass, which seemed to have turned green, and with the sun pouring down on her and the warm sweet wafts about her, the fluting and twittering and singing coming from every bush and tree." I'd like you to answer the following two questions.

Number one, what atmosphere has Burnett created here? So what emotion has she created? And number two, how has she created that atmosphere or emotion? So pause the video, take a few moments to consider.

Amazing.

Now you might have said the atmosphere is relaxed and it's happy.

Number two, she's created that relaxed and happy atmosphere through the sensory description of how the sun feels, how the grass smells, and the sounds coming from the bushes.

They all create this gentle warming positive feeling.

Now for a quick check for understanding.

What I'd like you to do is complete the following two sentences.

So this one, the of a text is the time, place, and environment in which it occurs.

And sentence two, the atmosphere of a text is designed to influence a reader's and enhance their reading experience.

So pause the video and complete the sentences now.

Amazing.

Now you might have said that the setting of a text is the time, place, and environment in which it occurs, and the atmosphere of a text is designed to influence a reader's mood and enhance their reading experience.

So very well done if you've got those right.

Fantastic work, everyone.

Now you're going to bring everything from this lesson together and use our work on sensory and figurative language in order to write a description of this image that creates an atmospheric setting.

Now, remember to focus on the location itself.

We're talking about the setting.

So really make sure you are imagining the setting and not thinking about the characters in this moment.

Create an atmosphere.

So think about what mood and emotion you want to create.

Use sensory language to enhance that atmosphere.

So think about what the reader might see, what they might feel, what might touch, what they might taste.

How does that add to that mood and that sensory experience? And to use figurative language to enhance the atmosphere.

So how might you use personification to make it come alive and really add to that sense of emotion? Pause the video and write your description now.

Amazing work, everyone.

It was great to see people looking back at the examples we've discussed throughout this lesson to really give themselves an idea of where they might start with their description.

Now, for the final part of the lesson, I'd like you to peer assess your atmospheric setting.

So take your work and pass it to somebody else and take their work in return.

Now you're going to read through their work and you're going to consider the following questions.

How well did the description create a visual of the setting of the image? So could you really see the image in your mind's eye? Could you tell what the atmosphere of the setting was? So could you tell what emotion they were trying to create? And was there an effective use of sensory and figurative language in order to enhance the atmospheric setting so that they really think about what you could taste, what you could see, what you could touch, and that they use personification to really bring the setting alive and enhance the mood? Now when you've looked through the work, I'd like you to then give them some feedback.

Now, being able to give someone constructive feedback is an essential skill.

So here are some phrases you might use to help you.

Like Laura, you might say, "I thought your use of was a great starting point, but perhaps you could think of adding.

." Or like Izzy, you might say, "I think your description would be even better if you.

." In order to be constructive, you need to offer a suggestion for how something might be improved.

You always need to keep in mind that someone has worked really hard on that description.

So make sure you're considerate of that and never tear down someone else's work.

Now pause the video and peer assess each other's work.

Fantastic, everyone.

It was great to see people really engaging with each other's work and really offering some very positive, constructive feedback.

Amazing, everyone.

Here's a summary of what we covered.

The atmosphere in literature is the way an author uses setting, objects, or thoughts of characters to create mood.

The atmosphere can be influenced by sensory and figurative language.

Sensory language is language where some or all of the five senses are evoked.

And figurative language is non-literal wording that adds creativity to your writing.

I really hope you enjoyed the lesson, everyone.

Goodbye.

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