New
New
Year 8

Using description in functional writing

I can use a description to create interesting functional writing.

New
New
Year 8

Using description in functional writing

I can use a description to create interesting functional writing.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Functional writing that makes use of description is often stronger.
  2. Anecdotes are brilliant for connecting to the reader through creating a shared experience.
  3. Before writing an anecdote, consider what you want your reader to feel - choose your language accordingly.
  4. A successful anecdote makes use of language to create vivid imagery for the reader, so they can share the experience.
  5. Figurative language can be very persuasive when used effectively.

Common misconception

Students often do not use descriptions in functional writing frequently enough.

Descriptive language massively enhances functional writing. Anecdotes are a brilliant example of how descriptive writing can be used to connect to the reader/audience.

Keywords

  • Anecdote - a short, personal story told to illustrate a point

  • Semantic field - a group of words with shared meaning

  • Figurative language - language that is meaningful, but not literally true

  • Contagious - easily-spread or transferred - usually used to describe illnesses or emotions

To challenge pupils, get them to write their own anecdotes for the same prompt about horror films, instead of analysing the model anecdote in Task A.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the model answer used for this lesson. It's available in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is the correct definition for 'figurative language'?
language that uses two or more similar sounds
language that indicates time or place
Correct answer: language that is meaningful but not literally true
language that sounds the noise it represents
language that requires prior knowledge to understand
Q2.
Which of the following methods are figurative language methods?
rhetorical question
Correct answer: zoomorphism
alliteration
Correct answer: personification
Q3.
Which of the the following are examples of figurative language?
My name is Eleanor - Eleanor Snow.
Correct answer: She had ice cold blood running through her veins.
The house was enormous - too big if I was honest.
Correct answer: The thunder rumbled and the lightning cracked like an immense whip.
I was sweating. My palms were wet and clammy.
Q4.
If a writer uses an anecdote, what are they using?
two or more words that begin with the same letter
a question that doesn't require an answer
Correct answer: a short, personal story
words that sound like the noise they represent
Q5.
Which of the following openings is anecdotal?
My name is Ella. I'm 25 years old.
I've been a doctor all my life.
Correct answer: Last year, I was on my way to work when....
We've all watched the news, haven't we?
Q6.
Match the rhetorical device to its definition.
Correct Answer:anecdote,short personal story

short personal story

Correct Answer:rhetorical question,a question that doesn't need an answer

a question that doesn't need an answer

Correct Answer:anaphora,a type of repetition at the start of successive clauses

a type of repetition at the start of successive clauses

Correct Answer:inclusive pronouns,using words like 'we' to create a community

using words like 'we' to create a community

Correct Answer:repetition,repeating a word

repeating a word

6 Questions

Q1.
are short personal stories.
Correct Answer: anecdotes
Q2.
What is the effect of using an anecdote in functional writing?
Correct answer: they can illustrate your point in a different way
they can show your reader that you are a nice person
Correct answer: they can help you establish a connection to your reader
the can stop your audience from heckling you during a speech
they can make your work more interesting because they are not commonly used
Q3.
language is a great way to create vivid imagery for the reader or audience in functional writing.
Correct Answer: Figurative
Q4.
A strong anecdote should....
only be told at the beginning of a piece of writing
only be told once in a piece of writing - it cannot be referred to again
Correct answer: use language methods to create vivid imagery for the reader
Correct answer: lead with emotions so that the reader/audience knows how to feel
be very matter-of-fact - you should not use figurative language or description
Q5.
Which of the following is an example of a semantic field of restriction?
Correct answer: stern
Correct answer: controlled
generous
Correct answer: oppressive
disinterested
Q6.
Which of the following use figurative language to persuade?
Young people have no choice anymore.
Young people's freedom is being taken away from them.
Correct answer: Young people are being imprisoned by a dismal lack of choice.
Correct answer: Young people's futures lie in tatters on the floor.
Young people are not free to make their own decisions anymore.

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