Vivid descriptive writing using Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ as stimulus
I can write a vivid description inspired by Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line' which captures some of Alfred’s experiences and memories of the front line.
Vivid descriptive writing using Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ as stimulus
I can write a vivid description inspired by Ian Beck's 'Propping Up The Line' which captures some of Alfred’s experiences and memories of the front line.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Many writers use vivid description to convey the horrors of the front line.
- Beck shows the depth of Alfred’s trauma when the noise and sight of washing transports him back to the front line.
- A vivid description is the result of careful planning and close attention to methods.
Keywords
Vivid - clear, powerful, realistic
Wilfred Owen - a British soldier and poet (1893-1918) best known for his poems about World War One
Methods - the tools a writer uses to create their work; language choices, setting, characterisation are all examples
Single paragraph outline - a way to plan a paragraph in which you write the first and last sentence, and carefully consider the details you want to capture in the paragraph
Common misconception
You can only use single paragraph outlines to plan analytical writing.
We structure so much of our writing using paragraphs. All paragraphs, whether creative or analytical or something else, require a clear and carefully planned structure.
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Vivid descriptive writing using Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ as stimulus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Vivid descriptive writing using Ian Beck's ‘Propping Up The Line’ as stimulus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 english lessons from the Literary perspectives from the First World War unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2014 edition of Stories of World War One, edited by Tony Bradman to read 'Propping Up the Line' by Ian Beck.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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