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Year 9

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.

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Year 9

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.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Many writers use vivid description to convey the horrors of the front line.
  2. Beck shows the depth of Alfred’s trauma when the noise and sight of washing transports him back to the front line.
  3. A vivid description is the result of careful planning and close attention to methods.

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.

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

Consider how long you wish to give pupils to plan and write, and work out the rest of the timings of the lesson from there.
Teacher tip

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

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In 'Propping Up The Line', which activity in England transports Alfred back to life in the trenches?
eating cake
Correct answer: hanging up washing
having a steam bath
the canary singing
walking to work
Q2.
In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred describes the washing on the line and compares the clothes to flags. What method does Beck use to do this?
personification
Correct answer: simile
allusion
theme
adverbial phrasing
Q3.
Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet, best known for his poetry about World War One. Which of these poems did he write?
Correct answer: 'Mental Cases'
Correct answer: 'Dulce et Decorum Est'
'Propping Up The Line'
'The Road Not Taken'
Q4.
Wilfred Owen, a British soldier and poet, was best known for his poetry about World War One. What are his poems known for?
their patriotism
Correct answer: their stark depiction of war
as a comfort to those who have lost people in war
Correct answer: as warnings against future wars
Q5.
In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred listens to the washing in the wind and tries to catch his breath as saw what moving on the lawn?
reflections
Correct answer: shadows
objects
Q6.
In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred describes the washing on the line and remembers the barbed wire of the war and the that were trapped in it.
Correct Answer: fragments, "fragments"

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Starting with the first plot point, order this short sequence from 'Propping Up The Line' in chronological order.
1 - Alfred raises the washing up so it can flap in the breeze.
2 - Alfred compares the clothes to flags, men and uniforms.
3 - Alfred closes his eyes and listens to the noises the washing makes.
4 - Nell watches her father.
5 - Nell sees how hard it is for her father to breathe.
Q2.
In 'Propping Up The Line', Alfred compares the washing on the line to the "fragments" trapped by barbed wire. What might this reveal about Alfred?
his physical trauma
his patriotism
Correct answer: his emotional trauma
his breathing difficulties
his use of motif
Q3.
Many writers use description to convey the horrors of the front line.
Correct Answer: vivid
Q4.
Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet. His poem 'Mental Cases' includes the line, " they must see these things and hear them".
Correct Answer: always
Q5.
Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet. His poem 'Mental Cases' includes the line, "their eyeballs tormented Back into their brains".
Correct Answer: shrink
Q6.
Wilfred Owen was a British soldier and poet. His poem 'Mental Cases' includes the line, "Dawn breaks open like a wound that bleeds ".
Correct Answer: afresh