New
New
Year 7

Planning a description of a dystopian setting

I can plan an effective description of a dystopian setting.

New
New
Year 7

Planning a description of a dystopian setting

I can plan an effective description of a dystopian setting.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Descriptions should include minimal action.
  2. An effective way to include character is with one small character action, for example, looking through a window.
  3. It is important to decide your tone before you start writing, so that it remains consistent.
  4. When planning a single paragraph, you should choose three-four details to focus on.
  5. It is important to plan interesting vocabulary that matches your tone before you start writing.

Common misconception

Action is a key part of a description.

Explain to pupils that the purpose of a description is to focus on certain aspects of a scene in order to set the tone and genre.

Keywords

  • Permeate - If something permeates the air, it spreads through it.

  • Vivid - If something is vivid, it allows you to visualise it clearly.

  • Erode - If something erodes, it is gradually destroyed or worn away at.

  • Remnants - The remnants of something are the small parts left when the majority of it has been destroyed.

You may want to show students several openings to stories you have read together to demonstrate how a writer of any genre might 'set the scene'.
Teacher tip

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).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
What would you not expect to see in a dystopian description?
Correct answer: thriving nature and wildlife
dilapidated buildings
suffering citizens
toxic air / pollutants
Q2.
What is a semantic field?
a technique comparing two words using like or as
a technique that says something is something that it is not literally
Correct answer: a group of words related in meaning
Q3.
Which words fit the semantic field of decay?
torn, cut, crease, paper
Correct answer: ruin, stench, crumble
scowl, torment, unleash
Q4.
Which tone would you not expect to see in a dystopia?
oppressive
Correct answer: enthusiastic
pessimistic
Q5.
What do you need to link together to create a semantic field?
punctuation
sentence type
Correct answer: vocabulary
Q6.
By linking lots of your vocabulary to pain, which tone are you creating?
calm
optimistic
Correct answer: bleak

6 Questions

Q1.
What does erode mean?
to spread through the air
to visualise something clearly
the small parts of something left when the majority has been destroyed
Correct answer: to gradually be destroyed or worn away
Q2.
There should be minimal __________ in a description
weather description
object description
Correct answer: action
sensory language
Q3.
What should you plan first in a single paragraph outline?
vocabulary
Correct answer: tone
closing sentence
Q4.
In the supporting detail section of your plan, you should make sure to plan __________ that matches your tone
punctuation
Correct answer: vocabulary
sentence types
Q5.
Why is it important to plan the tone of your writing first?
Correct answer: to establish a clear genre and set the scene effectively
it is the easiest thing to think of
your writing won't make sense without planning the tone first
Q6.
Order the planning process of a single paragraph outline from start to finish.
1 - Decide upon the tone of your writing and opening sentence
2 - Plan three to four supporting ideas and vocabulary that matches the tone
3 - Think of an appropriate order for your supporting ideas
4 - Plan the closing sentence