Using vocabulary effectively in fiction writing
I can carefully select verbs and adverbs to describe a malevolent character.
Using vocabulary effectively in fiction writing
I can carefully select verbs and adverbs to describe a malevolent character.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Careful selection of verbs and adverbs are key in description as they strongly impact meaning.
- Changing a verb or adverb in your creative writing can change the way the reader views a character.
- Using specific language can reveal a character’s intentions and emotions.
- Being clear what your intention is before writing will help you make more effective word choices.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that a physical description of a character is enough to help the reader understand what the character's personality is like.
Though physical description is really useful, considering verb and adverb choices in particular allows the reader to really imagine a character. For example, how they walk, talk and behave around others are all telling of their character.
Keywords
Verb - a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence
Adverb - a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb or even a whole clause; often ends in '-ly'
Menacing - suggesting the presence of danger; threatening
Unkempt - an untidy appearance
Intent - what you are aiming to do
Equipment
You will need the extract from 'Oliver Twist' where Bill Sikes is first introduced. A thesaurus may also be helpful for this lesson, especially during LC2.
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).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
suggesting the presence of danger; threatening
an untidy appearance
what you are aiming to do