New
New
Year 9

Using vocabulary effectively in fiction writing

I can carefully select verbs and adverbs to describe a malevolent character.

New
New
Year 9

Using vocabulary effectively in fiction writing

I can carefully select verbs and adverbs to describe a malevolent character.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Careful selection of verbs and adverbs are key in description as they strongly impact meaning.
  2. Changing a verb or adverb in your creative writing can change the way the reader views a character.
  3. Using specific language can reveal a character’s intentions and emotions.
  4. 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

You may want to prepare some passages or examples which use excellent verb and adverb choices from texts your pupils have already read.
Teacher tip

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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the word 'unyielding' mean?
untidy; disordered
Correct answer: doesn't give in to pressure
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Q2.
Which of the following is a good example of describing a character's personality through their actions?
"She was very kind."
Correct answer: "She helped an elderly neighbour carry groceries."
"She had kind eyes."
Q3.
How can physical traits be used to enhance a character's personality when writing a description?
by listing all their features one by one
by using advanced vocabulary
Correct answer: by linking their appearance to their emotions or traits
Q4.
If information is implied this means ...
it's obviously stated.
Correct answer: it's not obviously stated.
it contrasts other information.
Q5.
What is a key benefit of using 'show not tell' in fiction writing?
it provides methods directly to the reader
Correct answer: it allows readers to draw their own conclusions
it makes the writing easier to understand
Q6.
'Show-not-tell' is a method which allows the reader to information.
Correct Answer: infer

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each key term to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:menacing,suggesting the presence of danger; threatening

suggesting the presence of danger; threatening

Correct Answer:unkempt,an untidy appearance

an untidy appearance

Correct Answer:intent,what you are aiming to do

what you are aiming to do

Q2.
Which verb and adverb pair best describes a character moving suspiciously in a dark alleyway?
walking determinedly
Correct answer: stalking silently
running quickly
Q3.
What does the verb 'creeping' imply about a character’s movement?
moving in a carefree manner
walking with confidence
Correct answer: moving with caution
Q4.
Why is it important to choose precise verbs and adverbs in descriptive writing?
to make the writing longer
Correct answer: to create vivid and engaging imagery
to follow a specific format
Q5.
Which verb best completes the following sentence: 'As she stepped onto the stage, she __________ across it with a graceful ease.'
Correct answer: glided
strolled
moved
Q6.
Being clear what your is before writing will help you make more effective word choices.
Correct Answer: intention, intent

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