Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

Using adverbs, subordinate clauses and compound sentences in descriptive writing

I can vary my sentences for effect in my descriptive writing.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 7

Using adverbs, subordinate clauses and compound sentences in descriptive writing

I can vary my sentences for effect in my descriptive writing.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Adding an adverb can help to add emotion and detail to your descriptive writing.
  2. Varying your sentences allows you to mimic the sensation of the reader discovering the scene for the first time.
  3. Varying your sentences can also allow you to add more detail and allow the reader to better visualise the scene.
  4. Creating a compound sentence can help the reader see how information is connected together.

Keywords

  • Descriptive - Describing something in an interesting and detailed way.

  • Subordinate clause - A group of words that do not function as a complete sentence on their own.

  • Vary - To change in form, appearance, nature, substance.

  • Main Clause - A group of words, including a subject and a verb, that form a complete sentence.

  • Effect - A consequence, an outcome, a result or an influence.

Common misconception

Creating an effective piece of descriptive writing is all about using linguistic devices.

Varying your sentences can also be a very effective way of conveying emotion and detail to help the reader visualise the scene.


To help you plan your year 7 english lesson on: Using adverbs, subordinate clauses and compound sentences in descriptive writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could ask students to peer-assess their tasks so that they can see what sort of different effects can be produced by varying their sentences.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a compound sentence?
A sentence with one main clause.
A sentence with one main clause and one subordinate clause.
Correct answer: A sentence with two main clauses.
Q2.
What does it mean if something is effective?
it isn't successful
Correct answer: it is successful
it has no effect
Q3.
What does it mean to write descriptively?
To write in a very monotone way.
Correct answer: To write in an interesting and detailed way.
To write in a persuasive way to convince the reader.
Q4.
If something is subordinate then it is...
higher in rank or position.
Correct answer: lower in rank or position.
equal in rank or position.
Q5.
Which of the following is a compound sentence?
Alice, who was very small at this point, couldn't reach the key.
Alice couldn't reach the key.
Correct answer: Alice couldn't reach the key, so she ate the cake to grow taller.
Q6.
Which of the following is a complex sentence?
Correct answer: Since she wasn't sure of the way, Alice asked the Cheshire Cat for directions.
Alice asked the Cheshire Cat for directions, but he disappeared.
Alice asked the Cheshire Cat for directions on how to get to the castle.

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What is an adverb?
Correct answer: A word that modifies another.
A doing, being or having word.
The person, place or thing performing the action.
Q2.
What does vary mean?
to keep everything the same
Correct answer: to change
to be successful in its outcome
Q3.
What is a subordinate clause?
Correct answer: A group of words that do not function as a complete sentence on their own.
A group of words, including a subject and a verb, that form a complete sentence.
A noun used to denote a consequence, an outcome, a result, or an influence.
Q4.
How does adding a subordinate clause enhance our descriptive writing?
It adds more interesting punctuation.
It adds more ambitious vocabulary.
Correct answer: It adds more detail.
Q5.
Something that denotes a consequence, an outcome, a result, or an influence is called an...
Correct Answer: effect, Effect, effect., Effect., 'effect'
Q6.
Why might creating a compound sentence be effective in descriptive writing?
Correct answer: It shows the connection between clauses.
It adds more varied punctuation to your writing.
It adds more emotion to your writing.