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Year 10
AQA

Using punctuation to create specific effects in descriptive writing

I can use a range of punctuation accurately to create precise, identifiable effects in descriptive writing.

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Year 10
AQA

Using punctuation to create specific effects in descriptive writing

I can use a range of punctuation accurately to create precise, identifiable effects in descriptive writing.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Accurate basic punctuation improves clarity; more advanced punctuation can heighten the impact of word choices.
  2. Advanced punctuation (semi-colons, exclamation marks, ellipses) should be used sparingly for clear effect.
  3. Proof-reading will help to avoid SPaG errors.

Keywords

  • Ellipsis - A piece of punctuation (...) that can represent a pause or something unsaid.

  • Semicolon - A piece of punctuation (;) that can separate two closely related clauses.

  • Colon - A piece of punctuation (:) that can introduce lists or explanations and separate two related sentences.

  • Brackets - A piece of punctuation () that can be used to add parentheses or extra information in a sentence.

  • Clarity - If something has clarity it is clear and intelligible.

Common misconception

Students should aim to include as many punctuation types as possible.

The best writing uses punctuation sparingly to enhance the overall effect of the writing.


To help you plan your year 10 english lesson on: Using punctuation to create specific effects in descriptive writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson focuses on using advanced punctuation effectively. You may wish to revisit some existing student work and use that as an extension task to Practice Task B.
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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

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What tool, which helps you read complex texts, is being described here: 'A statement about what you think will happen in the future'?
Correct Answer: Prediction, predict, prediction
Q2.
When using quotations to support my analysis they should be ...
detailed.
Correct answer: precise.
long.
summarised.
Q3.
If a sentence has a main clause and a subordinate clause it is a ...
short sentence.
compound sentence.
simple sentence.
Correct answer: complex sentence.
Q4.
Which of the below would a colon be useful for?
Correct answer: to introduce lists
Correct answer: to present dialogue
Correct answer: to separate two independent clauses
to end a question
to end a clause
Q5.
Which of the below are discourse markers that would indicate the introduction of evidence?
firstly
Correct answer: for example
Correct answer: such as
Correct answer: illustrated by
in conclusion
Q6.
Which of the below is the best definition of the phrase 'proofreading'?
Correct answer: carefully checking for errors in a text before it is finalised
carefully checking to see if a text can be improved before it is finalised
carefully checking if a text is long enough before it is finalised
Correct answer: carefully checking if a text has grammatical errors before it is finalised

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
If something is clear and intelligible then it has ...
Correct answer: clarity.
complexity.
value.
vividness.
Q2.
Match these punctuation types to their purpose.
Correct Answer:Exclamation mark,conveys intense emotion
tick

conveys intense emotion

Correct Answer:Question mark,poses a question
tick

poses a question

Correct Answer:Full stop,ends a declarative sentence
tick

ends a declarative sentence

Correct Answer:Comma,separates a main clause and a subordinate clause
tick

separates a main clause and a subordinate clause

Correct Answer:Apostrophe,shows belonging
tick

shows belonging

Q3.
Match these types of advanced punctuation to their purpose
Correct Answer:Semicolon,separates two clauses
tick

separates two clauses

Correct Answer:Colon,introduces a list or explanation
tick

introduces a list or explanation

Correct Answer:Ellipsis,represents a pause or something left unsaid
tick

represents a pause or something left unsaid

Correct Answer:Brackets,includes extra information in a sentence
tick

includes extra information in a sentence

Q4.
In a descriptive paragraph, the tense should be ...
Correct answer: consistent throughout.
varied.
a mix of past, present and future.
Q5.
'We were totally alone! There was no-one to save us! We must escape! Now!' What would be an appropriate improvement suggestion for this student?
Correct answer: Use exclamation marks more sparingly to enhance their impact.
Swap some of your exclamation marks for commas and semicolons.
Remove all exclamation marks and replace them with full stops.
Do not use exclamation marks. They are not appropriate for descriptive writing.
Q6.
'The ancient map rumoured to reveal the location of a hidden treasure had captured the imagination of young explorer.' What does this student need to do to make this sentence make sense?
Correct answer: Add brackets to introduce the parentheses about what the map reveals.
Add an exclamation to emphasise the impact of the map on the young explorer.
Add a comma before the subordinate clause at the end.
Insert apostrophes around the 'ancient map' as that is its name.