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Year 10
Edexcel

'After Dark': writing an engaging opening for a description

I can write an engaging descriptive opening paragraph using an omniscient perspective and extended metaphor.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

'After Dark': writing an engaging opening for a description

I can write an engaging descriptive opening paragraph using an omniscient perspective and extended metaphor.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Using an omniscient perspective allows the reader to be more immersed in a scene description.
  2. An unusual choice of narrative perspective can make your omniscient perspective more engaging.
  3. An extended metaphor is an opportunity to add detail and depth to writing.
  4. An extended metaphor is most effective, when explored in multiple layers, e.g. using comparison and personification.

Common misconception

Students may find it difficult to harmonise their perspective choice with appropriate metaphors.

Spend time discussing less effective pairings e.g. a tree would would not perceive people in a city as 'ants' but an airplane might.

Keywords

  • Omniscient - all knowing

  • Immersive - allowing someone to become completely absorbed or involved in something

  • Extended metaphor - a metaphor that extends several lines of text

  • Personification - attribution of human characteristics to non-human things

You may want to re-read and annotate Murakami's opening paragraph of 'After Dark' before you begin Learning Cycle 1 to recap his crafting.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You may want access to a copy of the opening paragraph from Chapter 1 of Haruki Murakami's 'After Dark' for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of upsetting 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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does perspective mean?
the mood of a text
Correct answer: the point of a view a text is written from
a writer's opinion
Q2.
What is an extended metaphor?
a comparison of two things using the words 'like' or 'as'
when multiple sentences begin with the same word
Correct answer: a direct comparison that spans several lines of text
Q3.
Match each perspective to the general effect it can have.
Correct Answer:first,gives an insight into a character's feelings

gives an insight into a character's feelings

Correct Answer:second,makes the reader feel as if they are involved in a text

makes the reader feel as if they are involved in a text

Correct Answer:third,creates a vivid image and wide scope of a scene

creates a vivid image and wide scope of a scene

Q4.
Which perspective can offer an omniscient view?
first
second
Correct answer: third
Q5.
Match each technique to the corresponding example.
Correct Answer:simile,The flower swayed like a dancer.

The flower swayed like a dancer.

Correct Answer:metaphor,The flower was a beacon of hope.

The flower was a beacon of hope.

Correct Answer:personification,The flower lifted its face to the sun.

The flower lifted its face to the sun.

Q6.
Why might an omniscient perspective be effective in descriptive writing?
Correct answer: it allows us to be immersed in the entirety of a scene
it allows us to connect to one charcter
it can persuade us to take action on a particular matter

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Arguably, which narrative perspective allows for the most immersive experience of a scene?
first
second
Correct answer: third
Q2.
What does Murakami use to provide a wide scope of his opening scene of 'After Dark'?
first person perspective
epistolary form
Correct answer: omniscient narrator
Q3.
What does Murakami use to paint a vivid image of his opening scene in 'After Dark'?
anaphora
Correct answer: extended metaphor
onomatopeia
Q4.
Which of the following is used in the following sentence: "The endless roads stretch ahead, like fatigued conveyor belts."
Correct answer: simile
alliteration
onomatopeia
Q5.
Match the narrator to the unique perspective of the world that they offer.
Correct Answer:an ancient statue,it has known different centuries

it has known different centuries

Correct Answer:a tree,it offers a perspective on nature's seasonal changes

it offers a perspective on nature's seasonal changes

Correct Answer:a plane,it offers a heavily zoomed out perspective

it offers a heavily zoomed out perspective

Q6.
Why is an omniscient perspective particularly suitable when writing a description?
Correct answer: It allows you to visualise the full scope of a scene.
It allows you an insight into how a particular character is feeling.
It provides a narrow focus of one particular part of a scene.