New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Revising key strategies to write effective descriptions

I can revise and apply skills for effective descriptive writing.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Revising key strategies to write effective descriptions

I can revise and apply skills for effective descriptive writing.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Use a variety of strategies to vary how you start sentences.
  2. You can create sophisticated semantic fields based on abstract nouns.
  3. You can add emphasis, change pace or heighten emotion by using advanced punctuation.

Common misconception

All semantic fields are equal.

A semantic field based around an abstract noun (regret) is more sophisticated than one based around something simple (e.g. the rain).

Keywords

  • Semantic field - A group of words related in some way.

  • Abstract noun - A noun that refers to a thing that does not exist as a material object and can’t be perceived by the senses.

  • Present participle - A form of a verb that ends in '-ing' that can show continuous action.

  • Sophisticated - Well-thought out and developed. When applied to writing it means our writing is elevated in some way.

  • Adverb - A word that modifies a verb or adjective, usually ending in -ly.

The lesson takes students on a journey of developing a story in response to an image (a storm). Instead of writing a new piece from scratch, you may wish to get students to revisit an existing piece (using the strategies in the lesson to improve it).
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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 is being described here: 'A group of words related in some way.'
Correct answer: semantic field
extended metaphor
alliteration
soliloquy
Q2.
Which of the below are adverbs?
Correct answer: quickly
Correct answer: ferociously
then
unruly
Correct answer: efficiently
Q3.
Who wrote 'The War of the Worlds'?
Correct answer: H.G. Wells
Victor Hugo
William Shakespeare
Jules Verne
Mary Shelley
Q4.
What is being described here: 'An active process that enables us to spot and correct errors in written work.'
Correct Answer: Proofreading, proofreading, proof reading
Q5.
What is being described here: 'a form of a verb that ends in -ing that can show continuous action.'
Correct answer: present participle
semantic field
adverb
past tense
Q6.
What is being described here: 'The mood or feeling of a piece of writing.'
Correct answer: atmosphere
emotive language
tension
pace

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the below are abstract nouns?
Correct answer: love
Correct answer: hate
Correct answer: anger
storm
city
Q2.
Which of the below are adverbs?
Correct answer: hungrily
Correct answer: urgently
Correct answer: oddly
heavenly
assembly
Q3.
Jun changed the opening to his story so it began: 'Running wildly, the residents of Greenford attempted to flee the tornado.' Which of the below does he use at the beginning?
Correct answer: present participle
Correct answer: subordinating clause
metaphor
Correct answer: adverb
Q4.
Match the pieces of sophisticated punctuation to their purpose.
Correct Answer:semicolon,separates two linked clauses

separates two linked clauses

Correct Answer:colon,introduces a list or explanation

introduces a list or explanation

Correct Answer:ellipsis,represents a pause or something left unsaid

represents a pause or something left unsaid

Correct Answer:brackets,includes extra information in a sentence

includes extra information in a sentence

Q5.
What adjective is being described here: 'Well-thought-out and developed. When applied to writing it means our writing is elevated in some way.'
Correct Answer: Sophisticated, sophisticated, 'sophisticated', sophisticated., Sophisticated.
Q6.
Andeep is writing a story about a storm. He wants to include a semantic field based on 'awe' in his writing. What words would be appropriate for this?
Correct answer: grandeur
Correct answer: majestic
deadly
submissive
Correct answer: wonder