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Year 10
Edexcel

Using sensory language to write effective descriptions

I can write an effective description using precise sensory imagery.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Using sensory language to write effective descriptions

I can write an effective description using precise sensory imagery.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sensory language can be used to enhance the atmosphere of a description.
  2. Effective sensory language uses a variety of senses rather than focusing predominantly on just one.
  3. Effective sensory language might also use precise vocabulary in order to evoke an atmosphere.
  4. Using language devices such as personification and onomatopoeia can also enhance sensory language.

Common misconception

All sensory imagery is equally effective.

The best sensory imagery employs precise language to achieve specific atmospheres.

Keywords

  • Sensory language - descriptive language that engages the reader's five senses: sight, taste, touch, sound, and smell

  • Atmosphere - the way a place or setting makes you feel; refers to the mood of a piece of writing

  • Evoke - bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind

  • Desolation - a state of complete emptiness or destruction

  • Emulate - match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation

The use of abstracts in sensory imagery are a great - and relatively quick - way to elevate student writing. Ask students to write abstract nouns in relation to smell/taste/sound (e.g. the sound of panic/the taste of regret).
Teacher tip

Equipment

There is a model student paragraph available in the additional materials for this lesson.

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'Like the ghostly fingerprints' is an example of a ...
Correct Answer: simile
Q2.
Jules Verne is a famous French writer, considered an early pioneer of science fiction. Which novel did he write?
Correct answer: 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'
'War of the Worlds'
'Frankenstein'
Q3.
If a piece of writing makes reference to the five senses it can be described as using imagery.
Correct Answer: sensory
Q4.
What is the best definition of the word 'precise'?
Marked by vividness of expression or detail.
Correct answer: Marked by accuracy of expression or detail.
Marked by similarity of expression or detail.
Marked by impact of expression or detail.
Q5.
What is the best definition of the word 'atmosphere'?
Correct answer: The mood or feeling of a piece of writing.
The beginning and end of a piece of writing.
The context of a piece of writing.
The characters and plot of a piece of writing.
Q6.
'To bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Correct Answer: evoke, evoking, evocation

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Atmosphere refers to the or feeling of a piece of writing.
Correct Answer: mood
Q2.
'Descriptive language that engages the reader's five senses: sight, taste, touch, sound and smell' is the definition of language.
Correct Answer: sensory
Q3.
Match the sense with sentence which evokes them.
Correct Answer:taste,My tongue recoils from the metallic bitterness.

My tongue recoils from the metallic bitterness.

Correct Answer:smell,The pungent acidity lingers on the breeze.

The pungent acidity lingers on the breeze.

Correct Answer:touch,The coarse grittiness scraped against my fingertips.

The coarse grittiness scraped against my fingertips.

Q4.
'The crunch of the gravel echoed loudly as the acrid smoke flooded my nose.' Which senses have been used in this sentence?
Correct answer: sound
taste
Correct answer: smell
touch
sight
Q5.
Andeep wishes to use abstract nouns to elevate his sensory imagery. Andeep wrote: 'Across the deserted city, the smell of was everywhere.' Which of the below would be abstract?
Correct answer: panic
Correct answer: regret
Correct answer: shame
smoke
acid
Q6.
'As long as you use sensory imagery - it is all equally effective.' Which of the below sets out best why this statement is incorrect?
You have to use all five senses for it to be truly effective.
Some senses are more effective than others.
Correct answer: The best sensory imagery uses precise vocabulary to achieve specific effects.

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