New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Using figurative language, precise verbs and perspective to write with flair

I can identify how model answers meet the ambitious success criteria.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Using figurative language, precise verbs and perspective to write with flair

I can identify how model answers meet the ambitious success criteria.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Excellent descriptions and narratives will focus on describing details, rather than trying to write too much
  2. Figurative language should be used to create vivid images of what is being described
  3. Adding detailed description is often more valuable than plot points, in creating tension
  4. Using semantic fields and extended metaphors can add cohesion to creative writing

Common misconception

Students think that they need to describe everything in a setting.

Ask students to 'bounce' around a scene, only describing the most influential and important aspects of it.

Keywords

  • Syntax - Syntax is the grammatical structuring of words in a specific order to make a sentence.

  • Realm - A realm is a kingdom or empire.

  • Sentinel - A sentinel is a guard who keeps watch over something.

  • Stoic - Somebody stoic can endure pain or hardship without showing their true emotions.

  • Metropolis - A metropolis is a large or significant city.

When analysing the model response, get students to use two colours for their annotations - one for 'figurative language' and one for 'switching focal points and transitions.' They can see how both these elements interact with one another.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of the model answer used for this lesson. You will find it available in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

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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6 Questions

Q1.
A narrative is an example of which kind of writing?
Correct answer: fiction
biography
autobiography
non-fiction
Q2.
The difference between a narrative and a description is...
a narrative can be written in first person whereas a description cannot
a narrative is longer than a description
Correct answer: a narrative has a plot whereas a description does not
a narrative contains characters whereas a description does not
Q3.
Atmosphere is the tone or of a setting.
Correct Answer: mood, Mood., Mood, mood.
Q4.
Choose the most appropriate response. Figurative language is...
language that distorts reality
language that is numerical in nature
Correct answer: language that is meaningful, but not literally true
language that is literal
Q5.
What is a semantic field?
a group of words that all sound phonetically similar
a group of images that all share similar themes
Correct answer: a group of words that all share the same connotations
a group of words that all begin with the same letter
Q6.
Which of the following are examples of figurative language?
Correct answer: The sun, enslaved to the moon, receded.
Correct answer: Scars meandered down his face in rivers.
He bellowed at me, right in my face.
Correct answer: The thunder roared above.
She was as timid as a person could be.

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following might you do to add flair to your description?
create convincing character names
Correct answer: strategically choose focal points in description
use the most sophisticated language possible
Correct answer: manipulate your syntax for effect
Correct answer: use figurative language to create vivid imagery
Q2.
Which of the following are examples of figurative language?
motif
Correct answer: similes
Correct answer: personification
Correct answer: extended metaphors
alliteration
Q3.
Which of the following words is the most specific in describing this construction?
An image in a quiz
house
building
barn
Correct answer: hut
mansion
Q4.
Choose the most specific word to describe the temperature of the setting.
An image in a quiz
mild
Correct answer: freezing
chilly
moderate
cold
Q5.
Which of these is a synoym for kingdom?
place
sentinel
metropolis
Correct answer: realm
Q6.
Which of these sentences most vividly describes this scene?
An image in a quiz
The tree seemed to reach out across the green expanse.
Correct answer: Reaching branches stretched towards all corners of the sunlit meadow.
Branches stretched out like long arms from all angles of the tree.
Branches fired off from the centre-point of the tree towards the field's edge.
Q3 © Rob Farrow and licenced for reuse under cc-by-sa/2.0

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