'After Dark': writing an engaging opening for a description
I can write an engaging descriptive opening paragraph using an omniscient perspective and extended metaphor.
'After Dark': writing an engaging opening for a description
I can write an engaging descriptive opening paragraph using an omniscient perspective and extended metaphor.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Using an omniscient perspective allows the reader to be more immersed in a scene description.
- An unusual choice of narrative perspective can make your omniscient perspective more engaging.
- An extended metaphor is an opportunity to add detail and depth to writing.
- 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
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).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
gives an insight into a character's feelings
makes the reader feel as if they are involved in a text
creates a vivid image and wide scope of a scene
The flower swayed like a dancer.
The flower was a beacon of hope.
The flower lifted its face to the sun.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
it has known different centuries
it offers a perspective on nature's seasonal changes
it offers a heavily zoomed out perspective