Atmosphere is the feeling that exists in a place or situation.

If a place or experience leaves you feeling anxious it can be described as being unsettling.

If a situation is bleak there is little or no hope for the future.

Oppressive feelings are feelings that leave you feeling worried and uncomfortable.

A place that is unfriendly and unwelcoming may be described as being hostile.

Creating atmosphere in dystopian descriptions

English

In 'Dystopian Settings', pupils use figurative language to create their own dystopian settings. In 'A Monster Within', pupils explore how authors use Gothic settings to create mystery and atmosphere. 

In 'The Twisted Tree', pupils explore Gothic imagery in a contemporary text. In 'Dystopian Settings', pupils use their own dark imagery to write their own descriptive pieces.

In this unit, pupils learn to write atmospheric dystopian settings. They first review and deepen their understanding of sentence types, before looking at how to use figurative language and sophisticated punctuation to enhance their descriptions. They finally plan and write a dystopian setting.

Dystopian settings: descriptive writing

Depiction or discussion of famine, disease, natural disasters.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

A feeling that exists in a place or situation.

A place that leaves you feeling worried and uncomfortable.

Dark clouds loomed creating a suffocating shadow.

A gentle breeze whispered through the trees.

The city's bustling streets hummed with energy.

Which phrase creates an oppressive atmosphere?

Which word might help you create a bleak setting?

The relentless rain hammered on the windowpane.

Which sentence successfully uses personification to create an oppressive atmosphere?

A clause that does not make sense on its own

Which of the below is a subordinate clause?

A sentence that contains two simple sentences joined by a conjunction

A sentence with a main clause and subordinate clause

A sentence that expresses emotions with an exclamation.

A sentence that conveys information or facts or explanation.

Which of the following is an exclamatory sentence?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Creating atmosphere in dystopian descriptions

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.