Grammar refers to the rules about how words change and combine to make accurate sentences.

A verb’s tense will tell you whether the action happened in the past, present or future.

A feeling of something bad about to happen can be described as a feeling of foreboding.

If two words are pronounced the same way but spelled differently they can be described as homophones (e.g. here and hear).

If a place is uninhabited and gives an impression of bleak emptiness, it can be described as desolate.

Using feedback to improve 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

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

To spot adjectives that can be changed for more ambitious ones.

Which of the following is NOT a good reason to proofread?

What is being described here: 'The rules about how words change and combine to make accurate sentences.'?

The words 'buy', 'bye', and 'by' all sound identical but are spelled differently. As such they are...

A verb's {{}} will tell you whether the action happened in the past, present or future.

What pronoun is missing from this sentence: 'They slowly marched through the barren streets, anticipating the misery that lay before {{}}'?

Add more adjectives to your piece of writing.

There aren't enough dystopian conventions and you only use commas and full stops

Add a semantic field of suffering to develop your theme of oppression further.

Which teacher target below is the most clear and specific in relation to descriptive writing?

What is the process of reading our work once finished, to check for mistakes, known as?

indicates a pause between two independent, related clauses.

interrupt a sentence to give extra information. 

Match these punctuation marks to their definition.

Which punctuation mark is usually used after expressing emotion?

What piece of punctuation is missing from this sentence: 'The building now engulfed in flames stood out like a beacon on the horizon.'?

Which of the below is the best definition of the word 'desolate'? Here it is used in a sentence: 'The once thriving town was now desolate'.

If you have a feeling of foreboding then you are convinced that... 

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

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

Using feedback to improve dystopian descriptions

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

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