a futuristic place is in the future with advanced technology

a society is a big group of people living together

if you suffer, you experience extreme pain

there is injustice when things are not fair

Understanding dystopias

English

Using accurate sentences to describe dystopian settings

Using compound sentences to describe dystopian settings

Using complex sentences to describe dystopian settings

Creating atmosphere in dystopian descriptions

Using similes to create atmosphere in dystopian descriptions

Using a range of sentence types to describe dystopian settings

Using punctuation accurately in dystopian descriptions

Using sophisticated punctuation in dystopian descriptions

Describing a setting to reflect dystopian themes

Using semantic fields to create a clear tone in dystopian writing

Planning a description of a dystopian setting

Writing a description of a dystopian setting

Using vivid imagery to describe dystopian settings

Using feedback to improve dystopian descriptions

Revising sentence and punctuation types for a dystopian description

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

an action, to describe what someone or something does

if you are hopeless, you do not believe things will get better

A compound sentence is a sentence with at least two subjects and two verbs, linked with a conjunction.

A conjunction is a word to connect clauses or sentences.

If you are desperate, you have a great need or desire for something.

There is inequality when there is an unfair difference in people’s treatment or circumstances.

A clause that does not make sense on its own.

A sentence that combines a main clause and a subordinate clause.

if you are fearful, you are afraid or anxious.

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.

A labyrinth is a maze that is incredibly difficult to escape.

If a building is dilapidated it is in a state of despair and ruin.

If something has gone awry, something has gone wrong - it is not on its expected course.

Forlorn means pitifully sad and abandoned.

A declarative sentence conveys facts, explanations or information.

An exclamatory sentence expresses emotion.

An interrogative sentence poses a question.

a bitter feeling after being treated unfairly

the state something is in after being severely damaged or destroyed

if something is relentless, it is always intense or harsh

if you are paranoid, you have suspicions and mistrust other people

describes a place that is dark and often dirty.

a punctuation mark (:) that goes before a list or explanation.

a punctuation mark (;) that indicates a pause between two independent, but related clauses.

a punctuation mark (-) that interrupts a sentence to give extra information.

An opulent place or item is costly and luxurious, in a boastful manner.

A dilapidated building is in a state of ruin because of neglect.

A semantic field is a group of words related in meaning.

When a society has inequality, there are unfair differences between groups of people.

If you juxtapose two things, you place them together for contrasting effect.

A semantic field is a group of words related to each other in meaning.

To be preyed upon is to be hunted or intimidated by a more powerful figure.

A callous action is insensitive and cruel towards others.

Oppressive treatment is harsh, cruel and domineering.

Rancid food has an unpleasant taste or smell due to being rotten.

If something permeates the air, it spreads through it.

If something is vivid, it allows you to visualise it clearly.

If something erodes, it is gradually destroyed or worn away at.

The remnants of something are the small parts left when the majority of it has been destroyed.

If you edit your work, you change parts of it.

If you enhance your work, you improve the quality of it.

A derelict building is in very bad condition due to neglect.

Imagery uses words that create a vivid image in the reader’s mind

Similes compare two things using words such as 'like' or 'as'

Metaphors say something is something else, when it is not literally

A vivid image is clear and powerful and easily visualised

a soldier or guard whose job is to keep watch

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.

Revision involves looking at something again to commit it to memory or improve upon it.

Dystopian settings: descriptive writing

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