Contrasting the familiar and the unknown in your descriptive writing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use language and structure to create contrast between the familiar and the unknown.
Key learning points
- You can use language such as semantic fields to show the contrast between the familiar and the unknown.
- You could use short, simple sentences to show the surprise at the unknown.
- You could use compound sentences to show familiarity since you are aware of the relationship between objects.
Keywords
Familiar - something well-known from a long or close association.
Contrast - an obvious difference between two or more things.
Unknown - something not known or familiar.
Evoke - to bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind.
Common misconception
Creative writing is more effective when it focuses on something extraordinary.
Describing something very well known to you can be more effective as you're able to spend the time focusing on the little details.
Teacher tip
You could ask the students to write up their description for homework if you'd like to give them more time to focus on the drawing and explanation.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word 'contrast' mean?
Q2.What is the aim of descriptive writing?
Q3.What does it mean if something is familiar?
Q4.What is the impact of using short, simple sentences in our writing?
Q5.What is being described here? 'a group of words with a similar meaning.'
Q6.What is a compound sentence?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key terms to their definitions.
something well-known from a long or close association
an obvious difference between two or more things
something not known or familiar
to bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind
Q2.Which of the following do we often associate with the familiar?
Q3.Which words show a comforting tone?
Q4.What type of sentence is being described here: 'A __________ is where you join two main clauses together to show the relationship between them.'
Q5.Which sentence types are best used in your descriptive writing to describe the familiar?
Q6.Which one of the following emotions would you be most likely to feel when confronted with an unknown object?
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Contrasting the familiar and the unknown in your descriptive writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 English lesson on: Contrasting the familiar and the unknown in your descriptive writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Step into the unknown: fiction reading and creative writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.