Using synonyms and expanded noun phrases to craft effective descriptions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use small strategies to improve the cohesion of my descriptive writing.
Key learning points
- Synonyms can be used to avoid repeating a subject e.g. 'The trees'.
- Supporting details should be used to describe the paragraph focus in detail.
- Concluding sentences draw paragraphs together, creating cohesion.
- Expanded noun phrases can be effective at focusing on details within a scene.
Keywords
Synonym - A word that has the same meaning - or almost the same meaning - as another word.
Expanded noun phrase - A descriptive phrase made of a noun as well as one or more adjectives.
Concluding sentence - The last sentence in a paragraph, concluding that paragraph’s main idea or focus.
Cohesion - The act of sticking together tightly. If writing has cohesion it fits together well.
Tense - On edge, as if something bad is going to happen.
Common misconception
Using sophisticated vocabulary alone is enough to make my writing great.
Although sophisticated vocabulary is good, there are lots of smaller strategies that can also make writing effective.
Teacher tip
You may wish to revisit other class texts/extracts that use the strategies discussed in this lesson to show students first hand examples of how they can elevate writing.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In which era did the sci-fi genre gain popularity?
Q2.If you describe someone as villainous then their behaviour is ...
Q3.Jun created a character for his story that had strong elements of a tragic hero. We could describe what Jun has done here as ...
Q4.A group of words related in some way can be described as a ...
Q5.'The last sentence in a paragraph, concluding that paragraph’s main idea or focus.' What is being described here?
Q6.Which of the below is the best definition of the adjective 'tense'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is being described here: 'A word that has the same meaning - or almost the same meaning - as another word.'?
Q2.Which of the below could be considered synonyms for tense?
Q3.If a piece of writing sticks together well then it has ...
Q4.To be considered an expanded noun phrase a sentence must have ...
Q5.Sofia wrote a descriptive piece of writing about a jungle. However, she began three separate sentences with 'The trees'. What would be an appropriate piece of feedback for Sofia?
Q6.When using a single paragraph outline, which of the below would be appropriate for the 'supporting detail' section?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using synonyms and expanded noun phrases to craft effective descriptions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using synonyms and expanded noun phrases to craft effective descriptions, 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 4 English lessons from the Fiction: science fiction writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.