Using sensory language to write effective descriptions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write an effective description using precise sensory imagery.
Key learning points
- Sensory language can be used to enhance the atmosphere of a description.
- Effective sensory language uses a variety of senses rather than focusing predominantly on just one.
- Effective sensory language might also use precise vocabulary in order to evoke an atmosphere.
- Using language devices such as personification and onomatopoeia can also enhance sensory language.
Keywords
Sensory language - descriptive language that engages the reader's five senses: sight, taste, touch, sound, and smell
Atmosphere - the way a place or setting makes you feel; refers to the mood of a piece of writing
Evoke - bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind
Desolation - a state of complete emptiness or destruction
Emulate - match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation
Common misconception
All sensory imagery is equally effective.
The best sensory imagery employs precise language to achieve specific atmospheres.
Teacher tip
The use of abstracts in sensory imagery are a great - and relatively quick - way to elevate student writing. Ask students to write abstract nouns in relation to smell/taste/sound (e.g. the sound of panic/the taste of regret).
Equipment
There is a model student paragraph available in the additional materials for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'Like the ghostly fingerprints' is an example of a ...
Q2.Jules Verne is a famous French writer, considered an early pioneer of science fiction. Which novel did he write?
Q3.If a piece of writing makes reference to the five senses it can be described as using imagery.
Q4.What is the best definition of the word 'precise'?
Q5.What is the best definition of the word 'atmosphere'?
Q6.'To bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind' is the definition of which word beginning with 'e'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Atmosphere refers to the or feeling of a piece of writing.
Q2.'Descriptive language that engages the reader's five senses: sight, taste, touch, sound and smell' is the definition of language.
Q3.Match the sense with sentence which evokes them.
My tongue recoils from the metallic bitterness.
The pungent acidity lingers on the breeze.
The coarse grittiness scraped against my fingertips.
Q4.'The crunch of the gravel echoed loudly as the acrid smoke flooded my nose.' Which senses have been used in this sentence?
Q5.Andeep wishes to use abstract nouns to elevate his sensory imagery. Andeep wrote: 'Across the deserted city, the smell of was everywhere.' Which of the below would be abstract?
Q6.'As long as you use sensory imagery - it is all equally effective.' Which of the below sets out best why this statement is incorrect?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using sensory language to write 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 sensory language to write 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.