New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Using shifts in focus and single paragraph outlines to plan descriptive writing

I can use single paragraph outlines to plan a written response.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Using shifts in focus and single paragraph outlines to plan descriptive writing

I can use single paragraph outlines to plan a written response.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Consider using paragraphs to zoom in and out of key details, in your description
  2. Imagery can be used to link your paragraphs, including semantic fields.
  3. A shift in tone at the end of your description can be used to leave the reader with a sense of foreboding

Keywords

  • Adorn - To adorn something means to make it more beautiful or attractive.

  • Hue - The hue of an object is its shade or colour.

  • Plush - Plush means luxurious and expensive. When applied to fabrics specifically, plush can also mean soft.

  • Lurid - If something is lurid, it is unpleasantly bright in colour.

Common misconception

Students think that the more items within a scene they can describe, the better the description.

Ask them to consider how they can create atmosphere by limiting their focus to 3-4 focal points in the setting and using figurative language

After students have answered the questions based on the image in the first learning cycle, take feedback from students and share the best vocabulary and ideas, so that all students can use these for the task in learning cycle 2.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need a copy of the model answer used for this lesson. You will find it in the additional materials.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Setting is the or surroundings where an event occurs.
Correct Answer: place, location
Q2.
An extended metaphor is...
a comparison of two similar things that is longer than one sentence
a comparison of two similar things that uses the words 'is' or 'are'
a comparison of two similar things that uses the words 'like' or 'as'
Correct answer: a comparison of two similar things that spans across a text.
Q3.
What device is being used here: The room was bathed in sunlight. It was warm....almost too warm.
shift in focus
simile
Correct answer: shift in tone
onomatopoeia
Q4.
Put the order of components in a single paragraph outline in order from first to last.
1 - topic sentence
2 - supporting detail one
3 - supporting detail two
4 - supporting detail three
5 - closing sentence
Q5.
Which of the following are synonyms for 'dirty?'
messy
spotless
Correct answer: filthy
Correct answer: unclean
disgusting
Q6.
Select the most appropriate answers. How can you create cohesion in your writing?
use onomatopoeia frequently
Correct answer: use an extended metaphor
Correct answer: return to previous ideas from earlier paragraphs
Correct answer: use a semantic field
give your description subtitles

6 Questions

Q1.
To help you create a more vivid description, when first seeing the image you are describing, it can be useful to...
create a list of colours you can see in the image
think of a similar setting
Correct answer: imagine yourself in the setting
Correct answer: ask yourself questions about the setting
Q2.
How many focal points within the setting should you ideally choose?
one
two
Correct answer: three
five
ten
Q3.
Which of these words relate to the colour of an object?
adorn
Correct answer: hue
Correct answer: lurid
plush
Q4.
Which of the following are structural techniques you can use to give your writing flair?
paragraphs
Correct answer: shift in focus
plot
Correct answer: shift in tone
anaphora
Q5.
What should you include in your supporting detail?
introductory ideas and images you will use
Correct answer: ideas and images you will use in your paragraph
Correct answer: vocabulary you might want to use
Correct answer: linguistic techniques you might want to use
a summary of what you will be describing
Q6.
Choose the most appropriate response. Which structure might you use to reflect a character who is organised and particular about their routines?
Correct answer: start with the big picture and then gradually zoom into granular detail
shift between zooming in and zooming out
start with granular detail and then zoom out to bigger detail
shift focus and tone constantly throughout the piece

Additional material

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