Using language techniques and precise vocabulary to write excellent descriptions
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write an excellent description which meets the ambitious success criteria.
Key learning points
- Excellent descriptions and narratives will focus on describing details, rather than trying to write too much.
- Figurative language can be used to create vivid imagery.
- Using semantic fields as part of your description can help characterise the setting.
- Describing the features of something rather than its overall impression (showing not telling) makes description vivid.
Keywords
Elfin - We would describe a small and delicate person, with a slightly mischievous look about them as elfin.
Veneer - A veneer is a thin layer of more expensive material that is attached to a less expensive material to make it look more grand.
Encroach - If a person intrudes on someone else’s personal space, they are encroaching.
Accumulate - If you accumulate evidence, you have gathered lots of it together.
Obscure - If you obscure something from view, you make it difficult to see.
Common misconception
Students often think that describing something's overall appearance makes a good description.
Description is about making your reader imagine what you are imagining. You have to give really specific details about a person or setting.
Teacher tip
In learning cycle 1, when students are asked to draw a house, at each stage of this activity, get them to hold their houses up so that they can compare them and see how different they all look because the description isn't specific enough.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the model answer used for this lesson. You will find it in the additional materials.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Showing and not is a great way of making your descriptions more vivid.
Q2.Which of the following is an example of a semantic field?
Q3.Starting with the smallest, put these words in order from smallest to largest.
Q4.Which of these words are synonyms for 'alone'?
Q5.Which of the following images would you be least likely to use as a comparison to powerful lightening?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Good description should be ...
Q2.Which of the following verbs has negative, sinister connotations?
Q3.Starting with the most positive, rank these words from most positive to least positive.
Q4.Which of the following uses figurative language?
Q5.Which of the following words could be a synonym for 'hid' in this sentence: 'The darkness hid him from view.'
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using language techniques and precise vocabulary to write excellent descriptions, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Using language techniques and precise vocabulary to write excellent 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 Writing masters unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.