Descriptive Writing Techniques PDF

 Learning Aim Objective To use descriptive and figurative language to describe a jungle scene. Success Success Criteria...

 Learning Aim Objective To use descriptive and figurative language to describe a jungle scene. Success Success Criteria Criteria Statement 1 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur To recall the purpose of narrative devices. adipiscing elit. and descriptive language to describe an image. To use wider vocabulary Statement To use figurative language to enhance a piece of creative writing. 2 To produce a piece of creative writing. Sub statement Word Types  Adjectives Adjectives are words that describe nouns (naming words). Noun: Nouns are names i.e. The shiny mirror. of people, places and things. Adjective: Adjectives describe the mirror’s appearance. Without this, the reader wouldn’t know if the mirror was clean or dusty or what it was like at all.  Adjectives On your activity sheet, make a list of five adjectives based on this picture.  Nouns On your activity sheet, make a list of five nouns based on this picture.  Banned Adjectives! As writers, we need to be as creative and interesting as possible. This means using a variety of vocabulary. Banned List Pause for Thought If your adjectives are on big green the banned list, you will have to think of new large beautiful ones! nice wet Try to think of alternative grey old options, ask a friend for tall small suggestions, or use a thesaurus. short round  Verbs Verbs are action words – ‘doing’ words. They often end in –ed/–ing depending on tense. They show what the noun is ‘doing’. i.e. The lion roared. Verb: this is what the lion is doing. Can you remember what this type of word is called?  Verbs On your activity sheet, make a list of five verbs to accompany your nouns. What could it be ‘doing’?  Adverbs Adverbs describe verbs! They add detail to explain how the action is being ‘done’. Adverb: The adverb tells us i.e. The lion roared slowly. how the lion was roaring by describing the action of its roar and creates a much clearer image for the What is this? reader. What was A verb or an this word adjective? class?  Adverbs On your activity sheet, make a list of five adverbs to describe your verbs.  Have a Look You should now have a list of: five adjectives; five nouns; five verbs; five adverbs. We have a good basis for some writing. However, great writers need a little more… Figurative Language  Similes A simile describes something by comparing it to something else using ‘like’ or ‘as’. E.g. The lion’s roar was like a trumpet, calling the pride to war. Or E.g. The elephant’s skin was as grey as the miserable sky.  Similes On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two similes.  Metaphors Metaphors describe something as being something else. E.g. The lion’s roar was a trumpet, calling the pride to war. Top Tip: Can you think Metaphors are a of one powerful way to metaphor to describe and use with your can create ideas so far? strong, vivid images. They are a really useful tool when describing.  Metaphors On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two metaphors.  Alliteration Alliteration is an effective way of adding ‘sound’ to your description. e.g. The roaring rumbled repeatedly in the distance. Top Tip: The repetition of the ‘r’ sound helps the reader to hear the sounds of the scene they are imagining.  Alliteration On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two alliterative sentences.  Personification Personification is a great way to bring your writing to life. It gives human qualities or characteristics to something ‘non-human’. E.g. The jungle leaves reached out to engulf me. We know that leaves don’t really reach out to grab us, but this gives the jungle a more sinister quality and feels as if it is ‘alive’.  Personification On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two personification sentences.  Your Turn! Your task is to write a description of a jungle scene. It doesn't have to describe this picture but you can use it to help you. Remember: you are trying to create a vivid image for the reader. Use your ideas so far to make sure you have used lots of interesting vocabulary and figurative language. Aim to write at least 2-3 paragraphs for your description. Descriptive Writing Checklist Have I Used? Yes/No Partner interesting adjectives powerful carefully selected adverbs similes metaphors alliteration personification When you have finished and checked your work, ask a partner to check whether they think you have used all the things on your checklist. They could colour-code these and highlight them in your work.  Plenary Look at this short section of writing: The crimson ball in the sky seemed to stare furiously down at him, angry with him for losing his way. Brown, withered plant tendrils, as dry as paper, tickled him as they slithered their scorched scratchy skins across his forearm. Try to find the following: A verb An adverb An adjective An example of personification An example of alliteration A metaphor A simile  Further Activities 1. Pick one particular object/person/animal from your description and create a detailed description of just that object/person/animal. 2. Highlight any vocabulary you think you could improve in your work and use a thesaurus to make a better word choice. 3. Use what you have learnt today to write a description of one of the following: A beach A busy market The first day of school