Year 10 Thursday 22nd September Describing a Setting

Describing a Setting

Q. 'What should I write about first?'

This is a question that I have heard several times when teaching descriptive writing. It really comes down to how you want to structure your description, and there are lots of options for you to choose from.

Complete the activities below to stop 'what should I write about first' being your question in your assessment tomorrow - a time when you will not be able to ask any questions.

Make sure you use the subheadings which are in bold to keep your notes in your book organised.

Task One: Different Structural Options

Below are some ways of structuring your description of a setting.  As long as you make sure you zoom in to key parts of the setting as you move around the setting, all are good options. Copy them into your book.

1.  Move from left to right
2.  Move from right to left
3.  Move up and down
4.  Move down and up
5.  Start with a panoramic view and zoom in 
6.  Diagonally 
7.  Follow an object or thing
8.  The most noticeable items first 
9.  Things that are closest first

Task Two: Using a Specific Structure

1. Pick a setting: EITHER the clock tower in Leicester OR a muddy festival: 

   

1. Write the title of your chosen setting in your book.
2. Select your movement (see 9 options above) and write this in your book. E.g. I am going to try starting with a panoramic view and zoom in to describe this setting. 

Task Three: Describing your Setting

1. Write your description (at least 1 page) but make sure you include at least 5 of the suggestions from below. 
2. Label the suggestions that you include in the margin of your page as you complete the task. 

Describe a sound and then reveal what is causing the sound.



Describe something being normal and then spot something about it that isn’t normal.



Describe an object but make it sound like something else. Then, reveal what it is.



Describe the movement of an object or part of the object. Give a list of verbs describing the action.



Describe how an object’s appearance changes the closer you get to it.



Describe the lack of something in the setting. There isn’t a --- or --- or ---



Describe a change in the setting.



Describe a moment of silence.



Describe the light and how it falls. Then describe it on an object.



Describe an object as if it was a person.

Task Four: Non Negotiables

1. Collect a non negotiable sticker from me. 
2. Stick it at the end of your work. 
3. Proof read your work, check off the non-negotiables and sign the sticker IN GREEN PEN. 

Extension: Experimenting with Structure and Detail

1. When you finish, select another way of structuring your description (see Task One)
2. Write another description of your chosen setting. This time, try to include at least 3 different things to focus on from the list above.
3. Complete this sentence in your book: My preferred description is .....  because ....

Thank you to:

http://learningfrommymistakesenglish.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Creative%20Writing