Year 11 - English
Using description and figurative language to enhance narrative writing
Writing masters
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils refine proficiency and flair as writers. Across fiction and non-fiction writing forms, they develop techniques that give them greater depth and flair in their writing. At the end of the unit, they write a narrative informed by emotion-led plot and detailed descriptions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use descriptive writing to enhance your narrative writing.
Key Notes
- Narratives that try to tell too much story are often unsuccessful
- Instead,you can use an emotion-led narrative, which will help keep your plot manageable so you don't try to say too much
- Use skills from descriptive writing to elevate your narratives, especially when describing emotions
- Use figurative language to make your narrative descriptions more vivid
- It is better to describe your character's physical symptoms of emotion rather than just stating what the emotion is
Vocabulary To Learn
- Falter: To falter means to lose strength or purpose, and almost stop.
- Accustomed: If you become accustomed to something, you become used to it.
- Demeanour: A person's demeanour is the way they look or behave.
- Furrow: A furrow is a long, narrow cut or line in an object's surface. We use the word furrow to describe the lines formed when someone frowns.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Students think using figurative language to describe emotions means using similes and metaphors.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Narratives that try to tell too much story are often unsuccessful. Instead,you can use an emotion-led narrative, which will help keep your plot manageable so you don't try to say too much.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'Falter'
To falter means to lose strength or purpose, and almost stop.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Students think using figurative language to describe emotions means using similes and metaphors. Correction: Students should use figurative language more subtly, in verbs and adjectives to create extended metaphors.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Considering openings, cohesion, and endings to structure an effective argument Study Guide
- Using emotion-led plot and detailed description to write an excellent narrative Study Guide
- Using figurative language, precise verbs and perspective to write with flair Study Guide
- Using language and tone to present opinions with flair Study Guide
- Using language techniques and precise vocabulary to write excellent descriptions Study Guide
- Using nominalised verbs and adjectives to write effective arguments Study Guide
- Using perspective, tone, and punctuation to craft a clear voice Study Guide
- Using shifts in focus and single paragraph outlines to plan descriptive writing Study Guide
- Using single paragraph outlines to plan an effective argument Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 English guide library.