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Year 7 - English

Using sensory language and figurative language to create an atmospheric setting

Step into the unknown: fiction reading and creative writing

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils develop their fiction reading and creative writing by reading extracts from famous fiction and then emulating key techniques in their own writing. They start by securing and extending their knowledge of key sentence grammar, before reading and emulating the extracts.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to craft your own atmospheric setting using precise imagery.

Key Notes

  • The atmosphere in literature is the way an author uses setting, objects, or thoughts of characters to create mood.
  • The atmosphere can be influenced by sensory and figurative language.
  • Sensory language is language where some or all of the five senses are evoked.
  • Figurative language is non-literal wording that adds creativity to your writing.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • setting: the time, place and environment in which something occurs
  • sensory: relating to sensation or the physical senses.
  • atmospheric: the way an author uses setting, objects, or internal thoughts of characters to create emotion.
  • mood: the emotional response that a writer wants to give the reader.
  • figurative language: non-literal wording that adds creativity or rhetorical meaning to your writing.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That descriptive writing is all about telling the reader what's in the image.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The atmosphere in literature is the way an author uses setting, objects, or thoughts of characters to create mood. The atmosphere can be influenced by sensory and figurative language.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'setting'

the time, place and environment in which something occurs.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: That descriptive writing is all about telling the reader what's in the image. Correction: Descriptive writing is about showing the reader what's in the image through sensory and figurative language.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 7 English guide library.