Year 7 - English
Using adjectives and semantic fields to plan and write descriptive paragraphs
Step into the unknown: fiction reading and creative writing
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 create a specific atmosphere by linking vocabulary choices and creating a semantic field.
Key Notes
- Descriptive writing is designed create a clear atmosphere for the reader and paint a picture of an image.
- Semantic fields can be used to create that picture for the reader.
- A semantic field is a group of words or expressions that are related in meaning.
- Choose your adjectives carefully in a descriptive paragraph in order to create a semantic field.
Vocabulary To Learn
- atmosphere: the feeling or sense evoked by the setting or environment.
- planning: the act of deciding how to do something.
- descriptive: describing something in an interesting and detailed way.
- semantic field: a group of words or expressions that are related in meaning.
- adjective: a word that describes or defines a noun.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- You should always use the most impressive sounding words in your description.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
Descriptive writing is designed create a clear atmosphere for the reader and paint a picture of an image. Semantic fields can be used to create that picture for the reader.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'atmosphere'
the feeling or sense evoked by the setting or environment.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: You should always use the most impressive sounding words in your description. Correction: While you should reach for ambitious words, you want to ensure that all the words you use are creating a consistent atmosphere.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing and emulating Baum's use of unknown characters in 'The Wizard of Oz' Study Guide
- Analysing character in an unseen extract from Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird' Study Guide
- Analysing Dorothy's return from the unknown in Baum's 'The Wizard of Oz' Study Guide
- Considering sensory language in Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird' Study Guide
- Considering sentence structures in Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird' Study Guide
- Considering strategies for refining and editing your descriptive writing Study Guide
- Contrasting the everyday and the unknown settings in Baum's 'The Wizard of Oz' Study Guide
- Contrasting the familiar and the unknown in your descriptive writing Study Guide
- Developing explanations in analytical writing about Akala's 'The Dark Lady' Study Guide
- Developing your explanation of quotations from 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' Study Guide
- Drafting a piece of descriptive writing on 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' Study Guide
- Explaining and emulating how Bilan uses light in 'Asha and the Spirit Bird' Study Guide
- Explaining how Akala uses patterns of language for effect in 'The Dark Lady' Study Guide
- Explaining how Burnett presents the garden setting in 'The Secret Garden' Study Guide
- Identifying and emulating Baum's use of pathetic fallacy in 'The Wizard of Oz' Study Guide
- Meeting a fantastical creature in Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird' Study Guide
- Practising planning and writing a detailed description based on an image Study Guide
- Responding to an unseen extract from 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' Study Guide
- Responding to an unseen extract from Burnett's 'The Secret Garden' Study Guide
- Responding to key images in an unseen extract from Akala's 'The Dark Lady' Study Guide
- Revising topic sentences and selecting precise evidence from 'The Dark Lady' Study Guide
- Using adverbs, subordinate clauses and compound sentences in descriptive writing Study Guide
- Using ambitious language and colour imagery to improve your descriptive writing Study Guide
- Using dashes, colons, and commas for effect in descriptive writing Study Guide
- Using figurative language and structure to create an unsettling atmosphere Study Guide
- Using precise evidence from Burnett's 'The Secret Garden' to support an idea Study Guide
- Using sensory language and figurative language to create an atmospheric setting Study Guide
- Using simple, compound and complex sentences in descriptive writing Study Guide
- Using vocabulary choices, similes, and metaphors to plan descriptive writing Study Guide
- Writing clear analytical paragraphs about Bilan's 'Asha and the Spirit Bird' Study Guide
- Writing complete sentences and correcting sentence fragments Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 7 English guide library.