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Year 8 - English

Using description in functional writing

A monster within: reading and writing Gothic fiction

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils explore the Gothic. They start by learning what the Gothic is, before reading extracts from 'Frankenstein' and 'Jane Eyre', practising descriptive writing and reading 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. They finally learn how to write opinion articles and then write their own.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use a description to create interesting functional writing.

Key Notes

  • Functional writing that makes use of description is often stronger.
  • Anecdotes are brilliant for connecting to the reader through creating a shared experience.
  • Before writing an anecdote, consider what you want your reader to feel - choose your language accordingly.
  • A successful anecdote makes use of language to create vivid imagery for the reader, so they can share the experience.
  • Figurative language can be very persuasive when used effectively.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • anecdote: a short, personal story told to illustrate a point
  • semantic field: a group of words with shared meaning
  • figurative language: language that is meaningful, but not literally true
  • contagious: easily-spread or transferred - usually used to describe illnesses or emotions

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Students often do not use descriptions in functional writing frequently enough.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Functional writing that makes use of description is often stronger. Anecdotes are brilliant for connecting to the reader through creating a shared experience.

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

a short, personal story told to illustrate a point.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Students often do not use descriptions in functional writing frequently enough. Correction: Descriptive language massively enhances functional writing. Anecdotes are a brilliant example of how descriptive writing can be used to connect to the reader/audience.

More Lessons In This Unit

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