GCSE AQA English Language / KS3 Descriptive Writing: "Show Don't Tell"

A fun lesson that gives an enjoyable introduction to GCSE descriptive writing techniques for English Language Paper 1, question 5. This could also be used with KS3.

The lesson is a power-point that begins with students changing 'telling' sentences to 'show' sentences. Then, they read the Miss Havisham extract from 'Great Expectations' and draw the image (of the unidentified woman) that is created through Dickens' words. They then match their image with an actual one and discuss key imagery that created a clear, visual image of her appearance.

This then leads to each pair being given a witty image of a man with a beard and they have to describe him in such a clear and visual way that the class have to draw it, based on the quality of description. There are 6 different images. Students share and discuss writing before reading their description out, whilst the class draw the image, then match it to the actual one. Students can then edit and improve their response (based on hearing other descriptions) to write into their books, incorporating specific vocabulary and varied imagery.

It ends with writing tips on how to write in a clear, visual way. My y10 students loved it!