Setting Investigation Mat

The Setting Investigation Mat is a structured planning and drafting tool designed to help pupils create vivid, purposeful setting descriptions.

Pupils are guided to:

• Identify their setting and time
• Develop a mood spectrum and select the best-fit atmosphere
• Justify their choice and consider reader impact
• Plan sensory details with intention
• Choose precise nouns, verbs and figurative language
• Check that every detail matches the chosen mood
• Write and refine a cohesive setting description

This resource moves beyond simple description, encouraging deliberate word choice, atmospheric control and reader awareness. Ideal for Years 3–6 narrative writing lessons, guided groups or independent descriptive writing tasks.