Writing to Describe

1
Writing to Describe

• English GCSE Paper 2

2
Writing to Describe - paragraphing

• An opening strategy a first paragraph which
  leads to a second and a third and allows links
  between the paragraphs
• Paragraphs help to distinguish
• Time
• Place
• Subject
• Speaker

3
Writing Mark Scheme - paragraphing

• G ideas sequenced simply
• F uses some organisational devices
• E - more conscious attempt to organise sentences
  into paragraphs
• D clear, in mechanical, paragraphing
• C structure with usually coherent paragraphing
• B well structured, starting to use paragraphs
  to enhance meaning
• A - coherently structured with fluently linked
  paragraphs
• A - controlled and sustained crafting

4
Describe the room that you are in

• The room I am in is a big hall in my school. It
  is full of people doing
• their English exam. Everyone is very quiet and
  trying to do their best.
• There are teachers walking up and down
  invigilating. I can see my
• friends concentrating.
• The room is quite warm. Because there are lots of
  people in it. Most people are
• wearing shirts because it is warm. There is some
  fresh air coming in from the
• window.
• The room I am in is the school hall. It has a
  stage at one end which is used for
• plays and things like that. We had a band here
  when we had the Year 11
• Christmas party.

5

• The room I am sitting in is full of silent people
  working on their English exam.
• Everyones face looks serious as they try to
  write as much as they can and not
• make any spelling mistakes. All the people I have
  known since Year 7 are in
• this room as well as some I remember from primary
  school.
• We never thought in those days long ago that all
  these years at school would
• end up in a hall like this. We used to think that
  real life was far away and never
• thought about how we would be judged on what we
  had learnt over all that
• time.
• In the future we may remember this room as the
  place where the rest of our
• lives was decided. No wonder everyone around me
  looks so serious.

6

• The clock ticks, the teachers shoes shuffle and
  the desk in front of me squeaks
• as its occupant desperately tries to cram as many
  adjectives as possible into
• two and a half sides of lined paper.
• Outside, there is birdsong, and the swaying of
  green leaves in the breeze. Cars
• pass by and people go about their business,
  oblivious to the fate of those
• imprisoned here. They pause to chat, they enjoy
  the day. Outside is Life.
• Inside is something else.
• Imprisoned in silence, held by invisible chains
  to our desks, we slaves obey the
• orders of our master. Chief Jessy Essy rules
  here, and no one dares to rebel.
• Heads down, we do as his instructions order us.
  Todays order is To Describe.
• So, dutifully, submissively, we, his underlings
  turn our attention away from life
• outside to concentrate on our determined task.

7
Writing to Describe - tips

• The skill of describing is more important than
  the place being described.
• There is more to description than recording the
  visible
• Make use of contrast even if the question doesnt
  ask for it
• Inert objects are less interesting than ones
  which signify something attach significance

8
TASK

• Describe the room that you are in
• 2 3 sides of your exercise book 20 mins