gcse coursework descriptive writing

Descriptive Writing

Writing to describe.

Vividly describe a person, object, event or experience. The reader should feel as if they have entered the writer’s world and imagination.

Do not get this confused with writing a story with a plot! With descriptive writing there is no movement in time.

You are painting a snapshot with your words. The reader cannot see what you can, therefore, you need to entice their five senses. Make the image tangible for them. Use different colours and strokes in your artwork; these will be your stimulating nouns and adjectives. Grab the attention of the viewer and hold it, as you manoeuvre through your piece.

See yourself as a tour guide, moving an audience physically and emotionally around a motionless photograph. There are no time elements or a particular logical approach, as to where to begin or end. You are in control.

Take them where you wish but continually ask yourself:

• Why am I taking them here?
• Why have I chosen to use this particular time?

Example Question

Sometimes you are given an image to act as a stimulus:

For example, an image of an ocean, it will most definitely contain a variety of fish.

Alternatively, you may be given a statement:

For example:

• Describe a time when you were confined.
• Write a description of a teenager leaving home.
• Write a description of a new-born baby.

Planning an Effective Response

If an image is given to you, during your exam, then you are given a handy head start and you can proceed to planning.

Annotate the image, squeezing out as much detail as possible. Do not limit yourself to just the obvious details. Dig deeper, what else could you presume would feature in this scene? Could something significant be happening outside of the snapshot? Make sure that you do not make wild assumptions and detract from the true essence of the picture.

If are not given an image to support this question, you have to work a little harder but you are now free from restrictions. What appropriate image can you draw on for inspiration?

Keep it minimal and something that can be imagined by all, otherwise, you will overwhelm your reader if there is information overload. Image in mind, make some brief notes or even a sketch so that you can physically see your imagination on paper.

Aim to take your reader on a journey. Remember, the order or presentation if totally up to you. Be clear on your order, before you begin writing anything.

• Where will you begin? Why?
• Where do you want them to go? Why?
• What do you want them to learn? Why?
• What small detail do you want them to see as significant?
• Where do you want them to end? Why?

Maybe you might like to think of it this way, if this were a silent movie, which camera angles would you use?

You could start from a wide angle and then zoom in to a significant detail. In reverse, you could start with a small detail and zoom out to reveal the greater context.

The route you take and the details you highlight should reflect conscious crafting.

AQA GCSE English Language

Descriptive writing, using descriptive techniques to create vivid descriptions.

In a descriptive essay, the goal is to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. To achieve this, you can use a range of descriptive techniques. Let’s look at some key strategies to help you create immersive descriptions:

• Sensory Language – Appeal to the reader’s senses by incorporating detailed sensory descriptions. Describe how things look, sound, smell, taste and feel. 
• Show, Don’t Tell – Instead of simply stating that something is beautiful or scary, show it through descriptive language. Use specific details, vivid adjectives and strong verbs to bring your descriptions to life. 
• Figurative Language – Enhance your descriptions by incorporating figurative language techniques, such as similes, metaphors, and personification. For example, you can say, “The city was a crowded hive of activity.”

Enhancing Mood, Setting and Characterisation Through Description

Descriptions can also contribute to the mood, setting and characterisation of your writing. Here’s how you can effectively use description to enhance these elements:

• Mood – Use descriptive language to evoke specific emotions and create the desired mood. For example, if you want to convey a sense of tranquillity, describe a peaceful scene with gentle breezes, soft whispers of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
• Setting – Make your readers feel like they are present in the setting by providing rich, detailed descriptions. Describe the sights, sounds, smells and textures of the environment. Transport them to the location by using sensory language and precise details.
• Characterisation – Use descriptions to develop and reveal your characters. Describe their physical appearance, but also go beyond that by conveying their personality traits, emotions and quirks through well-crafted descriptions.

Examples of Descriptive Techniques

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AQA GCSE Descriptive Writing - teaching resource

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AQA GCSE Descriptive Writing  This unit of work is designed to cover GCSE Descriptive Writing as required by the AQA GCSE English Language exam. It is a complete lesson by lesson unit of work including lessons and activities, a 126-slide PowerPoint presentation and 32 accompanying worksheets. Activities and lessons cover: An introduction to descriptive writing Examples of GCSE English examination questions with picture stimulus and example answers

Examples of descriptive writing for analysis and discussion Planning and structuring descriptive writing using the zoom in and zoom out method Using the senses to create effective imagery How to use devices in writing - metaphors, personification, similes, sentence variety, imagery, vocabulary, semantic fields and show not tell Exploring the AQA Mark Scheme and assessing example responses using the mark scheme

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Descriptive and narrative

GCSE Language

Descriptive Writing

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Standalone Lesson plan on writing descriptively. Guide includes examples. Could use any short story or examples of strong description with this.

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Download info, july 1, 2020.

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English Descriptive Writing

I’m walking down the narrow, gloomy corridor, anxiously wanting to get to room.  The corridor pitch black, nothing to see but I can feel myself breathing in a gulp of air. I breathed out hearing myself. I’m sweating. My eyes squint; trying to look beyond the darkness in the corridor to find my room. I walked slowly, taking every caution. I suddenly quickened my pace feeling an intimidated by the noise around me. I’m scared. As I walked faster the floor creaked under my flip-flops. Scanning the rough wall with my hands, I caught a handle in my sweating palm.  I held the handle tight in my hand, but then let go. Trying to persuade myself it was my room. The door suddenly creaked open making a screeching sound across the floor. I took a deep breath. I put my hand of the door and pushed it open, hearing a long bang against the back wall.

The room was dark. I didn’t understand. The room felt opened spaced felt like there was no furniture in there. I started to scan my rough fingers through the smooth wall and found what felt like the light switch. I pressed the switch slowly afraid of what I might see. The bulb was small, and faint. It flickered a lot.

But there in front of me was a fear I thought I could never see, a mirror.  I sharply turned away in terror, shutting my eye lids tightly to clear the image of the mirror out of my mind. I released my tight eye lids. I was puzzled. There again was another daunting mirror. I turning myself around making a full circle, then I realized that there was daunting mirrors around me.  I ran towards the door behind me, feeling my legs has they get heavier has I got close to the door. I stretched my hand and grabbed hold of the knob, but it refused to open. My grip was hard against the golden, cold door knob. I pushed the door to and fro. I started to panic. I was trapped. I slowly turned around feeling my hands tremble at my side.

Mirrors were everywhere. My blood pressure rising as my eyes burned through the incomplete figure that stared back at me. My fist tightened, eventually going red. My heart pounded so hard I felt like it was going to burst out my chest. Sweat ran down my face, drizzling down to my eyes and sneaking its way to the corner of my lips.

I dropped down onto the floor forgetting to breathe feeling the room becoming a blur to me. I eventually caught my breath back. I wrapped my small arms around my legs, squeezing myself into a ball.  I buried my face into my legs wanting to leave wanting to get out of the horrible place. Suddenly I heard scraping across the old wood floor. I lifted my heavy head up; heavily breathing. My face traumatized about what I saw. The mirrors they were getting closer and closer.

I screeched jumping up has my heart been put into race mode. I took deep breathe, calming myself down.

“It was just a dream, it was just a stupid dream.” I murmured to myself

I looked at the alarm clock just beside my wooden bed, 3:00am. I didn’t want to get back to sleep. I was terrified of the nightmare to come back. So I lied there in my jet black room staring intensively at the ceiling.

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8:00 Am. Before I knew it the time flied by. I was ready to get up; I swung my duvet of me and jumped out of my bed.  I stared around my room, finding my towel to go and have a quick shower. I walked toward my curtain and flung it open shielding my eyes from the blinding sun. I roughly turned my body toward my bedroom door. The bathroom was just below the stairs, as I dragged my way down, I could hear, the original maniac family.

My brother Lucas always fighting over the last piece of bacon from the littlest chump (my little brother) but he always won no matter the odds. Dad sat there calmly as he concentrated on the T.V. blocking all noise that is in the background. Mum always on the phone, she gossiped like and old lady that has nothing better to do in her own time.

I ran into the bath room avoiding my family. I shut the door quietly and stood by the sink. I stood there brushing my teeth with no mirror in front of me. You ask why?

That day 12 th  September 2000, you might ask why I know the specify date. I was only 8 when I went to what I most magnificent circus in the world. Well, I was wrong. The day was normal the sun shine the gently breeze that rush between every strand of my hair. The family day out we would call it. I decided to go onto a roller coaster with my mum. I was on the ride happily has ever and grateful that my mum took me to the circus, until then.  The lights dim as we went toward the middle of the ride and then everything changed. I held onto my mum arm tight with a terrified look upon my innocent face.  My mum’s perfect angel face looked down onto mine with a sympatric look and told me it was going to be over before I knew it. I believed her. I had no choice not to. So I settled but still holding her thin arms with a tight grip. I looked forward noticing the light was getting dimmer and dimmer by the moment. I looked around me at all the other riders and they putted on this enthusiastic face. I told myself there was nothing to be frightened off. I was 8 but I wasn’t stupid. My eyes suddenly widen at the darkness. We went faster. Then we suddenly stopped. I buried my head into my mothers lap and I could feel her smooth hands brushing through my long, red hair. She knew I was scared. She held her hands tightly round my bony waist. I looked up slowly, but still holding my mum. I stared round trying to find the expression on my mothers face, but it was impossible.

Then mirrors switched passed us making us look deformed and ghastly. I screamed till my lungs hurt. I felt the adrenaline rush through me. The mirrors just kept coming and coming. I had let go of my mums arm and covered my eyes my trembling hands. I could feel my mum’s arms around my shoulders now, with her soft cheeks on the top of my head. The train went through a gloomy tunnel, the walls made out of chunks of old brick wall, in was never-ending. The sound of the train has it became faster was like an electric drill working on a concrete ground. I hated it.  We got to the other side and I could see light shine through my finger and my mum releasing me gently. I let go of my face in my hands and ran of the train toward my dad. I crashed into his legs and sobbed loudly. He looked perplexed at my mother. She just avoided his eyes and walked off. Everything was dead silent has we got to the car. We got home and everyone got out of the car looking at one another. The next door neighbours were getting a new mirror in their house. The big men were holding on to the mirror with great difficultly. Then I stood in front of it and pass out.      

I finally got dressed and went down for breakfast; I took a weft of the delicious pancakes that were cooking in the kitchen. I staggered onto the chair and relaxed my legs underneath the table.

“Nice for you to join us.” My mother stated has she slump the pancake onto my plate.

“Sorry mum.” I said trying to read her face expression.

I dug into my pancakes, realizing how hungry I was. After finishing I sat there for a while thinking deeply about my dream. I was disturbed by this kiss on my cheek by my dad. He sat on the table, putting his elbows on the table and staring at my mum. She gave him a croaky smile and put his food onto the plate.

I got up to put my plate in the sink making sure I didn’t step in the dog’s food. I lent my back against the wooden counter while my mum was clearing up.

“You’ve got that appointment today, haven’t you?” My mum stated with her head bent down while cleaning the desk-top.

“Yes, it’s at 2.” I answered gazing at the newspaper in front of me.

“Okay then.” She muttered

Sandra is my psychologist. She alright at times but sometimes she like to take matters into her own hands. Her curly short her looks like it hasn’t been brushed for days. That shows how unorganised she is. Going to her every Wednesdays and Friday is like see fish watching. She is always asks me the same questions everyday. How have you been?  , Why is the reason your like this?  , Can you elaborate on that?  But I have no choice, She said what I have is called Eisoptrophobia (fear of Mirrors) she has been working on me for the past 1 and a half but nothing she does seem to take stand. I’m still the same old Jackie that was petrified of mirrors since she was 8. My mother always say it takes time for these things to change but it’s not true, their just wasting their damn money on something that wouldn’t go away. It wasn’t right. I tried everyway to persuade them to stop this therapy, but they wouldn’t budge.

School wasn’t ever my child fantasy. Jackie is a mirror freaky. How can you not want to look at your face, is it because you don’t want to see the real truth Jackie? Your hair looks dodgy Jackie, oh wait you can see that. Those are just some of the things that they call me in school. But I get though each day depressed and alone.  They would sometimes chase me down the hill hold mirrors in my face. The horror of what I’ve gone through.    

I got ready to go to the psychologist. I was dreading it like I did with every other session. I came down my narrow staircase sliding my hands down the bar at the side.

“Ready?” my mum said look at my with a grin

“Yes.” I answered with a smile half-heartedly      

I opened the front door and walked across the stone pavement to the old car. We got in the car and drove along. I was still; I gape at the road trying not to look at my mothers beautiful face. I could see her at the corner of my eye looking at me and the road at the same time. She lifted one hand of the wheel and touched my cold, shivery hands.

“Everything is going to be okay?” She assured me

“Yes I know.” I mumbled looking down onto my feet.

She let go of my hands hand put it back on the wheel, and concentrated on the road again. Suddenly we stopped, we were confused. We got out of the car and realized there is a traffic jam. A long row of cars lined behind each other like soldiers. We got back into the car and wait.

My stomach rumbled realized that I hadn’t had my lunch. I tried to hide it but mum was looking at me with a puzzled look on her face. Then she realized. She took her brown, leather back and brought out a ten pound note.

“Go and get yourself something to eat, looks like we’re going to be stuck here for a while.” She smiled at me with her croaky smile.

“Thanks.” I smiled back full-hearted this time as I took the money.

I got out the car and walked along the road pavement. The wind was intense and the sun shined a bit but with a fluffy cloud covering the side. I found a fish and chip place across the road. There weren’t a lot of people on the road side. I walked with my head down. I looked at either side before I crossed. I was getting closer before I realized I could see light bouncing of a shiny surface. It couldn’t be. I strolled down and in my horror there was a mirror a mirror in every shop. It was like my nightmare. I turned quickening my pace, with my head down. I ran some men were moving something heavy they turned it around and it was a mirror. I screeched scanning possible ways I can escape. I had no choice. I ran through the ancient mirror board, feeling triumphant. I felt my arms lifted high in victory. I walked backs onto the roads watch the shock and horror on peoples faces. Then, the motor bike, hit me. I felt the heavy weight wheels crush every rib I had in my body. My head crushed and making a blood pool, which I lid in. I could see the light flashing before my very eyes, clear pictures turning into a blur and then disappearing into thin air. The light has been switch off. I was there.    

Document Details

• Word Count 2291
• Page Count 4
• Subject English

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2 Grade 9 Creative Writing Examples

I recently asked my year 11s to pen a piece of description and/or narrative writing for their mini assessment. I gave them the following prompts:

Your school wants you to contribute to a collection of creative writing.

EITHER: Write a short story as suggested by this picture:

OR: Write a description about a person who has made a strong impression on you.

The following were two COMPELLING and CONVINCING examples of the second choice – one pupil taking ‘you’ as a fictional invitation, the other as a biographical one:

EXAMPLE ONE:

Gradually, I awake and open my eyes only to see the cracked white ceiling which greets me every day. Here I sit, slumped in the bed with the scratchy white sheets hugging me and muffled beeping noises jumping into my ears. Rubbing the sleep crust from my bloodshot eyes, I observe the scene before me. The sound of footsteps overlapping as nurses rush from bed to bed; the metallic tang from stainless steel invading my nostrils; the cold metal bed rail imprisoning and mocking me; the pungent scent of antiseptic troubling me and the blood-curdling cries and moans utterly terrifying me. Using all my strength, I try to imagine I am somewhere else, anywhere else but here.

Crowds, signs, roars: it was 1903 and the suffragette movement had begun. It was a crisp night, refreshing almost and I had taken to the streets. It was like I was possessed by something that night, some urge and deep desire within me that had led me there, surrounded by women like myself. I stood clueless and lost in the crowd; the women yelling ‘Deeds not words’ in unison; passionately parading with large wooden signs and viciously shattering windows with bricks and stones. Despite the violence that was displayed before me, I was not afraid of what was happening and I didn’t deem it unnecessary or improper, in fact I wanted the same as these women, I wanted equality. Abruptly, all of the roars and cheers became muted and faint, one woman walked slowly towards me, her hair messily swooped into an updo, her clothes somewhat dirtied and her chocolate brown corset slightly loosened. There was a glimmer in her eyes as tears seemed to swell within their hazel pools, she seemed inspired, hopeful. After reaching me in the crowd, she held out her hand, gently passing me a sign. Immediately, I clasped it and the yelling and chanting rang loudly in my ears once more. My journey had begun.

Here however, is where it ends. I am aware I do not have much time left, as the doctors have told me so, and spending my last moments in this hospital room is not optimal. However, as I look around I can see beauty within a room which at first glance seems void of it. The hollow medical tubes by my side remind me of the awful act of force feeding I have faced in the past; the shrieks and bawls of patients reflecting the pain women had felt in my time and the bed bars mirroring the prisons we were thrown into and the gates we would chain ourselves too. I know these things may seem far from beautiful, but I can see my past within this room, the power I possessed and the changes I have contributed to today. I know now that I can leave this earth having had an impact. Slowly I close my eyes, I can see her, the women who changed my life many years ago, her name, Emmeline Pankhurst.

EXAMPLE TWO:

I will never forget that day. The hazel pools of her eyes glazed over, and hands delicately placed at her sides. Nobody in the room could quite grasp the fact that this was happening. The crowds of black attire row on row seemed to mimic the thing she loves most in life, the piano. However, this time she had taken the ivory natural keys with her and left everyone else with the sharp tones. You needed both to create beautiful symphonies but all that filled the room was the excruciating silence of her absense. Even the metronone like ticks of the clock seemed to come to a standstill.

It had all began that day, she seemed to open up this whole new world for us to explore together as she placed my fingers onto the keys for the first time. I knew that this was what I was meant to do. She was the most passionately beautiful pianist I had ever seen in my life. Often, I would peer round the oak doorway before my lessons just to catch a glimpse at her. It seemed like nothing in the world mattered to her at the time.

As the years progressed, so did the scope of this world we were exploring. Each sheet of lovingly handwritten sheet music was like a new section of the map we were slowly creating together. Each of her students had their own map. Each as beautiful and each as unique as the pianist. The crotchets and quavers that adorned the staves directed the different paths we could take as my fingers graced the keys. This may not have been a beautiful ballet routine, but this was our dance and it had been carefully choreographed just for us.

That piano room was the safest place in the world. Every inch of it her: the potent scent of her floral perfume; shelves full of scruffy and well loved sheet music; rows upon rows of framed photos of her and her students; the vintage piano which she always kept in tune, it was home. I couldn’t bear the

idea that someone else was going move in and rip away the music room without a second thought. It was her music room.

It was up to me now. Up to me to finish this journey we had begun together.

She may not be with me in person anymore, but she will always live within the world we built together and nothing could ever change that. For she could never truly be gone since she left a piece of her within every one of her students; the passion for piano.

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gcseenglishwithmisshuttlestone

Secondary English teacher in Herts. View all posts by gcseenglishwithmisshuttlestone

2 thoughts on “2 Grade 9 Creative Writing Examples”

This has helped me a lot, I myself am preparing for a narrative test like this and these prompts and descriptive short stories are marvellous! Thank you for sharing this! 🙂

My pleasure!

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Descriptive/Creative Writing WJEC GCSE coursework

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

6 October 2013

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Great GCSE preparation.

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

messyteacher1

Really helpful, thank you so much.

jane.armstrong

Some great ideas in here - thanks

here4theglamour

Fab thanks!!!

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