Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing By the end of this lesson you will have a greater understanding of the requirements for GCSE descriptive writing. Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing By the end of this lesson you will have a greater understanding of the requirements for GCSE descriptive writing. Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

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Simple sentence A simple sentence generally has one main verb and communicates one idea. Can you give an example of a simple sentence? Simple sentence A simple sentence generally has one main verb and communicates one idea. For example: Rebecca sang. There can be several words in the verb: It was raining. (has two words in the verb) Sean has been running. 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Compound sentence A compound sentence generally joins two simple sentences together. We typically use words like 'and', 'or' and 'but' to join the ideas. Can you give an example of a compound sentence? Compound sentence A compound sentence generally joins two simple sentences together. We typically use words like 'and', 'or' and 'but' to join the ideas. For example: It was cold but we still went to town. It was raining and we stayed indoors. This makes the two ideas equal in the sentence - if we take away one part of it, we are left with a simple sentence again. 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Complex sentence A complex sentence communicates more than one idea. However, the ideas are not equal. This is because one part is like a simple sentence, so it can stand on its own. The other part can't - it needs something else to support it. Can you give an example of a complex sentence? Complex sentence A complex sentence communicates more than one idea. However, the ideas are not equal. This is because one part is like a simple sentence, so it can stand on its own. The other part can't - it needs something else to support it. For instance, look at this sentence: You can't persuade me to go to town, no matter how hard you try. We can take away the first part, but then we are left with: No matter how hard you try. This is not a simple sentence and it doesn't stand on its own - it needs something else to make sense. 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Sentence purpose Another way to look at sentences is to think about their purposes. For instance, we can talk about... Statements, which tell us things. We tend to see these in school text books, in newspapers, or in an encyclopedia. For instance: Paris is the capital of France. Derby County play at Pride Park. 3 min Statements Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Sentence purpose Questions, which ask us things or make us think about things. For instance: What does TiPToP stand for? When did the First World War end? How much for a coffee? 3 min Questions Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Sentence purpose Orders, which are also called commands. These tell us what to do, so we find these in instructions, recipes and signs. For instance: Put your litter in the bin. Do not touch. Next, take a small pinch of salt and mix it all together. 3 min Commands Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Sentence purpose Exclamations, which are shouted out. You'd hear these at a football match, in arguments, or if you told a joke. For instance: Amazing! Shut up! Goal! 3 min Exclamations Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Let’s recap! What are the three sentence types we have looked at? Give an example of each one. What sentence purpose have we identified? 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

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Structure and paragraphs It's important to organise ideas and give your writing a strong structure. This means having a clear beginning, middle and ending and organising your paragraphs by TiPToP. 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Structure and paragraphs Ti - stands for Time, so start a new paragraph for a different time period. P - stands for Place, so start a new paragraph for each new place. To - stands for Topic, so start a new paragraph for each new topic, idea or subject. P - stands for Person, so start a new paragraph for each new speaker. 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

Structure and paragraphs – TiPToP info It's important to use paragraphs, and to use them in the right places. So TiPToP it by using a new paragraph when... You are writing a story with speech and you change speaker. You are describing a number of different things. You move from writing details about something in the past and then a number of details about the present. In fact, TiPToP it when you change Time, Place, Topic or Person. There is no set length for a paragraph either. A short paragraph, sometimes just a line long, can be ideal and grab your attention. 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Info! Copyright © 2015 It's Just English

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My task: Write an article for your local paper, arguing that the local park should be preserved. You will need to focus on: Sentence variation (simple, compound and complex sentences). Sentence purpose (statements, questions, commands, exclamations). Overall structure (TiPToP). Punctuation. Once you have completed the article: Read through it and highlight: One simple sentence, one compound sentence, one complex sentence. Highlight one example each of brackets, apostrophes, colons and semi-colons 3 min Objective: some key elements in descriptive writing Activity! Copyright © 2015 It's Just English