Week 3 Stranger Things

• English
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Starter Activity 

Defining and writing your own language features

Choose a card! When you've finished describe your technique to your group. 

Lesson Aims

1. Recap language techniques and word forms
2. Read a short text and identify interesting uses of language
3. Make a comment on the effect of this language
4. Have a go at writing an exam-style answer for English Language Paper 1 Question 2

English Language Paper 1 Question 2 (8 marks)

This is the question in the fiction paper which asks you...

How does the writer use language to describe (x)?

You could include the writer's choice of:

• words and phrases
• language features and techniques
• sentence forms

• Individual words and phrases - adjectives, nouns, verbs, adverbs (you can always say word if you're not sure)
• Language features (like the ones you've just practised)
• Sentence forms - long sentences - create an overwhelming slow-paced or depressing atmosphere and very short sentences  create a sense of energy, pace and panic.

Paper 1 Question 2

What is a noun?

1. a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence, also known as a "doing word"
2. a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea
3. a word that modifies a verb or an adjective
4. a word that describes or modifies a noun

What is a verb?

1. a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence, also known as a "doing word"
2. a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea
3. a word that modifies a verb or an adjective
4. a word that describes or modifies a noun

Let's practise our word classes!

"strangely"

1. noun
2. verb
3. adverb
4. adjective

Let's practise our word classes!

"a stranger"

1. noun
2. verb
3. adverb
4. adjective

Let's practise our word classes!

"strange"

1. noun
2. verb
3. adverb
4. adjective

Let's practise our word classes!

"disappeared"

1. noun
2. verb
3. adverb
4. adjective

Let's practise our word classes!

"suddenly"

1. noun
2. verb
3. adverb
4. adjective

Let's practise our word classes!

"terrifying"

1. noun
2. verb
3. adverb
4. adjective

Let's practise our word classes!

"creature"

1. noun
2. verb
3. adverb
4. adjective

English Language Paper 1 Question 2 (8 marks)

What does the examiner want?

1. Clear and accurate use of subject terminology
2. A range of relevant details/quotes from the text
3. Clearly explains the effects of the writer’s use of language
   

Write these down in your workbook!

Here is an easy process you can follow to get high marks on this question!

Let's practise! Discuss in pairs

Evidence: "The wind howled through the trees like a hungry beast."

Can you find any language techniques in this quote?

Let's practise! Discuss in pairs

Evidence: "The wind howled through the trees like a hungry beast."

Effect: What effect does this phrase/technique have on the reader?

Let's practise! Discuss in pairs

Evidence: "The wind howled through the trees like a hungry beast."

Zoom in: What does the adjective 'hungry' suggest?

Effect: What does this adjective make us think about the wind? What kind of mood does it create?

Let's write an EEZE model answer together

"The wind howled through the trees like a hungry beast."

Paper 1 Question 2

Language Analysis

04:51

What impression do you get of Will from this interaction?

05:36

How would you describe the mood at this point?

06:16

Now how would you describe the mood?

06:52

How would you describe Will's emotions? Use your best vocabulary!

Read the extract and answer question 1 on your worksheet.

Question 1: Find 2 language techniques or 2 powerful words in the extract, underline and label them.

Extra challenge: Write your own spooky language technique.

 

Mike’s bike wheels hissed against the wet tarmac as the boys raced through the backstreets of Hawkins. The town was sleeping, windows dark, porch lights flickering. Rain fell in cold, slanting lines, and their breath fogged in the air like smoke from a dying fire. They didn’t talk — only the wind spoke, threading through the trees in broken whispers.

As they passed the woods, the shadows thickened. Trees leaned in like watchers, their branches clawing the air. Will glanced over his shoulder. Nothing. Just the forest, silent and staring. But something didn’t feel right.

A noise. Behind him. A rustle. A snap. Then stillness.

He stopped pedalling. The others were already ahead. For a moment, the only sound was the ticking of his bike chain and the soft patter of rain on his helmet. He turned slowly. His heart thudded in his ears. The darkness was so complete it seemed to breathe, pulsing and shifting with things unseen.

Then—movement.

Something darted between the trees. A blur, too fast to follow. Will’s breath caught in his throat. His legs trembled. The cold seemed to press in on him from all sides, slicing at his face. He dropped his bike and ran.

Fill in the EEZE table!

Fill in the EEZE table!

 Effective Analysis:

Zoom In: Focus on individual words and phrases to show a deep understanding of their connotations and effects.

Explore Multiple Interpretations: Consider different possible meanings of the language choices.

Think about the Reader: Explain how the writer's choices might make the reader feel, think, or imagine. 

Top tips for writing your answer

 Effective Analysis

• Explore Multiple Interpretations: Consider different possible meanings of the language choices.
  
• Think about the Reader: Explain how the writer's choices might make the reader feel, think, or imagine. 

 Avoid Common Mistakes!

•  Feature Spotting: Don't just list language techniques without explaining their effect. Examiners are looking for analysis, not just identification.
• Vague Comments: Avoid general comments like "this creates a picture in the reader's mind." Be specific about the picture and its impact.
•  Overly Long Quotations: Short, focused quotations are more effective for detailed analysis. 

Exam-style question

How does the writer use language to create mood in this extract?

Use your EEZE table to write a 1-2 paragraph answer in your workbook.

Did you use a quote in your answer?

Yes

No

Did you identify a language technique or use subject terminology e.g. noun, verb, adjective?

Yes

No

Did you zoom in on a word?

Yes

No

Did you comment on the effect of language?

Yes

No

On a scale of 1-5, how confident do you feel with Paper 1 Question 2?

Poll

😒🙁😐🙂😃