Planning part one of the opening of 'Macbeth' | English

Starter quiz

Match each description to the correct sense.
- the nauseating stench of decay
  
  ⇔
  
  smell ✓
- ominous, dark clouds gathered above
  
  ⇔
  
  sight ✓
- claps of threatening thunder rumbled
  
  ⇔
  
  hearing ✓
- damp, sticky mist hung in the air
  
  ⇔
  
  touch ✓
Where is the opening of Macbeth set?
- a sunny meadow
- a tropical jungle
- a wild heath ✓
What features might you find on a heath?
- open land ✓
- exotic flowers
- heather or small shrubs ✓
- sheltered and mild
- strong winds due to open exposure ✓
Match each adjective to the correct definition.
- barren
  
  ⇔
  
  empty or bare ✓
- withered
  
  ⇔
  
  old and drooping ✓
- ominous
  
  ⇔
  
  scary, threatening or menacing ✓
Match each adjective to the most appropriate noun to form a word pair.
- putrid
  
  ⇔
  
  carcass ✓
- rugged
  
  ⇔
  
  rocks ✓
- eerie
  
  ⇔
  
  silence ✓
True or false? The following sentence includes two adjectives in the noun phrase used: 'Everywhere, a suffocating, musty scent permeated the air.'
- True ✓
- False

Exit quiz

What order will we write our opening in?
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  describe the setting (the heath)
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  introduce the characters (the witches)
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  include dialogue (between the witches)
When we describe the setting, we will describe it from a bird's eye view and work our way down. What order would we describe these setting details in?
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  the moon
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  the wind
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  the trees
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  the shrubs
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  the heath itself
Which of these sentences is written in the past tense?
- Ravenous crows swoop through the dark sky.
- Withered trees struggle to grow in the harsh conditions.
- The wind howled ominously as the wild sea foamed. ✓
- The witches will be coming soon ...
Which of the following are fronted adverbials of place?
- Beneath the trees, ✓
- In the distance, ✓
- Howling wildy,
- All around, ✓
- That night,
Match the figurative language types to their definitions.
- simile
  
  ⇔
  
  compares two things using ‘like’ or ‘as’ ✓
- metaphor
  
  ⇔
  
  compares two things by saying that one thing is another ✓
- personification
  
  ⇔
  
  assigns human characteristics to non-human things ✓
What linguistic features and figurative language are used in the following sentence? 'In all directions, the wailing wind whined like a desperate hound wanting to be freed.'
- alliteration ✓
- metaphor
- repetition
- simile ✓
- personification ✓

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Writing is most successful when it is planned.
A narrative opening should engage the reader and describe the setting and any characters who are present.
This narrative outcome will be written in the third person.
Using a wide range of precise, ambitious vocabulary enhances text cohesion.

Common misconception

Pupils may find it difficult to recall, define and use different figurative language structures.

Provide plenty of additional examples of effective figurative language. A display board or working wall of the different types of figurative language with examples that match the text type will be helpful.

Keywords

Senses - the physical abilities of sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste
Past tense - shows action has happened before now
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma
Figurative language - the use of simile, metaphor and personification to create vivid imagery