Starter quiz
- What is tone in literature?
- the main theme of the story
- the writer's attitude towards the subject ✓
- the characters’ dialogue
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- Which sense is used in the following description? "The sweet scent of roses filled the air"
- sound
- sight
- touch
- smell ✓
- taste
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- Which of the words in the following sentence is an adverb? "He spoke quietly to avoid waking anyone"
- He
- spoke
- quietly ✓
- waking
- anyone
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- Why is it important to avoid clichés in similes and metaphors?
- they are too long
- they are overused and unoriginal ✓
- they are difficult to understand
- they are not descriptive
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- What does 'vivid description' mean?
- creating a clear and detailed picture in the reader’s mind ✓
- using complex vocabulary
- including many characters
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- In dialogue writing, why is it important to be accurate and clear with punctuation?
- to ensure the reader knows who is speaking and understands the tone ✓
- to follow grammar rules strictly
- to make it look neat and easy to read
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Exit quiz
- Match each keyword to its synonym.
- setting⇔place ✓
- tone⇔mood ✓
- vivid⇔clear ✓
- reflect⇔mirror ✓
- Which of the following best describes tone?
- the plot’s sequence throughout a text
- the setting of the story and how it reflects character
- the overall mood or attitude conveyed through a text ✓
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- What is sensory imagery?
- describing only visual details to create vivid descriptions
- using the five senses to create vivid descriptions ✓
- including many detailed paragraphs
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- Which of these is not an example of sensory imagery?
- "The bright light blinded him."
- "The sandpaper scraped his skin."
- "He thought about his next move." ✓
- "The loud bang made her jump."
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- How can describing a setting help develop a character’s personality?
- by reflecting the character’s emotions ✓
- by describing other characters
- by being sensory in its description
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- What is the tone of a setting described as "dark, cold, and silent"?
- joyful
- mysterious ✓
- romantic
- death
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Descriptions of a setting can help reflect a character's personality, mood or emotions.
- Using sensory imagery to describe a setting creates a vivid description.
- Tone can be built through the description of a setting.
- You can combine the sensory description of a setting and an emotional state of a character to create tone.
Common misconception
Pupils might think that descriptions of setting only serve as background and do not contribute to character development or tone of a piece of writing.
Settings are integral to storytelling as they can reflect and enhance a character's emotions, personality, and the overall tone of the scene. For example, a gloomy, rainy setting can mirror a character's sadness or create a foreboding atmosphere.
Keywords
Tone - the overall mood or attitude conveyed through a text
Setting - the time and place (or when and where) of the story
Sensory imagery - the use of descriptive language that appeals to the reader's five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell)
Vivid - producing strong, clear images in the mind
Reflect - to mirror or show something clearly
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