Emulating Murakami’s craft to write a descriptive opening | English

Starter quiz

What does perspective mean?

the mood of a text

the point of a view a text is written from ✓

a writer's opinion
What is an extended metaphor?

a comparison of two things using the words 'like' or 'as'

when multiple sentences begin with the same word

a direct comparison that spans several lines of text ✓
Match each perspective to the general effect it can have.

first

⇔

gives an insight into a character's feelings ✓

second

⇔

makes the reader feel as if they are involved in a text ✓

third

⇔

creates a vivid image and wide scope of a scene ✓
Which perspective can offer an omniscient view?

first

second

third ✓
Match each technique to the corresponding example.

simile

⇔

The flower swayed like a dancer. ✓

metaphor

⇔

The flower was a beacon of hope. ✓

personification

⇔

The flower lifted its face to the sun. ✓
Why might an omniscient perspective be effective in descriptive writing?

it allows us to be immersed in the entirety of a scene ✓

it allows us to connect to one charcter

it can persuade us to take action on a particular matter

Arguably, which narrative perspective allows for the most immersive experience of a scene?

first

second

third ✓
What does Murakami use to provide a wide scope of his opening scene of 'After Dark'?

first person perspective

epistolary form

omniscient narrator ✓
What does Murakami use to paint a vivid image of his opening scene in 'After Dark'?

anaphora

extended metaphor ✓

onomatopeia
Which of the following is used in the following sentence: "The endless roads stretch ahead, like fatigued conveyor belts."

simile ✓

alliteration

onomatopeia
Match the narrator to the unique perspective of the world that they offer.

an ancient statue

⇔

it has known different centuries ✓

a tree

⇔

it offers a perspective on nature's seasonal changes ✓

a plane

⇔

it offers a heavily zoomed out perspective ✓
Why is an omniscient perspective particularly suitable when writing a description?

It allows you to visualise the full scope of a scene. ✓

It allows you an insight into how a particular character is feeling.

It provides a narrow focus of one particular part of a scene.

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Using an omniscient perspective allows the reader to be more immersed in a scene description.
An unusual choice of narrative perspective can make your omniscient perspective more engaging.
An extended metaphor is an opportunity to add detail and depth to writing.
An extended metaphor is most effective, when explored in multiple layers, e.g. using comparison and personification.

Students may find it difficult to harmonise their perspective choice with appropriate metaphors.

Spend time discussing less effective pairings e.g. a tree would would not perceive people in a city as 'ants' but an airplane might.

Omniscient - all knowing
Immersive - allowing someone to become completely absorbed or involved in something
Extended metaphor - a metaphor that extends several lines of text
Personification - attribution of human characteristics to non-human things