Using poetry as a source for creative writing

Today I will, experiment with the effects of different types of sentences and punctuation; use a variety of linguistic devices for effect and continue to employ interesting vocabulary to engage the reader.

Homework:Due Thursday 17th January 2013

Follow the instructions on the sheet for writing your own poem, experimenting with vocabulary and literary devices.

What questions do you have about

writing?

Write out your questions on Post-It notes and bring them to the white board at the front of the room.

Thinking Task:

Draw and complete the first 2 columns of this grid: Things I know about writing

Things I want to know about, and practise in, my writing (check my targets)

Things I have learnt about about writing

Starter:

What can you do with the sentences and punctuation?There was a tearing sound in the air as a gun was fired. It was a medium-sized piece whose shell made a clanking, rattling noise that at first sounded quaint, then suddenly alarming as it accelerated closer to them. Brennan and Douglas flattened themselves against the front of the trench as it went over. The ground shook and small pieces of earth rained down gently on their heads. Stephen saw that Douglas's hands were now shaking badly as he rubbed his face. 

Rewrite the text above, changing the sentence structure and the punctuation used. If you need to add words to ensure new sentences make sense, you can. BUT YOU CANNOT CHANGE ALL THE WORDS INTO YOUR OWN IDEAS.

Sentence and punctuation warm up

Compare your work with the original: What effects have your changes had on

the writing?

Has the tone of the writing changed?

Can you add anything to the 3rd column on your chart?

This extract is from a novel called Birdsong, which is about the events on the front line in WWI. It contains images of more traditional conflict.

What features of writing can you find? Pick out some interesting ones.

• Literary devices (Simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, description, personification, repetition, alliteration.)

• Range of sentences• Range of punctuation• Engaging vocabulary

Which sentence is the most effective and why?

You are writing about what it was like for the soldiers on the front line. Write a paragraph about fears,

thoughts, an attack, the situation and what it was like – you decide.

Use some of the ideas from Birdsong to help you. You could adapt and add to the paragraph from earlier.

Write in 3rd person (he), like the novel.

Birdsong - writing

Success CriteriaYou must use:• 3 different

types of sentence

• a range of punctuation

• at least 2 literary devices

• engaging vocabulary.

Mametz Wood

As you watch this video, think about how it relates to Birdsong

Thinking task:What is similar between this

video, Birdsong and ‘Out of the

Blue’?

‘Mametz Wood’

‘Mametz Wood’

What is the poem about? Summarise it.

What does it show about conflict?

Imagine that you are one of the people uncovering the mass grave

Describe uncovering the skeletons – what do they look like? How can you describe them?

Use some of the language from the poem.

Include your thoughts and feelings about what you are seeing.

‘Mametz Wood’ - writing

Success CriteriaYou must use:• 3 different

types of sentence

• a range of punctuation

• at least 2 literary devices

• engaging vocabulary.

What do you think of someone else’s writing? Add a comment – what they have

done/used well and how their writing could improve.

Have they met the success criteria for both pieces of writing?

Have they had any comments repeated?

Peer assessment?

Return to your chart. Complete the final column, using what

you have learnt from today.

What have you learnt about writing?

Things I know about writing

Things I want to know about, and practise in, my writing (check my targets)

Things I have learnt about about writing