Descriptive Writing - Lesson 5 - Drafting and Improving PowerPoint

In the fifth lesson of a series on descriptive writing, students are encouraged to expand their vocabulary and refine their drafting skills to improve their written work. The lesson highlights the common pitfall of relying on overly simplistic words such as 'nice', and challenges students to find more expressive alternatives. Through examples, students learn how a basic sentence like "I saw a nice house with a nice garden" can be transformed into a more vivid and detailed description. They are shown how to use synonyms to replace common adjectives and are provided with a list of alternatives to words like 'big', 'small', and 'nice', such as 'immense', 'petite', and 'beautiful'. The lesson emphasises the importance of drafting as a crucial skill in English that enables writers to polish their work and develop their writing abilities.

The process of redrafting is presented not just as a means to produce a neat final piece, but as an opportunity to transform a rough draft into a polished and sophisticated piece of writing. Students are asked to consider why and how to redraft, with suggestions including the development of writing skills, vocabulary enhancement, and the correction of mistakes. The lesson also provides practical tips on how to redraft effectively, such as reading the work again, correcting errors, adding detail, and using literary devices like similes and metaphors. Finally, students are guided through the creation of a final draft, with reminders to use descriptive techniques, include thoughts and feelings, use the senses, and to carefully check their work for accuracy in punctuation and spelling, ensuring their writing is as engaging and precise as possible.