This document provides guidance on writing a descriptive jungle scene paragraph using figurative language techniques. It includes a list of success criteria focusing on using descriptive vocabulary and narrative devices. Various word classes like adjectives, verbs, adverbs, similes, metaphors, personification and alliteration are defined and examples are given. Learners are prompted to generate their own lists applying the techniques and write a 2-3 paragraph jungle description applying the vocabulary and language devices covered.

2. Success Criteria
Aim
• Statement 1 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
• Statement 2
• Sub statement
Success Criteria
Learning Objective
• To use descriptive and figurative language to describe a jungle scene.
• To recall the purpose of narrative devices.
• To use wider vocabulary and descriptive language to describe an image.
• To use figurative language to enhance a piece of creative writing.
• To produce a piece of creative writing.

3. Word Types

4. Adjectives
Size
Big-small-
tall-long-thin
numbers
one-two-
three-four
colour
red-blue-
pink
Shapes
round-oval-
pointed
sounds
loud-quiet-
low-high Taste
Sweet- salty-
Bitter- sour-
Delicious
Feel/touch
soft-rough-
fluffy-sharp
Look/like
Beautiful-
ugly- slow-
fast-sad-
happy-smiley

5. Adjectives
Adjectives are words that describe nouns (naming words).
i.e. The elephant is grey.
Adjective: Adjectives describe
the elephant’s colour.
Without this, the reader
wouldn’t know if the
elephant was grey or pink.
Noun: Nouns are names of
people, places and things.

6. Adjectives
On your activity sheet, make a list of five adjectives based on this picture.

7. Nouns
On your activity sheet, make a list of five nouns based on this picture.

8. As writers, we need to be as creative and interesting as possible.
This means using a variety of vocabulary.
Pause for Thought
If your adjectives are on
the banned list, you will
have to think of new ones!
List
big green
large beautiful
elephant trees
grey zebra
tall small
short round
Try to think of
alternative options,
ask a friend for
suggestions, or use
a thesaurus.

9. Verbs
Verbs are action words – ‘doing’ words. They often end in –ed/–ing
depending on tense. They show what the noun is ‘doing’.
i.e. The lion roared.
Can you remember what this
type of word is called?
Verb: this is what the lion is doing.

10. Verbs
On your activity sheet, make a list of five verbs to accompany your nouns.
What could they be ‘doing’?

11. Adverbs
Adverbs describe verbs! They add detail to explain how the action is
being ‘done’.
i.e. The lion roared slowly.
What was this
word class?
Adverb: The adverb tells us
how the lion was roaring by
describing the action of its roar
and creates a much clearer
image for the reader.
What is this?
A verb or an adjective?

12. Adverbs
On your activity sheet, make a list of five adverbs to describe your verbs.

13. Have a Look
You should now have a list of:
• five adjectives;
• five nouns;
• five verbs;
• five adverbs.
We have a good basis
for some writing.
However, great writers
need a little more…

14. Figurative
Language

15. Similes
A simile describes something by comparing it to something else using ‘like’
or ‘as’.
E.g. The lion’s roar was like a trumpet,
calling the pride to war.
Or
E.g. The elephant’s skin was as grey as the
miserable sky.

16. Similes
On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two similes.

17. Metaphors
Metaphors describe something as being something else.
E.g. The lion’s roar was a trumpet, calling the pride to war.
Top Tip:
Metaphors are a
powerful way to
describe and can
create strong, vivid
images. They are a
really useful tool
when describing.
Can you think of
one metaphor to
use with your
ideas so far?

18. Metaphors
On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two metaphors.

19. Alliteration
Alliteration is an effective way of adding ‘sound’ to your description.
e.g. The roaring rumbled repeatedly in the distance.
Top Tip:
The repetition of the ‘r’ sound helps the
reader to hear the sounds of the scene
they are imagining.

20. Alliteration
On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two alliterative
sentences.

21. Personification
Personification is a great way to bring your writing to life. It gives human
qualities or characteristics to something ‘non-human’.
E.g. The jungle leaves reached out to engulf me.
We know that leaves don’t
really reach out to grab us,
but this gives the jungle a
more sinister quality and feels
as if it is ‘alive’.

22. Personification
On your activity sheet, use your ideas so far to create two personification
sentences.

23. Your Turn!
Your task is to write a description of a jungle scene. It doesn't have to
describe this picture but you can use it to help you.
Remember: you are
trying to create a vivid
image for the reader.
Use your ideas so far to make sure
you have used lots of interesting
vocabulary and figurative language.
Aim to write at least 2-3 paragraphs for your description.

24. Descriptive Writing Checklist
When you have finished and checked your work, ask a partner to check
whether they think you have used all the things on your checklist. They
could colour-code these and highlight them in your work.
Have I Used? Yes/No Partner
interesting adjectives
powerful
carefully selected adverbs
similes
metaphors
alliteration
personification

25. Plenary
Look at this short section of writing:
The crimson ball in the sky seemed to stare furiously down at him, angry
with him for losing his way. Brown, withered plant tendrils, as dry as
paper, tickled him as they slithered their scorched scratchy skins across
his forearm.
Try to find the following:
A verb
An adverb
An adjective
An example of personification
An example of alliteration
A metaphor
A simile

26. Further Activities
1. Pick one particular object/person/animal from
your description and create a detailed description
of just that object/person/animal.
2. Highlight any vocabulary you think you could
improve in your work and use a thesaurus to
make a better word choice.
3. Use what you have learnt today to write a
description of one of the following:
• A beach
• A busy market
• The first day of school