Descriptive Piece (AQA Language Paper 1)

This is a SAM AQA Language Paper 1 question for the Writing section of the paper, supported with an example descriptive piece I wrote myself for my students. The descriptive piece is designed to explore the 5 Phase planning structure, as laid out in the ‘AQA GCSE 9-1 English Language and Literature Revision and Exam Practice’, Scholastic, 2017.

The lesson idea would be to look at the 5 Phase Planning Sheet (based on the AQA GCSE 9-1…’), discuss the purpose of these phases, read the SAM question, and then read the example descriptive piece to annotate. The student can then see how the writer can move seamlessly through these 5 phases, and also note the importance of figurative language (including metaphors, similes, personification, juxtaposition etc), which is needed to score the higher marks.

The 5 Phase planning grid and the concept of these phases have been taken from the ‘AQA GCSE 9-1 English Language and Literature Revision and Exam Practice’, Scholastic, 2017’. However, the descriptive piece answer is entirely my own work.

This can be easily adapted for other exam boards too.

All feedback welcome, and I hope this is of some use for teachers, tutors and students alike!