Teaching Strategies, Tactics, and Methods

Repetition

Repetition is when a single word or phrase is used multiple times in short succession for effect. It can help emphasize a point. For example, ‘I have to practice my time’s tables over so I can learn them’ vs. ‘I have to practice my time’s tables over and over and over again so I can learn them.’

What is Repetition?

Repetition is when a word, sentence, or phrase appears more than once in a poem.

Repetition is used in poetry and prose to excite the writing and help create patterns. Depending on the repeated word or phrase, repetition allows for more emphasis on specific themes, ideas, or objects.

Common Examples of Repetition

We use repetition every day without realizing it. These are examples that you probably hear people say every day:

Time after time;

Heart-to-heart;

Hand in hand;

Get ready, get set, go;

Home sweet home;

It is what it is.

Repetition in Poetry

Odes are a type of poetry that traditionally make use of repetition.

Different types of repetition can be used in poetry.

• Refrain – This is where a verse or phrase is repeated during different stages of a song or poem.
• Chorus – Chorus is where a verse or phrase is repeated following each verse within a song or poem. The Christmas carol repeats the line, ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas,’ multiple times.
• Echo poems – In an echo poem, the last word of each line can be repeated as a response in the following line.
• Alliteration – Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds, often at the beginning of a word. For example, ‘The slimy snake slowly slithered away.’
• Rhyme – Rhyme is the repetition of sound using rhythmic patterns to create a musical effect.

Repetition in Prose

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, repetition is used to emphasize the size of Tom Buchanan’s apartment:

‘The apartment was on the top floor—a small living room, a small dining room, a small bedroom, and a bath.’

The repetition of the word ‘small’ highlights to the reader how tiny Tom’s apartment is.

Repetition in Persuasive Writing

Repetition can also be used in persuasive writing and media, such as adverts.

Some might also repeat positive adjectives to describe their product to make the audience think that way. For example, a water park might say it’s ‘fun, fun, fun!’.

Repetition is an excellent way to get an idea to stay in our minds, which is why many advertisers are fond of it – and why so many adverts get stuck in our heads!

7 Types of Repetition in Writing

Repetition can be a powerful tool in writing and has been commonly used in songs, poetry, and even the most powerful and memorable speeches throughout history. Seven types of repetition can be identified in writing. These include:

• Anaphora -Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of several sentences. This technique can be seen in Martin Luther King’s famous speech, ‘I have a Dream.’
• Epistrophe -This is the counterpart to anaphora. Epistrophe involves repeating the last word or phrase across successive phrases, clauses, or sentences. This means that, instead of beginning a sentence the same way, the writer will end every sentence with the same word or phrase. A famous example of this can be read in the Gettysburg Address, where Abraham Lincoln urged the American people to ensure that ‘government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.’ Here, his repetition of ‘the people’ at the end of each clause is an example of epistrophe.
• Symploce – Symploce is a combination of anaphora and epistrophe. This occurs when one word or phrase is repeated at the beginning of a line and another at the end.
• Antistasis – Antistasis repetition is when antanaclasis goes so far as to incorporate opposite meanings.
• Negative-positive restatement -This repetition requires the writer to write the same sentence twice, first with a negative intonation and then with a positive twist. For example, the famous statement, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.’
• Palilogia is the simple repetition of a single word or phrase in immediate succession. Take ‘HO! HO! HO!’, the famous words of the much-loved Father Christmas as an example.

What are Comparative Adverbs?

Comparative adverbs are a kind of adverb. The adverb’s job is to modify a verb, so we use a comparative adverb to compare two verb actions to reach another.

In both sentences, ‘fast’ is the adverb. In the second, ‘faster’ is the comparative adverb.

We use comparative adverbs when comparing two things, not three or more.

How do we make Comparative Adverbs?

Depending on the adverb, there are three ways to form a comparative adverb.

One-syllable adverbs

Forming a comparative adverb from a one-syllable adverb is simple. First, you add ‘er’ to the end of the adverb.

Adverb	Comparative Adverb
fast	Faster
quick	Quicker
slow	Slower
long	longer
wide	wider
wide	wider
low	lower

Most one-syllable adverbs have the same form as their adjective, which can sometimes be confusing for those learning adverbs and adjectives.

Positive	Comparative
Adjective	He took a slow walk.	He took a slower walk.
Adverb	He strolled.	He walked slower.

Two-syllable adverbs

For adverbs with two or more syllables, we can make them comparative by putting ‘more’ or ‘less’ in front of the adverb.

Adverb	Comparative Adverb
slowly	more slowly / less slowly
thoughtfully	more thoughtfully / less thoughtfully
carefully	more carefully / less carefully
happily	more happily / less happily
courageously	more courageously / less courageously
bravely	more bravely / less bravely
cowardly	more cowardly / less cowardly
horribly	more horribly / less horribly
recently	more recently / less recently
strangely	more strangely / less strangely
sadly	more sadly / less sadly

We can also use ‘more’ or ‘less’ with time adverbs to show an increase or decrease in a particular action.

Adding the comparative adverb	Possible meaning
She plays tennis often.	Once a week.
Now, she plays tennis more often.	Twice or three times a week.
Now, she plays tennis less often.	Once every two weeks.

We can also use ‘more’ or ‘less’ with time adverbs for a simple comparison, just like the adverbs of manner.

She plays tennis more often than him.

She plays tennis less often than him.

Irregular Comparative Adverbs

Some adverbs don’t conform to these rules when we change them into comparative adverbs. Some don’t follow a particular pattern, so memorizing the individual words is the only way to learn them.

Adverb	Comparative Adverb	Example
badly	worse	They performed badly. / They performed worse on the night than they did in practice.
well	better	She understood the topic well. / She understood the topic better after some tutoring.
far	further/farther	The sun is far away. / The sun is further away than the moon.
little	less	There’s only a little time left. / There’s less time than before.
much	more	She appreciated it very much. / She appreciated it more than they knew.

Informal Comparative Adverbs

Some adverbs and comparative adverbs have a ‘formal’ version with the ‘ly’ and an informal version without it. They’re usually used in speech rather than in writing. Here are some examples:

Adverb	Formal Comparative Adverb	Informal Comparative Adverb
cheap/cheaply	more cheaply	cheaper
quick/quickly	more quickly	quicker
slow/slowly	more slowly	slower
loud/loudly	more loudly	louder
wide/widely	more widely	wider
happy/happily	more happily	happier

How do we use Comparative Adverbs?

We use comparative adverbs to compare two verb actions with one another. They usually show an increase or decrease in the action or that one thing is ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than the other at the verb action. The comparative adverb is often followed by ‘than.’

Lions run fast, but cheetahs run faster.

Cheetahs fun faster than lions.

Lions don’t run faster than cheetahs.

Lions run more slowly than cheetahs.

He was better at playing chess.

He was better at playing chess than his opponent.

Plants grow more quickly when you water them in the right amount.

She laid out the plan more thoughtfully than anyone expected.

He took on the challenge more willingly than his teammates.

The teacher asked the class to speak more quietly.

The teacher asked the class if they could speak less loudly.

What are Superlative Adverbs?

Like superlative adjectives, superlative adverbs describe differences among three or more people, places, or things. Despite their similarities, there is a difference between superlative adjectives and superlative adverbs. Superlative adjectives are used to describe something as the highest or lowest degree. However, superlative adverbs are used to describe a person or thing’s action compared to several others.

It is common for superlative adverbs to be preceded by ‘the,’ but it is not a requirement.

Examples of superlative adverbs:

• Mary is the best singer in the class.
• James is the fastest runner in his age group.
• Lily is the tallest girl out of all her friends.
• Out of everyone in the office, Paul was most likely to call in sick.

Comparative and Superlative Adverbs

In the case of adverbs that end in -ly, you have to use more to form the comparative and most to form the superlative. For example:

Adverb	Comparative Adverb	Superlative Adverb
evenly	more evenly	most evenly
angrily	more angrily	most angrily
effortlessly	more effortlessly	most effortlessly
promptly	more promptly	most promptly
highly	more highly	most highly
smoothly	more smoothly	most smoothly

Here are some examples of these comparative and superlative adverbs in sentences:

The young girl sang more effortlessly than the rest of her class.

The young girl sang the most effortlessly of all her classmates.

The teacher arrived more promptly than usual.

The teacher arrived the most promptly out of the whole staff team.

The boy was praised more highly than his friend for his swimming.

The boy was praised most highly out of all his teammates.

 

Adverb	Comparative Adverb	Superlative Adverb
fast	faster	fastest
big	bigger	biggest
tall	taller	tallest
late	later	latest
soft	softer	softest
cool	cooler	coolest

Here are examples of these comparative and superlative adjectives in sentences:

Johnny was the fastest runner in his family.

Amber was taller than all of her classmates.

Amber was the tallest person in the class.

The boy thought he was cooler than all his friends.

The boy thought he was the coolest person in his friend group.

It’s important to note that if the adverb ends in e, it must be removed before adding the ending.

Adverb	Comparative Adverb	Superlative Adverb
large	larger	largest
wise	wiser	wisest

Similarly, adverbs ending in –y must be changed to I before adding the ending.

Adverb	Comparative Adverb	Superlative Adverb
pretty	prettier	prettiest
happy	happier	happiest
busy	busier	busiest
angry	angrier	angriest
clingy	clingier	clingiest
crazy	crazier	craziest

While these rules can apply to most adverbs, some adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms. Here are some examples of irregular comparative and superlative adverbs:

Adverb	Comparative Adverb	Superlative Adverb
badly	worse	worst
little	less	least
far	farther/further	farthest/furthest
good	better	best
many	more	most

What is a prefix?

A prefix is a group or string of letters that can be attached to the start of a root word. Each prefix has its embedded meaning. Once a prefix is added to a root word, the newly-formed word will mean ‘prefix meaning + root word.’

What does the prefix pre mean?

Aprefixis used at the beginning of a word to adjust its meaning. For example, the prefix ‘pre-‘ means ‘before’ and is typically used to signify ‘before’ or ‘prior to.’ So, for example, when you try to prevent something, you come ‘before’ it to put a halt to it, thereby keeping it from happening. Read the below for more examples of the pre-prefix in a sentence.

• Prevent: come ‘before’ – for example, ‘They tried to prevent an accident by taking the appropriate safety measures.’
• Preheat: heat ‘before’ – for example, ‘Before you make a cake, don’t forget to preheat the oven.’
• Prejudice: judge ‘before’ – for example, ‘You shouldn’t have prejudice about anything before you try it.’
• Preview: see ‘before’ – for example, ‘At the cinema, before the film, they showed the previews.’
• Predict: say ‘before’ – for example, ‘My gran always said you can’t predict what the weather will be.’

What are words with the prefix pre?

A simple way to learn and become comfortable with prefixes is to learn words with the prefix pre. Use this word list to find valuable and clear examples of words with the prefix pre.

7-letter words with the prefix pre

• Present
• Prepare
• preface
• pre-teen

6-letter words with the prefix pre

• Prefer
• Precut
• Premix
• Preset
• Pre-war

15-letter words with the prefix pre

• Preregistration
• Prepublication
• Prehistorically
• Prearrangement

13-letter words with the prefix pre

• Premeditation
• Predetermined
• Preproduction
• Pre-enrollment

The pattern of the words that make poems fun to say and easy to remember is not there by accident. Poets arrange their words in a certain way to create these patterns. Depending on the poet and the poem, it might be simple or more complex.

How is rhythm created?

Using syllables

Rhythm is often created through the use of syllables. When we speak, we naturally emphasize some syllables over others. Longer syllables are “stressed,” and shorter ones are “unstressed.”

For example, the word “review” can be split into “re” and “view.” However, when we speak, we emphasize the second syllable, the “view” part. This means “view” is stressed.

Poets use these natural stresses to help form this rhythm, almost like a beat in music. For example, if you put a word in a sentence and read it aloud, you can easily see which words are stressed.

Creating a meter with a pattern of syllables

The pattern of stressed and unstressed parts of words is known as the meter. It is the arrangement of words in regularly measured, patterned, or rhythmic lines or verses.

This can even be measured in metrical feet. A metrical foot tends to be formed with one stressed syllable and two unstressed syllables. In some types of poetry, such as Haiku, the writer counts the number of syllables in each line. Yet, in rhythmical poetry, poets count the number of feet instead. Poems can have any number of feet in their lines, but you would stick to the pattern when writing poetry.

Poets tend to use different meters for different effects. A frequently used meter is Iambic pentameter, especially common in Shakespeare’s sonnets. There are five metrical feet in the lines of Iambic Pentameter, which is thought to follow the sound of natural conversation. Poets using this metric usually try to create a conversational or natural feel to the poem.

This doesn’t mean poets can only use this metric style, though. There are lots of different rhythms poets can use. A diameter contains two metrical feet; a trimeter contains three, and a tetrameter includes four. Poets and authors may switch between different styles to emphasize certain people’s words. Shakespeare does this in Macbeth, where the witches use trochaic tetrameter.

Why is rhythm important in poetry?

Rhythm plays a role in creating emotions and a sense of balance in writing. However, it is what makes it unique when read aloud.

It can strengthen the meanings and ideas in a poem. Different rhythms can create moods and tones that might reflect the ideas and thoughts expressed in the poem.

How to teach rhythm in poetry

Teaching rhythm in poetry can sometimes feel challenging as it is hard to define. Yet if you teach rhythm hands-on, your children will likely understand it quickly and have lots of fun while learning.

Let the music play

Most children love music. It is something they will come across pretty much every day, so it should be easy for them to understand. Play different genres of music and get children to tap into the beat. For example, explain to them how heavy rock music tends to have a very different rhythm than pop. Then read some poems and see if they can also tap the rhythm.

Show them a video

Showing children videos can also help them understand how poems sound out loud and the role rhythm has to play.

Learn about the stages of a flowering plant life cycle. Everything you need to know to teach your children the facts.

A life cycle is an organism’s chain of events until the next generation starts the cycle again. Throughout a life cycle, there will be several different stages in development and reproduction.

Every living organism goes through a cycle during its life, plants included. However, these life cycles differ significantly, particularly in flowering and non-flowering plants.

For this page, we will be focusing on a flowering plant life cycle. So remember, the stages will not apply to all plants.

What is a flowering plant?

First, let’s define what a flowering plant is. Ok, so it’s not that difficult.

A flowering plant is a plant that produces flowers, and these flowers turn into fruits. Because of this, you might also hear them referred to as fruit-bearing plants. Or, if you want to get serious, their scientific name is angiosperms.

Stages of a flowering plant life cycle

A flowering plant life cycle can be broken down into several stages. When teaching, how much detail you need to cover during each stage will depend on the age of your children.

For most primary students, it is enough to say that there are five critical stages in a flower plant life cycle. These are listed below, and we will explain in more detail what happens during these events.

1. Germination
2. Growth
3. Flowering
4. Seed formation
5. Seed dispersal

1. Germination

Seeds come in all different shapes and sizes. But every seed contains an embryo. This embryo is what will go on to become a fully-grown plant.

So when a seed finds itself in the right conditions, it will start to grow; this is called germination.

Most seeds need moisture, oxygen, and warmth to germinate. The amounts of each thing can differ depending on the type of plant and how it has adapted to its environment.

Fun fact: Some seeds are very fussy and need special conditions to germinate. For example, some seeds cannot germinate unless passed through an animal’s digestive tract (yuk!). Or seeds that spring to life after being exposed to really high temperatures during bushfires (ouch!).

2. Growth

During this phase, a seedling develops into a mature plant. Depending on the plant species, this can take days to weeks to even years.

Throughout this phase, the plant’s roots grow below ground to allow it to absorb the water and nutrients it needs. The roots also provide the plant stability and support, anchoring it into the soil.

Also, the stem will get taller and more robust, and the leaves will develop. The development of the leaves is an essential part of this stage. The plant will begin to photosynthesize and make its food in the leaves. This food is required for its continued growth.

The plant will grow flower buds in a flowering plant life cycle. This is a sign that the plant has reached maturity and is ready for the next step in the process.

3. Flowering

Once the plant has reached maturity, the flower buds will develop into flowers. These flowers are essential in a plant’s life cycle as this is where the new seeds are made. In other words, the flower is where reproduction happens.

Two critical events are involved in this stage: pollination and fertilization.

Within the flower, you will find a stamen, the male part of the flower, and a carpel, the female part.

The male part of the flower produces small grains of pollen; for a plant to become fertilized, this pollen must reach part of the carpel called the stigma. For this to happen, pollination must occur.

Interestingly, some plants can self-pollinate while others must be pollinated with pollen from a different plant.

The act of pollination can happen in different ways too. For example, plants can be pollinated by insects, birds, animals, or even the wind.

Flowers are good at attracting birds and insects with their brightly colored petals and their sweet-smelling scent. When these creatures come to feed or collect nectar from the flowers, they become covered in pollen. So then, when they move from flower to flower, they pollinate. Similarly, pollen can be carried on their bodies and fur when animals pass by and transfer to different flowers. Or, on a breezy day, pollen can be transported in the air.

Once pollen is transferred from the male part of a flower to the female part of a flower, fertilization begins.

If you want more details on plant reproduction, follow the link or look at some of our resources.

4. Seed formation

Once fertilization has occurred, seeds will form, and inside these seeds will be a viable plant embryo.

At this point in a flowering plant life cycle, the flower will die, and the fruit will develop. The fruit protects the seeds from damage and helps them in the final stages of the life cycle.

Interesting fact: Obviously, fruits take on various shapes and sizes, and you might only think of fruits as the typical things you see in supermarkets. But even the fluffy part of a dandelion seed is considered a fruit.

5. Seed dispersal

The final stage in a flowering plant life cycle is seed dispersal. Seed dispersal can happen in many different ways, depending on how seeds and fruits have been adapted.

Typical fruits like berries, apples, and tomatoes are eaten by animals and birds and then excreted, eventually finding their way back to the ground.

Some seeds are blown in the wind, and others have adapted to float in water. Some have even developed hooks that help them attach to passers-by. But ultimately, a seed’s primary goal is to find a suitable place on the ground where it can germinate and start the cycle again.

What is the weather like?

We have all experienced it, but what is the weather like? Weather is the mix of events that happen every day in our atmosphere. The atmosphere is the layer of gases around the Earth. This is made of central nitrogen, some oxygen, and a few other gases and is held to the Earth by gravity.

The heat from the sun warms the gases in the atmosphere to different temperatures in different places, which causes the air to move. This air movement is called wind, and the wind changes the weather. Water vapor or moisture in the air also affects the weather. Changes in air pressure also affect the weather. So, the weather we experience depends on what is happening above us in the Earth’s atmosphere.

When we ask ‘what is the weather?’, the answer is different depending on which country you are in and what time it is. This is because the weather can change from minute to minute. For example, have you ever been outside in the sun and it suddenly starts to rain? That’s the weather changing before your eyes!

What’s the definition of weather, and what are the six types of weather?

If you’re feeling hot or cold or feeling the rain fall on you, then you’re experiencing the effects of the weather. Weather is about what’s going on in the sky and clouds. In other words, it’s the daily state of the atmosphere.

While climate refers to the average conditions of a place over a long period, the weather is a specific, temporary event. It could last for ten minutes, like a quick rain shower, or it might last for a few days, like a storm or cloudy sky. Unfortunately, the weather happens all the time, every day, and there’s not much we can do about it.

There are six parts of weather: temperature, cloudiness, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, wind, and humidity.

Meteorologists record and forecast the weather so that we can keep track of changing weather conditions and prepare for any extreme weather that is coming. Unfortunately, the weather is sometimes too unpredictable and changes too quickly for us to predict it accurately.

Weather affects our lives daily. This can be as simple as influencing the clothes we choose to wear or the activities we do. You wouldn’t go to the beach in a swimsuit when it’s snowing! You might pack different clothes if you are going on holiday, depending on where you are going. Not everywhere has the same climate. Think about the desert compared to Antarctica.

In more extreme cases, weather can lead to dangerous situations, destroying homes and taking lives. For example, weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes can be hazardous and destructive.

What are examples of the weather for kids?

To answer the question ‘what is the weather?’ it is best to look at examples of the weather that we are all familiar with! Here are some weather examples for kids:

• Sunshine;
• Rain;
• Wind;
• Clouds;
• Fog;
• Snow;
• Hail;
• Sleet;
• Thunder;
• Lightning.

What are the four elements of weather?

Four main elements of weather affect how we experience our daily lives. These are temperature, wind, snow or rain, and sunlight or clouds.

They can exist in different combinations and affect what we wear, where we go, and how we feel. For example, it can look very sunny outside in the middle of winter, but you will still need to wear a coat. Or it could be cloudy and windy but still quite warm.

Watching weather forecasts each day can help you decide how the four weather elements will affect your decisions that day. They show a weather map with the different conditions you can expect across the day and the week ahead. Maybe you can make the most of the sunshine. Perhaps you need to find some indoor activities instead.

What causes the weather?

Weather is caused by the sun’s heat and the air’s movement. The amount of moisture in the air also affects the weather. All weather happens in the lower layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. That is why it affects our lives so much. The four elements of weather combine to cause the day-to-day weather we experience.

The wind is created by warm air in the atmosphere rising and being replaced by colder air. This causes other weather conditions, such as clear skies or rain. The amount of moisture in the clouds affects the weather, causing us to experience rain, snow, and more. The different seasons are characterized by different weather, too.

How can we predict the weather?

Measuring the weather is called weather observation. That sounds relatively easy – anyone can observe the weather just by looking out the window! But how do we predict the temperature so that we can make forecasts? And how do we do it accurately and in detail?

Meteorologists measure all the different parts of the weather and put them together.

Temperature

Measuring temperature is relatively straightforward: it only takes a thermometer. We use mercury in our thermometers, but mercury is a hazardous substance. Nowadays, digital thermometers are used to measure temperature.

Humidity

Humidity is the quantity of water vapor in the air. It is measured by measuring the temperature of a thermometer with its end wrapped in a damp cloth. This is then compared to a regular thermometer. After doing some calculations, we can work out the humidity.

Wind

We measure wind direction and wind speed. Wind direction can be measured with a weather vane. It shows us where the wind has come from, which can tell us a lot about the weather. For example, wind from the north tends to be quite cold, while a wind from the south is warmer.

To measure wind speed, an anemometer is used. This spins to show how fast the wind is moving.

Visibility

Visibility is the distance that we can see without binoculars or other assistance. When it is foggy, the visibility can be very low.

We measure our visibility by using our eyes. We look for points a set distance away and see which are apparent. Sometimes, lasers are used for better accuracy.

Rain

Rain accumulation is the amount of rain reaching the ground over some time. It is measured using rain gauges that capture rain.

Rain rate is the amount of rain falling out of the sky and its speed. We can use radar to estimate the rain rate.

Pressure

The air pressure can tell us what type of weather to expect. For example, with high pressure, we usually expect clear skies and light winds. But when the pressure is low, the weather is often wet and windy. Pressure is measured with a barometer with different bubbles to show the air pressure.

These are the main factors that we use to forecast the weather!

How does climate change affect the weather?

Climate change means we’re likely to experience extreme weather conditions more often, such as heatwaves, floods, and storms. The hotter weather associated with climate change can have serious consequences.

For example, the increased temperatures in the Arctic have led to the melting of polar ice caps, severely affecting the animals and people living there.

Extreme weather around the world

In the UK, we are fortunate to have relatively temperate weather mostly. This means weather that doesn’t get too hot or too cold. So although you may feel like it rains a lot, the rain is spread out across the year rather than all falling in a couple of months, like during monsoon seasons in other parts of the world. We also don’t experience very many extreme weather events, although parts of the country suffer flooding, especially in winter.

As climate change continues to develop worldwide, we will likely experience more extreme weather in the UK. This includes hotter summers, more flooding, and loss of our coastline.

Here are some types of extreme weather that you might hear about from different parts of the world:

1. Tornadoes – A type of extreme weather experienced across the world. They consist of vertical funnels of spinning air that move at excessive speeds. The United States of America experiences the most tornadoes each year, which can be very dangerous and deadly.
2. Floods – When there is heavy rainfall for a long time, it can lead to floods. Many countries worldwide experience flooding, including The Philippines, India, Vietnam, France, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom.
3. Thunderstorms – Storms vary in intensity, with some being relatively harmless and others causing mass destruction. Thunderstorms are a type of storm which involve thunder and lightning. Each bolt of lightning can contain one billion volts of electricity!

Adjectival Phrase

An adjectival phrase is a group of words in a phrase that includes an adjective. It acts as an adjective by describing a noun, such as Wiggles is fluffier than most cats.

What is an Adjectival Phrase?

It’s easy to get confused between an adjective and an adjectival phrase.

An adjectival or adjective phrase is a group of words that include an adjective that modifies a noun or pronoun in a sentence.

What does an Adjectival Phrase consist of?

To identify an adjectival phrase, the key is to look at the first word of the group of words. If it is an adverb or preposition, it is an adjectival phrase consisting of an intensifier and an adjective.
Sometimes, one adjective isn’t enough, and a string of adjectives can create an adjective phrase to describe a noun.

What can an Adjectival Phrase do in a sentence?

Introducing adjectival phrases in your classroom will help your students with their writing skills, as using them will give their sentences more life and personality.
Sometimes, they will need a single adjective to make the sentence pop; however, to increase detail and engage them with their writing, using adjectival phrases will increase the detail provided.

Examples of Adjectival Phrases

A great way to fully understand and engage with adjectival phrases is to look at some examples and test students’ knowledge of them.

The happy dog wags his tail all day long
The dog, who seems very happy, wags his tail all day.

The bright sun shone through the window
The sun, which is so bright, shone through the window

Both of these mean the same thing; however, the first sentences use adjectives, whereas the second sentences have adjectival phrases.

Some adjectival phrases modify nouns, which look different:

The bakery, around the corner, sells cakes.
The cost of the shoes was way too high.
The bird in the tree flew away.

What is fiction writing?

Fiction is any literature created from the imagination and typically has a narrative. It describes imaginary events and people. Usually, this comes in the form of books and stories. Narrative writing is one of the three types of writing, and it’s important to remember that not all narratives are fiction.

The word ‘fiction’ comes from the Latin word ‘fictus,’ which means ‘to form’ – fiction is stories that are ‘formed’ and created by a writer.

There are many types of genres within fiction, including mysteries, science fiction, romance, fantasy, and crime thrillers.

Fiction is the opposite of non-fiction. It can be based on facts or actual events, but the writer curates most of the content using their imagination.

Fiction is typically read for pleasure but can also be analyzed to discover themes and meanings.

What are the different forms of fiction writing?

Fiction can take many forms, such as:

• Novels: Novels are books that have one long story written in them. They’re works of prose fiction. They’re longer than short stories and novellas.
• Novellas: A novella is a standalone piece of fiction shorter than a full-length novel but longer than a short story or novel.
• Short stories: Short stories are much shorter than novels and usually deal with only a few characters.
• Flash fiction: Flash fiction is a type of fiction writing defined by how short it is. Flash fiction is usually kept beneath a strict word count to tell a story in the least words possible. Some flash fiction tells a story in just a few words.
• Play scripts: A play or drama script is a story written for actors to perform, with the term ‘play’ relating to a theatrical performance.
• Poems: Poems use chosen language, rhythm, rhyme, imagery, and more to create an image or tell a narrative. Poems can be short or as long as an entire novel.

As you can see, fiction is everywhere! And it doesn’t just have to be a book, either. Your favorite film is a work of fiction. Narrative poems are a work of fiction. So fiction is a vital part of our society and culture. It can also be divided into two types of fiction – commercial fiction and literary fiction. But what are commercial and literary fiction?

Commercial fiction includes fiction novels and writing that can be read and enjoyed by a broad audience. Examples of fiction genres include mystery, romance, legal thrillers, and science fiction books. These are examples of commercial fiction found on the bookshelves of our high street bookshops and libraries.

Literary fiction is aimed at a much smaller and often more academic or intellectually adventurous audience. Nevertheless, the noticeable qualities it contains set literary fiction apart, such as excellent but complex writing, originality of thought, and style.

What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction?

Fiction and non-fiction are both types of narrative writing that will be taught to your students in primary education. However, they are vastly different. Fiction texts are created from the imagination and include made-up stories with characters, a setting, and a plot from the author’s imagination. Some examples of fiction texts would consist of picture books, novels, and classic fairytales, to name a few.

Meanwhile, the definition of non-fiction is the term for any writing created to relay the truth or information of actual events to the audience. This means that it is the opposite of fiction. ‘Non-fiction’ texts are based on facts and are informative. These include history books, autobiographies, and many more.

See these examples of fiction and non-fiction writing to see where you can find the differences between these two forms of writing.

Examples of Fiction: Fairy tales, poetry, plays, novels

Examples of Non-fiction: Autobiographies, textbooks, newspapers

Popular types of fiction: Find the genre of fiction for your students

You will find many mainstream genre fictions in your reading corner, and school libraries will fall into common and popular types of fiction according to the genre. Genre is the style or category of a book. As a writer, genre controls what you write and how you write it. It describes the style and focus of the novel you write. Genres give you blueprints for different types of stories. These different genres will appeal to the various readers in your classroom. Read more about these different genres to find the best types of fiction books to get your children excited about reading and writing.

•  Adventure stories include something exciting and extraordinary, often a quest or a mission. A good adventure story can draw your children into a world or time they would have never been able to explore. In addition, because adventure stories are so immersive, children will have no idea they are learning as they go!
• Crime/detective fiction: Detective and crime fiction follow the classic ‘whodunnit’ formula, where readers can help solve a crime or mystery with vibrant characters. Detective stories are a popular genre in which a crime is introduced and investigated, and the culprit is revealed.
• Thriller fiction: Thriller fiction is great for your adventurous and imaginative readers. Thrillers often include dark storylines, high stakes, and suspenseful plot-driven stories.
• Fantasy fiction: Fantasy is a type of fiction that typically, taking inspiration from myth and legend, is set in a fictional universe and features supernatural characters and mythical creatures. Fantasy fiction stories are a wonderful escape from the norm and reality. This is what makes them so popular with children and adults alike
• Science fiction: Science fiction, often shortened to ‘sci-fi,’ is a genre of fiction that’s usually set in space or the future. It can include spaceships, astronauts, machines, robots, and aliens. Science fiction stories are often about exploring new worlds, inventing new imaginary scientific technology, or having an adventure in space. Science fiction stories are great for your interested and thrill-seeking students.
• Young adult fiction: Young adult fiction is now booming in popularity, thanks to memorable young protagonists like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. The main characteristic of young adult fiction (often shortened to YA fiction) is that its main characters are the same age as the story’s intended audience, usually between 12 and 16 years old. The story will explore their coming-of-age journey through their relationships with other characters or through the lens of a critical mission to save people from danger.
• Romance fiction: Romance is one of the best-selling genres of fiction in the adult market. It focuses on a relationship between two characters, usually with lots of twists and turns happening to prevent them from getting together before they get their happy ending! While romance isn’t a genre aimed at children, many children’s stories contain an element of romance – think of all the princes and princesses in fairy tales. Romance is also a popular element of young adult fiction, with characters exploring their feelings for others as they come of age.
• Historical fiction: Historical fiction refers to any fictional story set in the past. Sometimes the stories contain accurate historical figures, such as kings, queens, or even celebrities from previous ages. Still, the central character will almost always be a product of the author’s imagination. The plot might also contain fictionalized versions of events that happened, or it might be entirely made up. Historical fiction books are usually meticulously researched to ensure all the period details are correct.

Not all fiction stories can easily be categorized. Many stories contain elements of two types of fiction or even more. Think of the Harry Potter series, for example. It’s a young adult series and an adventure story with a central quest. In addition, it contains elements of fantasy, with plenty of magic and mythical creatures, and there’s also quite a lot of romance.

Examples of Fiction: What are the three types of fiction?

Novels and fiction books fall into three broad categories: literary fiction, genre fiction, and mainstream fiction. But what does this mean?

• Literary fiction: Literary fiction tends to follow non-conventional plot structures. This type of fiction usually uses heavy symbolism and deeper meanings. Examples of literary fiction are often viewed as more ‘advanced’ or more ‘serious’ than here and mainstream fiction. Instead of focusing on the plot of a story, the character and their development are prominent in literary fiction. Reading literary fiction focuses on the experiences, growth, and beliefs of the main character we follow through the story. A story arc and traditional plot may or may not even be present, which means that a satisfying ending is no guarantee. Types of literary fiction also include contemporary literary fiction, realistic literary fiction, experimental literary fiction, and philosophical, literary fiction.
• Genre fiction: Genre fiction is one of the more popular types of fiction that your students will encounter. Genre fiction traditionally includes genres such as romance, mystery, thriller, horror, fantasy, and children’s books. (You can read more about the different genres you can try above.) These types of fiction are often our best sellers that you can find on the shelves of high street shops. Unlike literary fiction, the plot and storylines are the main focus of these books, and they are mainly written for entertainment.
• Mainstream fiction: When a fiction novel or a genre novel becomes massively popular beyond its intended and core audience, attracting new readers and bestseller status, it is considered an example of mainstream fiction. Every type of fiction has the potential to become mainstream fiction.

What are the three characteristics of fiction?

The main characteristics of fiction can vary depending on your opinion of which characteristics are most important to the story. However, it is widely agreed that the three essential features of fiction include the familiar elements different people will list: character, plot, and point of view.

Character: A character is a person in a story, either a human, a fantasy character, a mythical character, or even an animal. It can be anything from a human to an inanimate object. So whether it’s Little Red Riding Hood or the Big Bad Wolf you’re describing, these characters play an essential part in their story.

Point of view: Point of view is the voice in which a story is told. It is the narrative voice through which readers follow the story’s plot, meet its characters, discover its setting, and enter into its relationships, emotions, and conflicts.

Plot: The plot is the main event(s) of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as a complementary sequence.

What is the difference between fiction and literature?

Fiction is a type of literature, but not all literature is fiction.

Literature is an umbrella term encompassing many genres, forms, and writing styles. For example, fiction and non-fiction are types of literature, so not all literature is fictional. In addition, poetry and plays are also types of literature.

Some also define literature as more ‘classic’ in nature. General fiction is written to be read for pleasure, not for deeper analysis or comprehension. It has clear themes, interesting characters, and an exciting plot.

On the other hand, literature is writing with themes and symbolism that can only be discovered after careful analysis and comprehension.

When you compare the two, fiction focuses on creating an enjoyable experience for the reader. It’s a story to be read and loved. Literature focuses on a central theme or message – it wants the reader to think critically and analyze what they’re reading.

In English lessons, children will read stories considered ‘literature’ so that there are more opportunities for them to practice reading comprehension and making inferences.

However, children need to read both! This will improve their reading comprehension skills and help them to develop a love for reading.

What does fiction do?

The main aim of fiction is to entertain and inspire all who read it. Fiction takes us into imaginary worlds and introduces us to characters we can see grow, change and develop. It gives us an insight into lives we would never have had the chance to witness otherwise.

Many fictional stories also have a moral message or explore specific topics and themes. For example, many stories examine the issue of racism and how it’s impacted people’s lives and our society. These stories aim to educate the reader and hopefully teach them something new.

Some fiction explores emotions such as grief, anger, or love. These stories allow the writer and the reader to express complicated feelings.

Facts about Fiction

Here are some quick-fire facts about fiction!

• The hero of the story is called the protagonist.
• The villain of the story is called the antagonist.
• The fight between the protagonist and the antagonist is called the conflict.
• There are five basic types of conflict: person vs. self, person vs. person, person vs. society, person vs. nature, and person vs. supernatural.
• A new type of conflict has been introduced in modern times: person vs. technology.
• The plot must have a beginning, middle, and end.
• The climax is the most exciting part of the plot. Like a rollercoaster, the plot builds up until you’re at the top – the climax.
• Fiction is about what the protagonist wants – and who or what stops them from getting it.
• Change and development are crucial to fiction. Characters should learn and grow throughout the plot. They might gain a new perspective on things.
• One of the most common techniques for writing fiction is ‘show, don’t tell.’ This means you show the reader what’s happening rather than just telling them exactly what happens. This leaves lots of room for inferences.
• The world’s oldest known fictional story is the ‘Epic of Gilgamesh.’ It’s an adventure story written in the style of a poem.
• Modern examples of fiction include films, video games, anime, manga, comic books, TV shows, and cartoons.

Synonym

A synonym is a word with a similar or identical meaning to a different word. Learning about literacy synonyms helps pupils to strengthen their literacy skills and develop an understanding of the nuances of the English language. Read on to learn more about synonyms.

If you’re wondering, “what does ‘synonym’ mean?” you’re in the right place. In this handy teaching wiki, we’ll review synonyms and how they can be used in a sentence. We’ll also explain where they fall into the National Curriculum and how you can teach your class about them.

What does synonym mean?

A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase with the same or similar meaning to another word. For example, synonyms of ‘happy’ include ‘joyful,’ ‘cheery,’ and ‘contented.’

When learning about literacy synonyms, you will often find references to antonyms. Antonyms are the opposite of synonyms, so the meaning of an antonym is the opposite of your word. For example, an antonym of ‘happy’ is ‘sad.’

You can find literacy synonyms by looking up your word in a thesaurus, a particular type of dictionary for finding synonyms and antonyms.

Why do we use Literacy Synonyms?

Synonyms are a helpful way to add some variation to your language when you’re writing or speaking in long form. It can be easy to fall into the trap of repeating the same word repeatedly. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have synonyms ready to keep your language fresh.

Synonyms often have very slight differences in meaning, which sometimes means one is more appropriate than another in a given context. There are cases where a synonym might even be a better choice than the original word you’ve chosen.

For example, let’s look at our synonyms of ‘happy’:

The choir sang happy songs.
The choir sang joyful songs.
The choir sang cheery songs.
The choir sang contented songs.

In this context, ‘happy,’ ‘cheery,’ and ‘joyful’ all have similar meanings, but ‘contented’ sounds strange.

Let’s try another literacy synonyms example:

She is happy with the result.
She is joyful with the result.
She is cheery about the result.
She is content with the result.

This time, ‘happy’ and ‘contented’ have the most similar meaning in the context, whereas ‘joyful’ and ‘cheery’ don’t sound right!

Examples: 9 Synonyms for literacy

If you’re still asking, “what does ‘synonym’ mean?” then let’s use the word ‘literacy’ as an example.

Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen. It helps us to communicate with others, express our thoughts and ideas and learn new things. Literacy language comprehension (necessary for both reading and writing) starts from birth. It only develops when adults talk with children about the world around them and the books (stories and non-fiction) they read with them and enjoy rhymes, poems and songs together.

Some examples of literacy synonyms include:

• Education
• Knowledge
• Learning
• Proficiency
• Articulateness
• Scholarship
• Culture
• Wisdom
• Mastery

Spacing in writing

Putting spaces into your writing is an essential part of written communication. In the English language, it is mainly used to separate different words from each other. However, the blank area ( ) can also be used to separate sentences, syllables, and other written characters.

Spacing in writing is essential because it tells the reader or speaker were to take a gap or pause. If you tried to read a speech without taking an audible rest between words, no one would understand! Similarly, when you’re reading a written piece, it would be illegible if all the words continued from each other.

Although spacing in writing can seem simple, blank space can be complicated. Spacing in writing varies depending on the language, and the rules for the size of the area are not always the same. In addition, the spaces between characters or words can change in typefaces depending on the letter. To simplify things, it’s best first to learn to space at a consistent size.

There are different methods for teaching children to put spacing in writing. You might even suggest placing sweets between words to encourage a gap. After, why not eat them as a reward? However, one of the most valuable methods is using finger spacing. This utilizes what you already have at your fingertips, your fingertips!