A free lesson by taughtly.co.

uk

Extended
metaphors
A lesson for First Language English
Paper 2 and Coursework
Descriptive writing
Find more
like this on
taughtly.co.uk
Video lessons, PowerPoints,
worksheets, quizzes and more
available on taughtly.co.uk
Free and paid for content for teachers
and students

2 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Information
FLE coursework (50%)

Portfolio of three assignments, each around 500-800 words long.

● Assignment 1: writing to discuss, argue or persuade in response to a text
● Assignment 2: writing to describe
● Assignment 3: writing to narrate

4 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

FLE Paper 2 (50%)

A two-hour handwritten exam

● Section A: directed writing (40 marks)
Read two articles and respond to the arguments, evaluating the ideas presented to you to create a
discursive/argumentative/persuasive speech, letter or article.
● Section B: composition (40 marks)
Choice of narrative OR descriptive writing

5 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Content and structure
Band 6 Band 5
Complex Developed
• Many well-defined and developed ideas • Frequent, well-chosen images
• Convincing overall picture with varieties of • Mostly convincing picture
focus

Band 4 Band 3
Relevant Straightforward
• Selection of relevant ideas, image and details • Task is addressed with a series of relevant but
• May be tendency to write in a narrative style straightforward details
• May be more typical of a narrative

6 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Style and accuracy
Band 6
Consistently accurate
• Precise and effective vocabulary
• Range of sentence structures
• Almost always accurate grammar
Band 4
Frequent small errors
• Some precise vocabulary
• Some variety of sentences
• Frequent small errors
7 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk
Band 5
Mostly accurate
• Mostly precise vocabulary
• Mostly varied sentences
• Mostly accurate grammar, some minor errors
Band 3
Serious errors
• Simple vocabulary and sentence structures
• Frequent grammar errors, some serious
Based on these words, what do you think your description will be about? Enchanting
Constellations
Cosmic Celestial
Star-studded
Milky Way Ethereal Twinkling
Nebula North Star
Moonlit Serene Myriad of stars
Vast

Nocturnal Nebulous Expansive

Meteor Spell-binding Abundance
Inky
Luminous Dazzling Timeless Galaxy
Task: write an extended metaphor about the night sky
Extended metaphor
What is a
metaphor?

11 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

What is a metaphor?

● Metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two different things by saying

one thing is another, even though they are not literally the same.
● Here are three examples:
○ The city is a beehive of activity.
○ Her smile was a radiant burst of sunshine.
○ The book was a passport to another world.

12 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Metaphors for the night sky?

13 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Metaphors for the night sky
● The night sky is a tapestry.
● The night sky is a symphony.
● The night sky is a theatre.
● The night sky is a highway.
● The night sky is a mosaic.
● The night sky is a library.
● The night sky is a time machine.
● The night sky is a capital city.
● The night sky is an orchestra.
● The night sky is an eye.

14 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

What do you guess an
extended metaphor
might be?
15 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk
What is an extended metaphor?

● An extended metaphor is when a writer or speaker continues comparing two

things in a story or speech, not just once but over a longer stretch, to
develop the imagery.
● Usually, an extended metaphor should be at least three sentences long for it
to count as being “extended”.

16 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Step 1: decide on a base metaphor

Let’s look at an inspiration video for the night sky

● What will your base metaphor be?
● What images could you focus on?
● What vocabulary could you use to describe the night sky?

Link to inspiration video: https://taughtly.co.uk/resources/night-sky-inspiration-video/

17 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Step 1: decide on a base metaphor
● The night sky is a tapestry.

● Decide on the base metaphor that you ● The night sky is a symphony.

will extend ● The night sky is a theatre.

● Pick something more concrete and ● The night sky is a highway.

literal to make it easier to extend ● The night sky is a mosaic.

● If you’re not sure, I’m going to use “the ● The night sky is a library.

night sky is a theatre” so you can use ● The night sky is a time machine.
my base metaphor as we move through ● The night sky is a capital city.
the next steps ● The night sky is an orchestra.
● The night sky is an eye.

18 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

 Step 2: identify literal aspects of your base metaphor

Space debris Comets

Galaxies The Milky Way

Asteroids The night sky is a Planets

Satellites theatre. Planes

Shooting stars Earth Moon Clouds

19 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Step 3: identify aspects of your comparison

The night sky is a

theatre.

20 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

What could you see in a theatre?

21 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Step 3: identify aspects of your comparison

Let’s look at an inspiration video for the theatre

● What items, places, people could you find in the theatre?
● How is this similar to the night sky?
● What vocabulary could you use to describe the theatre?

Link to inspiration video: https://taughtly.co.uk/resources/theatre-inspiration-video/

22 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Step 3: identify aspects of your comparison

Audience Orchestra pit

Curtains Lighting

Actors The night sky is a Speakers

Script theatre. Props

Stage manager Director Backstage Set

23 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

 Step 4: make links between the literal and your
comparison
Literal: night sky Comparison: theatre
Shooting star Lead actress

Milky Way Orchestra

Planets Actors

Earth Stage

Moon Director

Satellites Backstage

Space debris Audience

What is similar? What matches? How and why?24 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk
Exemplar
Read the exemplar

As we read the exemplar, which is also on your worksheet, consider:

● Why is this extended metaphor effective?
● How does it extend and develop ideas?
● Where can you see vocabulary related to the night sky and to the theatre?
● How could you further improve this paragraph?

26 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

 Base metaphor

Exemplar (1/2) Literal – night sky

Metaphorical - theatre

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, the night sky becomes a grand theatre. At the heart of this cosmic performance
is the lead actress, a shooting star. She streaks across the velvet curtain of space, a fleeting but unforgettable
presence, captivating the audience with her luminous trail. Her appearance, brief yet dazzling, is the climax of
the night's drama. Far above, satellites drift through the theater's grandeur. They are the audience, silently
observing the celestial drama below. These distant onlookers have a privileged view, passing by like spectators in
a cosmic balcony, their metallic eyes reflecting the brilliance of the stage. Gravity, the unseen but omnipotent
director, orchestrates the entire production. It dictates the movements of celestial bodies, guiding stars and
planets in their cosmic dance. With its gentle touch, it ensures that every actor hits their mark and follows the
script written in the language of physics.

27 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

 Base metaphor

Exemplar (2/2) Literal – night sky

Metaphorical – theatre
Snappy final line

The Milky Way, a luminous band of countless stars, fills the theater's orchestra pit, serving as both the cosmic
orchestra and the stage itself. Its radiant presence bathes the scene in a soft glow, as if every star were a
musician playing their part in a celestial symphony. The harmony of light and dark, punctuated by the
twinkling stars, creates an awe-inspiring soundtrack that resonates throughout the theater of the night sky. This
celestial theater reminds us that even in the vastness of space, the universe puts on a show for all who care to
look up and be enchanted by its beauty.

28 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Time to write!
Write your extended metaphor

● Aim to write a developed paragraph with about 6-10 sentences

● Make sure you keep it clear what you’re comparing to what
● Consider your vocabulary choices – try to use vocabulary related to the night sky and
the theatre (or your comparison)

Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Reminder of the steps

● Decide on a base metaphor

● Identity elements of the literal thing you’re describing (night sky)
● Identify elements of the thing you’re comparing it to (theatre)
● Draw comparisons
● Write it up in a fluent, prose paragraph
● Use specific vocabulary related to the literal (night sky) and the metaphorical
comparison (theatre)

Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Sentence starters

● In the vast expanse of the cosmos, the night sky becomes a theater, where...
● Just as a theater has its lead actors, the night sky's prominent performer is...
● ______ takes on the role of the director in this cosmic theater…
● Much like the orchestra pit in a theater, _______
● The moon, bright and resplendent, is ________

Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk

Find more
like this on
taughtly.co.uk
Video lessons, PowerPoints,
worksheets, quizzes and more
available on taughtly.co.uk
Free and paid for content for teachers
and students

34 Copyright © 2024 taughtly.co.uk