Describing Characters, Jamal’s Aunty/The Stranger - KS2 Text Types: Writing Planners and Model Texts

This pack contains resources to support pupils in key stage 2 to plan and write a character description. Describing characters is included in one of the writing composition objectives in years 3 / 4 and 5/ 6. The resources are based on two model texts with planning sheets to support pupils to write their own character descriptions with images of interesting characters provided to inspire creative writing.

Whilst using this resource, you may also want to share a variety of other character descriptions from novels that you are currently or have previously read with the pupils.

What is included in this resource pack?

• Character description model text: Jamal’s Aunty - This model text is a character description of a family member of a character from a story and could be used with pupils in years 3 and 4. The model text can be used to learn the features of this text type. Pupils could also list what they know about the character described from the text.
• Character description model text: The Stranger - This model text is a character description of a stranger who has suddenly appeared. it includes examples of dialogue, used to convey character and so is perfect for use with pupils in years 5 and 6. The model text can be used to learn the features of this text type. Pupils could also list what they know about the character described from the text.
• Character description writing sheet - There are two versions included for LKS2 and UKS2. Both contain a success criteria list as well as examples of grammar skills suitable for LKS2 (expanded noun phrases and determiners) and UKS2 (using dialogue to convey character and the use of relative clauses) from the English curriculum.
• Character image cards - Pupils can use the images of interesting characters to write their own character descriptions and inspire creative writing.
• Character description planning sheet - These worksheets allow pupils to note and organise ideas for their own character description. This could be based on one of the character images, creating a new character for a story that you are currently reading or pupils could design their own characters.
• Writing paper - The themed writing paper can be used for pupils to present their work.

National Curriculum English programme of study links

Year 3 / 4
Pupils should be taught to plan their writing by discussing writing similar to that which they are planning to write in order to learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar
Pupils should be taught to draft and write by in narratives, creating settings, characters and plot

Year 5 / 6
Pupils should be taught to plan their writing by

• identifying the audience for and purpose of the writing, selecting the appropriate form and using other similar writing as models for their own
• noting and developing initial ideas, drawing on reading and research where necessary

• in narratives, describing settings, characters and atmosphere ...

This resource is part of the WAGOLL: text types writing packs collection.
View more from this collection

• Character description model text: Jamal’s Aunty
• Character description model text: The Stranger
• Character description writing sheet
• Character image cards
• Character description planning shee
• Writing paper