1. Writing Profiles of Imaginary Creatures
Step Ahead
Book 5 Unit 3
Writing Profiles of Imaginary Creatures 1

2. the factors affecting the writing of a profile
In this lesson, you will learn about:
the factors affecting the writing
of a profile
the organisation of a profile
the features of a profile
the writing process

3. Which factors affect the writing of a profile?

4. Genre Purpose Audience
The style and structure of writing is affected by three factors:
Genre
i.e. What is the text type? e.g. a profile
Purpose
Audience
i.e. Why am I writing?
e.g. to introduce an
imaginary creature
i.e. Who will read my writing?
e.g. members of the Art Club

5. schoolmates and friends
What is the genre for this writing task?
a profile
Who is the audience for this genre?
members of the Art Club
schoolmates and friends
illustrators

6. to introduce an imaginary creature
What is the purpose of a profile?
to introduce an imaginary creature
to share your design concepts

7. Exercise 1
Tick the sentence below which most likely comes from a profile of an imaginary creature. 
1. A cartoonist has the ability to draw a wide variety of imaginary creatures. 
2. Dinobot is a winged dinosaur with strong legs and sharp claws. He is a symbol of power and freedom.
2. Dinobot is a winged dinosaur with strong legs and sharp claws. He is a symbol of power and freedom. 
3. To draw the head of Doggiefly, you should start with the shape of its head and then add the facial guidelines. 
4. Create a drawing of a real or imagined prehistoric sea creature and name the creature after a place of discovery.

8. What does a profile include?

9. A profile includes:
a title
a body paragraph

10. include the name of the imaginary creature
Title:
include the name of the imaginary
creature
inform reader about a unique body part, quality or behaviour
A Super Dog – Doggiefly
e.g.

11. state where it comes from
Body paragraph:
state where it comes from
e.g.
Doggiefly is a robotic dog from the 22nd century that has traveled back in time to aid a Hong Kong school girl named Becky.

12. describe the appearance of the imaginary creature in detail
Body paragraph:
describe the appearance of the imaginary creature in detail
e.g.
Doggiefly has the body of a German Shepherd and the wings of a dragonfly. He wears a pair of thick green rimmed glasses.

13. describe any special behaviour of the imaginary creature
Body paragraph:
describe any special behaviour of the imaginary creature
e.g.
Doggiefly can speak English fluently. He can see through walls and fly swiftly across the sky. He is a very intelligent and can solve almost any problem.

14. state what the imaginary creature symbolises
Body paragraph:
state what the imaginary creature symbolises
e.g.
Doggiefly symbolises the strength, intelligence and obedience which a German Shepherd possesses.

15. What are the main features of a profile?

16. relative pronouns to give more details
In a profile of an imaginary creature, we use:
relative pronouns to give more details
adverbs to add meaning to verbs
the verbs symbolise or signify to talk about symbolism

17. We use relative pronouns to give more details:
some relative pronouns are who, whom, which, whose, that
e.g.
The phoenix is an immortal creature that symbolises the union of yin and yang.
e.g.
Doggiefly sometimes wears a pair of thick green rimmed glasses which allow him to see through walls.

18. We use adverbs to add meaning to verbs:
adverbs of manner
verb
e.g.
Doggiefly flies across the sky swiftly and powerfully.
adverbs of degree
e.g.
Doggiefly can read and think extremely fast.
verb

19. We can use symbolise or signify to talk about symbolism:
e.g.
Doggiefly symbolises the strength, intelligence and obedience which a German Shepherd possesses.
e.g.
The image of Doggiefly signifies the strength, intelligence and obedience which a German Shepherd possesses.

20. Exercise 2
Complete the profile with the words in the box.
extremely
immensely
clearly
very
efficiently
fast
Doggiefly can communicate (1) _________ with human beings in English. He reads and thinks (2) _________, and can solve all the problems his owner has (3) _________. Wearing a pair of thick green rimmed glasses, Doggiefly can even see through a
(4) _________ thick walls.
Doggiefly never feels hungry as he needs no food at all. His inbuilt power recharge system, which provides his body with fuel and energy within an (5) _________ short period of time, is
(6) _________ powerful.
clearly
fast
efficiently
very
extremely
immensely

21. The Writing Process 21

22. How do I generate ideas for a profile?

23. name origin appearance behaviour symbolism
Make a list of basic information about the imaginary creature:
name
origin
appearance
behaviour
symbolism

24. Origin Imaginary Creature Appearance Symbolism Behaviour
Use mind maps to help you list out details to be included in the profile:
Click the subgroup for more ideas.
myth
folklore
fairy tale
Origin
hairy wings
three-headed
body covered with fish scales
power
darkness
Imaginary
Creature
Appearance
Symbolism
Behaviour
read people’s mind
hunt and eat animals
live in ocean
run fast

25. Vocabulary
Common words and phrases used in a profile of an imaginary creature:
Origin
Appearance
Personality
Behaviour
ancient times
fairy tales
folklore
legend
mythology
bushy tail
dwarfish
eagle eyes
fiery eyes
webbed feet
whiskers
chivalrous
domineering
hostile
impulsive
moody
rebellious
fly across the sky
live in ocean
read minds
see through walls
walk on rear legs

26. How do I write a profile?

27. Pre-writing Drafting Editing Proofreading
-brainstorm ideas using mind maps, tables, etc.
-note down ideas, vocabulary 
Drafting
-use a flow chart to outline your writing plan
-draft your writing 
Editing
-re-read and examine your draft
-correct for ideas, organisation, style 
Proofreading
-proofread for spelling, grammar, punctuation
-correct any mistakes 
Finished product

28. Three factors affect writing: genre
Summary:
Three factors affect writing:
genre
audience
purpose
Organisation of a profile:
a title
a body paragraph

29. use symoblise and signify
Summary:
Features of a profile:
relative pronouns
adverbs
use symoblise and signify
Generate ideas using:
lists
mind maps

30. The writing process: pre-writing drafting editing proofreading
Summary:
The writing process:
pre-writing
drafting
editing
proofreading

31. Step Ahead
Book 5 Unit 3
The End