Transcript DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
OBSERVATION
• Good writing comes from close observation of
people, places, objects, and even our own feelings
and emotions.
• Your assessment will requires you to write a
descriptive/narrative piece based on a picture of
your choice. You will eventually add this description
into another piece later this trimester—so choose
wisely.
What follows are some examples of descriptive writing
which will assist you in responding to that genre
more effectively.
WHAT IS DESCRIPTIVE
WRITING?
The moon with its wisps of white light hung suspended in the frosty air
over the still, quiet countryside. He could see in all directions, from the
majestic outcrop of mountains to the vast ocean on the other.
WOW!!
The reader can certainly SEE the moon and the countryside.
Notice the images of color and shape.
Descriptive writing focuses on observation, is static,
and paints pictures with words.
HERE’S ANOTHER EXAMPLE:
In a large box out in the
garage, surrounded by
gumboots, shovels and old
paint tins, is a scene of joy.
The happy mother lies on a
tatty red and yellow
blanket, her litter at her
belly. She licks them, and
looks up with watchful
brown eyes when we bend
over to see. The tiny
puppies, blind and almost
hairless, scramble over one
another, searching for their
mother.
• What brings this scene to
life?
• Write down the words that
help the reader visualize this
scene.
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE
OBSERVE PEOPLE – AT THE DISCO.
The girls stand in nervous
clusters, wearing their name
brand gear – Rip Curl, Esprit,
Billabong, tight tops with string
straps. Little black numbers.
The guys have on their best
Levis, T shirts, gelled hair. The
air is full of noise, booming so
loud you can’t hear a word.
Rainbow colored spots cut
through the haze of smoke like
searchlights, picking up the
silhouettes of dancing girls.
The boys lean against the
walls, sipping Coke, watching,
or moving across to chat
someone up. Later, in small
groups, they’ll pour out into the
night street, heading for
McDonalds and the scent of hot
fries. A good night out.
Try it yourself
• Write about people at the mall, on the
train, bus, or at the beach.
• Make sure you use descriptive
language so that everyone can
visualize what you’re writing, and get a
sense of the atmosphere.
Word Power
• Descriptive writing is writing with flair. It
means using words so that they paint a
picture for the reader, but doing so in
ways that often surprise the reader.
Here are some of the tools available to
you:
Similes
Comparisons using
the words “like”
or “as” ( simile)
• The surface of the
moon is like crumpled
sandpaper
• I felt as nervous as a
fish out of water
• As clear as crystal
Metaphors
Comparisons minus
cue words
•
•
•
•
My tears were a river
I died with embarrassment
Her heart was on fire
He hit the wall of exhaustion
Adjectives
Words which describe or
modify nouns
• The tall, thin man
entered the spooky
room with measured
steps. Inside the room
deep shadows
crouched in wait for
him.
Adverbs
Words which describe
or modify verbs
• The jets dived steeply out of
the sky, tumbling rapidly as
they maneauvered
gracefully past each other.
• USE ADVERBS TO DESCRIBE A
FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
(1 – 2 SENTENCES)
Interesting verbs
• It is worthwhile taking the time to think about the
verb for the situation you are trying to bring to life.
Often a carefully chosen verb can transform a so-so
passage into something quite different.
• He ran.
• He jogged.
• He fled.
• He sprinted away.
• He stormed off.
TASK
• Rewrite the following
passage, changing each
verb to a more interesting
one. You might like to
check your thesaurus, but
be careful of your choice of
words:
• The teacher waved at the
coach to stop the game.
However the coach was
interested in the play and
didn’t do as suggested.
Surprised by this response,
the teacher took the
opportunity to yell out,
‘STOP!’
CHARACTER, PLACE AND
ACTION
• The best descriptions have a focus. They aren’t just
lists of everything in the scene thrown together. Try
concentrating on character – bring it to life!
Their jeans brushed the polished floor, scuffed running
shoes squeaking in unison as the two teenagers crossed the
crowded space from the music shop to the food court. One of
them, her hair -jagged tufts of red and green, smirked at the
looks of disbelief the pointy stud in her bottom lip drew. The
other, eyes narrowed and searching, curled his lip in a silent
snarl, reached deep into the pockets of his black coat and
pulled out a crumpled shopping list.
The girl walked with a swagger that suggested she was
not to be crossed. Her eyes were pin-points, and her nostrils
flared with disdain at what she saw around her: losers.
Everyone round her was a loser, and nothing would change
that.
ANOTHER TASK
• PRACTICE WRITING A DESCRIPTIVE
PARAGRAPH ABOUT AN EMOTION, PLACE
OR EVENT YOU FROM ONE OF YOUR POEMS.
YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
• For your portfolio:
– Select a picture or scene from a magazine, or
your life. (a real picture you can turn in with your
assignment)
– Write a descriptive passage that contains at least
3 metaphors, 2 similes, and multiple adjectives,
adverbs, verbs, and uses of figurative language.
– If your picture has people in it—bring them to life!
– You will incorporate this into a larger piece later
this trimester—so choose carefully.
– This is due—FINAL FORM on Friday, January 14!!