ACADEMIC WRITING IClass 25

May 28, 2013

Today

Descriptive Writing (continued)

Descriptive Writing

Tells a story about a specific thing (object, person, place)

- Appeals to the senses: sights, sounds, smells, taste, feel

A good description is a “word picture”

- The reader can imagine the object/person/place in his or her mind.

- “Shows” more than it tells.

Descriptive writing has a “direction”

Descriptive Style

Descriptive writing requires:

- Specific details

- Adjectives:size, color, shape, texture, smell, purpose,

personality, location, etc.

- Descriptive “action verbs”

Try to avoid “be” verbs.

- Sensations and emotions.

Descriptive StyleAvoiding “be verb + adjective”

i.e.,

The food was unappetizing.

The pale chicken slices floated limply in a pool of murky fat.

The sprinkler was refreshing.

The cool water from the sprinkler sprayed our hot faces.

Descriptive Style

The tree is very tall.

Improved:

- The tree stretches toward the sky.

- The tree's branches reach far upwards.

- The tree brushes the clouds.

Source: klick.wordpress.com

Descriptive Style

The blanket is colorful.

Improved:

- Rich colors decorate the blanket.

- Deep hues of red, green, and orange cover the blanket.

Source: www.sarasews.net 

Descriptive Style

Almond bong bong ice cream is delicious.

Improved:

- The wonderful taste of almond bong bong lingers on the tongue long after it is gone.

- Almond bong bong tastes of sweet cream, soft chocolate, and crunchy almonds.

Source: www.baskinrobbins.co.kr

Descriptive Style

Snakes are scary.

Improved:

- Snakes strike fear into my heart.

- Snakes, quiet and cunning, frighten Tony as though they were real-life monsters.

Source: www.animaldanger.com

Descriptive Style

When she was young, Jiho was happy when she visited Woobang Land.

Improved:

- When she was young, visiting Woobang Land brought joy and excitement to Jiho.

Source: klick.wordpress.com

Bonus Assignment

Write a descriptive paragraph (free topic).

- i.e., your dorm room review a restaurant.

an item of sentimental value

Anything.

Score: 1 – 5 points.

These are bonus points you can add to any ONE assignment of your choosing.

Bonus Assignment

Deadline: Tuesday June 4 (11:59 p.m.)

Subject: AW1 bonus assignment

File name: NAME_BONUS