Descriptive Writing

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive Essays

Objectives

• Computational:
• Learning about the data collection process used in many fields by making observations about a specific location or environment
• Learning about the data organization process by filling out a table which makes the data collected easy to access and analyze in the future
• Learning why the ability to brainstorm and visualize the “big picture” is important for pattern abstraction and generalization
• Learning why the data collection process is important for solving problems
• Creative
• Surrounding: looking at a familiar location in a new way and using all of your senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and thought) to become more aware of what is around you.
• Capturing: Making a written inventory of everything you observe at a particular place—the plants, animals, people, sounds, and smells—and also documenting your observing by taking a photo of yourself at that place.
• Challenging: using common computational tools such as arrays to store data and then considering the diverse types of data which could be captured and the multiple ways that data could be manipulated and for what purposes.
• Broadening: Increasing your ability to solve problems by looking at tables of data in new ways. What did you expect to observe at the place you chose? What did you actually observe? What does the data document about that place and your experience there? What does it leave out?

Overview

Language is one way to clearly and thoroughly describe the functions of ordinary everyday objects. In this activity, you will act like the inventor of an object that does not yet exist and trying to describe what need would be fulfilled by your (new) object and how (specifically) it functions.


GOALS:
-Students will create a descriptive/ narrative essay describing their favorite possession.
-Vivid details should be used in place of naming the object and its purpose

Favorite Possession/ DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY
CLASS EXAMPLE: 
There are several methods writers use to describe something in an essay. They may choose vivid, fresh language, or they may use examples, or they might take something ordinary and by comparing it with something extraordinary, make it interesting, or they may use their senses.
When someone asks you to describe something, the first step you might take is to jot down the first words that come to you.
EGG

Part 1: Select and Describe an Everyday Object

1. Choose a common, useful, functional everyday object. (Some examples are provided in the table below.) Your challenge is to imagine that this object no longer exists and to describe in written language:
1. the mechanical function of your object
2. what need is fulfilled by this object
3. the physical attributes and characteristics of your object.

Example Objects:

zipper clothespin binder clip can opener scissors tape measure stapler umbrella

2. Describe the object’s function, the need it will fulfill and its attributes in clear, non-technical language which any user could understand. Your description must be specific enough so that someone who had never seen the object could recognize it, understand how it works and understand what benefits it provides.

For example, if your object is a “colander” you might begin to describe it as “a circular object, approximately 12” in diameter and 9” in height, made of metal or heat-resistant plastic, which is used in cooking to drain pasta after cooking or to hold food for washing or steaming. Its holes are large enough for water and other liquids to drain but small enough so that food will not leak through. A base or foot enables it to sit on a counter or in a sink and handles allow it to be easily moved or  suspended over a cooking pot for steaming ...”

3. As you are describing this object include the following:
1. The mechanical function(s)/use(s) of the object

e.g. A hammer is used to drive nails into wood or other materials

2. What need(s) the object fulfills

e.g. Instead of using a brick to drive nails, a hammer...

3. The physical attributes and physical characteristics of the object:
1. components or parts

e.g. “A hammer has a handle and a head. The head may have a curved claw like end so that nails can be removed.”

2. shape or materials

e.g. “The head is metal. The handle may be wood or metal.”

Part 2

1. Complete step 1: Create your own THINK SHEET

2. Save it in to http://www.turnitin.com/

3.Complete step 4: Retype and organize your ideas from your think sheet.

5. Include the information listed below


Step 1: Think Sheet

The Planning Think Sheet will guide you through the process of choosing a topic and generating ideas that you might want to use in your essay.

THE THINK SHEET IS UNDER YOUR "LINKS"
-You may want to copy it into your One Drive notebook

1. Generate several ideas for your essay. Make lists and decide which object will work best for your topic. Next, pick an object.


2. Once you have generated some ideas for your descriptive essay, it is a good idea to think of sensory details that you can add to your description. Make a list of adjectives that describe how the object tastes, looks, feels, smells and sounds.

3. You will be required to use at LEAST three senses in your essay. (However, you may use all five)


4. In your essay, discuss the object's purpose without telling the reader the identity of your object


5. Tell how the object is used


Part 3: Putting It All Together

The Organizing Think Sheet will help you organize the information you generated with the Planning Think Sheet. Finish reorganizing the Organizing Think Sheet and including all of the details listed above.


SPECIFICS:
-Students will create a descriptive/ narrative essay describing their favorite possession.
-Vivid details should be used in place of naming the object and its purpose

-Students will NOT directly identify the object/ possession in the essay

-Students must use creative description. **Your description may not be obvious.

For example, you may not say: It takes pictures....for any type of camera

-be creative.


AVOID SECOND PERSON AND CONTRACTIONS!
AVOID OBVIOUS DETAILS.  EX: A CAR = DRIVE, AUTOMOBILE

CELL PHONE- PHONE, CELLULAR, TALK

BED- SLEEP (DESCRIBE SLEEP)

YOUR FAVORITE POSSESSION MAY NOT BE A PERSON

Please review the tips below:

Tips
1. A well-focused subject can be ordinary or extraordinary, but you should strive to make it as interesting as possible by emphasizing what makes it interesting or new and unusual. Pick something specific, an event or a person or an animal.

2. How you treat your subject is directly related to how your reader will react to it. Give plenty of specific descriptive detail. If you're describing an event, watch people moving and hear them talking. Create a dominant impression for your reader.

3. Create a clear pattern of organization. Your introduction should work from general to specific, ending in a thesis sentence. You should have several paragraphs that develop and describe your topic, and your conclusion should restate your thesis or conclude your event.

Academic Content Standard:
5.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization
1.5.11D- Write with a command of the stylistic aspects of composition.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2013

Finish Essay

Monday, 11/18 -
Students will finish essay

1. Finalize www.grammarly.com
2. Finalize peer editing
- You must read your essay aloud to another student
-Another student must read your essay aloud to you...sign your paper
-2 students must complete peer editing
 (4 reads total)

Goals:
Review: Problem/ Solution  5 Paragraph Essay
Students will review the elements of a Problem/ solution essay
Students will incorporate valid points/ specific details into their written work
Students will continue writing their 5 paragraph essay- Problem/ Solution

WHAT IS A PROBLEM / SOLUTION ESSAY?

A problem-solution essay is an essay that describes a problem and discusses possible solutions to the problem. This type of essay may be assigned in a high school or college composition class, and it generally requires some research before the writing process can begin. The primary thrust of a problem-solution essay is usually either an argument for a specific solution to a problem, or a strong case for the urgent need to solve a problem. Like most essays, the problem-solution essay must contain an introduction, a thesis, a body, and a conclusion.

OVERVIEW OF A PROBLEM/ SOLUTION ESSAY
OPENING

The opening of a problem-solution essay should describe the problem and provide relevant background information. The problem should be clearly defined, and the causes of the problem should be identified if possible. The extent of the problem must also be described, as well as the effects of the problem and possible consequences of allowing the problem to continue unsolved. Any key terms that need to be defined should also be included in the opening, as well as any pertinent historical information that would help the reader understand the problem better.

Depending on the problem to be discussed, the thesis of a problem-solution essay may argue for the urgent need to solve the problem, or it may argue for a single solution to the problem. Most commonly, it will argue for a single solution. The thesis should generally be only one sentence long, and should clearly identify the main point of the essay. It will usually be placed in the opening paragraph, although in some cases the thesis can be reserved for the latter part of the essay where it will be revealed after a complete discussion of the problem and possible solutions have taken place

BODY

The body of a problem-solution essay should fully describe proposed solutions to the problem and discuss the possible outcomes of each solution. Advantages or disadvantages to each solution should be included, as well as feasibility of the proposed solutions. If any attempts have already been made to solve the problem, those should be described as well. If the essay will be arguing for a single solution to the problem, the body of the paper should lead logically to the conclusion that the solution being advocated is the best solution available. In such cases, it is important not only to describe the solution, but also to describe how the solution can or should be implemented.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of a problem-solution essay should contain a call to action, advocating that the reader either take part in the proposed solution to the problem or become involved in looking for a solution to the problem to be solved. Future consequences of the problem can be used as leverage for the call to action. It may also be useful to briefly restate the problem and describe the effects of leaving the problem unsolved. The best problem-solution essays will create a sense of urgency and lead the reader to become interested in solving the problem.

Tips
1. A well-focused subject can be ordinary or extraordinary, but you should strive to make it as interesting as possible by emphasizing what makes it interesting or new and unusual. Pick something specific, an event or a person or an animal.

2. How you treat your subject is directly related to how your reader will react to it. Give plenty of specific descriptive detail. If you're describing an event, watch people moving and hear them talking. Create a dominant impression for your reader.

3. Create a clear pattern of organization. Your introduction should work from general to specific, ending in a thesis sentence. You should have several paragraphs that develop and describe your topic, and your conclusion should restate your thesis or conclude your event.

Practice Exercise #1
Remember to  Add Details.....Be specific

There are several methods writers use to describe something in an essay. They may choose vivid, fresh language, or they may use examples, or they might take something ordinary and by comparing it with something extraordinary, make it interesting, or they may use their senses.
When someone asks you to describe something, the first step you might take is to jot down the first words that come to you.

If I say "egg," for instance, you might write down the following string of associations: "round, white, brown, fresh, scrambled, farmer, chicken, goose, over-easy." But another student might write down "ostrich," while yet another chooses "dinosaur." Then a medical student might chime in with "ovulation, zygote, baby." At some point, someone else may take it a step further and mention "fragility." The point is that the one little word "egg" can conjure up a number of associations, all coming at the subject in a different way. So when you are asked to describe an event or a person, start with the obvious, but don't stay there.

Below are three words. Take a few minutes and write as many details as you can about each subject.

Education
Vehicle
Circle
Closure activity: Write a descriptive sentence describing yourself

ASSIGNMENT:
1. Overview of paper

2. Possible Topics

3. Essay Outline Overview

4. Student Outline/ Planning Sheet

5. Rubric

6. Transitions - 10 different required

7. MLA Format
Deadlines:

Monday - Final day for writing.  All papers are due
Papers must be turned in to www.turnitin.com




Closure:  We will reflect/ comment on one element of our paper/ writing each day.

Academic Content Standard:
5.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization
1.5.11D- Write with a command of the stylistic aspects of composition

R11.B.1: Understand components within and between texts.