Descriptive writing: teaching descriptive writing

descriptive writing

1. Descriptive Writing

2. What is descriptive writing? “writing that shows rather than tells .”

3. How do you show through words? By the use of words to create images, or mental pictures.

4. Using Imagery Imagery helps you picture how something : looks sounds smells tastes feels

5. What sense is being used in the following sentences? The puppy was black with three white paws and one white ear. It had a long tail with a white tip.

6. What sense is being used in the following sentences? As we walked into the room, the floor boards creaked. We knocked into a table and the glass vase hit the floor. Crash !

7. What sense is being used in the following sentences? The chocolate cake was so delicious. It had peanut butter frosting which melted in your mouth .

8. What sense is being used in the following sentences? As we pulled into the driveway, I could tell the hamburgers and hot dogs were on the grill.

9. What sense is being used in the following sentence? The cool rain was hitting us in the face as we ran to the bus.

10. Read this descriptive introduction from an informational text: “ Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full moon. Swooping down to the earth, they hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of witches and demons, bats – the very word brings a shiver of fear to most people.”

11. “Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full moon. Swooping down to the earth, they hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of witches and demons, bats – the very word brings a shiver of fear to most people.” ~ Sylvia A. Johnson, Bats

12. Description of the Wind “ Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew, the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices jiggled every time we talked.” From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

13. Things to Remember About Descriptive Writing Be specific , not vague Elaborate (add more details and expand your ideas). Use vivid vocabulary (strong nouns, verbs, and adjectives). Include details that relate to your five senses.

14. Clichés: The Descriptive Killer 1 : a trite phrase or expression; Also : the idea expressed by it 2 : something (as a menu item) that has become overly familiar or commonplace

15. Which of the following do you think are clichés? She’s as pure as the driven snow, Her face is as white as a sheet, Her hands are as smooth as silk, Her nails as red as a beet.