Descriptive Writing

DAILY WORD PRACTICE:
THIS IS A TIMED PRACTICE TO WRITE AS MANY 2 LETTER WORDS AS POSSIBLE.
http://www.sporcle.com/games/slipkid/2_words_same_5_letters

Introduction: Descriptive Essay
Students will review the elements of a descriptive essay
Students will incorporate vivid details into their written work

How to Write a Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is a type of essay that strives to provide the reader with a more vivid experience and understanding of the item being described. Rather than focusing on statistics and facts, a descriptive essay paints a picture by utilizing detailed observations and descriptive words.

A descriptive essay typically portrays a place, a person, a memory, an object, or an experience. Regardless of what is being described in the essay, it should focus on what the writer perceives and experiences.

When writing a descriptive essay, you must also determine the overall purpose of the essay. By determining the reason for your essay, you can better focus your ideas and determine what information should be included in the essay. For example, if writing a descriptive essay about a person, you need to decide if you want to focus on that person’s appearance or on a specific trait the person has. For example, you might write a descriptive essay that describes how the person is a hard worker, brave, or honest.

When writing descriptive essays, remember the phrase “show, don’t tell.” Your goal should be to describe the subject rather than simply tell the reader. For example, rather than say, “I was tired after my workout,” you might say “Sweat rolled off of my brow and I tried to catch my breath as I painfully walked to the locker room after completing a fast-paced, 30 minute workout.”

In order to show your reader rather than tell, you need to focus on using your five senses. These five senses include sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. When considering the situation you are writing about, think about how all five of your senses are used in that situation.

Tips and Examples:

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.

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

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

Education
Vehicle
Circle

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.

Helping Verbs

Students will understand how helping verbs are added to other verbs to form verb phrases

Review pgs 370-372 in the text

Workbook
pg. 19 Ex. 1 and 2
Pg. 20 Ex 2

http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/helping_verbs/quiz520.html

http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/grammar/linking_verbs/quiz522.html

http://www.sporcle.com/games/helpingverbs.php

Tuesday: Verb test

Journal Day

Today is journal day. Please respond to the following prompt:
Since today is the unofficial start of the Bloomsburg Fair, I am going to let everyone write about the Fair. You may write about anything you feel like involving the Fair. (Favorite foods, things to do, things you like, things you do not like, favorite stops, shows you are going to see, etc.)

OR

Tonight is also the biggest football game of the school year, so you may also write about the WVW game. What do you think is going to happen? Are you going?

OR

Write a short creative story using a phone, a clock, wire, a window, and an office.

OR


Write on the topic of your choice.

Have fun and try not to eat too much this weekend!


(Journals MUST meet minimum page requirements completely.)


Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Wednesday and Thursday:
Objectives:
Students will practice subject / verb agreement

Students will review rules on subject/ verb agreement
Read about action verbs pg 362
Read about Transitive/ Intransitive verbs 363

Wednesday- Thursday:
Review the exercises in the book.

Workbook exercise 1 pg 13
Workbook exercise 2 pg 14
Exercises:
1. Click on the following link to review rules and complete an exercise
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/599/01/

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/index.php?category_id=2&sub_category_id=1&article_id=38

2. Write 2 sentences for each of the rules stated in the Purdue exercise (above)
(This assignment will be graded)
-You should write a total of 14 sentences

Online Quiz:
Quiz 1
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/sv_agr_quiz.htm

Quiz 2
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/svagr2.htm

Linking Verbs:
Students will learn that the subject does not always perform an action in a sentence
Students will become familiar with forms of "BE"

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/ppt/2008_Indot_Paramedic_727.ppt
POWERPOINT

World of Verbs - PowerPoint Presentation

http://teachers.plainfield.k12.in.us/.../Linking%20Verbs/Linking%20Verbs%20Show.pps

Text: pgs 366-368

Expanding a paragraph

Expanding the Intro. Paragraph
Goal: Students will outline, organize and create a 5 paragraph essay

Students will select one of their four opening paragraphs
Students will outline ideas for their essay (Use the following outline format: http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/ )

Hints: Remember to incorporate SPECIFIC DETAILS in the body paragraphs.
The body paragraphs MUST be organized according to the blueprint

**The 5 Paragraph essay is only ONE technique for writing a multi-paragraph essay. In this class, we will be exploring several options for organizing essays. This is only ONE example.

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

Journal Day

Today is journal day. Please respond to the following prompt:

Explain what you think life would be like without: plumbing, electricity, cars, windows, air conditioning. (How would your life change? How would this change your daily routine?)

OR


Write a short creative story using a toothpick, tire, spoon, box, and helmet


OR


Write on the topic of your choice.


(Journals MUST meet minimum page requirements completely.)


Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Expanding the Intro. Paragraph
Goal: Students will outline, organize and create a 5 paragraph essay

Students will select one of their four opening paragraphs
Students will outline ideas for their essay (Use the following outline format: http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/ )

Hints: Remember to incorporate SPECIFIC DETAILS in the body paragraphs.
The body paragraphs MUST be organized according to the blueprint

**The 5 Paragraph essay is only ONE technique for writing a multi-paragraph essay. In this class, we will be exploring several options for organizing essays. This is only ONE example.

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

Writing a Structured Essay

Writing a Structured Essay
Objective: To familiarize students with INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS

1. Students will write introductory paragraphs on four topics for possible use in a later paper.

Select 4:
(You may use first person in the first three choices)
Pet Peeve
A person who inspired you
A favorite place

(First person may NOT be used in the following choices)
Music
Pizza
Shoes
Education
Topic of choice (to be approved by teacher)

2. Please be sure to include all elements of the INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
-If you have any questions, please refer to Wednesday's blog.
-There is a comprehensive overview of the 5 Paragraph essay and examples for each section (Including the INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH)

1.5.11 d WRITE WITH A COMMAND OF THE STYLISTIC ASPECTS OF COMPOSITION
1.5.11c WRITE WITH CONTROLLED ORGANIZATION
1.5.11a WRITE WITH A SHARP , DISTINCT FOCUS
1.5.11 b WRITE USING WELL-DEVELOPED CONTENT APPROPRIATE FOR THE TOPIC

Journal Day

Journal Day

Today you will write a one page journal on the following prompt:

If you won 10 million dollars in the lottery, what would you do?

OR

Write a short creative story using a dog, a crate, a crowbar, a mirror, and a lizard.

OR

Write on the topic of your choice.

(Journals MUST meet minimum page requirements completely.)


Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Organizing an essay

9/8-9/9
The 5 Paragraph essay is only ONE technique for writing a multi-paragraph essay. In this class, we will be exploring several options for organizing essays. This is only ONE example.

Sample essay format:

1. Students will review the form and technique for writing a Multi- paragraph essay.
2. Students will become familiar with the various parts of the essay

The five paragraph essay follows a defined format.

The first paragraph introduces us to the thesis of the essay and to the three main supporting subtopics.

The second through fourth paragraphs are all similar in format. They individually restate the subtopics and incorporate supporting details.

The fifth and last paragraph restates the main thesis idea and reminds the reader of the three main supporting ideas that were developed. All of these paragraphs are important.

The introductory paragraph is the place in which the writer introduces the reader to the topic. It is important to make this a clear and limited statement. This is where the writer grabs the reader's attention. Because of its purpose, it is often the first sentence of the paragraph. It is followed by three subtopics (blueprint statements) that develop the thesis. Between this paragraph and all paragraphs of the essay, there needs to be some kind of a transitional word, phrase, or sentence.

Next, the body of the essay contains paragraphs two through four. They are all similarly constructed. Their topic sentences are restatements, often in original form, of the three supporting ideas (blueprint statements) presented in the first paragraph. The subtopic of each of the body paragraphs is again supported by three or more supporting sentences. These cement, in the reader's mind, the relevancy and relationship of each of the subtopics to the thesis statement.

Finally, the fifth paragraph is the summary paragraph. It is important to restate the thesis and three supporting ideas in an original and powerful manner as this is the last chance the writer has to convince the reader of the validity of the information presented. Because the purposes of the first and fifth paragraph are so similar that some writers construct them at the same time. They will edit them, as necessary, as they do with each and every part of the essay.

It is important to reiterate that each of the paragraphs is joined together by a transitional word, phrase or sentence. Transitions help the reader to follow the flow of the logic and sequencing. All of the essay types follow this basic transition format. However, there is more latitude with the narrative essay because of its nature.


To put it more visually, the structure model has been color coded and looks like this:

A. Opening paragraph:
Motivator
Brief Expansion of topic
Thesis Statement
Blueprint (*This contains subtopic 1, subtopic 2, and subtopic 3)
Transition
Introduction
http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/intro.html

B. Three Body Paragraphs
*The body paragraphs will follow the order of the three blueprint ideas

Topic sentence (Each body paragraph will restate subtopics 1,2, &3)
Specific detail /Example (Several specific examples must be used for each body paragraph)
Restate concept of each paragraph's point

Transition

*Example of body paragraph 1:

Restate Subtopic One
First Supporting Detail or Example
Second Supporting Detail or Example
Third Supporting Detail or Example
Transition
Supporting Paragraphs
http://www.orangeusd.k12.ca.us/yorba/paragraph_development.htm


C. Conclusion / Summary Paragraph
Make final points to sum up the essay. Restate / rephrase the thesis statement to stress the main topic of the essay.

Synthesis of main topic
Synthesis of Subtopic One
Synthesis of Subtopic Two
Synthesis of Subtopic Three
Summary Paragraph
http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/intro.html

Sample 5 paragraph essay:

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/English/essay/

The Five Paragraph Essay - Here is a sample to show you hot it all fits together. (Graphic organizer)
http://www.taftcollege.edu/newTC/Academic/LiberalArts/OWL/SAMPFIVE.HTML

TIP:
-Remember, the thesis statement must be consistent throughout the paper. Each paragraph must reflect one aspect of the thesis statement. This allows for strong focus, content development, organization and adds to the style of the paper.

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.

Pronouns

Thursday, 9/2 and Tuesday, 9/7 (Friday was journal day)

Understand what pronouns are and how they are used
Understand the relationship between pronouns and antecedents
Identify personal pronouns

Pronouns
Text:346-349
355-357 (Practice Exercises)

Workbook Exercises: pgs 5-7

Students will complete an original writing exercising using nouns and pronouns
Standard - 1.5.C.F: Use grade appropriate conventions of language when writing and editing. Spell all words correctly. Use capital letters correctly. Punctuate correctly Use correct grammar and sentence formation.
C.E.3.1.4: Demonstrate correct grammar and usage (e.g., verb and pronoun form and agreement, modifiers and transitions, word order and syntax).
C.E.1.1.5: Write with control of grammar, mechanics, spelling, usage, and sentence formation.

Journal Day 2

Write a journal using the following prompt:


Create your own imaginary best friend. What does he look like? What's his zodiac sign? What are her likes and dislikes?


OR


Write on the topic of your choice.

(Journals MUST meet minimum page requirements completely.)


Academic Content Standards:
15.1.11A- Write with a distinctive focus.
1.5.11B- Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.5.11C- Write with controlled organization.

Nouns and Pronouns

Understand the difference between common and proper nouns and how the difference affects capitalization

Understand what pronouns are and how they are used
Understand the relationship between pronouns and antecedents
Identify personal pronouns

Nouns:
1. Read and discuss Common and Proper Nouns
Text: pg 344
2. Review Nouns: Pg 345
possible quiz

Workbook exercises pgs 3-4

Pronouns
Text:346-349
355-357 (Practice Exercises)

Workbook Exercises: pgs 5-7

Students will complete an original writing exercising using nouns and pronouns