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.