Narration and Description Presentation

1. Narration and Description Presentation Presenters: Jonathan Veach, Brandon Vo, Jarett Anton, Danielle Drake, and Layla Brett APELAC 3, Period 1

2. Definition of Narration • Tells a story about something that happened • Helps us make sense of events with others • Instinctive to the ways we talk and speak

3. Definition of Description • Description is the use of words to depict a scene, object, person, or feeling. • Builds detail • Likely to occur in any writing situation

4. Reading Narration • Point of view clarified with pronoun usage and verb tense • Purpose influences how events are arranged: • Chronological sequence • Final event comes first, followed by explanation • Summarization followed by detail • Flashbacks

5. Reading Description • Description uses the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch • Two types of description: -Objective description: no emotion, clearly and precisely states facts -Subjective description: sensory details and feelings, emotions

6. Analyzing Narration • Chronological order • Tense usage: “She stepped back…” (past tense) • Transitions in between events: after, for the next week, finally, etc. • Look for point of view • PURPOSE

7. Analyzing Description • Specific concrete details • Figures of speech: “Air so heavy it weighs on your tongue…” • Point of view • Overall impression/ theme that the writer wants the reader to understand

8. Developing Narration • List events in sequence of occurrence; choose those that are important to prove your point • Have a thesis that has a point that is evident to readers • Usually start with formal introduction, structure varies based on author’s point • End with effect you want to leave on readers

9. Developing Description • Choose a subject and think of details about the subject • Use details such as location, size, shape • Consider each of the five senses in describing the subject • Use details that will give the reader an impression of the subject

10. Revising and Editing a Narration Essay • Is the point clear? • Is the organization clear? • Use strong verbs: make and be are weak; use stronger diction to describe what is happening • Active voice • Smooth transitions • Check for natural and purposeful dialogue

11. Revising and Editing a Description Essay • Have you created the impression you intended to create? • Check to make sure you have used plenty of specific details that effectively describe the subject • Get rid of irrelevant details – what counts is the quality and the effectiveness of details and not necessarily the number of details.

12. Practice with the Narration Essay • Read “The Chase” on page 72 in The Compact Reader. • Practice précis • Homework: read “Learning Race”

13. Practice with the Description Essay • Read “Cairo Tunnel” on page 102 in The Compact Reader. • Practice précis • Homework: read “Desert Dance”

14. Five Main Points to Remember about Narration • Tells a story about an event or experience • Arrangement of events to emphasize a point • Clear organization to explain point and captivate readers • Consistent point of view • Have a clear purpose and argument

15. Five Main Points to Remember about Description • Use of words to depict a subject • Can be both concrete details and facts or sensory details • Focuses on a subject and specific details about that subject • Use of the five senses to give readers an impression of the subject • Keep point of view and organization clear and consistent