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Academic writing i. May 9, 2014. Announcement. Assignment 3 final draft deadline changed, again New deadline : Sunday May 11 (11:59 pm). Today. Descriptive Writing <continued>. Descriptive Writing. Tells a story about a specific thing (object, person, place)
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Academic writing i May 9, 2014
Announcement Assignment 3 final draft deadline changed, again New deadline: Sunday May 11 (11:59 pm)
Today Descriptive Writing <continued>
Descriptive Writing Tells a story about a specific thing (object, person, place) - Appeals to the senses: sights, sounds, smells, taste, feel A good description is a “word picture” • The reader can imagine the object/person/place in his or her mind. • “Shows” more than it tells.
Descriptive Style Descriptive writing requires: - Specific details - Descriptive vocabulary Adjectives: size, color, shape, texture, smell, purpose, personality, location, etc. verbsadverbs - Sensations and emotions.
Descriptive Style Descriptive writing requires: - Specific details - Adjectives: size, color, shape, texture, smell, purpose, personality, location, etc. - Descriptive “action verbs” Try to avoid “be” verbs. - Sensations and emotions.
Descriptive Style Avoiding “be verb + adjective” i.e., The food was unappetizing. The pale chicken slices floated limply in a pool of murky fat. The sprinkler was refreshing. The cool water from the sprinkler sprayed our hot faces.
Descriptive Style The tree is very tall. Improved: - The tree stretches toward the sky. - The tree's branches reach far upwards. - The tree brushes the clouds. Source: klick.wordpress.com
Descriptive Style The blanket is colorful. Improved: - Rich colors decorate the blanket. - Deep hues of red, green, and orange cover the blanket. Source: www.sarasews.net
Descriptive Style Almond bong bong ice cream is delicious. Improved: - The wonderful taste of almond bong bong lingers on the tongue long after it is gone. - Almond bong bong tastes of sweet cream, soft chocolate, and crunchy almonds. Source: www.baskinrobbins.co.kr
Descriptive Style Snakes are scary. Improved: - Snakes strike fear into my heart. - Snakes, quiet and cunning, frighten Tony as though they were real-life monsters. Source: www.animaldanger.com
Descriptive Style When she was young, Jihowas happy when she visited Woobang Land. Improved: - When she was young, visiting Woobang Land brought joy and excitement to Jiho. Source: klick.wordpress.com
More descriptive style - Use more “vivid” adjectives i.e. The Burj Khalifa is taller than its surrounding buildings. • The Burj Khalifatowers over thebuildings surrounding it. • The BurjKhalifalooms over the buildings surrounding it. Source: did-you-know-thats.blogspot.com
More descriptive style - Use adverbs to enhance the adjectives i.e. The Burj Khalifa is taller than its surrounding buildings. - The Burj Khalifatowers over the buildings surrounding it. • The Burj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it. • The BurjKhalifaloomsimpressively over the buildings surrounding it.
More descriptive style - Enhance nouns with adjectives or descriptive phrases The Burj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it. - The hugeBurj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it. - The massiveBurj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it. - The cloud-brushingBurj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.
More descriptive style - Enhance nouns with adjectives or descriptive phrases The Burj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it. - The 800m highBurj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it. - The nearly 1km tallBurj Khalifatowersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it. - The Burj Khalifa, at nearly 1 km high, towersintimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.
More descriptive style - Use similes • Using “like” or “as” to compare your subject with something. The Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it like a giant standing over men. - The Daegu summer is like living in a sauna all day, everyday.
More descriptive style - Personification • Giving human characteristics to objects The Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it, mocking them for their small statures. The house, with its smashed windows and filthy walls, begs for repairs.
More descriptive style - Symbol • Describing your subject as representing an idea (or concept, or virtue) The Burj Khalifa, a symbol of Dubai’s financial power, towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it, mocking them for their small statures. The Burj Khalifa, representing human technological prowess, towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it, likea giant arm reaching to the sky.
Assignment 4 Write a descriptive essay. - Choose one of the following: 1. Describe your favorite restaurant. 2. Describe an underdeveloped area that requires help to improve.
Assignment 4 See example here: http://www.irsc.edu/uploadedFiles/Students/AcademicSupportCenter/WritingLab/E7-Descriptive-Essay-Guidelines.pdf