Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing is an art form. It is painting a picture with words so that the reader "sees" exactly what you are describing.

 

Your tasks:

 

1. Read these articles:

 

Quick Guide for Diction and Tone

New Words added to the Dictionary

 

2. Choose any school-appropriate topic, event, person, or object in which you can base a short, descriptive paragraph (or two) upon. 

 

3. Using carefully chosen diction to highlight the topic and whatever tone you deem appropriate to go along with it, describe this subject in approximately 200 words or less. Do not name the subject or use any words that would obviously give it away.

 

4. Post this comment by Monday, August 30th at midnight. 

 

5. By Friday, September 3rd at midnight, you need to comment on at least three of your classmates' comments. I expect that most of these comments will be guesses as to the subject of their descriptions. As such, your theories should contain well-thought out logic and reasoning. Please try to equally distribute these comments among your classmates. 

• You may choose to reveal your subject anytime after this date.

6. Keep all comments academically-sound, respectful, and following the practices of standard academic English.

"The Dam Letters"

Read the attached document in its entirety. It contains a REAL correspondence between a state official and a frustrated homeowner.

 

After you have carefully read their letters, post a well-written, original analysis on each writer's 1) style and 2) tone. This should be done by midnight on Monday, August 23rd. Then, by midnight on Thursday, August 26th, you need to comment on or respond back to at least two of your classmates' comments.

 

Reminders:

    1) Style: An evaluation of the sum of the choices an author makes in blending diction, syntax, figurative language, and other literary devices. Some authors’ styles are so distinct that they are easily recognizable. We can analyze and describe an author’s personal style and make judgments on how appropriate it is to the author’s purpose. Styles can be called flowery, explicit, succinct, rambling, bombastic, commonplace, incisive, laconic, etc.

    2) Tone: Describes the author’s attitude toward his or her material, the audience, or both. Tone is sometimes easier to determine in spoken language than in written language (you can HEAR a person's tone of voice). Considering how a work would sound if it were read aloud can help in identifying an author’s tone. Some words describing tone are playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, ornate, sardonic, somber, etc.

      Also... Please remember to keep all comments posted class-appropriate, well-written, and respectful to all. 

 

The Dam Letters