Vivid vs. Vague Language
The food was unappetizing.
The pale turkey slices floated limply in a pool of murky fat.
The sprinkler was refreshing.
The cool water from the sprinkler sprayed our hot faces.
The traffic was heavy.
Our old car puffed as Main Street became clogged with a line of clamoring motorists.
Descriptive writing is writing in which the author's intent is to create a vivid image of what he/she is describing in the mind of the reader. It relies on the author using detailed descriptions that convey the sensory details of what he/she is describing, often with the use of specific techniques.
Objective: To create a vivid and believable setting.
Activity:
Research: Gather information about the setting you've chosen. Consider the time period, location, and atmosphere.
Sensory Details: Use descriptive language to appeal to the reader's senses.
Setting and Character: Explore how the setting affects the characters and their actions.
Example:
Research: The setting is a futuristic city, often referred to as "Neo-Tokyo." It's a bustling metropolis with towering skyscrapers and advanced technology.
Sensory Details: The air was thick with smog, and the neon lights cast an eerie glow on the rain-slicked streets.
Setting and Character: The character, a young detective, felt overwhelmed and out of place in the chaotic city.
Use the PDF of images to create descriptions for each image. Also, I challenge you to use language features to add further detail to your descriptions.
Objective: To understand the structure of a narrative and how to create a compelling beginning, middle, and end.
Activity:
Brainstorm: Think of a story idea. What is the main conflict or problem?
Beginning: Write a captivating opening that hooks the reader. Use strong imagery or a surprising event.
(this is your first paragraph and should be 10 sentences or more)
Middle: Develop the story by introducing characters, setting the scene, and adding rising action.
(this is your second paragraph and should be 10 sentences or more)
End: Create a satisfying conclusion that resolves the conflict and leaves a lasting impression.
(this is your third paragraph and should be 10 sentences or more)
Example:
Beginning: The wind howled like a banshee as I huddled under the old oak tree, my heart pounding in my chest.
Middle: Suddenly, I heard a rustling in the bushes. My breath caught in my throat as I peered into the darkness.
End: As I turned to run, a bright light pierced the night. Relief washed over me as I realized it was just my dad's flashlight.
Your teacher will number you off as a 1 or 2.
1's will write an argument that agrees with the topic statement.
2s will write an argument that disagrees with the topic statement.
Learning Intention: The goal is to learn how to craft writing that convinces others to see things your way. Imagine you want to convince your friends to play a new game at lunchtime, or maybe you want to persuade your parents to let you get a pet. Persuasive writing will give you the tools to do just that!
Success Criteria: These are the secret moves you'll need to master to become a persuasive writing ninja:
Identify the key features: You'll be able to spot the special ingredients that make writing persuasive, like strong openings, clear reasons, and powerful closing statements.
Craft a compelling argument: Like a skilled debater, you'll learn to use facts, examples, and even a touch of emotion to build a strong case for your point of view.
Become an editing whiz: You'll develop your editing skills to make sure your writing is clear, concise, and absolutely persuasive!
The image you sent depicts a classic story structure diagram. It can be used to illustrate the narrative arc of a story.
Learning Intention: We will learn how to write a narrative using the classic story structure.
Success Criteria: My narrative will have a clear beginning, middle, and end. My beginning will introduce the characters and setting, and establish the mood of the story. My middle will show the rising action and development of the conflict. My end will include the climax, falling action, and resolution of the conflict.