Week 1: Build Skills
Telepathy (approx. 1 pg.)
1. Please read the chapter entitled "What Writing Is." 2. Prepare to perform your own act of telepathy with the class. In a well-developed description, describe a commonly recognized object great detail, but without naming the subject matter or its common function. Your classmates will have to guess the subject from your description.
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It Figures (approx. 10-20 full sentences)
1. Read the Figurative Language Handout & view the videos on irony. 2. Write an original sentence or two for each of the ten examples of figurative language explained in the handout. 3. Prepare to share your best examples with the class. |
It Figures 2 (approx. 10-20 full sentences)
1. Read the Figurative Language Handout & view the videos on irony. 2. Write an original sentence or two for each of the ten examples of figurative language explained in the handout. 3. Prepare to share your best examples with the class. |
That's Such a Cliche (approx. 10 sentences/ 1 class pd.)
1. In class or with your classmates, define cliche' and brainstorm a list of cliche's. 2. Choose your five favorite cliches. 3. In your journal, write each of your five favorite cliche's in a sentence. Then, rewrite each sentence, replacing the cliche' with fresh, creative wording. Be prepared to share your best rewrite with the class.
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Show, Don't Tell (approx. 1 pg.)
Click the button to view the Show-Me Sentences worksheet. In the worksheet, you will find five sentences that tell the reader information. Your job will be to rewrite those sentences using vivid sensory description. It may make sense to rewrite using more than one sentence--Sometimes several sentences or a short paragraph is needed. Challenges:
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It's Only Natural
Imagine you are walking outside. A spring storm is coming. Describe your environment.
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Characterization Challenge (approx. 3 tables/ 1 class pd.)
Read The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss & then work through the characterization worksheet.
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The Things in My Locker (approx. 1 or 2 pgs./ 1 class pd.)
1. Read the excerpt from Tim O'Brien's novel, The Things They Carried. Notice how he uses the objects in his characters' packs as a device to describe the soldiers through indirect characterization. 2. Please think about the objects in your backpack, purse, or locker, and use those items as a way to reveal insights into your personality/ character. |
Teacher Character Sketch
Please write a descriptive page or two about one of your teachers, past or present. Challenge: Use all of the excellent descriptive writing techniques discussed so far:
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Week 2: Pre-write & Rough Draft
Freewrite and Brainstorm
1. Please spend five or ten minutes actively freewriting to generate ideas for your descriptive writing assignment. 2. List three potential subjects for your descriptive piece, and explain how you will organize your description. 3. Meet with your teacher/ choose your subject. |
Character Profile
Think about your character's attributes before writing your piece! You may use the Character Profile Worksheet to guide you, or you may use another guide. |
Self Edit: To Be or Not To Be:
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Details Self Edit: Please read the excerpt from Susan Bell's book, The Artful Edit: On the Practice of Editing Yourself. This passage is from the chapter entitled, "Details: Micro-Editing," and it highlights four pieces of advice for using language excellently:
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Active Voice Self-Edit
Please read "The Active Voice."
Ross-Larson, B. (1996). The active voice. Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone Who Works with Words. New York, NY: Norton. |