Think about the adjective dominant (or the verb to dominate). What do these words mean? The dominant impression of a piece of writing is the mood, feeling, atmosphere or quality that is the focus of the text. A strong text allows readers to feel the mood of the writer. How does the writer do this? Through language! WHAT IS IT?

EXAMPLE 1: Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very word brings a shiver of fear to most people. From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

WHAT KIND OF MOOD DO THESE ADJECTIVES PUT YOU IN? Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very word brings a shiver of fear to most people. From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

HOW ABOUT THESE NOUNS? Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very word brings a shiver of fear to most people. From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

... AND THE VERBS? Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very word brings a shiver of fear to most people. From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

WHAT DOMINANT IMPRESSION IS THE WRITER GOING FOR?

EXAMPLE 2: Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew, the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices jiggled every time we talked. From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

NOTICE THE VERBS IN THIS ONE! Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew, the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices jiggled every time we talked. From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

AND THE FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE! Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew, the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices jiggled every time we talked. From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

WHAT'S THE DOMINANT IMPRESSION OF MARTINEZ'S WIND?

With your group, read the assigned paragraph(s). Notice the vocabulary choices the author makes. Discuss words that stand out to you. Discuss your ideas about dominant impressions for each paragraph. There may be more than one "right" answer, so make a list and be prepared to explain to the rest of the class. TASK: