1. The Bedford Reader Chapter 5
Description
The Bedford Reader Chapter 5
Best Description Ever

2. Turn to page 137 Look at the picture and read the paragraph
Answer the questions

3. The Method
Like narration, description is a way you often express yourself
You describe somewhere you have been, someone you meet all the time
Description has 2 purposes:
To convey information without bias or emotion or
To convey it with feeling

4. When writing without bias
First, you write an objective (impartial) description
Description in academic writing is usually without bias
For example, a biology report of a particular species of frog

5. When writing with emotion
You see this in magazine ads for a new car
You might write this in an to a friend about your first day of junior year in high school
Turn to page 138 (last paragraph) to read this type of description

6. The Process First, understand why you are writing the description
Then consider your audience (what it needs to be told)
Then, either look at your subject or imagine it
Finally, ask yourself which features you need to report to your audience for your specific purpose

7. Dominant Impression and Thesis
What is the overall impression you want the audience to have?
For example, a description of an old house might include squeaking bats and shadowy halls
For example, an ad for an old house might include working fireplace and proximity to public transportation
The Dominant Impression is like the THESIS of your description-the main idea your reader should take away.

8. Details Use images Use figures of speech
Use specific and concrete language
Turn to page 142 and let’s read the blue box

9. Description in Paragraphs
Turn to page 143 for examples of “Writing About Television” & “Writing in an Academic Discipline”

10. Turn to page 170
Let’s read “My Face”
Page 172 “Journal Writing”

11. Answer Questions on Meaning, Writing Strategy, Language and
“Suggestions for Writing” #1