1. You need: A pencil, eraser, highlighter and your ELA duo-tang
Writing Lesson 8:
Sharpen the Image With Specific Nouns
You need:
A pencil, eraser, highlighter and your ELA duo-tang

2. Purpose
In this lesson, you will learn to improve your writing by changing general nouns to specific nouns. Our goal is to create a piece of writing with as much detail as possible.

3. Before Examples
Gloria received different things for her birthday. We played games for a long time on a rainy day.

4. Revision Tips
Underline general nouns such as stuff, things, flowers, games.
Brainstorm specific nouns to replace general words. Specific nouns are like snapshots: they enable others to imagine what you see.
Replace general words with the best specific nouns.
Rearrange, add, or delete words to improve the sentence.

5. Brainstorm Box
Use these specific nouns to create more detailed writing:
THINGS
SECRET DIARY, A GREEN SWEATER, RUNNING SNEAKERS
GAMES
MONOPOLY, CHECKERS
TIME
A RAINY AFTERNOON, NEAR MIDNIGHT, SUNRISE, EARLY SPRING

6. After Examples
Gloria received different things for her birthday. For her birthday Gloria received a secret diary, a green pullover sweater, and high-top running shoes. We played games for a long time on a rainy day. On a rainy day we played Monopoly and checkers to pass the time.
HOW DID SPECIFIC NOUNS SHARPEN THE IMAGES? WHY ARE SPECIFIC WORDS MORE INTERESTING THAN GENERAL WORDS?

7. Activity 8
Choose three sentences and change the underlined general words to specific nouns.
At the grocery store, mom bought lots for dinner.
Three lizards shape-shifted into different things.
To build that dollhouse, she used many materials.
Our club sponsored the dance and decorated the gym with stuff.

8. Activity 8
At the grocery store, mom bought lots for dinner. At the grocery store, mom bought chicken, potatoes and gravy for dinner. Three lizards shape-shifted into different things. Three lizards shape-shifted into stones and leaves.

9. Activity 8
To build that dollhouse, she used many materials. To build that dollhouse, she used wood, nails and pink fabric. Our club sponsored the dance and decorated the gym with stuff. Our club sponsored the dance and decorated the gym with balloons, streamers and a photo booth.

10. Activity 8A Mom and I went on a shopping spree and bought everything.
Shaundra wanted many things for Christmas.
The children played with toys.
Our club sold different dried foods to raise money.