1. Purposes and Patterns in Writing & Descriptive Writing
Fall 2012
Ms. Brown

2. General Purposes
Knowing WHY you’re doing an assignment can help you complete a task.
In other words, don’t think of the obvious reasons…
“I want to get a good grade.”
Think instead of trying to…
Inspire
Explain
Entertain
Inform
Persuade

3. Patterns in Writing
We call patterns in writing rhetorical modes or methods of development
These methods of development are like the colors in a painter’s easel. There will be primary and secondary shadings in the essay
There are…
Descriptive paragraphs or essays
Illustration or Exemplification paragraphs or essays
Definition paragraphs or essays
Process paragraphs or essays
Comparison and Contrast paragraphs or essays
Argument paragraphs or essays

4. Descriptive Writing Objective Description Subjective Description
Strives for precision and objectivity
Conveys the subject without emotion
Most often used in scientific writing
Filters the subject through a firsthand experience
Draws on emotion
Most often used in personal essays or creative writing

5. Descriptive Writing
You should always strive for a dominant impression (a central theme, idea, or feeling) with your descriptive writing.
Having a consistent point of view is helpful in creating a dominant impression.
Physical: a real or imagined relation to the subject (Ex. mountain)
Psychological: personal or impersonal (Ex. I, He, or She)

6. Descriptive Writing
You want to remember the five senses when you’re writing descriptively. These will help the reader understand and experience what you’re describing. The 5 senses include: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.
Metaphorical language is also useful:
Simile: “She runs like a turtle on the track.”
Metaphor: “She is a turtle on the track.”

7. THE END