1. Descriptive Writing NOTES AND SENSORY STATIONS 8 TH GRADE ELA

2. Writing Descriptively: Definitions  Descriptive writing: The clear description of people, places, objects or events using appropriate details.  Descriptive writing should include: 1. A vivid “word picture” 2. Focus on purpose and audience, and what you are describing 3. When describing a thing, concentrate on physical appearance 4. When describing a person, concentrate on behavior, movement, and appearance 5. When recreating a scene concentrate on people and surroundings.

3. Writing Descriptively: Details  Sensory Details: To vividly describe what the writer sees, hears, smells, touches, and tastes.  Figures of Speech: Compares two things that are very different. It also means to not mean exactly what you say. Creating and understanding figures of speech require you to use your imagination.

4. Writing Descriptively: Details  Three Types of Figurative Language:  Personification: Gives an inanimate object human qualities or abilities. Example: The camera loves me. Example: The trees were dancing in the wind.  Metaphors: Compares two things directly. Example: During the storm, the sky was a cloudy sea.  Similes: Compares two things using “like” or “as.” Example: She is as slow as a turtle. Example: Your life is like an open book.

5. Writing Descriptively: Craft  When beginning to write, remember two key steps for organized writing.  Step 1: Consider the 5 W’s. WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY  Step 2: Use SPATIAL ORDER to help create a picture for your reader.  Spatial Order: Items are described according to their physical position. For example, if you are describing a shelf or desk, describe items on the left first, then move gradually toward the right. Do not skip around the item or space you are describing.

6. Writing Descriptively: Let’s Explore!  Partner up with people in your group.  Choose a song you or your partner has available to you on your device. While listening to this song, find examples of similes, metaphors, and personification.  Record your examples on a post-it and stick them on the appropriate poster.  Try to find at least one example of each, and make sure your examples are appropriate.

7. Writing Descriptively: Let’s Create  Let’s start small.  Read over the class copy of the “Color Poetry” assignment.  Create your own piece of color poetry. I have printer paper for you to use.  See past student examples to help you understand the expectation for your final product.  Later in this unit, we will create a different poem with this as the starting point, so don’t misplace your color poem!