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PowerPoint - Descriptive Writing

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227 views15 pages

PowerPoint - Descriptive Writing

Uploaded by

Tech Rebate
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Descriptive Writing

Aim
Learning Objective
• To use descriptive and figurative language.
• To paint vivid pictures in a reader’s mind.
• To write a compelling piece of writing.

Success Criteria
•• To
Statement 1 Lorem
recall the purpose ipsum
of narrative dolor sit amet, consectetur
devices.
adipiscing elit.
• To use wider vocabulary and descriptive language to describe an image.
•• To
Statement 2 language to enhance a piece of creative writing.
use figurative
• To •produce
Sub statement
a piece of creative writing.
Why Image A depicts
more detail?

How is this image related to Descriptive Writing?


What is the purpose of
descriptive writing?
• Writing descriptively brings text to life. A writer could
describe a person, location, object, event, emotion,
the weather, an action, landscape and much more.

• Good descriptive writing allows the reader to


imagine, hear and see what is depicted and feel or
empathise with the subjects being portrayed in a
text.

• Through the careful selection of words and use of


descriptive writing techniques, writers can paint
vivid pictures in a reader’s mind.
GROUP TASK: 10
minutes
•Based on the link provided, discuss among your group how
you will present the assigned task. Do not forget to jot down
important details.
Group 1: Using Adjectives
and Adverbs
Group 2: Using the Senses
Group 3: Using Imagery
Group 4: Assonance and
Alliteration
Group 5: Using
Onomatopoeia
Using Adjectives or Adverbs
One way to conjure up images and to stir a reader's imagination is
to use adjectives and adverbs.

•Adjectives describe objects, locations (nouns), people and places


(proper nouns and pronouns). They are placed before the item or
subject described, to modify them. When used appropriately,
adjectives add detail and make the text more interesting and
appealing to read.
•For example: A road. Which becomes a long, winding,
mysterious, old road.
•Adverbs modify verbs as they describe how an
action occurs. This is useful for making writing more
dynamic: full of momentum or pace and not just static
descriptions.
•For example: A dog. Which becomes a dog that
barked noisily, happily, and joyfully.
Using the Senses
• Using any of these five senses in conjunction with adjectives
and adverbs can improve the quality of your descriptive
writing. It is a common technique used in descriptive writing
and can transform an ordinary and simple description into
something rich and powerful.
• Adverts commonly use the senses to make the product sound
more appealing.
Using Imagery
One of the most popular ways to conjure up imagery is
through figurative language. Literary devices can provide
imagery that is not an exact literal representation of reality.
•Metaphor – two things are compared without using ‘like’ or
‘as’:
‘That day was a rollercoaster of emotions.’
•Simile – two things are compared using ‘like’ or ‘as’:
‘Her eyes were as blue as the ocean.’
•Oxymoron – opposite contradicting ideas are put together:
‘At the end of the speech there was a deafening silence.’
•Personification – to give something inanimate human
qualities:
Figurative
‘The grass language
danced inworks best for writing
the breeze.’
designed to engage the reader’s mind. This
is writing that requires the reader to think
about the description in more detail and
analyse it.
Assonance and alliteration
The sound of words can be used to enhance descriptions and to
heighten the senses. Alliteration is a good way to achieve this.
This is why alliteration is commonly used to catch people’s
attention through headlines.
•Alliteration
•You can use these sounds of words to create a mood, tone and
describe the senses.
•There are three types of alliteration:
•Assonance is to the repetition of vowels sounds (a,e,i,o,u).
‘Audacious Otis obstinately sat in front of the oven.’
•Consonance is the repetition of any consonant sounds.
‘Cathy cuddled the cat kindly, this made her feel content.’
•Sibilance is the repetition of hissing ‘s’ sounds (s, c and
sometimes z, f, v).
‘She slides forward, hissing and spitting, slithering on her scaly
stomach.’
Using Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is the use of words to mimic the sound of things.
Sometimes these words are explicitly only sound words: Oink,
ding dong, crackle, whoosh, bam! Most times sound words are
day-to-day words used to mimic sound. Onomatopoeia is a good
way to immerse the reader.
•The alarm clocked buzzed.
•The door creaked as Jerome tried to sneak in.
•The metronome ticked to the beat at half speed.

Notice how they are all verbs – action words. This is an effective
way to describe something.

Being aware of how everyday verbs, nouns and adjectives can


mimic sound will enable you to use onomatopoeia to greater
effect than trying to use dramatic sound words exclusively.
Plenary
Look at this short section of writing:

The crimson ball in the sky seemed to stare furiously down at


him, angry with him for losing his way. Brown, withered plant
tendrils, as dry as paper, tickled him as they slithered their
scorched scratchy skins across his forearm.

Try to find the following:


A verb
An adverb
An adjective
An example of personification
An example of alliteration
A metaphor
A simile
Your Turn!
Your task is to reflect on your recent storm experience using
descriptive writing to capture the emotions and details of the
event.

Remember: you are


trying to create a
vivid image for the
reader.

Use your ideas so far to make


sure you have used lots of
interesting vocabulary and
figurative language.
Aim to write at least 2-3 paragraphs for your description.
Descriptive Writing Checklist
Have I Used? Yes/No Partner
interesting adjectives

powerful

carefully selected adverbs

similes

metaphors

assonance and alliteration

personification

When you have finished and checked your work, ask a partner to
check whether they think you have used all the things on your
checklist. They could colour-code these and highlight them in
your work.
Extended Activities:
1. Pick one particular object/person/animal
from your description and create a detailed
description of just that
object/person/animal.

2. Highlight any vocabulary you think you


could improve in your work and use a
thesaurus to make a better word choice.

3. Use what you have learnt today to write a


description of one of the following:
• A beach
• A busy market
• The first day of school

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