WEEK 7
This next assignment is a descriptive essay. Some students thinks this is one of the toughest because it requires them to tap into all senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) to convey your message. Don't just TELL your readers about something in this essay, let them SEE it and FEEL it, as if they were there. You will use a lot of adjectives, details and metaphors in your writing. I've included an assignment to get your sensory juices flowing. Please include this in your email to me, along with the Kirszner assignments.
Take out a clean sheet of paper (or a clean word processing document) and letter from a-z down the margin.
Now, list a color for each letter of the alphabet (go on, humor me). a=apple green, b=blue, etc.
Does not the exercise stretch your imagination? Now be honest with yourself--do not just make up something--base the color in reality! (what color is x-ray red?)
That was not too difficult... (expect for speakers of English as a Second Language--then the exercise and the following ones may be more than a challenge!)
Now, a new word processing document...
Letter from a-z down the margin...
Now fill in the letters with colors of blue! a=azure, blue=bright blue, c=cobalt, etc. Yes, you may have more than one for some letters and none for others (yes, electric blue counts)
Was that sufficiently mind expanding?
A new word processing document, please.
Now letter from a-z down the margin (what could she possibly want now???)
NOW, fill in the blanks with verbs that mean to move forward. (w=walk)
At last, you have really thought about good words. You have chosen more precise words. Your writing will be better because you will consider these exercises when you write your next essay--and it will be better because you have spent these 30 minutes playing a silly word game for Prof. Sawyer!.
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:
Lester: Chapter 7, (Reading and
Evaluating the Best Sources) p. 102-122
This is a lot of reading, but it reinforces many of the concepts from your library
assignment. Email me a list of the three most important things you
learned.
Also read Chapter 11 ((Blending Reference Material into Your Writing by Using MLA Style). Your final research paper will depend on your knowledge of this information.
Kirszner: Pages 135-150 ("Description")
Pages 153-155 ("Words Left Unspoken"). Before you read this story,
keep these questions in mind:
What is the organizing principle of this essay?
Are you able to "picture" Cohen's grandfather in your mind?
Page 190: ("Internet Assignment for Description") Write a one-page
description from one of the internet sites. Use lots of adjectives that evoke all
five senses.
Page 189: Question #1. ("Choose a character from a work of fiction or a film who you think is truly interesting. Write a descriptive essay that conveys what makes this character so special.") Please make this a five-paragraph essay. Don't' forget to revise, revise, revise!