FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING

May 15, 2014

Today

Descriptive Writing –descriptive style

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing has various uses.

A few examples:

- Tourism (describing cities or resorts to potential customers)

- Advertising products

- Describing critical needs areas

Descriptive Paragraph: Example

Before: The model is 24 centimeters tall. As a gift from my friend Tran, I see this figure every time I enter my room.

Improved: The clown and unicycle together stand about 24 centimeters high. As a cherished gift from my good friend Tran, this colorful figure greets me with a smile every time I enter my room.

Now, how about KMU’s campus?

Descriptive Writing

Tells a “story” about a specific thing (object, person, place, event)

- Appeals to the senses: sights, sounds, smells, taste, feel

A good description is a “word picture”

- The reader can imagine the object/person/place in his or her mind.

- “Shows” more than it tells.

Descriptive writing has a “direction”

Descriptive Style

Descriptive writing requires:

- Specific details

- Descriptive vocabulary

Adjectives:size, color, shape, texture, smell, purpose,

personality, location, etc.

verbs – “descriptive” verbs (try to avod “be” verbs)adverbs

- Sensations and emotions.

Descriptive StyleAvoiding “be verb + adjective”

i.e.,

The food was unappetizing.

The pale chicken slices floated limply in a pool of murky fat.

The sprinkler was refreshing.

The cool water from the sprinkler sprayed our hot faces.

Descriptive Style

The tree is very tall.

Improved:

- The tree stretches toward the sky.

- The tree's branches reach far upwards.

- The tree brushes the clouds.

Source: klick.wordpress.com

Descriptive Style

The blanket is colorful.

Improved:

- Rich colors decorate the blanket.

- Deep hues of red, green, and orange cover the blanket.

Source: www.sarasews.net 

Descriptive Style

Almond bong bong ice cream is delicious.

Improved:

- The wonderful taste of almond bong bong lingers on the tongue long after it is gone.

- Almond bong bong tastes of sweet cream, soft chocolate, and crunchy almonds.

Source: www.baskinrobbins.co.kr

Descriptive Style

Snakes are scary.

Improved:

- Snakes strike fear into my heart.

- Snakes, quiet and cunning, frighten Tony as though they were real-life monsters.

Source: www.animaldanger.com

Descriptive Style

When she was young, Jiho was happy when she visited Woobang Land.

Improved:

- When she was young, visiting Woobang Land brought joy and excitement to Jiho.

Source: klick.wordpress.com

More descriptive style

- Use more “descriptive” verbs

i.e. The Burj Khalifa is taller than its surrounding buildings.

-The Burj Khalifa towers over thebuildings surrounding it.

-The Burj Khalifa looms over the buildings surrounding it.

Source: did-you-know-thats.blogspot.com

More descriptive style

- Use adverbs to enhance the verbs and adjectives

i.e. The Burj Khalifa is taller than its surrounding buildings.

- The Burj Khalifa towers over the buildings surrounding it.

-The Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

-The Burj Khalifa looms impressively over the buildings surrounding it.

More descriptive style- Enhance nouns with adjectives or descriptive phrases

The Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

- The huge Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

- The massive Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

- The cloud-brushing Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

More descriptive style- Enhance nouns with adjectives or descriptive phrases

The Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

- The 800m high Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

- The nearly 1km tall Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

- The Burj Khalifa, at nearly 1 km high, towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it.

More descriptive style

- Use similes

- Using “like” or “as” to compare your subject with something.

The Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it like a giant standing over tiny men.

- The Daegu summer is like living in a sauna all day, everyday.

More descriptive style

- Personification

- Giving human characteristics to objects

The Burj Khalifa towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it, mocking them for their small statures.

The house, with its smashed windows and filthy walls, begs for repairs.

More descriptive style

- Symbol

- Describing your subject as representing an idea (or concept, or virtue)

The Burj Khalifa, a symbol of Dubai’s financial power, towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it, mocking them for their small statures.

The Burj Khalifa, representing human technological prowess, towers intimidatingly over the buildings surrounding it, like a giant arm reaching to the sky.

Assignment 4

Write a descriptive essay.

- Choose one of the following:

1. Describe a city or town you have been to in order to make it appeal to tourists.

2. Describe an underdeveloped area that requires aid to improve.