The Four Methods of Discourse

• Descriptive• Narrative

• Expository • Persuasive

Descriptive• This form of writing requires specific

information and sensory details along with “other related details.”

• Effective description does the following:– Creates a mood through word choice and length– Uses sensory language, adjectives, adverbs, action

verbs, figurative language

Descriptive Requirements

1.INTERESTING BEGINNINGStrategies for interesting beginnings:-use a sound device-begin with a famous quotation-quote someone else-give background information-open with a strong opinion-preview specific details-begin generally and move to specific

Good Descriptive Elements2. Specific details3. Check your sentence beginnings according to the

ABC Rule4. Try beginning sentences with subordinate

conjunctions5. Do you have at least one of each of the four

types of sentence?6. Do you have an inverted sentence?7. Do you have sentences with a dash, colon, or

semi-colon?8. Do you use transition words to link your

paragraphs?

Writing in the Narrative Mode

• Tell about an event or an action that occurs over time.--Include specific details that move the event through time and “breathe life” into the event.--Use transition words to show this movement over time.-- Chronological order is generally most appropriate for the organizational strategy.-- The “story” may be true or imagined.-- Combine, omit, summarize, or embellish events.

Continued…-- This mode reinforces the understanding of character, setting and plot.

-- Use description and dialogue to enhance the storytelling.

-- Often the last event serves as the ending for the narrative.

Narrative Ingredients• Characters• Plot• Setting (specific TIME and PLACE)• Dialogue• Strong Verbs• Specific Details• Metaphorical language • Interesting beginning• Use of transition words• Chronological development

First Paragraph--Introduction

• I. FIRST PARAGRAPHThe IntroductionRemember that the writer wants to “grab” the attention of the audience. Try these techniques:

-Give an example that will lead to the topic- Start with an anecdote-Begin with a quotation- Use a sound device- Start with a feeling or sensory experience-Start with a flashback

First Paragraph Cont.

• Establish SETTING and CHARACTERS• Begin developing the story or plot in this

first paragraph with an interesting beginning and one of the following questions:– Who?– What?– Where?– Why?

Second Paragraph• Describe the first adventure—exactly what

happened

A. Detail supporting the event

B. Second detail

C. Third detail

Third Paragraph• Describe the second adventure in

chronological order. The conflict should have been established by now.

A. Detail supporting the event

B. Second detail

C. Third detail

Fourth ParagraphDescribe the third adventure in chronological order.

A. Detail supporting the event:

B. Second detail:

C. Third detail:

Fifth ParagraphA. Final event in the story

B. Conflict Resolution

C. Possible surprise ending

D. Clincher ending

Writing in the Persuasive Mode• State an opinion clearly and take a definitive

stand• Support the opinion with convincing details,

reasons, examples• Brainstorm in the pre-writing state to

determine specific reasons which are logical and convincing

• Students may try to 1.) identify five reasons which might convince an audience 2.) from those five reasons develop fully the three best reasons

Persuasive Ingredients

• One sided argument (for or against)• A beginning with a thesis• Three paragraphs—each dealing with one

specific argument• Specific details to support the arguments• An organizational plan• Use of transition words• Clarity• An effective concluding paragraph

Persuasive Frame• Opening paragraph—what is your main

argument?• Arguments—what is the most important point

that you want to make?• What supporting evidence can you add?• What details can you add to the supporting

evidence?• Continue as above for the other points that you

want to make• Conclusion—remind readers what your main

idea is and ask them to support you

Writing in the Expository Mode

• Explain or inform in this mode• Expository writing needs a topic sentence• Supporting sentences elaborate• A typical conclusion restates or summarizes the

main idea in the expository paper• Students need examples in order to “see” how

expository writing communicates tone through the main idea sentence

• The conclusion completes the essay and drives the point home

Writing in the Expository Mode Cont.

• Limit the subject in some cases—ask “What aspect of the subject do I want to explain?” or, “How can I express the main idea of my essay in one sentence?”

• Determine the types of details to be used:

facts, examples, reasons, incidents, steps in a process, similarities/ differences

Writing in the Expository Mode Cont.

• The organizational plan is typically one of these: order of importance, comparison/ contrast, spatial, developmental order, chronological order

• Use transition between details; show the relationship between details.

Expository Ingredients

• Strong verbs• A beginning with a thesis• Three separate paragraphs, each paragraph dealing

with one specific reason• Specific details to support reasons• An organizational plan• Clarity—use of transition words• An effective concluding paragraph

Concluding Sentence:

Controlling Idea:First Idea Second Idea Third Idea

The information contained in this presentation was obtained from Ruth Hooks during her workshop titled, Teaching Writing.