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DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH WRITING

Day 1     ELEMENTS OF DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPHS

Nov. 7th
Today the students were introduced to descriptive paragraph elements.  We focused on a descriptive paragraph being a "snapshot" of time rather than continuous moments (like a narrative).  We also discussed the use of similes and metaphors as a tool to compare objects that share a common feature and enrich description.  The students were given the following introductory note:
an_introduction_to_description.jpg
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We then analyzed a set of 5 descriptive paragraphs written by different authors and then broke them down in terms of the use of the senses to describe the scene.
examples_of_descriptive_paragraphs_and_chart_001.jpg
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examples_of_descriptive_paragraphs_and_chart.jpg
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examples_of_descriptive_paragraphs_and_chart_002.jpg
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The students were asked to complete the Descriptive Paragraph Chart for homework.
Due Tuesday, November 8th

Day 2         "Beefing up" Boring Paragraphs

Nov. 9
Today we reviewed the elements of descriptive paragraph writing. We descussed aspects of language that enhances the visual picture of a scene in our eyes. For example words like  "look" do not provide enough detail, however replacing this with "glance or stare" enables the reader to better understand the authors intention. We also discussed "triple spacing", rough copies of  writing in order to allow space to revise and enhance the initial draft.  The students were provided with an example of a paragraph that had virtually no detail. They were also allowed a quick glance at a visual picture that inspired the paragrpah. As a class we discussed/ edited the initial paragraph and made it much more interesting and detailed.  We watched a video tutorial based on descriptive paragraph writing. You can watch the video here:
Today the students were asked to "beef-up" two boring paragraphs by adding the necessary descriptive detail to create a better visual picture for the reader. The  assignment and corresponding visuals can be found below.
descriptive_paragraph_examples.jpg
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bringing_in_the_herd.jpg
File Size: 236 kb
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at_the_old_swimming_hole.jpg
File Size: 214 kb
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Due: Thursday November 10

Day 3 Remembrance Day Descriptive Paragraph

Nov. 10
Today we shared a few of the student's descriptive paragraphs from last night. We analyzed their choice of vocabulary and their ability to create a visual impression of the scene. We reviewed the elements of effective descriptive paragraphs ( catchy title and introductory sentence to capture the reader's attention; several "body" sentences that appeal to a variety of senses to increase sensory details; a concluding sentence that ties the ideas together).  We followed this by examining the criteria of the assignment and the accompanying rubric as a class. Then we gave them two visual pictures and they must select one  of these and complete  a descriptive paragraph for it.
descriptive_paragraph_assignment.jpg
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descriptive_paragraph_assignment_rubric.jpg
File Size: 234 kb
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trench_picture.jpg
File Size: 50 kb
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dieppe-raid.jpg
File Size: 112 kb
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Due: Monday Nov. 14
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