DESCRIPTIONSusan Ely Fundamentals of College Writing

Why be skilled in description? Enhances readers’ understanding of your

subject Readers are drawn to description Sustains interest

Helps reconstruct scenes in narratives Makes action visual Makes your story different than the rest

Good description…. Creates a dominant impression

Subjective vs. Objective This is a skill expected in college

Good description…. Uses the 5 senses

Good description…. Uses Figurative Language—How do we

describe something that defies language? Metaphor/Simile

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luqACg3hhFQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=KfeqRTMBm5A Personification

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKexdSZNiLc#watch-main-area

Good description…. Strong Verbs and Nouns

Good description…. Uses the element of surprise

Good description…. Indicates the writer’s attitude through

Word choice The details you choose to include and

describe

Add description to your Narratives Include only relevant details Keep the description focused Make sure the description fits the

essay’s tone and point of view

What can I describe? Places People Emotions Sights, sounds, tastes, touch Weather Actions

Ted Kooser http://faculty.mccneb.edu/cchurchill/

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