The document provides instructions for students on descriptive writing. It explains that descriptive writing aims to use sensory details and elaboration to help readers visualize people, places, or things. Students are asked to write a descriptive paragraph about popcorn by including details that appeal to the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. They are guided to use a graphic organizer to evaluate their use of sensory details and write a second draft with more vivid descriptions.

1. WARM-UP SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 Respond to the following question in your composition notebook: What makes a story come alive?

2. POPCORN NARRATIVE

3. WHAT IS DESCRIPTIVE WRITING? The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place or thing in such away that a picture is formed in the reader's mind. It does not tell the reader that the flower is beautiful, it shows them the flower is beautiful. The reader feels like he/she is a part of the writer's experience of the subject. Descriptive writing is used in all types of writing (Expository, Narrative, and Persuasive) to create a vivid and lasting impression of the person, place or thing.

4. WHAT IS DESCRIPTIVE WRITING? Descriptive writing uses the following: Sensory Details: details that appeal to one or more of the five senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch Elaboration: the process of adding further detail to plain declarative statements

5. FIRST, DESCRIBE YOUR POPCORN Step 1: As you hear, smell, see, touch and taste your popcorn, answer all the questions on the your popcorn brainstorm worksheet. Step 2: Write your first draft . Write a paragraph in which you try to convey specific impressions of the popcorn.

6. SENSORY DETAILS Step 3: Read your draft. Have you used vivid descriptions? Does your writing include ALL five senses? Step 4: Make a graphic organizer and show the details you have included in your writing. SENSE DETAILS Sight Hearing Touch Taste Smell

7. SENSORY DETAILS Step 5: Evaluate your sensory details. Ask yourself the following: Did I choose appropriate sensory details? Did I include a variety of different kinds of details? How effective are the details I have chosen in making my writing come alive? Step 6: Write a second draft. Elaborate your writing with more vivid sensory details. Remember that more specific details make more powerful writing.