1.3 Writer's Workshop: Descriptive Writing

Writer's Workshop 1 - Step One: PreWriting

You are ready to start a writing project. You will write a one or more paragraphs about a place to which you have a strong connection. You have seen many examples and had a chance to start thinking about your own sense of place, so let's get started! 

This is where you get your mental rain cloud to pour out ideas. (Did you see that metaphor!)

Don’t worry about how it looks – just get your pen moving on the paper. There are many different brainstorming techniques. Read through the following ideas and find what works best for you.

Listing

Write down your topic as the title. Then list as many related ideas underneath it. Write phrases or single words. Your list when brainstorming does not have to be in any kind of order – just list as many things as you can about the topic. It can be in an organizational chart.

Mind Mapping

Put your topic in a circle in the middle of the page. Then create branches off it and write down ideas. From these bigger branches, draw smaller branches with related ideas. You can use different colours and add images (quick sketches) to help you with the process.

Free Writing

One way to get started is to set a timer for five to ten minutes and just start writing ideas. Have your topic in mind and keep your words flowing. Don't worry about spelling or grammar; the goal is to get as many ideas as possible down. If you can't think of what to write, just write anything that comes to mind. We won't use this technique this time! 

For each step of this workshop you will use this template to complete your writing.

Along the way, you will submit it using the online drop boxes.

You will continue in the same file and add to it, each step of the way.

Download it, save it, and get started by completing:

1. STEP ONE: PREWRITING.