Personal and Cultural Identity

Descriptive Writing

  Learning Target(s):

  • Evaluate how literary elements such as imagery and figurative language, enhance and shape meaning and impact.
  • Understand the influence of land/place in Canadian sources.
  • Think and write critically, creatively, and reflectively to explore ideas within, between and beyond text



The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place or thing in such a way that a picture is formed in the reader's mind. Capturing an event through descriptive writing involves paying close attention to the details by using all of your five senses.  This is called imagery.  

Descriptive writing also incorporates figurative language.  Figurative language includes similes, metaphors, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, to name just a few examples.  Make sure you review these terms so you can demonstrate your understanding in your response.  Descriptive language also creates a sense of place by developing the mood and atmosphere.  

Watch the videos on descriptive writing and mood to review these concepts. 

Summary of Descriptive Writing

Definition

 Descriptive writing vividly portrays a person, place, or thing such a way that the reader can visualize the topic and enter into the writer's experience and mood.
Characteristics
  • elaborate use of sensory details and language including imagery
  • rich, vivid, and lively detail
  • figurative language such as simile, hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism and personification
  • using adjectives and adverbs, and active verbs to show rather than tell
Examples (will be used on unit test)
Additional Websites

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/descriptive.html

https://www.advancedwriters.com/blog/descriptive-essay-on-nature/