Descriptive Journal Purpose: Write a 1-2 page vivid and sensory description of a person, place or event. Due Date: Turn in portfolio with brainstorming notes, outline, first draft, revisions and final draft on Thursday, February 2. Evaluation Criteria Engage your audience: Grab your reader’s attention in your introduction, and clearly identity the subject and purpose of your description. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Use vivid and sensory details and imagery: Avoid vague, over-used or clichéd words and expressions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Organize your Description: Provide a visual, thematic or chronological order to your descriptions. Provide a meaningful story or narrative related to your place or subject. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Conclusion and Reflection: Explain why this description is meaningful or relevant to you or your readers. Answer “So What?” from your readers. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 10 Editing: Use correct spelling, grammar and writing format. 1 2 3 Average Score: 4 5 6 7 GRADE: 8 Descriptive Strategies Use imagery to appeal to the five senses. Organize your description, either visually, thematically or chronologically. Provide your readers with relevant context or background to understand your descriptions. Use specific names, vivid words and interesting language Don’t overuse forms of “to be” (It was a nice day). Instead, use strong, concrete, specific action verbs. (The sun rose clear and bright that morning). Avoid the passive voice (The money was lost). Instead, clearly identify your subject and what he/she did. (I lost the money) Use clear, fresh imagery through well chosen adjectives, adverbs and figurative language. 1. Metaphor: Prejudice is a stinging dart 2. Simile: Like mosquitoes, photographers surrounded the subject. 3. Personification: Wind whistled over the rooftops. 4. Allusion: With Herculean strength, we lifted the tree to the truck. 5. Overstatement: I left a mountain of dishes in the sink this morning. 6. Understatement: Hurricane Allison was no Sunday picnic Avoid clichés (Aunt Bertha was as pretty as a picture) and non-specific words or expressions such as “things”, “a lot”, “is” or “Back in the day…” Exploit the connotations of words. (Note the difference between “house” and “home”)