Day 1
Descriptive Writing: A look at easy techniques #1​
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1)​ Get sensory!---IMAGERY is the use of sensory details. They may involve sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or
physical sensations. Don’t overdo it though; no one wants to read paragraphs of imagery.
2)​ Help us picture the place!---Strong SETTINGS give us a sense of place. This involves imagery (see above)
and physical environment (place) while also considering weather and time of day/ month/ year where relevant.
3)​ Go figurative!---METAPHORS, SIMILES, PERSONIFICATION force readers to think about a noun in a new
way. This leads to an emotional connection and provides deeper meaning to your writing.
4)​ Descriptors matter!---Unusual ADJECTIVES aid readers in picturing and understanding the nouns you focus
on. While metaphors, similes, and personification add figurative aspects to your writing, strong adjectives can
help ground us in reality or ask us to reconsider preconceived notions.
Ex) weighty, unforeseen, attractive,
magenta
1.​ Identify three Adjectives that are unique in the passage below. Then, write what a
boring or predictable one might have been. Ex: periodic struggles > occasional
struggles.
●​ Placidly
○​ calmly (boring)​
●​ Monotonous
○​ plain (boring)​
●​ Desolate
○​ empty (boring)
2.​ Choose three senses that are evoked through IMAGERY and briefly state what is
described. Ex) sound—cursing at beast
●​ Sight: “a vast glowing cauldron, striped by the Milky Way”​
-describes the sky as glowing and filled with stars
●​ Touch: “He dragged himself up the strand, exhausted”​
-describes the sensation of physical fatigue
●​ Taste: “He coughed and spat out the salty taste”​
-describes the flavor of seawater lingering in his mouth.
3.​ Copy two SIMILES and a METAPHOR from the passage.
Simile: “as placidly as if he were sitting in a Barcalounger”
Simile: “a long, empty beach that curved like a scimitar”
Metaphor (in last ¼ of excerpt): “a vast glowing cauldron, striped by the Milky Way”
4.​ Using at least three textual details, how does this passage create a sense of
place through SETTING?
The passage creates a sense of place through setting by using visual and spatial cues. For
example, “monotonous flat plain” which conveys isolation and weariness. Additionally, the
shifting light, “the air cooling as the light drains from the sky”, helps us visualize the time
passing. Finally, the beach setting described as “desolate” evokes a haunting feeling of
solitude.
5.​ Consider how this passage uses, SETTING, IMAGERY, METAPHORS / SIMILES /
PERSONIFICATION, and unusual ADJECTIVES to engage the reader.
Quoting at least four times (no citations needed), discuss these qualities in 8-10
sentences.
Fake Example: The metaphor of “time became a beast of war” directly compares
the patient’s remaining time on earth with a monster, potentially in battle. This
offers the reader active, violent imagery to emotionally respond to.
The passage uses setting, imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, and unusual adjectives to engage the reader
in many ways. To start, the passage immerses the reader in haunting desert and beach landscapes using vivid
imagery. Similarly, the metaphor “vast glowing cauldron” turns the celestial scene into something magical. An example
of similes is “as placidly as if he were sitting in a Barcalounger” engages the reader by adding humorous insight to the
situation. Some unusual adjectives, such as “monotonous”, show emotional fatigue while “desolate” hints at
hopelessness. There is also strong imagery such as “the gentle waves hissing up the sand” that appeals to the sound
and touch. On a different note, the taste of “salty” water that causes him to cough creates a sense of physical
discomfort. Personification is seen through when the stars “came out”, which makes the sky feel alive and the reader
connected to the sky. Moreover, the physical environment of flat plains, curvy beaches, and starry skies, is described
through specific language. As a result, this sense of place, combined with figurative language, makes the passage
visually and emotionally resonant.
DAY 2
Descriptive Writing: A look at easy techniques #2​
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5)​ Play with sound!---ANAPHORA, REPETITION, ALLITERATION, ASSONANCE can all help a piece of writing
sound like music to a reader. Consider how repeated phrasing or sounds might also add significance to a
passage.
6)​ Feel it in your soul!---EMOTIVE LANGUAGE asks readers to feel something. Whether it be anger, sadness,
guilt, joy, or some other emotion, emotive language captures the reader through words that conjure feelings.
7)​ Timing and Structure!---STRUCTURE like Juxtaposition, Pacing, Paragraph Lengths, Sentence Lengths,
Sentence Structures are all aspects of composition to consider for ensuring your writing is interesting and
contains a sense of flow. Just as we vary our sentence lengths and structures, we may vary our paragraph
lengths and topics to keep the reader’s interest.
8)​ Surprise us!---Unexpected VERBS create a sense of action that gives our pieces movement and fluidity. Verbs
should be varied and give a sense of activity, which brings a writing to life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------OPENING ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA: PRESIDENT'S BUDGET DEBATE
Cape Town, 18 August 1994
Madame Speaker and Deputy Speaker,
President of the Senate and Deputy President,
Deputy Presidents,
Distinguished members of parliament,
Esteemed guests,
Comrades,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I stand before you aware of the momentous times that we are traversing. These times also demand of us that we regularly
account to this august assembly about the work entrusted to us by the electorate.
Much can be said about the content of the debate in the current session. On occasion, strong language has been used to drive
home strongly-held belief. Within the limits of what is befitting of members of this House, this shows that we have at last a
robust and vibrant democracy, with broad consensus on the most important national questions.
Down the years, human society has pitted itself against the pestilences of poverty, disease and
ignorance. Progress has been achieved while reverses have also been sustained. Progress must
continue. It is incumbent on South Africa to be in the company of those who have recorded
more success than failure.
*At the end of the day, the yardstick that we shall all be judged by is one and one only: and that
is, are we, through our endeavours here, creating the basis to better the lives of all South
Africans! This is not because the people have some subjective expectations fanned during an
election campaign. Neither is it because there is a magic wand that they see in the new
government. Millions have suffered deprivation for decades and they have the right to seek
redress. Millions fought and voted for change; and change the people of South Africa must have.
A hundred days ago, the President and Deputy Presidents of the new democratic republic were sworn in. Our people and the
whole world marvelled at what has been variously characterised as a miracle and an epoch-making event.
Are we worthy of their trust and confidence?
Our negotiation process delivered a unique transitional mechanism which accommodates major opposition parties in a
Government of National Unity. *Further, we are, together, finding creative ways of utilising the talents of all other parties in
the task of nation-building.
*Naturally, we are all striving to find the correct balance in this new terrain.
What is crucial, however, is that we have forged an enduring national consensus on the interim constitution and the broad
objectives of reconstruction and development. This consensus is neither an imposition of one party over others; nor a
honeymoon premised on the fickle whims of a fleeting romance. What brings us together is the overriding commitment to a
joint national effort to reconcile our nation and improve its well-being.
The unique product of our negotiations - the Interim Constitution and Charter of Fundamental Rights, and now the RDP constitute the firm foundation for launching our nation from the mire of conflict, poverty, disease and ignorance. These
agreements were reached because they were, and still are, absolutely necessary for South Africa. They are not about to fade
away like a passing bliss.
1)​ Highlight FIVE unusual or powerful VERBS that show action in this speech’s start. Ex) launching, to rectify,
questioned
2)​ Using two separate quotes (no citations), explain two places where Mandela uses EMOTIVE
LANGUAGE, telling what emotion you think he is trying to evoke.
“Millions have suffered deprivation for decades and they have the right to seek redress.”
Mandela is trying to evoke a sense of justice and empathy by reminding the audience of the generations
who suffered.
“Our people and the whole world marvelled at what has been variously characterised as a miracle.” Mandela
is trying to evoke a sense of pride and wonder by showing the global admiration of South Africa’s progress.
3)​ Explain an area you note ANAPHORA, REPETITION, ALLITERATION, or ASSONANCE and explain the
effect it has on that area of the speech.
(HELPER: anaphora=repeated word/phrase at sentence or passage starts; repetition=general reuse of an idea;
alliteration=reuse of an initial consonant sound in nearby words; assonance=reuse of vowel sound across nearby
words)
Mandela uses an anaphora in “Millions have suffered… millions fought and voted…” to create an emphasis
on emotion rhythms and reinforce the people’s sacrifices.
4)​ Underline two short sentences Mandela uses. What is the point of a short sentence after long
sentences?
The use of a short sentence after long sentences helps draw the audience's attention to specific topics,
reinforcing key points and allowing for them to reflect.
5)​ Put a star next to three places Mandela varies his sentence structure by using introductory phrases.
1)​How might the paragraph or structural spacing of this speech’s start be significant or show careful
planning?
The paragraph and structural spacing of the speech’s start is significant because he uses it to gradually
build his argument. This is seen due to him starting with context, then going to emotional appeals, then
discussing political foundations. This method of pacing shows the careful planning approach that he believes
is needed in building a democracy while also guiding the audience through complex ideas.
2)​ We’ve already covered metaphors but what are two metaphors (direct comparison of two unalike
nouns) that Mandela uses?
“The yardstick that we shall all be judged by” and "a sea of darkness"
Follow-Up: If you were given the next 100-150 words of this
speech, what might they be?
Use the techniques consistent with Mandela’s style and the
concepts on which we are focusing today.
●​ ANAPHORA, REPETITION, ALLITERATION, or ASSONANCE
●​ EMOTIVE LANGUAGE
●​
●​
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
POWERFUL VERBS
We need to build. We need to heal. We need to hope. The road to come won't be easy, or short. But it is a way we must
continue, all of us together, as one.
No more will our children be denied the promise of a dream. No more will the pangs of hunger and starvation dominate
our gates. No more will the color of our flesh determine our fate.
This government, born of conflict and sustained by courage, will never falter in its work. We will raise up the poor, we
will speak for the voiceless, and we will restore dignity to all South Africans.
Let us never forget: justice delayed is justice denied. And justice must come, not in whispers, but in waves.
We lift each other. We build each other up. We are the South Africa we were meant to be, together.