The Catcher in the Rye – Warm-up
The purpose of writing the personal narrative is to help develop your writing skills
and become a more descriptive writer. In the majority of your narratives you are
telling me what you think or what happens. You need to start showing me by using
writing techniques and descriptive language. This activity is designed to help you
practice.
Example from “Snow” by Julia Alvarez
Compare the two sentences below:
Example #1:
In New York we found an apartment with a Catholic school nearby, taught by the Sisters
of Charity.
In New York we found a small apartment with a Catholic school nearby, taught by the
Sisters of Charity, hefty women in long black gowns and bonnets that made them look
like peculiar dolls in mourning.
Example #2:
All my life I had heard about snow that fell out of skies in winter.
All my life I had heard about the white crystals that fell out of American skies in the
winter.
Directions: For the following five sentences, use adjectives, adverbs or figurative
language to achieve the purpose provided.
1. The classroom was at the end of the hall.
Purpose: to make the classroom sound like a magical place.
2. The girl entered the forest
Purpose: To create a sense of foreboding.
3. The clown stood in the background.
Purpose: To describe a clown who is not good at this job.
4. The Giant
Purpose: To create a friendly giant.
5. The city
Purpose: You decide