Entry #9 WOW... I Never Knew How Captivating, Exhilarating and Influential Descriptive Writing Can Be!!!!

 I would first like to give kiddos to Kayli's and Kerrigan's JOYFUL presentation on the genre of descriptive writing! They truly made our class time together illuminating with details that transformed my own understanding and future teaching practices. Tompkins (2012) states that when a writer is able to use descriptive language this allows them to "paint a memorable picture and evoke a distinctive mood" (p. 136). Prior to diving into Tompkins' text, I was not consciously aware of the various techniques I have acquired in my own literacy development that have allowed my writing to come to life. Descriptive language is all about reshaping your writing through specific information, word choice, sensory images, figurative language, and dialogue. When a writer is able to successfully put these techniques to practice, they can make the transition from telling to showing in their writing (Tompkins, 2012, p. 136).  

In this blog entry, I would like to focus my attention on the technique of sensory images. Tompkins (2012) emphasizes that as writers develop their own craft it is important to incorporate descriptive language techniques such as the five senses, because this guides their ability to "make their word pictures more vivid" (p. 138). Using descriptive adjectives, like those found in the diagram to the right, can take a simple sentence such as, "The cat sat eating their food." and transform into, "The fluffy cat, sat quietly eating their fresh and juicy seafood platter as the sun shined through the window." Descriptive language can allow a reader to close their eyes and picture the scene without support from the illustrations found in most books. 

Although I am not a full-time teacher at this time, I am constantly thinking about how I can apply the knowledge I have gained through my coursework into my future classroom. Tompkins (2012) explains that it is common for writers to focus on one sense, sight (p. 139). However, in order to support my future students in using their five senses, I believe it is important to incorporate mentor texts that illustrate this craft for writing. During my student teaching, I was able to witness the writer's workshop and my site-based educator use various mentor texts to model the five senses. One specific text that was meaningful for me, as I supported the students I worked with, was In November by Cynthia Rylant. This text was used during the fall to winter season transition, in order to model and guide students in creating their own descriptive writing pieces using their five senses. I remember listening to my site-based educator's soft voice as she read the first page, "In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blanket" (Rylant, 2000). Just within this first page, my students were able to be exposed to the use of two senses, sight and sound. This text effectively uses descriptive language as the foundation with illustrations aiding a reader's imagery. 

The genre of descriptive writing has captivated, exhilarated and influenced my own knowledge. Through Kayli's and Kerrigan's descriptive writing workshop and Tompkins' text, I was able to create a mental folder full of new resources to support me as I incorporate writing workshops into my future classroom. As I conclude this blog entry, I hope you stop and reflect upon the powerful role descriptive writing can play in your own classroom. What are the first three words that come to your mind, when you think about describing this genre to the rest of the world? Can you put your new knowledge of descriptive writing techniques to practice? 

Reference

Rylant, C. (2008). In November. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.