Writing Descriptive Essays

Links:

Over the last few weeks we have been learning numerous techniques to help your writing draw mental pictures for your audience. We have also reviewed the writing process and the basic traits of writing needed to guarentee exceptional composition results.
Now it is your turn to apply your knowledge. During this unit, you will utilize these skills to create a DESCRIPTIVE MASTERPIECE.

DAY ONE:
Today, get familiar with the Unit Overview Homepage. All directions will be foundon this page, the Unit Overview Homepage" Additional sites are linked along the left side of this page, as well as under the site marked TrackStar. The calendar link contains the dates and assignments for each of the next twelve days so you will need to view it often. During this unit, you will be practicing and reviewing writing skills, traits and techniques by reading, watching and completing activities linked on the left. None of the informations is new, just review on what you will need to know to complete the final objective of this unit - a descriptive essay.

Let's get started! Read the prompt and begin planning! Think of three main things you want to say about the topic. Put them on the Big Idea/Details Worksheet. If you want to add the additional details today go ahead, but you will also have time to do this tomorrow.

PROMPT

Think of your favorite place. What do you like about this place?What do you do there? How does it look, smell, and feel? Now write an essay describing your favorite place so that your reader will be able to picture it.

DAY TWO Topic Sentences:
Now that you have your big ideas, go back to that worksheet and "pink it up" with 3 more details for each. Finally, go to the Topic Sentence assignment and write four possible topic sentences for your paper.

DAY THREE Rough draft:
Now that you have your topic, three main points, supporting details and topic sentence written, it is time to start you rough draft. Before you do, however, watch the video found on the Big Idea Video Link. YOU will be taken to a page needing a student name. Please type in Cindy Myers. Then use the information you learn in the clip about paragraph unity and development to create your rough draft. the video will ask you to write a paragraph on the Empire State Building. You do not need to do that, just start your rough draft.

Go back to the Unit Overview Worksheet and either type directly onto the page or open a word processing document and type it there and copy/paste onto the Rough Draft Worksheet. You will be doing this for all future drafts. Follow your outline and don't forget your topic and conclusion sentences.

DAY FOUR Video Reaction:
Watch the Revision video you can link to from Trackstar on the homepage. Then, return to the homepage, go to the Video revision worksheet and complete the activity.

DAY FIVE Introductions and Conclusions:
Today you are adding your introduction and conclusion. Navigate to the introduction and conclusion website ppt found in Trackstar. View the slides indicated, and then return to the home page. Add an introduction and conclusion to your paper. Put the second version of your paper in the assignment site marked Second Draft w/ Introduction and Conclusion.

DAY SIX /SEVEN Transitions/Verbs/Sentence Fluency:
Today and tomorrow you are to focus on organization/transitions/sentence fluency/and vivid verbs. Navigate to the appropriate sites for these activities through the track star link on the homepage and do the activities. By the end of class tomorrow, have your third draft with revisions in the assignment site marked Third Draft.

DAY EIGHT / NINE Figurative Language:
We are getting closer to being done, but we still need to add sensory details. Go to the link marked Figurative Language. Print out the pages on that site and complete the activities as directed. Submit your figurative language assignments to me by the beginning of class tomorrow. For FUN, you may want to play teh "Figurative Language Game".

Then, during class tomorrow add at least two descriptive elements to each of your paragraphs. Put this draft under the assignment marked Draft with Description.

DAY TEN Six Traits Review :
Today is a day off from writing!!! Navigate to the Six Traits Powerpoint Site. Watch it and take notes if needed. Then, play the Six Traits Review Game. After you have done both of these tasks, complete the Six Traits Quiz.
When you have completed the quiz, print out the latest draft of your paper. Over the weekend have at least two people, plus yourself, read it and make suggestions/revisions. I want to see the marks on your draft by Monday beginning of class.

DAY ELEVEN Editing:
YEAH - It is time to edit. Using the information that your proofers gave you over the weekend, make your final editing corrections. If you have grammar related questions, go to the link concerning conventions. Your FINAL paper is due Tomorrow end of class!

DAY TWELVE Final Paper Due:
Put your final paper in the spot marked FINAL PAPER and also submit one to Angel.