Reflection on Descriptive Writing
Sometimes, writing feels like you are climbing up a steep hill. A slippery, muddy hill after a rainstorm. The words are there, but the rigorous task of getting them on the page can be daunting. All the facts might be clearly stated, but it does not seem engaging; something is missing. That something is descriptive writing.
As a student/ teacher, I can attest to this since many of our courses at the T.A. Marryshow College, a teacher education department. Calls for us to write and reflect and use strategies to encourage students to also become great writers. This course, Promoting Writing in the Primary Grade (LIT102), encompasses the theory and practices of teaching writing, as the writing process and the 6 + 1 traits of writing; honing these skills from this course will help in facilitating me as well as my students in becoming competent writers.
For the past week, we have been focusing on descriptive writing. But what really is descriptive writing? Why should students learn about descriptive writing techniques? Would knowing this genre of writing help them to become a better writer? Let us take a trip to find out what descriptive writing is and use the information provided to answer the aforementioned questions.
Descriptive writing is a style or technique of writing that immerses a reader into your writing, giving them a three-dimensional view of the subject you are writing about. It is also used by writers to help a reader vividly visualize the person, place, object or scene being described. Often, authors use literary devices such as metaphors, similes, adjectives and other literary devices. Your senses come into action when doing this type of writing. The reader can feel, taste and hear what is being described. This makes a text more appealing since it draws the reader into the scene.
As a student teacher, I have done descriptive pieces by myself and with my students before; however, this course showed me a different perspective on descriptive writing. In fact, unlike the other types of genres of writing, which generally keep to their storyline, most types of writing benefit immensely from descriptive words. Since it can evoke the reader's senses on something that is not tangible. Additionally, I was unaware of the types of descriptive writings (description of people, places, etc., remembrances, observation and vignettes). This was indeed an eye-opener for me since descriptive pieces could only be written to describe a person, place, object or scene.
Now, I can use these different types of descriptive writing to teach writing in my classroom. Since writing is a process and it takes time for me to get it, imagine my students. I will use the strategies and technology (videos) suggested thus far to enrich my students and my writing. Another aspect of descriptive writing I deemed important is allowing the students to see and distinguish between a telling sentence and a showing sentence.
https://youtu.be/N4RthqSOcR0. Both types of sentences are essential; the key is helping students to know when to use them, as can be seen in the YouTube video. For descriptive writing, knowing how to write and show sentences will help students become better writers and readers in visualising what they are reading.
In summary, descriptive writing is crucial since it enhances writing and helps the reader visualise and make the connection. Therefore, whether describing a step-by-step procedure or explaining a complex concept, using descriptive language allows the reader to grasp the content more effectively. Therefore, remember this when you are about to write a descriptive piece next time. Ensure your descriptive piece employs various techniques, such as using the five senses rule, removing apparent descriptions (leaving out normal descriptions), and ensuring that your writing contains figurative/descriptive literary devices. Also, ensure you use showing and not telling sentences.
https://youtu.be/N4RthqSO
