CW+What+is+Description?

=What is Description?=

Example 1
Read this passage from Hatchet Page 1.

(1) Brian Robeson stared out the window of the small plane at the endless green northern wilderness below. It was a small plane, a Cessna 406 - a bushplane - and the engine was so loud, so roaring and consuming and loud, that it ruined any chance for conversation.

Now imagine if Gary Paulsen had written the same passage this way:

(2) Brian Robeson stared out the window of the plane. He could not talk over the loud engine.

Which passage above best describes what Brian is seeing? Why is this paragraph best?

Example 2
Hatchet Page 17

Brian had to get the headset from the pilot. Had to reach over and get the headset from he pilot or he would not be able to use the radio to call for help. He had to reach over. ..

His hands began trembling again. He did not want to touch the pilot, did not want to reach for him. But he had to. Had to get the radio. He lifted his hands from the wheel, just slightly, and held them waiting to see what would happen. The plane flew on normally, smoothly.

All right, he thought. Now. Now to do this thing. He turned and reached for the headset, slid it from the pilot's head, one eye on the plane, waiting for it to dive. The headset came easily, but the microphone switch at the pilot's belt was jammed in and he had to pull to get it loose. When he pulled, his elbow bumped the wheel and pushed it in and the plane started down in a shallow dive. Brian grabbed the wheel and pulled it back, too hard again, and the plane went through another series of stomach-wrenching swoops up and down before he could get it under control.

When things had settled again he pulled at the mike cord once more and at last jerked the cord free.

Do you feel as if you are in the airplane with Brian watching him as he struggled to free the headset? This is called imagery. Imagery is when an author uses words or phrases that can be felt by the five senses. By using imagery the reader feels as if s/he is experiencing the same event as the character. In Example 2 underline the words or phrases that can be felt by the five senses.

Example 3
Read another short passage from Hatchet Page 28.

There was a great wrenching as the wings caught the pines at the side of the clearing and broke back, ripping back just outside the main braces. Dust and dirt blew off the floor into his face so hard he thought there must have been some kind of explosion. He was momentarily blinded and slammed forward in the seat, smashing his head on the wheel.

Then a wild crashing sound, ripping of metal, and the plane rolled to the right and blew through the trees, out over the water and down, down to slam into the lake, skip once on water as hard as concrete, water that tore the windshield out and shattered the side windows, water that drove him back into the seat. Somebody was screaming, screaming as the plane drove down into the water. Someone screamed tight animal screams of fear and pain and he did not know that it was his sound, that he roared against the water that took him and the plane still deeper, down into the water. He saw nothing but sensed blue, cold blue-green, and he raked at the seatbelt catch, tore his nails loose on one hand. He ripped at it until it released and somehow - the water trying to kill him, to end him - somehow he pulled himself out of the shattered front window and clawed up into the blue, felt something hold him back, felt his windbreaker tear and he was free. Tearing free. Ripping free.

What if Gary Paulsen simply said:

The plane crashed into the lake. Brian managed to get free.

What makes Paulsen's writing so interesting? As you read about the plane crash you can feel, see, and hear what Brian is experiencing. This is called imagery.

Paulsen also uses figurative language to make his writing interesting.

1. the plane rolled to the right and blew through the trees water that tore the windshield out

Can a plane blow or water tear? Giving human characteristics to objects are examples of personification.

2. water as hard as concrete

Comparing water to concrete using the word as is called a simile.

3. Somebody was screaming, screaming Tearing free. Ripping free.

Here Paulsen uses repetition to emphasize feelings.

4. Someone screamed tight animal screams of fear and pain

When you compare the scream to animal screams without using as or like you have a metaphor.

By using descriptions that depict people, places, or events with vivid detail or imagery., your reader will experience an event through your writing. Figurative language also gives your writing a new, fresh feel.

Source: http://www.mce.k12tn.net/survival/hatchet/descriptive/lesson1.htm