Descriptive Language Assignment (ENGL1013 English Composition)

  

Practice describing images in a vibrant way by completing the exercises below. Follow the directions and steps within the prompt document above to complete this assignment.

Step 1: Listen to a soundscape and take notes

· Choose a soundscape below and click through to the corresponding YouTube video (you’ll need headphones or speakers for this activity):

o

Farm House Ambience (Links to an external site.)

o

Rainy Night Coffee Shop Ambience (Links to an external site.)

https://youtu.be/c0_ejQQcrwI

o

Aurora Hotel Ambience (Links to an external site.)

https://youtu.be/4bRxLVSfHPU

· Close your eyes and visualize yourself in the scene, based on the sounds and the description paragraph.

·

Download this document

and take notes on each of the sections using the graphic organizer on page 1.

Step 2: Write an original paragraph

· Taking directly from your sensory notes in step #1, compose an original paragraph (or two) of 4-6 sentences each, adding your own detailed images from the previous step to craft a short narrative. Keep listening as you write.

· If you need a place to start, read over the example (on page 2 of the document) and/or consider beginning your first sentence with one of the following phrases from

today’s reading (Links to an external site.)

:

o You stand there…

o When I’m here, I know that…

o Every time…

o I [see/smell/hear/feel/taste] …

o We had been…

o I think sometimes…

· Save your document once you’re finished. 

Assignment – Focus on Word-Image Senses (v3)

Which soundscape did you choose? (highlight or underline it):

Farm House Ambience

/

Rainy Night Coffee Shop Ambience

/

Aurora Hotel Ambience

Type your original paragraph below:

EXAMPLE: FOCUS ON WORD-IMAGE SENSES

Which soundscape did you choose? (highlight or underline it): Storm ambience

Type your original paragraph below:

Fog appearing, puddles splashing, the storm carried on. Everything suffered from the wetness because of the newly fallen rain. The sky turned charcoal as rain fell hurriedly out of the metallic clouds. The lighting, a yellow flash, brightened the backyard as if it were daytime. Large globs of rainwater slipped off the corners of the sopping patio furniture. Tapping above my head, drops of water struck the roof, was interrupted only by the piercing thunder booming as loud as a dinosaur’s roar. I opened

the wind

ow, and everything was much louder. The leaves on the trees rustled from the strong winds. Out of the window I stuck my arm. Cold drops soaked through my sleeve, gripping against my arm, causing me to shiver. The wind, breezy and cold, blew against my face. In the darkness and cold, the storm and I were one.

Sound:

Listen to the sounds. Listen for specifics and details that would add to the drama of the scene.

Sight:

Use a mental zoom lens to look closely at specific details. What images emerge from the scene as the camera zooms in on individuals and objects, looking at things in close-up detail?

Smell:

Next, smell and list the odors and aromas that surround the scene.

Touch:

Concentrate on the sense of touch: what would you pick up on, based on the scene you’ve built thus far?

Taste:

Concentrate on the sense of taste: what would you pick up on, based on the scene you’ve built thus far?

Sound:
Listen to the sounds. Listen for specifics and details that would add to the drama of the scene.

the wind

puddle splashing

Sight:
Use a mental zoom lens to look closely at specific details. What images emerge from the scene as the camera zooms in on individuals and objects, looking at things in close-up detail?

close-up on rain hitting puddles

backyard lit up by lightning

Smell:
Next, smell and list the odors and aromas that surround the scene.

cold rain

Touch:
Concentrate on the sense of touch: what would you pick up on, based on the scene you’ve built thus far?

Taste:
Concentrate on the sense of taste: what would you pick up on, based on the scene you’ve built thus far?

wet window latch

fog when you breathe in

thick clouds

charred wood (from fireplace)

rain on the roof

rustling leaves

soaked sleeve as I close the window

wind whipping my face

wet grass and leaves

wood burning in a fireplace

sharp lightning

cozy wool sweater

Adapted by Colleen B. Lawrence from Image Grammar: Using Grammatical Structures to Teach Writing by Harry Noden.