Friday, December 6, 2013

Show Don't Tell! -- Descriptive Essay Writing Tips

Show, Don’t Tell

          In writing, especially descriptive writing, it is very important to show the reader what’s happening rather than telling him or her what’s happening. By showing, we allow the reader to experience the story through their own imagination instead of through just our words. But what does “Show, Don’t Tell” really mean? Well, instead of telling you, I’ll show you!

Example 1:

            Telling: Jasper was happy because he finished all of his work.

Showing: Jasper’s cheeks were spread wide as he exhaled a large sigh. He was sitting in the middle of his bed with his computer on his lap and a storm of loose papers surrounding him. Relaxing both his muscles and his mind, he swept all of the now unneeded papers on to the ground. Maintaining his satisfied grin, he stretched his body out horizontally and buried his face in his pillow.

Example 2:

Telling: Jacob thought his father’s decision to let Will sit in the front was extremely unfair.

Showing: The boys stood beside the car eagerly awaiting their father’s arrival.  A few seconds earlier, Jacob had yelled, “Dibs!” as the brothers were approaching their family van. Will was unfazed though, as he calmly watched their father, Marcel, walk up to the car and unlock the doors. Jacob hopped in the front seat as quickly as he could. Marcel reacted, “Come on now, you know you have to sit in the back, you’re not old enough yet.” Jacob stared back at his father with disbelief, but his father’s face remained perfectly still. After a long three seconds, Jacob forcefully climbed into the back of the van where he sat with his arms crossed. He shook his head as he muttered indistinguishable words under his breath.




Now You Try!!!

Make these sentences show instead of tell. Remember, you will often need multiple sentences to show what is conveyed in one “tell” sentence (see examples).

1.     Monica was very excited when she got her acceptance letter.

2.     Marcus sadly walked back to his room because his parents were arguing.

3.     Eric’s hunger slowly grew until lunchtime.

4.     Ajayne was appalled by his teacher’s lack of respect.

5.     Blair, who is very passionate, told his best friend to always try his best.

6.     Sibora has a terrible itch on her back that she cannot reach.

7.     Sophie secretly had a crush on Zach.

8.     Leo loves to play the guitar.

9.     Issey tried to get his mother’s attention.

      10.   Trinity is not bothered by the bully’s mean jokes.


Sunday, December 1, 2013

Descriptive words to be used in essays


Descriptive words to be used in Essays 



5 senses: smell, touch, taste, hear, see


smell:

1.   Aroma
2.   Bouquet
3.   Perfume
4.   Scent
5.   Stench (stink)
6.   Redolence
7.   Emanation
8.   Essence
9.   Fragrance
10.   Savor
11.                  Odor

Touch:
1.   contact
2.   caress
3.   collision
4.   feeling
5.   embrace
6.   tap
7.   feel
8.   pet
9.   stroke
10.   sensation
11.   handle


taste:
1.   flavor
2.   savor
3.   relish
4.   palate  (a person's appreciation of taste and flavor, esp. when sophisticated and discriminating)
5.   appetitite
6.   tang
7.   aftertaste
8.   piquancy
9.   zest
10.                essence

hear:
1.   perceive
2.   be informed of
3.   be told
4.   discover
5.   learn
6.   gather
7.   glean
8.   ascertain
9.   get word of
10.                get wind of

see:
1.   perceive
2.   visualize
3.   envision
4.   listen
5.   eavesdrop
6.   give audience to
7.   detect by perceiving sound
8.   observe
9.   notice
10.                   mind



Descriptive Words for Commentary or Analysis of Text         
Positive



Negative
Authentic
Inspirational
Reactionary

Absurd
Conservative
Ironic
Realistic

Commonplace
Controversial
Liberal
Recondite

Heretical
Credible
Melodramatic
Romantic

Improbable
Cultural
Mystical
Satiric

Incredible
Didactic
Naturalistic
Scholarly

Insignificant
Dramatic
Objective
Significant

Intolerant
Esoteric
Orthodox
Spiritual

Pedantic
Expressionistic
Philosophic
Subjective

Prejudiced
Fanciful
Plausible
Symbolic

Shallow
Humanistic
Pragmatic
Utilitarian

Superficial
Humorous
Profound


Trivial
Impressionistic
Radical


Unscholarly

Positive


Negative


Active
Exquisite
Pretty
Awkward
Hideous
Ugly
Adept
Fair
Ravishing
Bizarre
Homely
Ungainly
Adroit
Fascinating
Robust
Cadaverous
Horrible
Unkempt
Agile
Good-looking
Shapely
Clumsy
Incongruous
Unmanly
Attractive
Graceful
Skillful
Coarse
Invidious
Unwomanly
Beautiful
Handsome
Spirited
Decrepit
Loathsome
Weak
Brawny
Hardy
Spruce
Effeminate
Odious

Charming
Immaculate
Stalwart
Emaciated
Repellent

Comely
Lively
Strapping
Feeble
Repugnant

Dainty
Lovely
Strong
Frail
Repulsive

Dapper
Manly
Sturdy
Gawky
Sickly

Delicate
Muscular
Virile
Ghastly
Slovenly

Dexterous
Neat
Vivacious
Graceless
Spare

Elegant
Nimble
Winsome
Grotesque
Thin

Descriptive Words for Characters:  Physical Qualities

Descriptive Words for Characters: Mental Qualities
Positive

Negative

Apt
Learned
Bigoted
Stupid
Astute
Observant
Crass
Ungifted
Capable
Precocious
Dull
Unintellectual
Clever
Prudent
Fatuous
Unintelligent
Competent
Rational
Foolish
Unlettered
Crafty
Reasonable
Ignorant
Unschooled
Cunning
Sage
Illiterate
Vacuous
Educated
Scholarly
Inane

Erudite
Sensible
Irrational

Gifted
Shrewd
Narrow-minded

Ingenious
Subtle
Obtuse

Intellectual
Talented
Puerile

Intelligent
Wily
Shallow

Inventive
Wise
Simple


Descriptive Words for Characters:  Moral Qualities
Positive

Negative

Abstemious
Righteous
Base
Iniquitous
Austere
Straightforward
Corrupt
Intemperate
Chaste
Temperate
Deceitful
Notorious
Decent
Trustworthy
Degenerate
Reprobate
Exemplary
Truthful
Depraved
Ribald
Faultless
Undefiled
Dishonest
Sensual
Guileless
Upright
Dishonorable
Unprincipled
Honorable
Virtuous
Dissolute
Unscrupulous
Idealistic

Foul
Vicious
Innocent

Immoral
Vile
Pure

Incorrigible
Vulgar
Puritanical

Indecent
Wicked
Respectable

Infamous






Descriptive Words:

clever confident courageous demanding determined easy-going eccentric efficient energetic emotional enthusiastic exuberant firm flexible forgiving frank friendly generous gentle good-natured healthy helpful honest hopeful humble
humorous imaginative independent individualistic industrious insightful intelligent inventive kind likable logical loyal methodical modest motivated open-minded optimistic practical precise prudent purposeful quiet quick-witted realistic reliable
resourceful responsible self-confident selfless sensible serious sincere smart sociable spontaneous strong-willed tenacious thorough thoughtful tolerant trusting trustworthy unconventional understanding verbal versatile visionary wise witty zany

Descriptive Words for Characters: Spiritual Qualities
Positive

Negative

Angelic

Agnostic
Materialistic
Devout

Atheistic
Mundane
Faithful

Blasphemous
Profane
Godlike

Carnal
Sacrilegious
Holy

Diabolic
Skeptical
Pious

Fiend like
Unregenerate
Regenerate

Godless

Religious

Impious

Reverent

Irrelevant

Saintly

Irreligious


Descriptive Words for Characters:  Social Qualities
Positive

Negative

Affable

Acrimonious
Irascible
Amiable

Antagonistic
Malevolent
Amicable

Anti-social
Misanthropic
Cheerful

Boorish
Obsequious
Civil

Brusque
Peevish
Congenial

Captious
Perverse
Convivial

Caustic
Petulant
Cooperative

Churlish
Provincial
Cordial

Contentious
Quarrelsome
Courteous

Crabbed
Rustic
Debonair

Critical
Shrewish
Elegant

Crusty
Sniveling
Genial

Cynical
Sulky
Gracious

Discourteous
Sullen
Hospitable

Fawning
Sycophantic
Jolly

Fractious
Uncivil
Jovial

Grumpy
Unctuous
Polite

Ill-bred
Ungracious
Politic

Ill-mannered
Unpolished
Sociable

Implacable
Unrefined
Suave

Impolite
Unsociable
Tactful

Imprudent
Waspish
Urbane

Insolent


Descriptive Words for Characters: General Qualities
Positive



Negative


Admirable
Gentle
Phlegmatic

Apathetic
Indiscreet
Rebellious
Altruistic
Gullible
Plucky

Arrogant
Inefficient
Recalcitrant
Ambitious
Humane
Punctual

Artificial
Insensitive
Reckless
Aristocratic
Humble
Radical

Avaricious
Insidious
Refractory
Artless
Illustrious
Reactionary

Boastful
Insignificant
Remiss
Assiduous
Imperturbable
Refined

Brutish
Intolerant
Reprehensible
Audacious
Imposing
Reserved

Bumptious
Irresolute
Ruthless
Benevolent
Impressive
Resolute

Bungling
Irresponsible
Sanctimonious
Candid
Indifferent
Resourceful

Callous
Lackadaisical
Scurrilous
Cautious
Indomitable
Responsive

Capricious
Lazy
Self-centered
Charitable
Indulgent
Reticent

Complacent
Lethargic
Self-indulgent
Circumspect
Industrious
Saturnine

Conceited
Listless
Silly
Compassionate
Influential
Saucy

Contemptible
Malicious
Slothful
Confident
Ingenious
Scrupulous

Contemptuous
Malignant
Smug
Conscientious
Intrepid
Sedate

Cowardly
Mediocre
Squeamish
Conservative
Kindly
Self-impassive

Craven
Mercenary
Stingy
Considerate
Laconic
Self-reliant

Cruel
Mischievous
Stubborn
Courageous
Liberal
Sensitive

Dilatory
Mulish
Timorous
Coy
Long-suffering
Serious

Disdainful
Niggardly
Traitorous
Cultured
Magnanimous
Shy

Dogmatic
Obdurate
Treacherous
Demure
Meek
Sober

Domineering
Obnoxious
Truculent
Determined
Melancholic
Solemn

Eccentric
Obstinate
Unambitious
Diffident
Merciful
Staid

Egotistical
Odd
Unreliable
Diligent
Moody
Stoical

Envious
Oppressive
Unruly
Discreet
Munificent
Strong-willed

Erratic
Ordinary
Unstable
Distinguished
Naïve
Sympathetic

Fastidious
Overconfident
Vain
Earnest
Natural
Taciturn

Fickle
Parasitic
Venal
Efficient
Noble
Thrifty

Frivolous
Parsimonious
Vindictive
Eloquent
Nonchalant
Timid

Gluttonous
Perfidious
Voracious
Eminent
Patient
Tolerant

Haughty
Petty
Wearisome
Enthusiastic
Pensive
Unaffected

Headstrong
Pharisaical
Willful
Flippant
Persevering
Uncompromising

Hypocritical
Pompous
Worthless
Forbearing
Persistent
Valorous

Imperious
Prejudiced

Frugal
Persuasive
Wary

Impetuous
Prolix

Garrulous
Pert
Well-bred

Imprudent
Proud

Generous
Philanthropic
Whimsical

Impulsive
Quixotic

Genteel
Philosophical
Witty

Incompetent
Rash



Zealous