Descriptive Writing J Peter Man

ELA 6 – Writing

Name: _______________________

Date: ________________

Mod # _________

More Descriptive Writing http://www.writingfix.com/6_Traits/Voice/JPeterman3.htm

The J. Peterman catalog is famous for its uniquely written passages that describe the clothing it sells. Stories about the articles of clothing are often shared by the catalog's writers, or they hint at the memories these clothes will bring you if they are purchased. The catalog has a definite voice, and today, you'll be pretending you're an employee of the J. Peterman Catalog Writing Team. Your job: Describe possible catalog items by sharing wonderful word choices and perhaps a story or two that might inspire buyers to purchase those items. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Shoot for a lengthy paragraph for your description – Do not forget the order number (No. ____ ). Again, look to J. Peterman for inspiration! You will need a title – some kind of header. Create a price for your item & make sure to mention the sizes & color options All item descriptions should be accompanied by a hand-drawn illustration

Prewrite: Step #1: Take a look at the examples of catalog items from the J. Peterman catalog. Step #2: Using the Try This On For Size Worksheet, select an item that you wish to sell. It can be clothing, sport equipment or any non-electronic device. Step #3: Using the Try This On For Size Worksheet, begin describing specific sensory (using the five senses) details that would make your item appealing. This link, may help http://www.writingfix.com/6_Traits/Voice/JPeterman2.htm Step #4: Using the Try This On For Size Worksheet, invent a special memory that could possibly be created if your product was used.

Drafting:

Using your Try This On For Size worksheet as a foundation, begin pouring thoughts onto the page. Try new words and include details as well as words that will captivate your reader’s interest—you need to create a description that makes the person want the item!

Revising:

Review your writing for clarity and expressiveness. Consider the following checklist questions:

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Did I describe the items as I hope people to visualize them?

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Did I use many sensory details?

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Does the moment that I created sound memorable and intriguing?

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What can I add to bring the story to life? Did I use SHOW DON’T TELL

Writing?

Design:

Draw or create your items. Every catalog page has a picture of the item that they are selling! Draw (and color) the item that your descriptive writing is trying to sell!

Editing:

After you have made revisions to your writing, please proofread carefully for final corrections.

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Check any sentence fragments or run-on sentences.

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Use periods, exclamation points and question marks correctly.

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Use a singular verb with a singular subject and a plural verb with a plural subject.

Publishing: Complete the final copy of your piece. Be sure to re-read it one last time before you hand it in. Be sure to hand in:

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Pre-write Organizer & Character

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Rough Draft with Edits and Revisions

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Final copy neatly presented (typed or written with a pen) (INCLUDING THE

ILLUSTRATIONS OF YOUR ITEMS!)

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Grading Rubric

ELA 6 – Writing

Name: _______________________

Date: ________________

Mod # _________

More Descriptive Essay Publishing Complete the final copy of your piece. Be sure to re-read it one last time before you hand it in. CHECKLIST:

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Try This On For Size Worksheet

You MUST turn

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Rough Draft with Edits and Revisions

things in!

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Final copy neatly presented with

ALL of these

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TYPED in 12 point BLACK*

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Double-spaced

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1 or 1 ½ inch margins

COLOR illustrations

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Grading Rubric (this sheet)

How you will be graded:

*Paper can also be neatly written in blue or black ink, skipping lines.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Unsatisfactory

4: The writer:

3: The writer

2: The writer

1: The writer

►Ideas & Content

►Ideas & Content crafts

►Ideas & Content attempts

►Ideas & Content does not

creates an entertaining,

a clear descriptive

to describe the item and a

effectively describe the

detailed descriptive

passage; details clarify the

memory, but may not be clear;

events in the illustration;

passage; shares fresh

item and mostly compel the

may lose control of the

writer may go off in several

insights and compels the

reader to want to purchase

description or not be

directions.

reader to want to

the item; holds the

descriptive enough.

purchase the item.

reader’s attention.

►Organization unfolds a

►Organization has a well

►Organization may not craft a

►Organization writing is

descriptive passage in a

planned strategy with a

complete story structure, or

extremely hard to follow;

sequence; ideas and sen-

beginning, middle, and end

may have trouble tying ideas

story sequence, if any, is

tences are skillfully tied

to each section; ideas are

together; reader may be

disorganized or incomplete.

together.

evenly tied together;

confused by events.

events fit where they are placed. ►Voice conveys an

►Voice shares an

►Voice tells a story, but in a

►Voice is not involved in

original, reflective

authentic personal message

predictable way; gets the

sharing an experience with a

message; is deeply

and attempts to explore a

message across, but does not

reader; does not focus on

involved with the topic;

range of feelings; style

seem involved with the topic.

anything of personal

expresses a range of

reflects the writing

importance or interest;

feelings.

purpose.

writing is flat and lifeless.

►Word Choice uses

►Word Choice carefully

►Word Choice may not use

►Word Choice has a hard

exceptional language in

selects specific words that

words that convey specific

time finding the right words;

an imaginative way;

fit the story and bring the

feelings or images; some words

may make run-on lists of

powerful words create

main events to life; uses

detract from the story’s

unrelated words and phrases.

memorable images.

some new words.

impact.

►Sentence Fluency

►Sentence Fluency crafts

►Sentence Fluency

►Sentence Fluency

constructs well-crafted

fluid sentences; may

successfully uses simple

sentences are incomplete,

simple and complex

effectively use fragments

sentences, but may have

rambling, or confusing; may

sentences that flow in a

and/or dialogue.

trouble with more complicated

have trouble understanding

smooth rhythm; dialogue,

structures; sentences may be

how words and sentences fit

if used, sounds natural

rambling; writing is hard to

together.

and reinforces the story.

read aloud.

►Creativity The story

►Creativity The story

►Creativity The story

►Creativity There is little

contains many creative

contains a few creative

contains a few creative details

evidence of creativity in the

details and/or

details and/or descriptions

and/or descriptions, but they

story. The author does not

descriptions that

that contribute to the

distract from the story. The

seem to have used much

contribute to the

reader's enjoyment. The

author has tried to use his

imagination

reader's enjoyment. The

author has used his

imagination.

author has really used

imagination.

his imagination. ►Conventions is skilled

►Conventions mostly uses

►Conventions makes frequent,

►Conventions makes

in most writing

correct spelling,

noticeable mistakes; extensive

repeated errors in spelling,

conventions; correctly

capitalization, punctuation;

editing is needed.

word choice, punctuation and

uses subjects,

some editing may be

usage; few explicit

predicates, and sentence

needed.

connections made between

combining.

ideas.