Aula 03

Prévia do material em texto

Oficina de Redação em Língua Inglesa
Paula Bullio
Aula 3
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Descriptive Texts
A descriptive essay allows you to paint a picture for your reader in words. 
When you hear the word 'describe', what does it mean to you? For most people, describing is a way of illustrating something with words. You can describe a feeling, a sound, or even an emotion.
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Defining a Descriptive Essay
Descriptive essays are just the same: they help you illustrate something in a way that your reader can see, feel, or hear whatever it is you're talking about. A descriptive essay allows a reader to understand the essay's subject using illustrative language.
 © Carla F. Castagno | Dreamstime.com 
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Using the Five Senses
Descriptive essays are great because, in a sense, - pun intended - they can help us see places we might not be able to go ourselves, hear new things, taste different flavors, smell foreign smells, or touch different textures. Descriptive essays do this through the use of more concrete concepts, which most often include our five senses.
© Burlesck | Dreamstime.com
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Showing vs. Telling
Even more, the description helps set a mood by using more vivid language to complement the sensory-based description. 
Rather than saying, 'I heard the waves as the tide came in,' the author says, 'As the waves leisurely collided with the shore, I could hear the delicate lapping of the water as it met the sand.' The extra detail really helps us visualize the scene that the author is trying to create. They show us what it's like to be out there on the beach when the tide comes in during the afternoon, rather than just giving us a play-by-play. [a report on what is happening in a sports game, given as the game is being played]
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Another useful technique for setting a mood with your descriptive writing is to use similes and metaphors. 
A simile is a phrase comparing two unlikely things using 'like' or 'as' in order to make a description more vivid. You've probably heard the phrase, 'running like the wind' before. This is an example of a simile. Rather than saying, 'running really fast,' you replace the speed with something that might represent running quickly, like the wind.
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A metaphor has the same function as a simile, but the comparison between objects is implicit, meaning there is no 'like' or 'as' used to signal the comparison. Here's an example of a metaphor from good 
 old Shakespeare: 
 'All the world's a 
 stage and the men
 and women merely 
 players.' Rather than 
 saying life is just like a 
 play, he compares the 
 world to where a play is 
 acted out.
 © Juan Moyano | Dreamstime.com 
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As you can see, similes and metaphors are another tool to help make your descriptions more vivid. They paint a more detailed picture for your reader, making it easier for them to understand what you're saying, not to mention more interesting, because you are showing them what you have in your mind's eye, rather than just telling them.
© Photoeuphoria | Dreamstime.com 
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Figurative Language 
Figures of speech are imaginative comparisons between two basically dissimilar things. A figure of speech may enliven a description by making the essay more visual or forceful. Here are some of the more common figures of speech that could prove effective in writing descriptive essays: Using the words such as “like” or “as” when comparing. 
Implying a comparison between two things that are essentially different. 
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Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects. Example: The truck, covered with mud and love bugs, cried out for a wash. 
Using a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. Example: I’ll die if I don’t pass this exam. 
Writing something opposite to what is expected or says something less than expected. Example: Yesterday was a little cool. The highest temperature was zero degrees. 
Using words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions to which they refer. 
A person, place, or thing that represents an abstract idea or concept. Example: A rock is a symbol of strength. 
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Reflecting on and/or observing helps us to understand the people and places around us and the impact they have on us. If these are significant (important) people, places or objects, as writers, we may also come to better understand ourselves. As readers, our world is expanded and enriched by a writer’s insights, experiences and ideas. Three ways that writers engage readers is by offering vivid detail, by presenting a fresh interpretation of life experiences as told in story‐form, and by capturing the voice of others or relevant conversations. 
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Character Study 
First, identify the person you’ve chosen. 
What is the nature of your relationship? 
What things connect you, what have you done together? 
What does he/she look like – visual description? 
What smells do you associate with this person? 
How do you feel about this person? 
List outstanding characteristics. 
Why do you like or dislike this person? 
What do you get from the relationship? 
What does his or her voice sound like? 
What do you know about yourself because of this person? 
How has he/she influenced you? What does this person mean to you?
© Pechenuh | Dreamstime.com
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Place Study 
Identify your place. 
How did you come to know this place? 
What do you like about it? 
What do you dislike about it? 
How does it make you feel to be there? 
What does it look like? 
What smells do you associate with it? 
What sounds do you hear? 
Who goes there with you? 
What events have happened there? 
Who went there before you? 
Why do you go there? 
What does it mean to you?
© Petr Švec | Dreamstime.com
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Effective description captures the “essence” of the subject— the most important elements of a person, place or object by creating an impression on readers. Writers do this by: 
choosing words carefully 
using original phrases rather than clichés 
including only the most important details and eliminating non‐essential essential details
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Physical Details—a description of a character’s “looks” can reveal traits, habits and style of a character. Effective description not only creates a picture to help the reader bring the character (place or object) to life, but in the details, the writer reveals how he/she feels about the subject. 
Choose words that reflect your impressions and feelings. 
Focus on the important details that help create the impression you want to convey to the reader. 
Use sensory details…sight, sound, touch, smell, taste in on all your senses.
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OBON: THE JAPANESE BUDDHIST FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD
	The Japanese Buddhist festival of Obon is a celebration for the dead that takes place for three days in the summer. People believe that during Obon the spirits of their dead relatives return and the festival welcomes them home. Obon is very important to the Japanese people because ancestors are greatly respected.
	Obon also celebrates the life of Mokuren Sonja, a priest famous for his supernatural powers. When he used these powers to look upon his mother, who had died, he discovered that she had fallen into the path of hungry ghosts and was greatly suffering. To save her, Sonja asked his teacher for instruction. He was told to make offerings to the many priests who had just completed their summer retreat. Because of this good deed, his mother was saved from the hungry ghosts.
	
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During the holiday of Obon matsuri, or festival, lanterns are lit and the celebration begins. Men and women dress in yukata, or light cotton summer kimonos. There are many lively activities. Crowds are entertained by folk bands and dancers, while the children are fascinated with the fireworks called hanabi-taikai. The Bon Odori, or circle dance, is enjoyed by children and adults alike.
	The hot summerevenings in Japan are perfect for lively gatherings and amusement. In fact, the celebrations often continue into the early morning hours. Obon is a magical event and a favorite among many Japanese. If you are planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, this is one festival not to be missed.
	
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Brainstorm
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Description/Process analysis Organization
A process analysis essay shows a logical progression of stages that lead to a finished product or end result. A process analysis essay might illustrate a natural process, such as photosynthesis or soil erosion. It may also describe how something is made or done, such as baking a cake, preparing for a festival, or using a computer.
Introduction: 
The hook introduces the process or event or person or place, etc.
Background information helps the readers understand the process.
The thesis statement identifies the process to be explained.
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Body paragraphs:
The topic sentence in each paragraph introduces one stage of the process.
Each stage is organized into a logical sequence of connected steps. Body paragraphs use facts, examples, key terms, and definitions.
All the materials needed in the process are mentioned.
Conclusion:
The conclusion gives a restatement of the process.
It may include a final comment that is an evaluation, a recommendation, or a warning.
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DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION
	Mexican culture is full of colorful traditions. One of them is the celebration of the Day of the Dead. This special holiday for remembering the dead takes places on November 2nd of every year. On that day, families believe that their dead relatives will return home to eat and drink. In my native town, Puebla, preparation begins three weeks before the holiday.
	To get ready for this celebration, a number of items must be bought and prepared. People buy big and expensive candles, copal (a kind of incense), and a special native handcraft called an ensomerio in which the copal is burned. Copal is used in many religious ceremonies and on holidays like the Day of the Dead. In addition to buying candles, incense, and copal, people prepare candles. 
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Tiny, picturesque sculptures of animals and skulls made of confectionery sugar are prepared and the names of people are engraved on the top. These candies are eaten at the end of the celebration. As a child, eating these candied was my favorite part of the Day of the Dead.
	The local merchants play an important role on this day. Very early on the morning of November 2nd, they start to build stalls, to protect themselves and their products from the sunlight. Later they display their merchandise, which consists of fragrant fruit, colorful flowers, and freshly baked bread. People buy offerings for their dead relatives – these offerings include a candle, a skull made of sugar, and various types of fruit. 
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These are all placed on an altar. People scatter yellow and red flowers on the ground to form a colorful path, which must be completed by noon. It is an indescribable pleasure to smell the exotic scent of the flowers.
	At sunset, families go to the cemetery to decorate and watch over the graves of dead relatives. First the grave is cleaned and covered with flowers. Many people stay awake all night guarding the grave and keeping the dead company until the sun rises the next day. Hungry families can buy traditional food and drink at the entrance of the cemetery. They offer flowers and candles to their dead relatives.
	
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When the celebration ends, most families share fruit and bread with friends and neighbors because they have bought too much. Some of the people who eat the fruit say that the taste is not the same because the dead have already eaten the essence, the sweetest part. Of all the religious celebrations in Mexico, this one is observed the most. Although this holiday requires a lot of planning and preparation, it is a wonderful occasion for Mexican families to reunite and remember their ancestors.
	
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When we are dealing with this kind of text, we should pay attention to some aspects of language and this is what we are going to see now.
Sequence Connectors:
In process analysis essays, writers need to describe the steps of a process in the order in which they occur. Sequence connectors can be used to establish a logical order. They include the words FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, NEXT, THEN, BEFORE, AFTER THIS, FINALLY, etc.
Time Clauses:
Time clauses show the order of two events. They begin with words (subordinators) that signal time order, such as BEFORE, AFTER, RIGHT AFTER and AS SOON AS. A time clause is a dependent clause and must be connected to a main clause. Time clauses can come before or after a main clause.
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When the time clause comes before the main clause, it is followed by a comma.
After the turkey has been defrosted, take the plastic off.
Before I put the turkey in the oven, I loosely fill the cavity.
As soon as the turkey is golden brown, you should take it out of the oven.
When the time clause comes after the main clause, omit the comma.
Take the plastic off after the turkey has been defrosted.
I loosely fill the cavity with the mixture before I put the turkey in the oven.
You should take the turkey out of the oven as soon as the turkey is golden brown.
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References
DAVIS, J. and LISS, R. Effective academic writing 3 – the essay. Oxford, OUP, 2006
SMALLEY, R., RUETTEN, M. and KOZYREV, J. Developing writing skills 2, 2006.
_____________. Developing writing skills 3, 2006.
_____________. Developing writing skills 4, 2006.
SPRATT, M., PULVERNESS, A. and WILLIAMS, M. The TKT Course. Cambridge, CUP, 2005
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Oficina de Redação em Língua Inglesa
Paula Bullio
Atividade 3
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New english file elementary, Oxford
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