Specific Details A deflated balloon isn’t too impressive!

Writing is like a balloon. Sometimes writing can be flat and lifeless like a deflated balloon!

Good writers use “specific details” to pump up their writing!

Where I Am Fromby George Ella Lyon

George Ella Lyon uses “specific details” to lift up and support ideas in her poem.

What do you think the title means???

Lets read the poem Where I Am From!

Specific Details: G.E. Lyon gave the readers tiny, quick glimpses of people, places and events that were important in her childhood by using specific details.

Where I Am Fromby George Ella Lyon

Where were the people, places and events that were mentioned in her poem???

The writer uses many different kinds of “specific details” such as:

precise nouns, strong verbs, sensory details, and descriptive language.

Pick your favorite “specific detail”…

Where Are We From? We Are From: _______

Purpose: Give readers a quick glimpse of our school or classroom (Rutherford).

Brainstorm a list of things that represents our school/classroom. Give specific details! i.e. library, lunchroom, gym, art room, lockers,

etc. For example:

Where are YOU from? It’s your turn to do your own “Where

I Am From” poem.Mr. Rogers’ example.

In your writer’s notebook, brainstorm a list of people, places, and events/experiences from your life.

Develop each one with specific details.

Share with a partner!

Where I Am FromBy Mr. Rogers

I am from running around in fields, playing.

I am from getting beat up by my older brother.

I am from trick or treating on Halloween,

I am from eating delicious chocolate cupcakes.

I am from camping out in the backyard.

Where I Am FromBy Mr. Rogers

I am from running around in grassy green fields, playing tag and pretending to be a soldier.

I am from getting beat up by my older brother.

I am from trick or treating on Halloween,dressed up as Jason.

I am from eating delicious chocolate cupcakes that my mom made me for my birthday.

I am from camping out in the backyard in pitch-black darkness, star gazing.

Descriptive Language

What is the reading skill called visualization?

The writer is responsible for helping the reader visualize! When a writer uses specific details, they are helping the reader to get a picture in their mind.

Painting a picture in the readers mind is visualization!

The more specific the details, the clearer the picture is for the reader!

Descriptive Language In this lesson you will learn: how

descriptive language is a great way a writer creates specific details for readers.

“I have a funny looking dog.” Visualize and draw a picture of what

you see!

How are the pictures similar or different?“Funny” is NOT descriptive enough!

Descriptive Language “I have a big, brown dog with long, pointy

ears that stand straight up and a tail that curls around like a slinky toy.”What do you see in your mind?

Remember: Don’t allow your writingto be flat and lifeless like a deflated

balloon!!!

Use descriptive language & specific detailsin your writing.

Descriptive Language With a partner read the poem My Wish.

Underline the descriptive language that helps give a clear picture to the reader.

Purpose: This activity will help you learn what are good examples of descriptive language.

“The classroom was a disaster…”Create a poem using this sentence.

Use descriptive language (description)!

Precise Nouns In writing sometimes your words aren’t focused and

they create a fuzzy picture in the reader’s mind.

We are going to learn about Precise Nouns.What is a noun?

Precise Nouns are a more SPECIFIC type of noun. Precise Nouns make the picture clearer for the reader.

The word “game” is a noun, but when we try to picture “game” in our minds, there are many different possibilities. The words “checkers” or “dodge ball” or “Monopoly” are more precise.

Precise Nouns** As a table - see how many Precise Nouns you can come up with.Car (i.e. Porsche, SUV, Hummer, Nascar, Honda)

Bird

Sport Relative

Superhero Food

Flower Job

Shoe Dog

Precise Nouns Some nouns are very vague (fuzzy or unclear).

i.e. things, stuff, junk

Find the Precise Nouns in the poem “Junky Room” Share your findings

Now, it’s your turn to practice using Precise Nouns!

Write a poem using Precise Nouns, Descriptive Language, and Specific Details that creates a picture of a place. Then Share!

Here are some topics. Pick one topic and do a quick write:

Stuff under a bed Things in a couch cushion Junk in a kitchen drawer Stuff in a locker