Welcome back to our creative writing class! Hope you enjoyed
last week’s assignment. If you have any questions, don’t forget to e-mail me. Quick reminder based on questions: you can cut and
paste your assignment into an e-mail, or you can save it on your computer and
attach it to the e-mail as a Word document--whichever one is easier for you.
Let’s look at some basic writing reminders:
* The goal
of writing is communication. As writers, however, sometimes we say a whole lot
of nothing. We use too many words or “empty” words that sound impressive but
don’t tell the readers much. We also tend to overuse words. For example, if I
am telling you about a product or describing a person and I use the word
“special,” what does that really mean to you as a person who may not be
familiar with that product or that person? The word “special” has been used so
much that it really doesn’t always mean a lot to the reader (unless you’re
telling a parent, child or other relative that they are special, then that can
mean a lot!). You have to tell us what is extraordinary about your product,
person or belief rather than say they are special or extraordinary. Example: Mike is an extraordinary cyclist! Buy his book today to
read about his wonderful adventures. (This is weak and empty writing.)
Mike amazed the cycling community when he completed
the 2,007-mile bike route in three months. Buy his book to read about his trek
along the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. (This is specific and communicates
details.)
* Always
think of your objective to decide if you are communicating effectively. Why are
you writing this? Do you want to sell something? Are you explaining a belief or
a thought that you want people to agree with? Do you want people to take a
class or answer a survey? Are you writing something to entertain people or
teach people? Do your words match your objective?
This week we are going to use two writing styles to
communicate to your audience: persuasive and descriptive. Persuasive writing
encourages the reader to do something (support an organization, donate money,
buy a product, vote for a candidate, etc.). The language actively encourages
someone to do something. Descriptive writing, however, uses words to paint a
picture or relay a thought or feeling to someone. In descriptive writing, you
may choose to use more adjectives or more emotions to tell your story.
Examples of
persuasive writing:
Vote for John Smith!
Buy today while prices are reduced!
Donate online today or send your check to______.
Examples of
descriptive writing:
“…the
old, ivory piano keys and the brass harp from underneath the worn structure
cried out the soft notes that her every finger touched within the seconds, her
foot pressing lightly on the dampening peddle, making the notes she played even
more forlorn…” From one of our student assignments from last week
“…a sweet and perky yet diva-like personality…” From one of our student
assignments from last week
Assignment 1 for all students:
As a writer, you can’t just tell me that something or
someone is special or extraordinary or unique. You have to choose descriptive
words and active verbs to convey the same meaning. If you are in marketing
(writing ads and website material), you have a limited amount of space to do
this. Look at ads this week to see how effective ones use 5 to 50 words to
capture your attention and sell an idea or a product.
Find one ad (in a paper or magazine or on a website) that
caught your attention and seems to use effective communication to get an idea
across. Send me the best quote from that ad. It doesn’t matter what the ad
is for, and it doesn’t matter how short or long the quote is. This can be from
a church ad or a nonprofit group flyer. It can be an ad for a product or asking
you to support a person You can search a newspaper or a magazine or a website.
The more you read “good” writing, the more you strengthen
your own skills.
Now
to the next assignment for all students:
This assignment has two parts. First,
think of your favorite homemade meal. This can be a dish you make or one that
another family member cooks for you. (Take a few minutes to jot down notes on
what you like best about this particular dish or meal.)
Part one: Now you have to market this meal or dish. In 60 words or
less, tell me about your product and try to convince me to buy this dish as if
you had it for sale in my local market or restaurant. This assignment will be
persuasive writing.
Part two: Now you have to write about this dish as if you are
including it as part of a short story or novel. In 100 words or less, describe
this meal as if a character in your book is cooking it or eating it. Make the
reader picture a scene with the food in the kitchen or just coming out of the
oven, or write as if the food is already on the table with a character tasting,
smelling and enjoying this food. This part of the assignment will be
descriptive writing. (I don’t have to know anything about the character or your
“book”--I just want to have the food scene.)
Notice how your objective will
be different for each part of the assignment. In the first part, you are trying
to market or sell your product. You want someone to take action. In the second
part, you are entertaining your reader and drawing your reader into a story
with specific details of a meal. Your word choices will be different in each
part.
How does this help me at all?
Each assignment helps you strengthen your writing skills overall by just
getting you to write. As with any skill, the more you practice, the better you
become. Also, this assignment helps you identify your objectives for writing.
At times in life, you will need to use persuasive writing to convince someone
to hire you or consider you for a scholarship. You might be trying to influence
someone to publish your book or hire your band. At other times, you are going
to be writing to convey an idea or entertain a reader.
This assignment also forces you
to choose strong, active, specific words to convey your idea in a limited
amount of space. If you write a newspaper or magazine ad, you aren’t allowed to
use many words. Same thing goes for a resume or a job application--you don’t
get much room to tell someone about yourself.
Quote for the week:
“The only thing worse than being blind is
having sight but no vision.” - Helen Keller
Example of
persuasive writing from a university website:
“It's never too late. Increase your earning potential. Each
year hundreds of adults complete their degree program at the University of
______ leading to increased salaries, better jobs and greater satisfaction
with their lives. We're here to help you succeed. Let us show you how to
reapply, help you decide what courses to take and, together, we'll map out a
plan for you to graduate. For additional information about the Back on Track
program, please contact …..”
Example of
persuasive writing from another university website:
“_______University offers an intellectually challenging
academic program with a commitment to continual spiritual formation while
engaging the world. For more information…”
Both are very descriptive, with
neither using “empty” words such as great,
special or extraordinary. They give details that will capture the reader’s
attention.
Designer’s note selling a
kitchen design to a future homeowner or someone remodeling a home:
“Dark walnut cabinetry builds a modern foundation for this
kitchen. Materials such as stainless steel, custom glass backsplashes and
granite further the modern aesthetic while remaining elegant. Butter yellow
hand-tipped leather stools add the perfect accent to a very monochromatic color
palette. This kitchen is anything but cold.”
