Standard: 7.W.3d – Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
Grade level: Grade 7
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Writing
Teacher Overview
This standard focuses on enhancing students’ writing by encouraging the use of precise language and sensory details to create vivid and engaging descriptions. Mastery of this standard will help students convey experiences and events more effectively, which is a crucial skill in both academic and real-world contexts. Students should be comfortable with basic descriptive writing techniques and have a foundational understanding of sentence structure and parts of speech.
After mastering this standard, students will be able to create more engaging and vivid narratives. They will also be better prepared for advanced writing tasks that require detailed descriptions and nuanced language.
Common Misconception 1
Some students may think that simply adding more adjectives will make their writing more descriptive. This is incorrect because overly adjective-heavy writing can become cumbersome and less effective. The goal is to use precise and vivid language that enhances the reader’s experience.
Intervention 1
Provide exercises that focus on choosing the most impactful words and phrases. Use mentor texts to show examples of effective descriptive writing.
Common Misconception 2
Another common misconception is that sensory language only pertains to visual descriptions. This limits the richness of their writing. Sensory language includes all five senses, and incorporating them can make descriptions more immersive.
Intervention 2
Engage students in activities that explore all five senses. Have them write descriptions that include sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile sensations, in addition to visual details.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of sentence structure, parts of speech, and simple descriptive writing techniques.
Subsequent Knowledge
Students will develop advanced narrative skills, including character development and plot structuring, and apply descriptive techniques in various forms of writing.
Instructional Activities
- Write a short story focusing on a single event using sensory details.
- Create a descriptive paragraph about a favorite place, incorporating all five senses.
- Analyze a piece of descriptive writing to identify the use of precise language and sensory details.
- Rewrite a bland paragraph by adding relevant descriptive details and sensory language.
- Collaborate in pairs to provide feedback on each other’s descriptive writing.
