Freshman English

Step 2: Formative Assessment Descriptive Essay

Read the characteristics of a descriptive essay below and in your Readers Notebook, use your own words to describe what you think a descriptive essay is.

· answers "What is it like?"

· has a defined subject

· sees through a new lens

· supports authors underlying point; can be persuasive

· organized by space, a certain aspect, or writers perspective

· uses strong visual images; metaphors, similes

· draws on 5 senses

· takes a stance

· includes practical and precise details

· employs word choice and sentence structure that support mood

· uses literary devices

Step 3: Formative Assessment Literary Devices

Go to the following web site and print out the list of Literary Devices. Using your Readers Notebook, and its two column chart, select 7 of the 14 literary devices and in your own words explain what each means. .

http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/de/resources/litdevices/index.html

Step 4 : Formative Assessment Literary Devices and the Descriptive Essay

Below are examples of what is included in a Descriptive Essay. You will be reading two descriptive essays, "The Old Fence" by Craig Snyder and "Young Lions and Young Ladies" by Shea Stutler. The highlighted version of this first essay shows how Snyder uses the literary device called personification where human qualities are given to the fence. Notice the highlighted words showing you how the fence which is not alive is described as being weathered and tired, weary, and out of breath as though it was a person. As you are reading this essay, use your own highlighting and arrows and other on line tools to point out in your Readers Notebook other literary devices that are also used and identify the type of literary device.

"The Old Fence"

http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Fence.html

The Old Fence

Craig Snider

The old fence stands weathered and tired . It has been holding cattle in the field ever since the farmer put it up. The cows have occasionally tried to break through, but they have lost their battles; only the small yearlings have been able to squeeze under the fence.

The poles stand rotten and weary ; they are lined up in a sporadic order. The spaces between are not always equal and their heights differ greatly. Some have pulled loose from their holes, and they are held up only by the line of barbed wire that clings to their hide. The line of fence looks much like a parade of weary, beaten soldiers who have been defeated in battle and are lining up for their last breath of honor before they are shot and killed.

In several places on the fence the barbed wire has been cut or bent out of shape. But neither the rain and rust nor the cattle's fury has made the wire calm or dangerous. Sharp, erect pins still show their warning of power; many times they have acted as a catalyst between the cows and their angered emotions.

Even though the fence is old and historical, it will not last very long because there is a new owner. He is a man of power and wealth who has big plans, a man too high to care for the cattle or the soil, a man whose only dream is riches.

Instructor: Foltz-Gray

Step 5: Formative Assessment Literary Devices

Now that you have read "The Old Fence," you will be reading "Young Lions and Young Ladies by Shea Stutler and will complete your Readers Notebook using the same technique. As you are reading this essay, use your own highlighting and arrows and other on line tools to point out in your Readers Notebook literary devices that are used by this author and identify the type of literary devices.

"Young Lions, Young Ladies"

http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/cyberspace/lions.html

Step 6: Formative Assessment Descriptive Essay

Now that you have read both essays and identified the literary elements used in each essay, go back to Step 2, the characteristics of a descriptive essay as well as your own definition of the descriptive essay. In your Readers Notebook, explain why both "The Old Fence" and "Young Lions and Young Ladies" are examples of descriptive essays. What characteristics do each of the two essays exhibit that lead you to conclude that these are examples of descriptive essays.

Student Exemplars

"Young Lions, Young Ladies"

http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/cyberspace/lions.html