In this unit, students will take the initial steps in the writing process. Students will:

• identify the purpose for their writing.
• use strategies for generating and developing ideas for making a point through description.
• identify a focus for their writing.
• identify the audience for their writing.
• analyze examples of descriptive writing (both professional and student-written) that make a point.
• compose a description of their own.

• What role does writing play in our lives?
• How do we develop into effective writers?
• To what extent does the writing process contribute to the quality of the writing?

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.

The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this unit.

• “The Descriptive Essay” by Jack Baker and Allen Brizee. Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab, 2010.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/03/

• Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen. Random House, 1992.
• “Descriptive Writing with Virginia Hamilton” by Virginia Hamilton. Scholastic Inc., 2010.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/diary/