Writing: A Writer's Heart
Letting Your Feelings Show
Today's Snack: When you want your emotions to show clearly in
writing, you want your "heart" to be clear in your words. We call that your
"voice." One way to clear your physical voice, and help your heart, too, is to
drink grapefruit juice! It's great for
your vocal cords, and a heart-healthy, nutritious drink. You might enjoy a few
whole-wheat crackers to go with.
--------------------
Supplies:
Print out the bottom
of this Treat
or use lined writing
paper and No. 2 pencil
Write the list of
attitudes, below, on a chalkboard or whiteboard,
or project onto a big
screen
A
good writer is able to communicate feelings and emotions along with facts and
ideas, when feelings and emotions are appropriate to share - which is just
about any writing task EXCEPT when you are writing a factual report.
For
all but factual writing, it's a good idea to reveal your heart along with your
mind. It's pleasing to the reader to get "the big picture" of not only what you
know, but what you feel. It helps the reader's understanding a lot.
Instead
of just writing, "I feel sad" or "I feel happy," though, a good writer will
select words and write sentences that convey that feeling without coming right
out and saying how he or she feels.
An
effective writer will show, rather than tell, the reader what that writer is
feeling. You do that by making particular word choices and setting the scene
with particular connotations (secondary meanings) that guide the reader into
knowing how the writer feels.
For
example, if you are trying to create a homey atmosphere in a short story, you
might choose to include the fact that there is a glowing fire in the fireplace
when you describe the living room. In most cases, the image of a fire in a fireplace
connotes coziness and warmth, and the word "glowing" brings up the ideas of
beauty and peacefulness in your reader's mind.
On
the other hand, if the emotions you want to bring out of your reader are fear
and suspense, you might write that the fireplace was "cold and dark," which has
a connotation of a LACK of coziness, warmth, beauty and peace, and makes the
reader wonder why, and start to worry that there might be an ominous answer.
It's
pretty easy to "weave" feelings and emotions into your writing, once you get
the hang of it. Let's practice!
Consider
these word choices in deciding whether the writer is happy or sad. Have a
student act out these scenes as you read aloud:
First Scene:
The
new puppy was lonely, and barking like crazy out on the porch. Plagued
by guilt, I knew the neighbors were being bothered by the noise. I
looked out there, and was dismayed to see three puddles. Sighing,
I trudged over to get the mop and bucket to clean up the mess.
When the mop broke off in my hand, my chest felt heavy and my eyes
filled with tears.
Second Scene:
The
new puppy was wriggling and full of fun, barking her excitement
out on the porch. Thank goodness the neighbors love animals as much as we do.
I looked out there, and saw that there were only three puddles, compared
to seven yesterday. With a smile, I hopped over to get the
mop and bucket to clean up. When the mop broke off in my hand, the humor of
situation grabbed me and I burst out laughing.
Now
let's try it. Write two paragraphs, both answering the following question, but
showing two completely different attitudes or tones.
Choose
your two attitudes or tones from the following list.
Then
write two different paragraphs answering the same writing prompt, and share
with other students. Can they guess which attitude you chose?
Choose two attitudes, and write one
paragraph for each:
Proud
Sad
Inspired
Humorously sarcastic
Humble
Joyful
Sentimental
Embarrassed
Frightened
Disgusted
Other: ________________
Here is
your writing prompt:
What is the hardest thing for you to share with someone
else, and why?
(You
can either print this out and write your paragraphs on this pagfe, or use lined
writing paper)
Paragraph
#1:
_______________________
(Attitude)
Paragraph
#2
_______________________
(Attitude)
