Students write in generalities rather than with precise detail. Yet it is detail that enhances writing.
Take, for example, this general sentence: The dog barked at the cat. See how it changes when we add details.
Adding numbers: The dog barked at the single cat.
Adding dates, days, seasons: Just as the sun was setting, the dog barked at the single cat.
Adding proper nouns, names: Just as the sun was setting, Fang barked at the Fluffy.
Adding places: Just as the sun was setting in the back yard, Fang barked at the Fluffy.
Adding stories: Just as the sun was setting in the back yard, Fang barked at Fluffy, the cat almost hit by the garbage truck this morning.
Sensory information, figures of speech: Just as the hazy sun was setting in the back yard, grey-muzzled Fang barked at puny, calico-coated Fluffy, the cat almost hit by the careening garbage truck this morning.
Specific verbs: Just as the hazy sun was setting in the back yard, grey-muzzled Fang growled at puny, calico-coated Fluffy, the cat almost crushed by the careening garbage truck this morning.
What are details?
- numbers, %, time
- dates, days, seasons, eras
- proper nouns
- names
- places
- stories
- direct quotes
- thoughts
- facts
- for examples
- sensory information
- description
- specific verbs
- figures of speech
English Writing Teacher 