Common Misconceptions for Descriptive Writing Unit
Students may believe that descriptive writing only exists in poetry or formal narrative writing
I will work against this misconception by demonstrating to students that descriptive language is present in common songs and helps communicate a message. I plan to include clips of songs where students can hear this language in action as well as a genius lyric explanation video that breaks down the artists choice in phrasing.
Students may believe that only certain kinds of music have the capability to be descriptive and meaningful
I will work against this misconception by showing the students different genres of music that demonstrate descriptive language being used well. I will show them an example from an alternative indie folk artist one example from a rap artist.
Students may believe that they don't have the skills to write with descriptive language effectively
I will work against this misconception by showing videos of professional writers and authors giving advice to beginning writers. I will show a video of an author they may know, John Green and another well-spoken and younger writer, Ocean Vuong. I hope these resources will diversify the audience they hear from and allow for them to feel more confident in starting to try expressing themselves through writing.