2016-07-25 Writing: pictures from descriptions

Greg Malivuk
[email protected]
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk
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Homework: Write a similar descriptive paragraph about a room in your house. Use details and space ordering so that someone who reads it can easily “see” the room in their mind.
(On Monday another student will read your description and try to draw a picture of the room.)
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Read your partner’s description and draw a picture of the place. Then fix mistakes you find in the writing.
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There is a lamp on the left of the desk. = It’s a small lamp on the desk.
There is a lamp to the left of the desk. = It’s a big lamp next to the desk.

There is a window on the left side of the wall. = I don’t know which wall, but I know the window is in the left part of the wall.
There is a window on the left wall. = The window is on the wall to your left.

Remember: every sentence must include a verb (for describing a location, the verb is often simply “be” [am/is/are], but it’s still necessary to include).
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Run-on sentences = sentences which are “too long” (they contain more than one independent clause without conjunctions or correct punctuation)

* There is a bookshelf on the left wall, it is tall and has many different books, I like to read in my room.
-> There is a bookshelf on the left wall. It is tall and has many different books. I like to read in my room.
-> There is a bookshelf on the left wall, which is tall and has many different books. I like to read in my room.
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there is / there are
In my room there is a bed and two tables.
In my room there are two tables and a bed.
- Choose between “is” and “are” based on the first noun after the verb.

* In my room has a bed.
-> In my room there is a bed.
-> My room has a bed.
-> I have a bed in my room.
(-> In my room is a bed.)

In the middle of my desk is a laptop. <-> A laptop is in the middle of my desk.
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“tank” is usually metal or plastic and holds a gas or liquid (“fish tank” = aquarium)