1.Y8 Language Detectives
Investigating how language works: using comparisons in descriptions
2.What is this?
3.Look at the photographs of Earth as seen from space and read the astronauts’ descriptions.
Which description paints the best picture for you? Explain your choice.
4. How do writers create effective descriptions using comparisons?
Earth: a small, bubbly balloon hanging delicately in the nothingness of space.
In this comparison, the earth seen from space is compared to a suspended balloon. For a comparison to ‘work’ for the reader, the two different objects being compared need:
Something similar e.g. shape, size, texture, actions
Something that is different enough to surprise you or make you think
What is similar between Earth and a balloon?
Both have a round shape; both seem to float or drift in space
What is different enough to surprise you or make you think?
Why ‘bubbly’? Might this suggest another comparison, between a balloon and a bubble, and how fragile both are – (bubbles and balloons easily pop)? Is the idea that the Earth is fragile and delicate too, vulnerable and easily destroyed?
5. How do writers create effective descriptions using comparisons?
Earth...a sparkling blue and white jewel...
...a small pearl in a thick sea of black mystery...
….a light, delicate sky-blue sphere laced with slowly swirling veils of white…
In each comparison:
What is Earth compared with?
What is similar about the objects?
What is different enough to surprise you or make you think?
6.Looking more closely: what language choices have been made?
Choosing nouns carefully:
a small bubbly balloon the size of a marble
the nothingness of space a small pearl
a sea of black mystery
Choosing adjectives carefully:
a small, bubbly balloon
that beautiful, warm, living object
so fragile, so delicate a sparkling blue and white jewel
Choosing verbs and adverbs carefully:
hanging delicately rising gradually laced with veils of white
if you touched it….it would crumble and fall apart
7.Write your own description of earth seen from space. You can use any of the ideas or words in the descriptions below, or invent your own. Think: What am I comparing the Earth with? What is similar about the objects? What is different enough to surprise my readers or make them think? What language choices make my description work well?
8.Describing a strange new world
Can you describe this strange new world by using comparisons and choosing language carefully? You can name the new world if you like.
Think: What am I comparing this new world with? What is similar about the objects? What is different enough to surprise my readers or make them think? What language choices will make my comparison work well?
Example:
Futuris: huge steel buildings, arranged like pieces on a chess board, pierce the sky, while mechanical birds hover and swoop overhead.