Chapter 5 Projects: Style

Project Assignment

Goal

In Chapter 5, you learned about writing style, word choice, and tone. You will demonstrate your understanding of these concepts by describing the same building to two different audiences.

Directions

Part 1

Consider the image in the Materials section. Make note of all the details, and imagine a few scenarios about the house's history.

Part 2

Write an email (you don't have actually send it) to a friend that describes the house and the stories associated with it. Use a casual tone. While correct grammar and punctuation are important, your primary focus should be discussing the house with someone you know personally.

Part 3

Consider the house from the perspective of someone trying to sell it. Instead of the house's history, focus on the property's size and the potential it has as an investment. Write a brief essay from the perspective of a realtor explaining why it's a good purchase.

Materials

Word processing program or paper and writing tool

House image:

An photograph of an old house

The dilapidated, old house has three stories and a single room on the fourth story. The style appears to be somewhat old Victorian with large, arched windows, columns on the front and side porches, and spires on each roof level (of which there are three). The exterior has weathered wood boards, and the roof is noticeably weathered. The entrance is gated with white stone columns, and the stairs up to the house have white stone railings with thick, ornate spindles. The yard is in disrepair with weeds and dead plants all around. There are large pine trees behind it.

Checklist

Writing Assignment

Goal

The goal of this assignment is to apply the skills you learned in Chapter 5 by writing from a different perspective.

Directions

Part 1

Choose a building that you can observe safely and legally. It could be a house, office, coffee shop, or something else. Don't choose a building where you or anyone you know lives or works.

Part 2

Consider the people who visit, live in, and/or work in the building. Think about how they would describe it and what happens there.

Part 3

Get "in character" by adopting the persona of a person you imagined in Part 2, and have a brainstorming session from their perspective. Use the results of your brainstorming to create an outline for your essay.

Part 4

Using your outline, write a rough draft of an essay that describes the building and the things that regularly occur there.

Part 5

Revise the essay for style, structure, and language using the guidelines from the chapter.

Materials

Word processing program or paper and writing tool

A building of your choice

Checklist