Writing Hands-on
Description: Describing a Person
A description creates a vivid “word picture,” so it allows readers to be
able to “see” the picture. When you are writing a description, you have to
offer enough details so that the readers can create a picture in their own
minds. Now, describe the teacher who has influenced you the most.
Example:
At
the age of 13, I met her for the first time. She had gray hair and steely eyes,
and she looked formidable. She had no patience with lazy students. Instead of
teaching them, she would suggest that they transfer to the glee club. She was a
strict teacher. In addition to giving lectures, she encouraged, inspired, and
helped us to find ourselves. She drilled us in grammar, assigned stories for us
to read and discuss, and taught us how to put out a newspaper. Her teaching of
Greek literature gave me a new perspective on my homeland, making me proud of
my origins. She helped me to develop my own potential for writing and made me
realize the power of the written word. I finally became a reporter and recorded
the story of my mother’s life.
My
teacher retired at the age of 62, after having taught for 41 years. Even after
her retirement, she kept on encouraging and inspiring the students who she
thought had a spark of potential. It was her effort that allowed their spark to
catch fire. She was a great teacher indeed—Marjorie Hurd.
Tips à Description: Describing a Person
本寫作單元主要讓學生練習描寫人物，目的是讓讀者從描寫中對這個人的外在或內在有清楚的畫面，進而認識這個人，所以必須有足夠的細節和生動的描述才能達到傳達的目的。
WHAT描寫什麼？
1 如何認識或知道這個人。
2 描寫可以是多方面的。只要是和這個人有關的一切。例：長相、背景、個性、待人處世的方法、能力、事業、成就、特別事蹟等。
3 描寫細節：有足夠細節的描述才能使文章生動感人並且具有說服力。
4 描述他/她和自己的關係和對自己的影響和重要性。
5 傳記要忠實紀錄這個人的一生或某段人生
HOW如何描寫？
1 決定要描寫的角度或重點，針對重點舉出特別例證使文章容易吸引讀者。如描寫外表，則應強調長相如何吸引人，描寫個性方面可以強調待人接物，影響力方面可以舉出具體的行為、事蹟、或貢獻等。
2 如果有時間順序，應以時間先→後或後→先來描述。
3 用恰當的形容詞、形容用語或副詞。例：
長相：attractive;
good-looking; handsome; plain; serious; pale; freckled
個性：pleasing; optimistic;
pessimistic; sentimental; naughty; active; outgoing; conservative; enthusiastic;
timid; shy; indecisive; snobbish
待人處事：seriously; carelessly;
cautiously; politely; prudent; absent-minded; systematically; generous;
impressive; reluctantly; voluntarily; hesitantly; strictly; elegant;
sophisticated
能力：capable; able; competent;
ambitious; aggressive; outstanding; intelligent; skillful; professional
4 運用比喻或誇張的描寫使效果更生動。如形容一個人的眼睛，She has twinkling eyes like
stars. 顯然比She has bright eyes. 生動。My heart is beating like
drums.、She is shaking like leaves.、He is as sly as a fox. 等誇張的描述使印象更鮮明。
Exercise:
Now,
write a paragraph of 120-150 words according to the above instructions.
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參考解答
I began
learning how to play the piano at the age of ten. The first time I saw my piano
teacher Miss Hsu, she impressed me with her beauty. Her hair was long and
silky, and her skin was ivory. When she smiled, she looked like a princess from
a fairy tale. Moreover, she was kind and patient. If I didn’t play well, she
would ask me to watch her and listen to her play again and again. Then, she
would encourage me to give it another try. Most of the time, she had to think
of different ways to persuade me into spending more time practicing. Had it not
been for her patience, I might have given up on my piano lessons.
Once she
asked me to take part in a performance, but I refused. She scolded me angrily,
saying, “No challenges, no life,” and then she walked away. I was shocked, not
because she blamed me, but because I realized I hadn’t taken anything seriously
enough before.
She not only
opened up the world of music for me but changed my attitude towards life.
Though I stopped my piano lessons last year, I have never stopped turning to
Muss Hsu for lessons in life.