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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Every picture tells a story (Version 3)
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingwor
kshop.org/).
Prepared
by: Rhéal Nadeau
Posted on: March 8, 2003
Reposted on: January 11, 2004
Reposted on: January 16, 2005
Reposted, revised, on: March 5, 2007
Reposted, revised, on: April 12, 2009
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Exercise: In 300 words or less describe a single moment in time--a
snapshot without using dialogue or action.
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Often an image, photo, drawing, painting, even a piece of sculpture
tells a entire story without words, without action, interpretation, or
explanation. This exercise asks us to use careful attention to detail
to help the reader see that defining moment in time. It asks us to
describe, not interpret, what we see in a way that will let the reader
intuit our emotional response.
Can you "show" the story behind the image? Try not to "interpret" the
picture; try not to say "the man looks unhappy," but instead describe
him, e.g., "his eyes are downcast, the corners of his mouth pulled
down, he hangs his head." Let the reader decide what all this adds up
to. Use simple descriptive language, and remember to show, not tell.
If there are people in the picture you are describing, remember to talk
about the image as if you were looking at a snapshot.
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Exercise: In 300 words or less describe a single moment in time--a
snapshot without using dialogue or action.
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In Critiquing:
What is the single revealing moment you take away from the scene’s
description? What part of the writing helped you to see the moment
hidden in the picture? Highlight any writing where the author
resorted to telling rather than showing.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Greg Gunther.
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