Writing with Sounds
When I was still teaching, I remember telling my students that they should always consider the five senses when writing their compositions. This translates to including description of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing in their stories.
This short activity aims to sensitize your child to sounds commonly associated with composition writing e.g. screeching of brakes / screeched to a stop. By raising awareness of these sounds (and actually hearing them), a child may be more attuned to using them in his writing because he is more aware of and familiar with how the sound sounds like. |
Activity
Listen to the following sounds. Can you describe the sounds you hear?
Think about a composition you might need to write about. Do you think if you include these descriptions, they can make your composition more realistic and interesting to read?
How about the feelings evoked by these sounds? Can they also be included in your description?
Listen to the following sounds. Can you describe the sounds you hear?
Think about a composition you might need to write about. Do you think if you include these descriptions, they can make your composition more realistic and interesting to read?
How about the feelings evoked by these sounds? Can they also be included in your description?
This is Sound 1.
Suggested Description:
The screaming siren tore through the air in the streets outside and reverberated in my tiny bedroom. As I listened to it fading into a distance, an unfamiliar tingling of fear crept up the back of my neck. "Is it an accident? Is anyone hurt?"
This is Sound 2.
Suggested Description:
Tom and Peter were lucky to find a seat at the food court. It was, after all, lunch time on a late Sunday morning and it was not unusual to find the food court teeming with hungry patrons. The two boys sat at their seats and glanced around, considering the options available. There were numerous stalls opened that day and meandering lines had already started forming at the most popular ones. Many early-risers had already purchased and eaten their food and were engaged in loud and friendly banter about their week’s experiences and encounters.
This is Sound 3.
Suggested Description:
Lisa was stirred from her slumber by something fluttering outside her window. As she opened her eyes, she heard the ‘intruder’ break into a sweet melodious song before spreading its wings and flying away.
This is Sound 4.
Suggested Description:
While Lisa turned away from the teasing sunlight filtering through the curtains, she heard some movement coming from the kitchen. Soon, the aroma of eggs and hot dogs cooking from the kitchen wafted into her room. She could faintly hear the cackle and popping of the hot cooking oil, coaxing the food to transform into her scrumptious breakfast.
Suggested Description:
The screaming siren tore through the air in the streets outside and reverberated in my tiny bedroom. As I listened to it fading into a distance, an unfamiliar tingling of fear crept up the back of my neck. "Is it an accident? Is anyone hurt?"
This is Sound 2.
Suggested Description:
Tom and Peter were lucky to find a seat at the food court. It was, after all, lunch time on a late Sunday morning and it was not unusual to find the food court teeming with hungry patrons. The two boys sat at their seats and glanced around, considering the options available. There were numerous stalls opened that day and meandering lines had already started forming at the most popular ones. Many early-risers had already purchased and eaten their food and were engaged in loud and friendly banter about their week’s experiences and encounters.
This is Sound 3.
Suggested Description:
Lisa was stirred from her slumber by something fluttering outside her window. As she opened her eyes, she heard the ‘intruder’ break into a sweet melodious song before spreading its wings and flying away.
This is Sound 4.
Suggested Description:
While Lisa turned away from the teasing sunlight filtering through the curtains, she heard some movement coming from the kitchen. Soon, the aroma of eggs and hot dogs cooking from the kitchen wafted into her room. She could faintly hear the cackle and popping of the hot cooking oil, coaxing the food to transform into her scrumptious breakfast.
Did you managed to come up with your own descriptions?
They need not be similar to the ones suggested above. I am certain there are many students who are more creative than myself and are able to write even more vivid and captivating descriptions of these sounds. However, the main objective of this activity is to illustrate how sounds can also add a lot of flavour into a piece of writing. Do remember to include sounds in your next writing! |