Tuesday, February 17, 2009

My Descriptive Paragraph

My grammar and composition book never fails to frustrate me. It is boring, contains extensive diagrams, and explains objective complements. Over the time we’ve been together, I’ve learned to create some excitement for myself in order to avoid complete monotony.

Recently, I was compelled by this book to write an essay. The following were my topic choices:

A: building a bookcase
B: painting a house
C: fishing for trout
D: giving a pet a bath

The last time that choices were so dismal, I was forced to describe a busy street corner that didn’t even exist. This time, I decided to describe a fictional building of a bookcase, involving my brother Rich and myself:

“Descriptive Paragraph of Someone Building a Bookcase”

“I aspire to build a bookcase,” said Richard, and so it began. Desiring an audience for the observation of this grand endeavor, he recruited me to join him. We made our way to the shop, where he painstakingly measured the many required sections of wood. “I would like it to be about eight and one-half feet tall,” he said thoughtfully. “But Richard, how will you fit it anywhere?” I inquired. “Why, ceilings are nine feet. I would like it to be quite tall.” “No, our ceilings are nine feet. Ordinary ceilings measure only eight feet.” “Oh, do they?” he carefully re-measured, allowing a height of seven and one-half feet. Using his spiffy table saw, he cut each piece with greatest precision. He then measured a border, on which he hoped to carve a tasteful embellishment. “You see, I’ve got this wood-carving manual,” he explained. I leafed through the aforementioned manual, finding it quite fascinating and difficult. Later, he picked up the border in order that he might begin carving. Within half an hour, this angular piece began to take on a new form. With ragged juts and shapes, he carved what should have been a lovely peacock. “Oh,” he said, laying down the piece in dejection. He stacked the pieces carefully, and tucked them behind his worktable. Thus ended the making of his bookcase.”
Note: Richard actually built a bookcase recently, and it turned out quite nicely, despite some mistakes. As an engineer, he likes to call them “design changes.”

4 comments:

  1. Yes! You have exactly my thoughts about grammar, and my exact way to make it interesting! Finally, another person like that...

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  2. Hey amy,
    I found your blog through Bonnie's, and I really like it! Yours is sooo much easier to comment on...(no offense to Bonnie, but..) :-)
    I can't wait to read more!
    I aggree when it comes to grammar; it's not the best! I am admitting that, as one who is a "born-writer"! :-) I love writing, but grammar...*sigh*
    Anyways, great blog!
    Your pen-pal,
    Tawney Wyles

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  4. Who comes up with these topic choices?! Oh my word! It's almost as bad as the press when they ask athletes all those stupid questions: "How did it feel to just go out there and play football?" "What was going through your mind when you fell?" "What would you like to say to all the millions of people watching this broadcast?"

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