Short AnswerNote: Your teacher will grade your response to the question below to ensure that your receive proper credit for your answer.Evaluate the following descriptive paragraph. How well does it appeal to the reader's senses? What is the overall effect?"About 15 miles below Monterey, on the wild coast, the Torres family had their farm, a few sloping acres above a cliff that dropped to the brown reefs and to the hissing white waters of the ocean. Behind the farm the stone mountains stood up against the sky. The farm buildings huddled like the clinging aphids on the mountain skirts, crouched low to the ground as though the wind might blow them into the sea. The little shack, the rattling, rotting barn were gray-bitten with sea salt, beaten by the damp wind until they had taken on the color of the granite hills. Two horses, a red cow and a red calf, half a dozen pigs and a flock of lean, multi-colored chickens stocked the place. A little corn was raised on the sterile slope, and it grew short and thick under the wind, and all the cobs formed on the landward sides of the stalks." — John Steinbeck, “Flight”
This descriptive paragraph appeals very well to the reader's senses. It provides vivid descriptions of the landscape, the farm buildings, and the farm animals. The reader can visualize the sloping acres above the cliff, the stone mountains, and the hissing white waters of the ocean. The mention of the sea salt and the damp wind conveys a sense of the environment's harshness. Overall, the paragraph effectively paints a picture of a rugged coastal farm, creating a sense of both beauty and adversity.
This descriptive paragraph by John Steinbeck effectively appeals to the reader's senses and creates a vivid image of the setting. The overall effect of the paragraph is to convey a sense of harshness and isolation.
1. The paragraph appeals to the sense of sight by describing the farm, the cliff, the ocean, the mountains, the farm buildings, and the animals. The details of the gray-bitten buildings, the color of the granite hills, and the short and thick corn paint a clear picture in the reader's mind.
2. The paragraph appeals to the sense of sound by mentioning the hissing white waters of the ocean and the rattling, rotting barn. These details create a sense of the constant presence of both the ocean and the wind.
3. The paragraph also appeals to the sense of touch by describing the rocky landscape and the damp wind. The reader can imagine the rough texture of the stone mountains and the biting sensation of the sea salt.
4. There is an absence of descriptions that appeal to the senses of taste and smell in this paragraph.
The overall effect of the paragraph is to create a sense of desolation and vulnerability. The isolated location of the farm, the description of the farm buildings clinging to the mountains, and the relentless presence of the wind and sea salt all contribute to this feeling. The use of colors like gray and red, along with the mention of lean chickens and corn struggling to grow, further emphasize the harshness of the environment.
In conclusion, this descriptive paragraph effectively appeals to the reader's senses and creates a clear and vivid image of the setting. The overall effect is to convey a sense of harshness and isolation.
To evaluate the descriptive paragraph's appeal to the reader's senses and the overall effect, we need to analyze the use of sensory details and the emotional response it elicits.
In this paragraph from John Steinbeck's "Flight," the author employs vivid descriptions to engage the reader's senses and create a strong visual image. The paragraph describes the Torres family's farm located on a wild coast, about 15 miles below Monterey.
The writer starts by mentioning the geographical location, evoking a sense of place and setting the scene. The mention of the farm being a few sloping acres above a cliff that drops to the brown reefs and hissing white waters of the ocean provides a visual and auditory experience for the reader.
The next sentence describes the farm buildings, comparing them to clinging aphids on the mountain skirts, which gives a sense of the structures' precariousness. The use of color imagery, with the buildings being gray-bitten with sea salt and taking on the color of the granite hills, adds to the sensory appeal.
The author then introduces the animals present on the farm, including two horses, a red cow and calf, pigs, and a flock of lean, multi-colored chickens. This description adds a layer of liveliness and movement to the scene, appealing to both visual and possibly auditory senses.
The final sentence provides details about the corn grown on the farm's sterile slope. The mention of the wind and how it affects the growth of the corn gives the reader an idea of the farm's challenging conditions and further enhances the overall sensory experience.
Overall, this descriptive paragraph effectively appeals to the reader's senses. It utilizes a variety of sensory details, such as visual, auditory, and even tactile elements, to bring the scene to life. The imagery used creates a vivid and immersive experience, allowing the reader to imagine the farm and its surroundings. The overall effect is a rich and atmospheric description that enhances the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the story.