ADJECTIVES THAT SET THE MOOD

 

Functional grammar is when children learn the purpose of nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc; how they can be utilized and exploited in the production of making writing more inspiring. Not only do students learn that certain word forms create imagery, but how that imagery is not, say, a random use of adjectives but themed adjectives.

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The first step was to use a published title, the big book Duck in Danger (J. Croser & S. Kennedy, 1994). 

This is an ideal model to show how authors grab readers’ attentions.

After reading the book, the theme or mood created by adjectives was discussed. What does the title suggest? What do the adjectives in the prose suggest?

As a duck waddled across the field, she didn’t see the hungry fox.

But the hungry fox saw her, and followed…

The overwhelming conclusion was that the adjectives sounded threatening. These adjectives were highlighted (using highlighter tape).

The chat then moved to using adjectives that would create a more congenial mood. Threatening adjectives were replaced by ‘mild, safe’ adjectives. The title was innovated on, Duck’s safe journey,

As a duck waddled across the field, she didn’t see the curious fox.

But the curious fox saw her, and followed.