Thinking steps

1. Choose an object no larger than a stove—perhaps a wallet, purse or shoe.

2. Place it in front of you and find out as much as you can about it. Look at it; smell it; feel it; lift it.

Experience as many details as you can. Enough to fill a page or two.

3. Decide on a way to organize these details. In general, put your paper in the natural order of the object (outside to inside, top to bottom, part by part, etc.).

Writing steps

4. Write an introductory paragraph telling the reader (A) what your subject is and (B) what your basic plan or organization is.

5. Following your plan, write at least a paragraph of several sentences about each section or part. Begin each paragraph by telling what it describes.

Then put in as many details as you can.

6. Close with a brief statement that you have finished: “This concludes the description of my pogo stick.”

REMEMBER: THIS PAPER NEED NOT HAVE A STORY OR BE EXCITING. JUST OBSERVE AND ORGANIZE AND REPORT.