This activity will help you develop creative, unexpected descriptions by pushing past familiar language and generating new ideas.

Discussion Instructions

STEP 1: Find a mundane object (something ordinary, like a plain rock, a paper clip, or a spoon). Then, divide a blank sheet of paper into four sections or create a document with four headers:

• Section 1: Object Description
  • Set a timer for two minutes; in this time, write as many describing words about your object as possible. You may use a bulleted list. Full sentences are not required.
• Section 2: New descriptive words
  • Set a timer for five minutes. Write as many NEW describing words as possible without repeating anything from your first quadrant. If you’re struggling, try to use imagery and/or figurative language.
• Section 3: Object Uses
  • Set the timer for two minutes. Write as many uses as possible for your object.
• Section 4: New uses
  • Set a timer for five minutes. Come up with as many NEW uses as you can, without repeating any of the uses from the previous section.

STEP 2: After this generative process, identify your three favorite words and ideas from the second and fourth lists. Spend ten minutes writing in any genre or form you like—a story, a poem, a song, a letter, anything—on any topic you like. Your writing doesn’t have to be about the object you chose, but try to incorporate your chosen descriptors or uses in some way.

Remember: Writing invites discovery; the more you look, the more you see! Objects aren’t boring. The ordinary can be described creatively and dramatically for a purpose. Also, suspend judgment—your first idea may not be your best.

STEP 3: Share your writing in the discussion forum and debrief about the exercise. What surprises did this process yield? What does it teach us about innovative language use?

STEP 4: Respond in two separate posts to two classmates (in at least 75 words). Your responses should do one or more of the following:

• Extend their ideas by adding new interpretations or connections.
• Complicate their perspective by introducing a different angle or challenge.
• Redirect their approach by suggesting another way to experiment with language.

Avoid generic responses—engage deeply with their writing and reflections.

Rubric