DOMINANT IMPRESSION

WHAT IS IT?

Think about the adjective dominant (or the verb to

dominate).

What do these words mean?

The dominant impression of a piece of writing is the

mood, feeling, atmosphere or quality that is the focus of
the text. A strong text allows readers to feel the mood
of the writer. How does the writer do this? Through
language!

EXAMPLE 1:

Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings,

their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full
moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and
deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with
their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of
blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very
word brings a shiver of fear to most people.
From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

WHAT KIND OF MOOD DO

THESE ADJECTIVES PUT YOU
IN?

Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings,

their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full
moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and
deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with
their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of
blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very
word brings a shiver of fear to most people.
From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

HOW ABOUT THESE NOUNS?

Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings,

their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full
moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and
deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with
their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of
blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very
word brings a shiver of fear to most people.
From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

... AND THE VERBS?

Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent wings,

their sinister shadows outlined against the light of a full
moon. Swooping down to earth, they hover near houses and
deserted buildings, breaking the peace of the night with
their disturbing presence. Carriers of disease, drinkers of
blood, companions of witches and demons, bats -- the very
word brings a shiver of fear to most people.
From Bats by Sylvia A Johnson

WHAT DOMINANT
IMPRESSION IS THE WRITER
GOING FOR?

EXAMPLE 2:

Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already

had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically
cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew,
the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices
jiggled every time we talked.
From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

NOTICE THE VERBS IN THIS

ONE!

Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already

had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically
cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew,
the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices
jiggled every time we talked.
From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

AND THE FIGURATIVE

LANGUAGE!

Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already

had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically
cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it blew,
the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our voices
jiggled every time we talked.
From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by Victor Martinez

WHAT'S THE DOMINANT

IMPRESSION OF MARTINEZ'S WIND?

TASK:

With your group, read the assigned paragraph(s).

Notice the vocabulary choices the author makes. Discuss

words that stand out to you.

Discuss your ideas about dominant impressions for each

paragraph.

There may be more than one "right" answer, so make a

list and be prepared to explain to the rest of the class.