Read the following excerpt from Newsweek about the cover ...



Motivation:

Read the following excerpt from Newsweek about the cover story in this month’s Psychology Today. After reading the passage, answer the questions that follow.

Sam Gosling is on his hands and knees under a desk, examining the debris covering the rug. "Look at all these cables," he says, "and what are these--bottle caps? Lots of pens, a letter opener… very interesting." He combs over the rest of the room, which is crammed with photos, stacks upon stacks of CDs, press badges from music conventions, political posters, and a blanket that says "Winners Make It Happen." He has the intensity--and enthusiasm--of an actor on "CSI," exclaiming 'aha!" when he comes across some case-cracking evidence. But this is no crime scene he's investigating. It's the office of a NEWSWEEK reporter, and Gosling is searching for clues to his personality.

A psychology professor who spends his days poking around in other people's bedrooms, offices, and medicine cabinets, Gosling believes that our artifacts--our books, music, photos, posters, and, yes, even our bottle caps--serve as nonverbal cues to the rest of the world as to who we are and what we value. As he writes in his book "Snoop: What Your Stuff Says About You," "people's possessions can tell us even more about their personalities than face-to-face meetings, or, sometimes, what their best friends say about them."

1. What is the title of the psychologist Sam Gosling’s book? _________________________________________________

2. Discuss what you feel Gosling means when he says that our possessions provide “nonverbal clues” about the kind of people we are?

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3. Do you agree with Gosling? Why or why not?

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Brainstorm Activity

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Just a Simple Bowl

by Amy Malley

The simple bowl is deep cherry wood with a silver rimmed bottom that reflects my face upside down as a result of the polishing it has received over the years. The grain is worn, but still radiates the strength of the tree that it came from. As I run my finger over the inside of the cavernous salad bowl, it picks up some of the olive oil residue from the homemade Italian dressing that has seeped into every little grain of the bowl over years of use. Never subject to washings; we only wiped it out with a paper towel, to better flavor the crisp Boston bibb lettuce salads that it delivered at every family dinner. Just as the wood bowl, my grandmother was weathered and cracked by the trials of life. I could not be around her without leaving with a trace of her inner wisdom that came from experiencing life. And like the bowl, she delivered savory moments of life that left us yearning for more.

When my grandmother died this bowl was the one thing I wanted. The salad bowl reflects my grandma like no precious stone or gold necklace can. My grandma is a functional, no-nonsense person. I always knew I could obtain an honest, if not blunt, opinion from her. And yet I always felt her love and concern for my well being and success.

Receiving clothing for birthdays and Christmas is never cool when you are young. However, I never minded getting clothes from my grandparents. My grandma always picked out the coolest name brand clothes. I looked forward to each Christmas or birthday morning running downstairs to the gift wrapped professionally with a perfectly matched fancy bow that lied just right over the upper corner of the box. Inside would be an outfit so stylish that it begged to be worn. However excited I was for the presents, the excitement quickly turned toward thoughts of the upcoming meal she had prepared for the family. It did not matter what she had prepared for the meal; the kitchen always had such delectable scents that wafted through the air and just settled over the house. And yet, no matter what she made, the best part of the meal that you always took thirds or fourths from came from the salad bowl. A simple salad served with homemade Italian dressing and fresh crumbled Roquefort cheese, it was what reminded me best of grandma.

Group Tasks

1) With your group, circle all the descriptions of the salad bowl.

2) Underline the words that explain the significance of the bowl.

3) Collectively decide if you believe this piece to be a good example of descriptive writing based on the criteria we have established thus far. Consider sensory details, vivid adjectives, figurative language, paragraph development, topic sentences, etc. Write 3-4 sentences discussing your group’s decision.

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Summary: Using the brainstorms you completed for help, think of a personal object that is important to you. Using figurative language, sensory details and vivid adjectives, “show” this object in an extended descriptive paragraph (10-12 sentences). It could be your baby blanket or favorite piece of jewelry – as long as it is something important to you. Be sure to also include your prior knowledge of successful descriptive writing. Create an interesting opening, be sure the paragraph is organized and has a logical flow. Also be sure to include at least 3 examples of sensory details or figurative language. You may write for the rest of the period.

HW: Bring your completed rough draft of your paragraph to class with you on Monday.

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