H is for Hear That?

Welcome to my 2020 Blogging A-Z April Challenge. Each day, I will post a brief Journal On! Daily Writers’ Workshops lesson and prompt. Teachers, parents, and students may use the material to encourage daily writing practice, spark insight, and embrace mindful reflection.   

 Welcome back, Everyone.

Shhh. Listen. Hear that?

Sounds surround us. Mechanical and natural sounds are around us all of the time. Most sounds remain in the background, so we don’t pay attention to them all of the time. We would be very distracted if we had to hear all sounds. 

Background sounds give our world dimension. Writers incorporate sound imagery to give scenes depth, making the setting authentic and familiar. A common tool is using onomatopoeias. Onomatopoeias are words that create sound effects. It makes the sensory descriptions more expressive and fun. You can hear a gurgling coffee pot better than the coffee pot percolating. Adding auditory sensory experiences enriches the scenes and moods. 

Let’s write about the sounds around us. What do you hear?

1. Primary Prompt: Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Listen. Draw yourself sitting in your writing spot with your eyes closed. Choose one thing you hear right now. Is it a ticking clock, or someone stirring a pot, or are you hearing your cat purring next to you? Draw it. Label the details and sound words such as purrr or tick-tick-tick. Write a sentence or two.
2. Intermediate Prompt Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Listen. List at least three sounds you are hearing. Maybe it’s traffic, birds, or the wind. Now add details to describe the sounds. A steady rumble of cars droned through the morning commute. Chirping birds chattered over their breakfast at the Bird Feeder Cafe. The howling wind whistled through the branches.
3. Upper-Intermediate Prompt Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Listen. Focus on one little sound. Maybe it’s the motor from the refrigerator or the rain falling on the window. Use an onomatopoeia to bring that sound to the front of your attention. Expand on the thread. Hmmm. The refrigerator hums. It reminds me that there is one piece of chocolate cake leftover from last night’s birthday celebration.

Until tomorrow, Everyone.