ME #6 – Letter to an Advice Columnist
– Abstract Problems Made Concrete
1. Choose an emotion that would indicate you have a
problem. The emotion is an ABSTRACT word.
Let’s start with the word ‘Competitive.’
Think of someone who might be
competitive. What are some specific details you could describe that would show
that?
2. Move up the Pyramid of Abstraction by adding concrete
details and strong verbs.
Joe is
competitive.
Joe has
to win at everything he does.
Joe has
to beat his brother at everything they do.
Joe, an
8th grader who dominated in the 50-yard dash every year except 2nd
grade in elementary school, races his ninth grade brother when they brush their
teeth. In the morning, he sets his alarm
for 5:59 so he is up before his brother.
A red college-ruled notebook waits patiently in the side pocket of his backpack
where he keeps his brother’s Algebra quiz scores from last year so he can be
sure he gets a higher score every time.
Joe scarfs down one more bowl of Golden Puffs than his brother does each
morning, trains his two goldfish to swim laps instead of just wandering
aimlessly like his brother’s fish do, and never lets his brother get “shotgun”. And…his brother has no idea.
3. Optional: If you choose, you can transfer this
description into a letter to an Advice Columnist like this:
Dear Help Me,
I am an
8th grader with a problem. I
have won the 50-yard dash every year except 2nd grade in elementary
school. I race my 9th grade
brother when we brush our teeth at night.
In the morning, I set my alarm for 5:59 so I am up before him. I keep a red college-ruled notebook in the
side pocket of my backpack where I have secretly been keeping my brother’s
Algebra quiz scores from last year so I can be sure I get a higher score every
time. I eat one more bowl of Golden
Puffs than he does each morning, I have 2 more goldfish in our shared fish
tank, and I never let my brother get “shotgun”.
The problem is, I don’t think my brother is trying very hard to
win. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Joe One
See what we did there? We took an abstract concept – COMPETITIVE – and flipped it into a story. We added concrete details like: 8th grader, 50-yard dash, brushing teeth, 5:59 a.m., a red college-ruled notebook in the side pocket, Algebra quiz scores, Golden Puffs, and goldfish.
Abstract words to choose from:
Controlling Cowardly Greedy Angry
Critical Grieving Annoyed Antagonistic
Defeated Hopeless Anxious Deluded
Ignorant Arrogant Demanding Impatient
Dependent Impoverished Belligerent
Perfectionist
Depressed Impulsive Bitter Desperate
Indifferent Bored Destitute Broken down
Destructive Insecure Insensitive Chaotic
Disconnected Irresponsible Irritated Commanding
Disgusted Isolated Competitive Dominated
Jealous Complaining Judged Conceited
Egocentric Judgmental Condemned Egotistical
Lazy Conflicted Envious Lonely
Confused Lost Conservative Frightened
Mad Frustrated Ridiculous Miserable
Moody Vengeance Secretive Vicious
Obsessed Panicked Paranoid Worried
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