Week 6A: Descriptive Language?

After reading the section in Tompkins on descriptive language I was trying to figure out which of these techniques and strategies could be incorporated into in a social studies course.  Since most of the writing is non-fiction is there in fact a place for figurative language, dialogue, sensory images in academic writing?  After considering the techniques there certainly is a case for explicit instruction in the techniques of word choice as well as specific information. 

Word choice in particular is critical for concisely communicating and sharing information.  Academic writing benefits from the use of specific nouns, that  help to clarify the argument.  Vivid verbs and colorful modifiers can help shorten sentences and quickly get the writers point across.  Repetition is a common error for high school students especially and academic writing, watering down an argument and boring a reader.  Academic writing is often perceived as uninteresting for students to read because it lacks descriptive language but it can be explained to students that it does not have to be this way.  Finding quality models of academic writing that utilizes quality descriptive language without taking away from the informative purpose is difficult yet beneficial for young writers to see.