Paper 1

Section 2

Descriptive essay

-By Aidah SMKTH

Points to consider

The message that you need to convey– e.g. sad or tragic experiences

Get the feelings involved-e.g. how you feel about the person,…..

The appropriate approach-e.g. sadness, humour, romance, mystery…

Guidelines

• Read the question/topic• Understand the task whether to describe

people, places, events• Plan your essay

- Introduction- List three descriptions with relevant,

interesting details & effective expressions - conclusion

Important aspect of descriptivewriting

The use of details (to help reader create a mental picture of

what is written)– What you see– How you feel

– How do people feel– What you hear

– What you are thinking

TYPES OF DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

● Describing People● Describing Place or scene

● Describing Event● Combination

Describing peopleUnderstand the needs of the title

1. My neighbour A selfish neighbour2. My best friend A well disciplined best

friend.3. My teacher A great teacher

Describing people

1 If you were given a chance to be anybody, who would you want to be and why?

2 Write about a person who has worked hard to succeed in life.

3 Describe a few of your classmates.

Steps to describe people

• Decide on the characteristics that you want to emphasize.

• Use descriptions, actions and emotions

• Concentrate on three traits and develop them

Steps to plan on describingpeople

-Understand the question-Think of possible people-Make sure the details are sufficient-Add personal responses and emotion-Structure ideas-Write down

Sample descriptive writing(intro) People

My grandmother is a sweet and cute old lady. She is now sixty-six years old. She is about five feet five inches tall. She is quite plump compared to what was when she was younger. Her face is round and wrinkled. She has bright eyes. When she smiles, she looks attractive. Her nose is slightly pointed like my mum’s. Grandma’s cheeks are not rosy and she has thin lips. Her hair is grey in colour.

2nd & 3rd para

Grandma has rather short limbs. They are flabby and wrinkled. Her hands are rough because of the hard work she did when she was young. She has a gold necklace which she wears most of the time.

Grandma had a really tough life when she was still young. Her father died tragically when she was four years old. She had to struggle very hard to support her family. After she got married she had to look after her children all by herself. Now she is quite fortunate for her children are very filial to her.

Sample descriptive writing(short story)

She was old Mr. Banister’s secretary. Been here forty-three years, girl, woman and old misery. Sitting there where you’re sitting now, her back straight as a ruler, and a chop-your head-off ruler, too! Her stiff old fingers tapping out the letters one by one, with her nose nearly on the keyboard, so short-sighted she’d become by then

Description of place

• Sample questions1. Describe the night market in your town or

village.

2. Describe your school sports day.

3. The event that I will never forget.

Steps to plan on describingplaces or scenes

-Understand the question/title-Think of possible places/events-Make sure the details are sufficient-Add personal responses and emotions-Structure ideas-Write down

Sample answer (intro)Scene

Night markets or pasar malam can be found everywhere in Malaysia, from big cities like Kuala Lumpur to a small town, the night market is held once a month along the street in the middle of the town. The whole street is closed to traffic on every Friday. This is the only night when the town comes alive.

1st point - 2nd para

The first to arrive at the site are the hawkers, stall owners and wholesalers who come in lorries and vans to unload their goods. The next hour is spent arranging their wares on the makeshift stalls. Soon, the whole place is transformed into a big shopping centre, brightly illuminated by fluorescent lamps and colourful bulbs.

2nd point – 3rd para Many shoppers flock to the night market to

get their vegetables. There are a few vegetable stalls offering fresh vegetables at affordable prices. Housewives would quickly snap up the fresh vegetables after some bargaining. Later in the night, one can buy these vegetables at discounted prices as vendors try to finish their stock for the night. It is funny to see them trying to outdo one another, shouting at the top of their voices,

“Satu ringgit, dua ikat…….”

Past years questions

● SPM 2005If you were given a chance to be anybody, who would you want to be?

● SPM 2008 Describe a person you looked up to who has

has been working hard and attained success.● SPM 2010 Write about a person who has worked hard to

succeed in life.

Happy Writing…….