PITLOCHRY PRIMARY SCHOOL ONLINE PROGRAMME · STEPS FOR WRITING AN DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY Step # 1:...

PITLOCHRY PRIMARY SCHOOL

ONLINE PROGRAMME

TOPIC: DESCRIPTIVE WRITING

SO, WHY DO I WRITE?

TYPES OF WRITING

*Narrative

*Descriptive

*Expository

*Persuasive

*Creative

*Note: These writing types can overlap.

recounts a personal experience in the form of a story and always includes characters, setting, and plot

Examples: short story, novel, narrative poem, journal

uses vivid images to describe a person, place, or event so that the topic can be clearly “seen” in the reader’s mind.

Examples: menu, travel brochure, poster

gives an opinion using facts that attempts to convince a reader to agree with a writer’s belief

Examples: movie review, restaurant critique, letter to a newspaper editor, essay

provides information that explains, clarifies, or defines

Examples: essay, research paper, report, manual

entertains the reader

Examples: short story, novel, poem, play

*Narrative

*Descriptive

*Expository

*Persuasive

*Creative

PLAY THE VIDEO CLIP https://youtu.be/kWIGhi0lVmw

How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

Steps for Writing an Descriptive Essay

Topic Selection for Descriptive Essay

Key Points to Consider

Dos and Don’ts

Common Mistakes

Helpful Hints

Activity: Write a descriptive Essay

Rubric

The descriptive essay provides details about how somethinglooks, feels, tastes, smells, makes one feel, or sounds.

It can also describe what something is, or how somethinghappened.

These essays generally use a lot of sensory details.

Examples: A descriptive essay could describe . . .

* a tree in my backyard;

* a visit to the children's ward of a hospital;

13

STEPS FOR WRITING AN DESCRIPTIVE ESSAYStep # 1: Choose a subject on which you want to write and decide what, or who, youwill describe.

Step # 2:Do an outline or a sketch, listing the facts, characteristics you will developthroughout your essay.

Step # 3: Gather information for the introductory paragraph, if necessary (in caseyou choose to write about a certain holiday, historical event, building, place orwell-known figure).

Step # 4: Decide upon the main idea for each of your paragraphs inthe Main Body section.

Step # 5:Write each of the paragraphs, starting from an introductorysentence and then going into details as you develop your thoughts.

Step # 6: Write the introduction and conclusion.

Step # 7: Lay your work aside for some time and then do a thorough proofreading.

There are various kinds of descriptive essays.

The three most common ones are those that focus around describing people, describing

places or buildings and describing objects.

A descriptive essay, as with any other successfully written piece, needs to have a clearwell-balanced structure.

Normally, you should start with an Introduction of the object, person or place youplan to describe.

While introducing, you should specify your relation to the person, the location of theplace, the purpose of the object, etc.

In the Main Body, you should focus on specific qualities of thechosen subject, and go into details of each of the most unusualqualities in the following paragraphs. For instance, if you chose to write about a person,

you could include a paragraph about their appearance,

another one about their personality, traits and justification, and

the third paragraph of the main body can be about the person’s hobbies, talents and interests.

Your Conclusion should focus on your personal feelings about the chosen subject,

justifying why it had such an influence on you that you decided to write about it.

A descriptive essay focuses on details, so make sure to be specific in yourdescriptions.

Including as many colourful adjectives as you can is always a good idea.

Another tip is to introduce some unusual facts, situations and words that youassociate with the person, place or object you are describing.

The more innovative and unique you get, the better.

Do use a variety of connective words to make your descriptions more logical and connect one idea with another.

Do use comparisons to make your descriptions more vivid and brighter. For example, when describing an object, say what its shape reminds you of;

when talking about a person, compare their characteristics with that of an animal, flower, or whatever you associate with the person.

Do use your emotions, analyze: how you feel about the described person, place or object

do not be afraid to include your subjective opinion.

Be creative in your descriptions.

Do not be afraid to approach your

description from an innovative angle.

Do use a variety of techniques to express

your thoughts.

Don’t begin all your sentences in a similar way as it will make your

essay sound boring and template-like.

Don’t write too generally. Go underneath the surface in your

descriptions to make your essay sound more realistic.

Don’t switch from present tense to the past and back.

If you chose to describe an event that occurred in thepast (your visit to some place, a person you used to beclose with etc.), then only write in the past tensethroughout your essay.

Similarly, if you chose to describe everything in thepresent or future form, be consistent throughout.

Don’t write about everything you can think of.

Whether it is a person or building that you chose to describe,

think of the most peculiar and interesting characteristics that

distinguish and highlight this particular person or building for

you.

Don’t focus on what is generally known, believed or considered

about your subject.

Write about things that matter to you personally.

1. Your essay should focus around one main idea. Students often forget about

this rule and get lost in separate striking descriptions, which make the whole

essay sound abrupt and inconsistent.

2. Usage of too many ordinary and petty adjectives which make your writing

sound mediocre. Instead, try to describe the object or person from a personal

perspective, using your emotions and feelings.

Use a lot of adjectives and adverbs in order to make your description lively!

Describing People Describing Places Describing Objects Describing Events /

experiences / thoughts

a) The introduction where

you state general facts

about the person, saying

when, where and how you

first met him/her. State the

reason for choosing this

person.


you give the name and

location of the place or

building and/or the reason

for choosing it


you give the name of the

object and/or the reason for

choosing it

a) The introduction in which

you give name, time, place,

and reasons for celebrating

b) The body (2 paragraphs)

in which you describe their

physical appearance,

personal qualities and/or

hobbies/interests. Start a

new paragraph for each

topic


describes the main aspects

of the place or building in

detail – for example, when

you describe a place you

should describe what you

can see and do there. Start

a new paragraph for each

topic


where you give an accurate

picture of it. Your description

should include information

about size, weight, shape,

pattern or decoration, color,

origin and material as well

as many special features.

Start a new paragraph for

each topic


in which you describe the

preparations and the actual

event in separate

paragraphs. Use past tenses

to illustrate those you

attended some time ago.

c) The conclusion in which you

express your personal

attitude towards the person

c) The conclusion includes

your comments/feelings and

/or a recommendation

c) The conclusion includes

your comments/feelings and

/or a recommendation

concerning this object

c) The conclusion which

includes people’s feelings

comments or final thoughts

about the event.

HELPFUL HINTS

Describing Places:

Types of places: the country, the country-side, outdoors, the seaside, a beauty spot, a tourist

spot,

a tourist’s paradise/attraction, the beach, a historic monument , a ruined place, a world

famous sight,

the site of battle (sight = view; site = place)

Adjectives for places: remote, imposing, superb, easily accessible, inaccessible, peaceful,

interesting, memorable, awe-inspiring, world-famous, off the beaten track, little/much

visited, tourist-ridden,

beautiful, picturesque, isolated, breath-taking, pretty, bustling sleepy, lively, sparsely

populated

Describing People:

interesting, shy, diffident, pushing, overbearing , talented, lonely, sociable, likeable, a pest,

intelligent, introvert, extrovert, approachable, unapproachable, businesslike, humble, timid,

practical, impractical,

a good mixer, a good conversationalist, anti-social, retiring, a sport, a snob, a bore, a know-

all,

difficult, arrogant, shrewd energetic, conceited, modest, brash, self-confident, lazy,

ambitious,

easy-going, strict, cunning

Introduction What are you describing?

Body – 2 paragraphs

Characteristics of the person, object, place or event.

Each paragraph must deal with a different aspect!

Use a lot of adjectives and adverbs in order to make your

description lively!

Conclusion What makes this special? (personal impression or

opinion)

When describing people you may want to includePhysical appearance

Personality, character

Attitudes, behavior

Interests, hobbies, profession

Your personal impression / opinion

When describing places you may want to includeLocation

Physical characteristics, atmosphere

Special attractions

The culture and people in the place

Historical details


When describing things you may want to includePhysical appearance

Origin (where it was made)

Use


When describing events you may want to includeThe setting – where and when it happened – PAST TENSES

What happened – in chronological order

Your impression or opinion about it

Popular adjectives

exciting

interesting

fascinating

magnificent

incredible

boring

imaginative

creative

unique

exceptional

extraordinary

To describe view

amazing scenery

scenic views

magnificent sights

outstanding view

breath-taking

spectacular

To describe weather

Warm

Stifling

Humid

Moist

Chilly

Freezing

To describe food

Tasty

Delicious

Extraordinary

Spicy

Exotic

Scrumptious

Useful Expressions

- feelings of elation

- feelings of relief

- sense of fulfilment

- a great accomplishment

- overcome challenges / obstacles

- exceed my expectations

- allocate more time to

- break the routine

- achieve the goal

The Closing Paragraph

- This memory will stay with me forever.

- The memory of that remains very much alive.

- Although years have passed, I still remember....

- .. .. have / has exceeded my expectations.

- Never have I seen / had such a…

The Opening Paragraph

- As long as I live, I will never forget....

- This was the most incredible / amazing /

wonderful/fascinating / unforgettable experience.

- This was a once in a lifetime experience.

- If I had to describe _________, my obvious

choice would be…

The Body

Description of people

- He is / was an exceptional man.

- He / She has made a strong impact on me.

- I appreciate his / her special characteristics.

-. Everybody appreciates the efforts made....

- He / She does his / her job efficiently.

- He / She enjoys an outstanding reputation.

- It's quite rare to come across such a unique

person.

The Body

Description of Experiences

- It was a unique adventure.

- It was an unusual experience.

- It was an exceptional experience.

- It was an unforgettable experience

ACTIVITY: Descriptive Writing - The Shell Game

You have been given a shell that hopefully no one else can see. You are going to write a

one-page essay (4/ 5 paragraphs) really describing your shell which should include the following

elements:

o Sensory Appeal—include all five senses

o Comparisons to its shape, texture, colour, size

o Personification—If Disney were to animate your shell, what kind of personality would it

have? A merry, joyful, energetic shell OR an angry and bitter middle manager shell?

NOW here’s the catch—Here are WORDS you may NOT use:

Words for colours—pink, tan, brown.

INSTEAD use comparisons or similes:

“This shell is the colour of frappuccino mocha with too much cream.”

Numbers—This shell has 12 spots.

INSTEAD try “This shell looks like it has a cheetah on its back.”

Words for Shapes—triangle, cone, oval

INSTEAD try” This shell is the shape of a yield sign that shimmers in the afternoon sun.”

Actual Measurements—This shell is 2.5 centimeters long.

INSTEAD try This shell is as long a tiny golf pencil that would seem huge to an ant.”

When you think you are done and have said

everything: KEEP WRITING

Now it’s your turn. Click play on the audio file attached or read the activity

CRITERIA MARKS

9 - 10

MARKS

7 - 8

MARKS

5 - 6

MARKS

3 - 4

MARKS

0 - 2

CONTENT Excellent content, which

has relevant ideas

pertaining to

the topic, and

is very creative and

interesting.

Very good content, which

has relevant ideas

pertaining to

the topic, and

is creative and interesting.

Good content, which has

some relevant ideas

pertaining to

the topic, and is adequately

creative and interesting.

Satisfactory content, which has

few

relevant ideas pertaining to

the topic, and is not very

creative or interesting.

Poor quality content,

which has little/no

relevant

ideas

pertaining to

the topic and is not

creative or

interesting.

CRITERIA MARKS

5

MARKS

4

MARKS

3

MARKS

2

MARK

0 - 1

USE OF

ADJECTIVES

AND

FIGURES OF

SPEECH

Excellent use of adjectives

and figures of speech to

enhance writing.

Very good use of adjectives

and figures of speech to

enhance writing.

Good use of adjectives and

figures of

speech to enhance writing.

Fair use of adjectives and

figures of

speech to enhance writing.

Little/No adjectives

and figures

of speech used to

enhance writing.

SENTENCE

AND

PARAGRAPH

STRUCTURE

Sentences and

paragraphs

are perfectly

structured.

Sentences and

paragraphs are well

structured.

Sentences and

paragraphs

are adequately structured.

Sentences and

paragraphs are poorly

structured.

Sentence and

paragraph

structure has not been

achieved.

STRUCTURE Includes all 5 criteria as per

the writing process.

Includes only 4 criteria as per






Includes only 1 criteria as

per the writing

process.

SPELLING

AND

GRAMMAR

Has 5 or less spelling and

grammar errors.

Has 6-10 errors in spelling

and grammar.


and grammar.


and grammar.

Has more than 20 errors

in spelling and grammar.

TOTAL:

30 MARKS

RUBRIC FOR YOUR ESSAY

SUGGESTED SUMMARY:

TITLE – (ANY SUITABLE CLEVER TITLE BASED ON THE CONTENT)

e.g. “THE MYSTERIOUS NINJAS”

1. The word ninja has mysterious origins.

2. Its is probably derived from the word Shinobi-no-mono which

looks very similar to the word ninja in kanji

3. The katana was a powerful fighting sword and the scabbard,

the sword’s cover was also useful.

4. People think that ninjas had superpowers because of the way

they have been portrayed in art and in the media.

5. There are very few historical records to correct the

misconceptions about ninjas.

6. Ninjas probably did not actually wear black suits as they are

popularly depicted.

7. They more likely wore advantageous disguises.

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PITLOCHRY PRIMARY SCHOOL ONLINE PROGRAMME · STEPS FOR WRITING AN DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY Step # 1:...

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