Unit 2:
Descriptive Paragraph
Part 1:
Stimulating Ideas
What is a descriptive paragraph?
• A descriptive paragraph describes a person, a place, and a thing.
• Uses words that create an image.
• Its purpose is to help the reader see, touch, feel, smell, and taste the topic.
• Descriptive writing uses sensory details such as sight, sound, smell, touch, and
emotion.
• It answers:
o What does it look like?
o How does it make you feel?
• Example:
Instead of “The place is nice,” → “The air smells like fresh coffee, and the chairs feel soft.”
Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer
• A descriptive paragraph helps the reader:
a) Solve a problem
b) See and imagine something
c) Argue about a topic
• Descriptive writing often includes:
a) Numbers and statistics
b) Instructions
c) Sensory details
Exercise 2: Identify stronger description
• Which sentence is more descriptive?
a) The room was nice.
b) The room had soft yellow lights and comfortable brown chairs.
Exercise 3: Short practice
• Add one sensory detail:
o Sentence:
➢ The beach was beautiful.
Part 2:
Brainstorming and Outlining
Let’s brainstorm:
• Write a descriptive paragraph about a special
possession.
• Before writing, we must:
o Brainstorm
o Outline
Brainstorming ideas
• Think of categories such as jewelry, photograph, car, book, clothing, or
gift.
➢ Example: My grandmother’s ring.
• Ask:
o What color is it?
o What size is it?
o What material?
o What memories are connected to it?
➢ Example: gold / small / diamond / wedding gift / makes me proud
From brainstorm to sentences
• Brainstorm word: gold
• Sentence:
o The ring is made of soft gold.
• Brainstorm word: memory
• Sentence:
o It reminds me of my grandmother’s kindness.
Descriptive organization
• A descriptive paragraph includes:
o Topic sentence.
o Supporting sentences.
o Concluding sentence.
Writing the topic sentence in a descriptive paragraph
• Example:
o My grandfather’s car has special meaning for me.
➢ Topic → car
➢ Controlling idea → special meaning
• The topic sentence introduces:
o What you describe.
o Your general feeling.
Writing supporting sentence in a descriptive paragraph
• Supporting sentences may include:
o Background (how you got it).
o Physical description.
o Emotional meaning.
• Example:
o It is white with blue trim and brown leather seats.
Writing the concluding sentence in a descriptive paragraph
• The conclusion:
o Restates the main idea.
o Shows final feeling.
• Example:
o I will always take care of this car because it connects me to my
grandfather.
Creating an outline
• Example:
o Topic sentence: My mother’s necklace is very special to me.
o Supporting points:
➢ It is small and silver.
➢ She gave it to me on my birthday.
➢ It makes me feel safe.
o Conclusion: This necklace will always be my favourite
possession.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Identify the topic sentence
• Which sentence is the topic sentence?
a) It is small and silver.
b) My mother gave it to me.
c) My grandmother’s ring is very special to me.
Exercise 2: Create a mini outline
• Topic:
o My favorite book
Part 3:
Developing Your Ideas
Using specific language
• General:
o I heard a noise.
• Specific:
o I heard the sound of breaking glass.
• Specific language makes writing vivid and strong.
Adding strong details
• Weak:
o I have a nice bag.
• Strong:
o I have a small black leather handbag with silver
zippers.
• More detail = clearer image.
Describing feelings
• A descriptive paragraph must include emotion.
• Example:
o This picture makes me feel calm and happy.
• Feelings show why the object is important.
Organizing by Space
• Space order example:
o On the left side of the room, there is a wooden desk.
o In the center, a round table stands.
o On the right, a tall window lets in sunlight.
• This helps the reader imagine clearly.
Revising for better description
• Ask:
o Are my words specific?
o Do I describe clearly?
o Do all sentences support my topic?
• Replace weak words:
o nice → beautiful
o thing → wooden box
o stuff → old photographs
Exercises
Exercise 1: Make It more specific
• Rewrite the sentence:
o I have a nice desk.
Exercise 2: Identify the Feeling Sentence
• Which sentence shows emotion?
a) It is made of wood.
b) It has four legs.
c) It makes me feel safe and comfortable.
Exercise 3: Identify organization
• Paragraph:
o First, I entered the room. Then, I sat down. Finally, I
opened my book.
Exercise 3: Identify organization
• Paragraph:
o First, I entered the room. Then, I sat down. Finally, I
opened my book.
Part 4:
Editing Your Writing
Adjectives
• Adjectives describe nouns.
• Examples:
o small house
o beautiful ring
o modern camera
• Adjectives usually come before nouns.
Order of adjectives
• Correct order:
➢ Opinion + Size + Color + Material + Noun
• Example:
• a beautiful small red leather bag
Using “be” in a descriptive paragraph
• Be + adjective:
o The room is quiet.
• Be + noun:
o My father is a teacher.
• There is / There are:
o There is a plant in the room.
Editing Checklist
• Before submitting:
o Clear topic sentence.
o Specific details.
o Correct adjective order.
o Feeling sentence included.
o Strong conclusion.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Identify the adjectives
• The sentence:
o The small red bag is beautiful.
Exercise 2: Correct the order
• The phrase:
o a red leather beautiful bag.
Exercise 3: Choose the correct sentence
a) The car is a red.
b) The car is red.
Exercise 4: Identify missing part
• Paragraph:
o My ring is very special. It is gold and shiny. My mother
gave it to me.
➢ What is missing?