DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, ELECTRONIC CITY

Grade: IX
TOPIC: Descriptive Paragraph Writing

What is Descriptive Writing?

A description is a set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized. We can describe people,
places, and events. By describing them we sketch words so that the reader can get a clear picture of the described
object. A good description creates a clear mental image in the mind of the reader. You need to use sensory
information to enable readers to use their five senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight to understand the
topic of the essay. The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place, or thing/event in such
a way that a picture is formed in the reader's mind. Capturing an event through descriptive writing involves paying
close attention to the details by using all of your five senses.

Think about that idea.

Think in specific words and phrases as you write, using descriptive words.
Ask yourself questions about your idea, relating to the five senses.

What does it look like?

What does it sound like?
What does it smell like?
What does it taste like?
What does it feel like?

Format:
Heading (Topic)

● Topic sentence: The first sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph
● Supporting details: They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of the
description. They give details to develop and support the main idea.
● Closing sentence: This is the last sentence. It restates the main idea and sums up the thoughts
using different words.

Pro Tips-
•Vivid details– Specific details paint a picture in the reader’s mind and appeal to the reader’s senses.
Descriptive writing may also go beyond creating a strong sensory impression
to give the reader a “picture” of the feelings the description evokes in the writer.
•Figurative language– Descriptions gain depth when they use literary devices like metaphor, simile, and analogy.
•Precise language– Precise adjectives, nouns, and powerful action verbs bring the reader’s imagination to life.
•Thoughtful organization– Descriptive writing about a person might begin with a physical description,
followed by how the person thinks, feels, and acts.
•Abide by the word limit.
•Avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
 DESCRIPTION: (PERSON)

When describing a person, you should speak about that person’s physical appearance and personality.

What does she/he look like? (physically)

How does she/he dress?
What does she/he look like? (personality)
What attracts you to that person?
What do you like most about them?

To describe a person, you need to write about their:

Physical appearance: the way they look like
(height, build, age, face, eyes, hair, clothes)
Personality: their psychological traits or attitudes
(intelligent, witty, clever, shy, timid, introvert, extrovert, compassionate, considerate, courteous, generous, sociable,
quarrelsome, argumentative, logical, rational, easy-going, even-tempered, honest, trustworthy, reliable, sincere)
 My Grandmother

I am fortunate to have my grandmother. She’s truly an angel. My mother is fond of her and always asks for her
advice before doing anything. My grandmother’s name is Savitha. She is short and plump, with a slight hunch.
Her face is a criss-cross of wrinkles. Her hair is a silver grey and she neatly combs it into a small bun. She’s very
soft spoken and always has a sweet smile for everyone. My ‘nana’ as I fondly call her, is very loving and kind.
She’s loved by all. I always love to visit her for the delicious food, she prepares for us, whenever we are at
home. She has a pet dog and cat and a few chickens too. She loves animals. She likes gardening and has many
flowering plants and some fruit bearing trees, as well. I love to listen to her stories about her past. She’s such a
fun-loving person. I’m inspired by her zest for life and the positive approach towards everything. I have learnt
many things from her. I cherish the memories of my time spent with her and pray for her good health. It’s a
blessing to have her with us. I love my ‘nana’ a lot.

Your brother is going to Chennai to write an entrance exam. You have requested your friend to meet him
at the railway station and arrange accommodation for him. As your brother has not seen your friend, give
a detailed factual description of your friend in 150-200 words so that your brother can recognize him
easily.
My friend Rahul Sharma

My friend Rahul is a twenty-year-old college student. He can easily be recognized by his bright eyes and shy but
friendly smile. He has a long sharp nose and one would immediately notice an uncanny resemblance to pop
singer Shawn Mendes!! He is about 170 cm in height, lean in build but quite athletic looking. He loves to sport a
faint moustache on his face. His hair is shortly cropped on the sides but he has heavy locks of dark hair on his
head. In addition, he has a tiny tattoo on his neck. He has a clear, fair complexion. Rahul always wears clean and
well fitted clothes in light shades. He loves to walk about in a pair of comfortable jeans and sandals without
socks. His casual and friendly attitude sets him apart from most other young men of his age. He is a very
enthusiastic person and being an optimist makes anyone in his company feel happy.

DESCRIPTION: (PLACE)
While describing a place the following points should be taken into consideration
• Name of the place
• Location
• History
• What does it look like (size, appearance, atmosphere)
• What is special about the place?
• What do you like there?
• Do you recommend other people to visit it?
The Words You Use Matter

Don’t use words like stuff, very, pretty, things, or really.

Use words like these • Animated • Bruised • Cylindrical • Dingy • Elegant • Frail • Grimy • Lumpy • Portly •
Radiant • Shapeless • Statuesque • Tearful • Timid • Untidy • Verdant • Wiry • Worn
Descriptive Similes and Metaphors
• When the pickup hit it, the armadillo came apart like a watermelon flung across the asphalt.
• The Oldsmobile was a boat, and Jason was the captain. The searchlights on the bow shone through the
heaviest weather. … "All ahead full," Jason commanded, and shifted into drive.
• His headache was as painful as a root canal without the benefit of laughing gas.
• The couch is the autobahn of the living room.
• Her hair was like gravy, running brown off her head and clumping up on her shoulders.
• A large crisis. In fact, if you've got a moment, it's a twelve-story crisis with a magnificent entrance hall,
carpeting throughout, 24-hour porterage and an enormous sign on the roof saying "This Is a Large Crisis."
More Transitions
Spatial - • In the front, In the back • Beside • Adjacent • Across from • Nearby • Left, Right • Above, Below •
In the distance • Here, There
Addition - • Also • In addition • Too • Moreover • Besides • Furthermore • Equally important • Finally •
Then

Sample (place):
SCHOOL FUNFAIR

This year, our school organised a funfair in the month of December. The junior and senior students were
stationed at stalls in groups. The most liked game booths included Test of Strength, Nine Pins, Ring the
Duck and Shoot the Basket. The Golden Goal booth, where one had to kick a football into a three-foot wide
ring dangling in the air, was the event’s main attraction. The lines for the Chaat, Pakoras, and Dosa stalls
were always long. As the evening progressed and the chill increased, everybody wanted to grab a cup of hot
coffee and thus rushed to the coffee stall. The funfair this year was a huge success. Hats off to our
hardworking faculty and our Principal’s skillful direction.

TO BE WRITTEN IN THE CW:

A. Write a descriptive paragraph on Albert Einstein in 100-150 words using the fact file given below:
Full Name : Albert Einstein

Born : 14 March 1879, UIm, Wurttemberg, Germany.

Died : 18 April 1955 (aged 76)

Ethnicity : German Jewish

Citizenship : United State (from 1940 onwards)

Known for : Theory of Relativity, Unified Field Theory

Awards : Nobel Prize in Physics (1921), Person of the Century by the Time magazine.

B. A day at the beach