DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF
DESCRIPTIVE COMPOSITION….
DESCRIBING A SCENE OR
EVENT
DESCRIBING A PLACE
DESCRIBING A PERSON
DESCRIPTION - A SCENE OR
EVENT
When describing a scene or event, you are required to write in some detail about
the people and activities going on.
Sample ([Link]
[Link]/2014/05/descriptive-essay-horrifying- [Link])
Guidelines in Writing Descriptions of
Scenes/Events
You have to be clear about what scene or event you are describing.
Make your description lively and interesting.
Describe the activities going on in some detail.
Make sure the activities are arranged in order.
Highlight the people involved and what they are doing.
Capture the mood of the scene including the noise, lights and colours, if any.
If you are describing a busy scene, your description must show that it is busy.
If you are describing a quiet and peaceful scene, describe its effect on you.
DESCRIPTION - A
PLACE
When describing a place, you are required to describe the place in some detail. In
your description, include the people and activities going on.
Sample ([Link]
[Link]/2007/12/night-market-descriptive- [Link])
Have a good grasp of the topic.
Write about the place or scene only if you have been to it or read about it.
Describe the activities of the people in it.
Write about your feelings or
Don’ts
Choose the topic if you do not have knowledge of the topic.
Try to describe the place or scene if you have not been to it or read about it.
Leave out the activities of the people in it.
Leave out your feelings about the place or scene.
End your description without a conclusion.
DESCRIPTION - A PERSON
OR PEOPLE
When describing a person or a group of people, you should give enough details about the
person or people. Include their lifestyle, contributions if any and daily activities.
Sample 1. [Link]
2. [Link]
Guidelines in Writing Descriptions of a
Person/People
(1) You have to be clear about who you are describing.
(2) It can be describing a person or a group of people.
(3) If it is about a group, a knowledge of them is helpful.
(4) If he is a famous personality, mention why he or she is famous.
(5) You have to describe the person in some detail.
(6) Make your description as interesting as possible.
(7) Mention the special characteristics that make the person or people
outstanding.
(8) Use the present tense if you are writing about a person who is still
alive.
Do’
s
Write a clear description of the person or group of people.
Highlight his or their qualities.
Describe his or their interests and hobbies.
Describe the lifestyle of the person or people.
Conclude the description about the person and your feeling,
if any.
Don’ts
Give a poor description of the person or group of people.
Leave out his or their qualities.
Leave out his or their interests and hobbies.
Forget to mention about the lifestyle of the person or people.
End the description abruptly.
Pair Work...
Work with a partner .How many places are there in [Link] may search for
the information on the [Link] first one is done for you.
Name of the Location History Attractions Activities
place
Penang Hill 6km from the town It was used as a With the highest rest and relax,
retreat during the peak standing at enjoy breathtaking
British colonial 833 meters above view from the top
period, and is now sea level, it is the of the hill,exercise
a popular tourist oldest British hill
destination in station in
Penang. Southeast Asia
Brainstorm...
Brainstorm the
image. What do
you see in the
picture?What
are the details?
What do you
hear?
Brainstorm the
image. What do
you see in the
picture?What
are the details?
What do you
hear?
When describing an event you should also
describe the atmosphere, the people involved
and their feelings.
Phrases to describe the weather Phrases to describe feelings
The sun was shining brilliantly... Excited cheers
A golden glow spread across the sky... Seething with anger
We watched the spectacular sunset... Tears welled up in her eyes
Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze.... She was over the moon when she scored
an 'A'
...tears of joy
Her hair stood on ends....
Explore the idioms
Happy Sad
over the moon down in the dumps
be in seventh heaven feeling blue
on cloud nine broke my heart
walking on air dry in the mouth
made my day have a face like a wet weekend
on top of the world down-hearted
Let's Write
1)My Best Friend
2)My Mother
3) A Prominent
Malaysian
Leader
4) Describe an
afternoon at
the bus station
5)Describe an enjoyable event that you experienced in
the school
Let's treat our eyes with a video clip...
[Link]
