Descriptive Writing - Language Notes Part 2
Descriptive Writing - Language Notes Part 2
Class- 8
27 September- 1 October
Descriptive Essay
G.M.C. 8 Pg 17
Virtual Classroom Etiquette
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S.L.O.
WS 7
What are Descriptive Essays?
Descriptions are the vivid explanations we offer, to communicate with the reader
about how we look at the subject. A descriptive essay should do the same: convey to
the reader the information about the subject in a striking but simple manner. A
descriptive essay is the opposite of the analytical essay or argumentative essay.
There are no stances taken in descriptive essays. You should just write about the
subject as you see it.
Descriptive essays are meant to test the power of observation of the writer. Writing
“ the essays requires extremely meticulous attention on the part of the writer and
primary focus on details. In very simple words, when you are asked to write a
description of someone or something through an essay, you need to create a full
sensual experience for the reader.
You need to describe that person or object using all five of your senses – sense of
sight, touch, smell, hearing and taste. Your description should be such that it should
bring the event or place or object right in front of you, as if you are witnessing it for
yourself. In short, your reader’s attention should be so drawn, that he or she gets
completely submerged in the sensory experience: It should be a kind of sound and
light show using words.
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Features of Descriptive Essay
1. Vivid Details
2. Sensory Language/Details
“ 3. Figurative Language
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Features of Descriptive Essay
1.Vivid Details:
a. Vivid verbs
Replace general verbs with vivid verbs. Vivid verbs have specific
“
meanings compared to general verbs which make the writing
more interesting and enjoyable for the reader.
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Features of Descriptive Essay
1. Vivid details:
b. Descriptive Adjectives:
Examples:
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Features of Descriptive Essay
Language that uses the 5 senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and
touch
“ Examples:
2. As she stepped out of the office building, she thought the bright,
beaming sunlight would blind her. Immediately, she began
rummaging through her purse for her Tom Ford shades.
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Features of Descriptive Essay
3. Figurative Language:
“ Examples:
Simile
He has learned gymnastics and is as agile as a monkey.
Metaphor
My friend is a Shakespeare when in English class.
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Features of Descriptive Essay
4.Showing instead of telling
How to Show & When to Tell for Powerful & Balanced Writing
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Tell: “I heard footsteps creeping behind me and it made the whole
situation scarier.”
Tell: “She was my best friend. I could tell her almost anything.”
Show: “I met her at the town square, running in for our usual hug that
carried on for far too long as we gushed about our lives with smiles,
lighting our faces.”
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Planning a Descriptive Essay
“ •
•
What are the particular qualities that you want to focus on?
Which senses (sight, smell, sounds, etc.) are important for
developing your description?
• Are your paragraphs ordered in the most effective way?
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Copy Work (15 mins)
“ Planning descriptive writing
G.M.C. 8 Pg 17
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