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Descriptive Writing
Writing to Describe
Objectives:
To develop your understanding of what
makes an effective piece of descriptive
writing.
To learn how to use adjectives effectively
in your writing
What is Descriptive Writing?
Which of the following are essential in
descriptive writing?
•
•
•
•
•
A good story
A persuasive point of view
Detailed writing that creates vivid
images in the reader’s imagination
Lots of interesting characters
Covers both sides of an argument
What is Descriptive Writing?
Which of the following are essential in
descriptive writing?
•
•
•
•
•
A good story
A persuasive point of view
Detailed writing that creates vivid
images in the reader’s imagination
Lots of interesting characters
Covers both sides of an argument
Building Skills
Using Effective
Adjectives
What Are Adjectives?
Adjectives describe a noun. They are used to add
description and mood to a piece of writing.
E.G: I fell into the river
becomes
I fell into the raging river.
•
The adjective ‘raging’ adds description to the sentence.
It helps the reader get a clear picture of what is being
described. The reader can now imagine the scene
vividly: a rapidly flowing river.
•
The adjective also adds tension to the sentence. The
word ‘raging’ makes the river sound fast flowing and
dangerous. This makes the sentence more exciting for
the reader.
Spot the Adjective
Underline, circle or highlight the
adjectives in the following sentences:
1.The vicious dog ran straight for me.
2.The angry sea crashed against the black rocks.
3.The fragile, old lady peered through the
smashed window.
4.My new bike landed in the muddy pond.
5.A lonely star shone in the purple sky.
Check Your Understanding
How did you do? Give yourself one mark for
each correctly identified adjective then add
up your score out of ten.
1. The vicious dog ran straight for me.
2. The angry sea crashed against the black
rocks.
3. The fragile, old lady peered through the
smashed window.
4. My new bike landed in the muddy pond.
5. A lonely star shone in the purple sky.
Using Adjectives
On the next slide you will be asked to place
adjectives into a range of sentences.
• Before you begin, make sure you:
• Use a word which makes sense in the sentence
• Use better vocabulary. Avoid boring adjectives
such as ‘big’, ‘interesting, or ‘scary’.
• Use an adjective that creates an image and a
particular mood for the reader.
Using Adjectives
Place adjectives into the following sentences:
1. The _____ wind blasted the _____ castle
walls.
2. The _____ child threw its _____ toy onto the
floor.
3. A _____ woman crept out of the back door of
the _____ house.
4. I sat there _____ in the _____ examination
hall.
5. The _____ striker smashed the ball past the
_____ goal keeper.
Constructive Criticism
Speaking and Listening
Speaking: Read your sentences out to a partner
or the rest of the class. Explain why you have
chosen particular adjectives, say how they
improve the sentence.
Listening: Listen to the sentences being read
out. Has the reader improved the sentences by
adding adjectives? If you think they have say
why. How could they improve it further?
For whole class discussion choose another reader,
for paired work swap roles.
Effective Descriptive Writing
Descriptive Writing puts into words what
a person, thing or place is like. Good
descriptive writing should make the
object, place or person being described
come alive in the reader’s imagination.
It’s just like
being there!
For the purpose of this task you are required
to describe a place that is important to
you.
Where Can I Write About?
You can write about anywhere that is important
to you. It could be a place you have visited on
holiday, it may be the house you grew up in or
possibly your grandparents’
back garden.
You should chose a place that
holds special memories
for you. You should know the
place well and be able to
describe it in detail.
My Special Place
Speaking and Listening
Speaking: Discuss your ideas with a
partner or the rest of the class. Explain
why you have chosen this particular
place.
Listening: Listen to the ideas being read
out. Which places are the best ideas?
Why?
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Descriptive Writing 2
Using the Senses
Using the Senses
Objectives:
To understand how to effectively use the
five senses when writing to describe.
To learn how to use verbs for effect in
your writing.
Building Skills
Using Effective
Verbs
What Are Verbs?
Verbs are words for an action – “a doing
word”. The verb is the most important
word in a sentence because without it
that sentence would not make sense.
E.G: Ben dashed home
The verb ‘dashed’ tells the reader what
the subject of the sentence (Ben) is doing.
Spot the Verb
Underline, circle or highlight the
verb in the following sentences:
1.Nat kissed his grandmother.
2.The flowers grew in the garden.
3.Daisy read her book.
4.Diane loves ice cream.
5.Joe scored a goal.
6.The cat caught the mouse.
Check Your Understanding
How did you do? Give yourself one
mark for each correctly identified verb
then add up your score out of ten.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Nat kissed his grandmother.
The flowers grew in the garden.
Daisy read her book.
Diane loves ice cream.
Joe scored a goal.
The cat caught the mouse.
Using Effective Verbs
On the next slide you will be asked to place
verbs into a range of sentences.
• Before you begin, make sure you:
• Use a word which makes sense in the sentence
• Use better vocabulary. Avoid boring verbs: for
example ‘walk’ may be replaced by ‘stagger’,
‘said’ could be substituted for ‘screeched’.
• Use a verb that creates a specific image and a
particular mood for the reader.
Using Effective Verbs
Place verbs into the following
sentences:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The sea _____ against the rocks.
Lucy _____ her toy out of the pram.
The gymnast ____ across the floor.
“Please, help me,” I _____.
The striker _____ the ball past the goal
keeper.
Constructive Criticism
Speaking and Listening
Speaking: Read your sentences out to a partner
or the rest of the class. Explain why you have
chosen particular verbs, say how they improve
the sentence.
Listening: Listen to the sentences being read
out. Has the reader improved the sentences by
adding verbs? If you think they have say why.
How could they improve it further?
For whole class discussion choose another reader,
for paired work swap roles.
Different Verbs
Verbs can also be a state of being. Such
verbs derive from the verb to be. There
are many forms such as: am, are, is, was,
were, will be, was being, and would have
been.
E.G: Dad will be home soon
The verb in this sentence is ‘will be’.
Verb Detective
Underline or highlight the
verbs in the following paragraph:
Michael tip-toed silently into the abandoned
cottage. It was dark so he reached for the
light switch. He flicked the switch. Nothing.
He heard a noise in the distance. A howl?
A shiver ran through his body like an electric
current. He groped his way to the window
and drew back the tatty curtains. It was
there staring back at him.
Verb Detective
Did you spot all the
verbs?
Michael tip-toed silently into the abandoned
cottage. It was dark so he reached for the
light switch. He flicked the switch. Nothing.
He heard a noise in the distance. A howl?
A shiver ran through his body like an electric
current. He groped his way to the window
and drew back the tatty curtains. It was
there staring back at him.
Planning Your Writing
Look at the question :
Describe a place that is
important to you.
What is the secret of writing a
successful description?
You need to plan your work
How Do I Begin?
Once you have chosen your place you need to begin to plan.
When you are planning try to use the senses. Add as much
information as you can to the spider diagram below.
touch
smell
taste
Holiday in Majorca
see
hear
Plan your Writing
Now plan your description, try to use the senses. Add as
much information as you can to your spider diagram.
Sand between my toes
touch
smell
taste
Holiday in Majorca
Waves
crashing
on the
rocks
Children
paddling in
the sea
see
hear
My Special Place
Speaking and Listening
Speaking: Discuss your ideas with a
partner or the rest of the class. Explain
the images you have selected.
Listening: Listen to the images being
read out. Which sense does each image
appeal to?
Teacher-of-English.com
Descriptive Writing 3
Bringing Writing
Alive
Bringing Writing
Alive
Objectives:
To understand how authors bring a
text alive when writing to describe.
To learn how to use similes for effect
in your writing
Teacher-of-English.com
Using Similes
for Effect
What are Similes?
A simile is the comparison of one item with another. It
can usually be spotted by the use of the words ‘as’ or
‘like’ to bring the two ideas together.
For example:
George ran away from them,
could become,
George ran like a fox chased
pack a pack of hungry hounds.
The first sentence makes sense
but does not create a clear image
whereas the second sentence
creates an image and is more
effective.
Super Similes
Similes are used to emphasise some quality
about the object described.
Here are a few similes from famous
writers:
‘Brief as the lightning in the
collied night.’ (Shakespeare)
‘Bats hanging upside down like
rows of disgusting old rags.’
(D.H Lawrence)
‘A low voice like beer trickling
out of a jug.’ (P.G. Wodehouse)
Avoiding Cliché
A Cliché is a phrase that has been over
used and lost its imaginative effect.
Clichéd similes include:
As strong as an ox.
As bold as brass.
As good as gold.
As light as a feather.
It dropped like a stone.
These expressions are ‘hackneyed’ – they
are dull, boring, do not create vivid
writing and are best avoided.
Use a simile to complete the
sentences
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Nathanael ran like….
The gull soared as high as….
The path wound through the hills like…
The trees towered above me like…
The snow fell as gently as …..
Writing to Describe - Example
Read the example below. How has the author made
the place being described come alive in the reader’s
imagination?
Strolling along the promenade was always a special
thrill. I loved the familiar sights - the white houses and
hotels along the front, the shelters occupied by little
old ladies, the beach and the ravenous pleading gulls
that circled above it. My mother would stand by the
seafront railings and inhale great lungs full of sea air
and cry "Oh, smell that sea air - the sea never smells
as good anywhere else as it does here.”
The sticks of rock that we all sucked, were like barbers’
poles made of sugar...
Writing to Describe - Example
Did you spot these techniques?
Use of effective verbs
Use of
adjectives
Strolling along the promenade was always a special
thrill. I loved the familiar sights - the white houses and
hotels along the front, the shelters occupied by little
old ladies, the beach and the ravenous pleading gulls
that circled above like vultures. My mother would stand
satisfied by the seafront railings and inhale great lungs
full of sea air and cry "Oh, smell that sea air - the sea
never smells as good anywhere else as it does here.”
The sticks of rock that we all sucked, were like barbers’
poles made of sugar...
Use of similes
Use of past tense
Writing to Describe - Example
Did you spot these techniques?
Use of effective verbs
Use of
adjectives
Strolling along the promenade was always a special
thrill. I loved the familiar sights - the white houses and
hotels along the front, the shelters occupied by little
old ladies, the beach and the ravenous pleading gulls
that circled above like vultures. My mother would stand
satisfied by the seafront railings and inhale great lungs
full of sea air and cry "Oh, smell that sea air - the sea
never smells as good anywhere else as it does here.”
The sticks of rock that we all sucked, were like barbers’
poles made of sugar...
Use of similes
Use of past tense
Feedback your similes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Nathanael ran like….
The gull soared as high as….
The path wound through the hills like…
The trees towered above me like…
The snow fell as gently as …..
Teacher-of-English.com
Descriptive Writing 4
The First Draft
The First Draft
Objectives:
To understand how authors bring a
text alive when writing to describe.
To learn how to use metaphors for
effect in your writing
Teacher-of-English.com
Using
Metaphors for
Effect
What are Metaphors?
Like a simile, a metaphor is a comparison of one item
with another. However instead of saying that something
is ‘like’ or ‘as’ something else a metaphor says that it is
something else.
Confused? Don’t be.
Instead of writing, ‘the path wound its way
through the hills like a snake’ (SIMILE)
You could write: ‘The path snaked its way
through the hills’ (METAPHOR)
In a metaphor one thing is
said to be another but it is
not literally true
Mega Metaphors
Metaphors are used to emphasise some
quality about the object described.
Here are a few more metaphors:
‘She broke my heart’
‘Time flew by’
‘It was raining cats and dogs’
Avoiding Mixed Metaphors
Don’t get carried away and use too many
metaphors. A mixed metaphor is when a person
uses too many metaphors and confuses the
reader or creates redundancy in the sentence.
For example:
Let’s bury the hatchet
and let sleeping dogs lie.
I was frightened to death
and falling to pieces.
Remember metaphors are intended to clarify
meaning and create vivid images. Mixing
metaphors has the opposite effect.
Creating vivid sentences
Use a metaphor to create a sentence for each of the
following. The first has been done for you:
1. Lava slithering down a volcano.
(A huge golden snake of lava slithered down the volcano)
2.
3.
4.
5.
An elderly lady looking tired and annoyed.
A crowd of commuters rushing to work.
A jet plane flying overhead.
A storm blasting a small fishing village.
This is quite a difficult task. If you are stuck have a
quick look on the next slide…
Example Sentences
Here are a few ideas for sentences:
1. A huge golden snake of lava slithered
down the volcano.
2. The old woman carried the weight of the
world on her shoulders.
3. The crowd of worker ants clambered onto
the train.
4. The jet screamed over the village tearing
the sky apart.
5. The storm, an angry giant, smashed at
the harbour walls.
Speaking and Listening
Feedback : Read your sentences out
to a partner or the rest of the class.
Explain why you have chosen
particular metaphors, say why you
chose particular comparisons.
Writing To Describe
Which description is more effective?
Holiday in Majorca
Holiday in Majorca
The sun shone in the sky. I
could see children
paddling in the sea and I
could hear waves crashing
on the rocks in the
distance. I could feel the
sand between my toes. I
decided to go for a swim.
The sun blazed down upon
the white Spanish sands of
Puerto Pollensa.
Everywhere you looked
people were enjoying the
sunshine. Children
splashed and squealed
with delight as waves
crashed against…
What differences can you spot between the two
descriptions?
Writing To Describe
Why is this description more effective?
Holiday in Majorca
The sun blazed down upon the white Spanish sands of
Puerto Pollensa. Everywhere you looked people were
enjoying the sunshine. Children splashed and squealed
with delight in the waves, which crashed against…
Remember to use effective adjectives and verbs. Don’t
forget to use the senses and if you can try to use other
descriptive techniques such as metaphors and similes.
Now use your notes to begin your first draft. Don’t
worry about it being perfect just yet, just have a go at
writing a descriptive paragraph of your special place.
Teacher-of-English.com
Descriptive Writing 5
The Drafting Process
The Drafting
Process
Objectives:
To understand how authors write a
number of drafts when constructing a
piece of writing and to learn how to draft
and redraft to improve your writing
To learn how to use a wider vocabulary
for emphasis and effect.
Teacher-of-English.com
Improving
Vocabulary
Improving Your Vocabulary
Written work can be let down by not
using a wide enough range of vocabulary.
We can rely on words like ‘nice’ to
describe things when more often than
not there are many better alternatives.
Can you improve the paragraph on the
following slide?
Improving Language
I was walking down the road and
saw a nice house with a nice
garden. The house was very big
and had a long drive with big
gates. Two small girls where in
the front garden. It looked like
a good place to live.
Improving Language
I was sauntering along the road and
saw a beautiful house with a
perfectly manicured garden. The
house was enormous and had a
winding gravel drive and a pair of
immense iron gates.
Two petite girls where
playing on the huge
green lawn. It looked
like a delightful place
to live.
Can you think of a better alternative
for each of these words?
Big
Small
Nice
Hot
Great
Can you think of a better alternative
for each of these words?
Big
Small
Nice
Hot
Immense
Minute
Pleasant
Burning
Huge
Miniature
Kind
Scorching
Immense
Gigantic
Diminutive
Polite
Blistering
Enormous
Colossal
petite
Beautiful
Sizzling
Tasty
Searing
Warm
Great
Huge
Vast
The Drafting Process
Drafting is a key skill in English. It
allows you to improve the work you
produce and develop your skills as a
writer.
By this stage you should have written
a first draft of your description.
Now you are going to redraft it to
produce a superior piece of writing.
What’s the Point?
What’s the point? I’ve
already done it, why
should I do the same
thing again?
Good point! That’s why redrafting is not about
doing the same piece again or just creating a
neat version. A properly redrafted piece of
writing should be transformed from a rough
version into a highly polished final piece.
Redrafting
Think about why and how we redraft, then enter points
into the table below and discuss your ideas.
WHY?
HOW?
Redrafting
Did you consider the following?
WHY?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
To develop a range of
writing skills
To improve my
vocabulary
To achieve a higher
level
To correct my
mistakes
To improve my
presentation
To create the best
impression possible
To make me a more
independent learner
HOW?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Read my work again
Highlight and correct
spelling, punctuation
or grammar errors
Check for
paragraphing (if
necessary)
Delete weaknesses
Add more detail
where necessary
Use synonyms
Include similes,
metaphors, effective
verbs and adjectives
From First to Second Draft
How has this student improved her second draft?
Holiday in Majorca
Holiday in Majorca
The sun shone in the sky. I
could see children
paddling in the sea and I
could hear waves crashing
on the rocks in the
distance. I could feel the
sand between my toes. I
decided to go for a swim.
The August sun blazed
down upon the white
Spanish sands of Puerto
Pollensa. At the water’s
edge children splashed
and squealed with delight
as waves crashed against
the shore like a giant’s
hands splashing around in
a gargantuan bathtub.
Teacher-of-English.com
Descriptive Writing 6
The Final Draft
The Final Draft
Objectives:
To recap the essential
ingredients of good
descriptive writing
To produce the final draft of
your description of a special
place.
Top Tips For Descriptive Writing
Make sure you plan your description
Use techniques such as adjectives / verbs / similes /
onomatopoeia / alliteration / metaphors
Include thoughts and feelings
Do not tell a story just describe the place
Use the senses
Don’t forget capital letters / full stops / commas / exclamation
marks / colon / semi-colon / apostrophes
When you have finished check your work carefully
Make sure that you paragraph your work
Speech needs to be in speech marks “ ”
If you make a spelling error, put one line through the word,
Be as neat as possible
The Final Draft
Create your final draft,
share it with the class
and maybe display it in
your classroom!