Descriptive Paragraph
Using Powerful Word Choices and Sensory Detail
1. Pre-Writing: Using an entire sheet of paper, create the following chart.
Nouns
Adjectives
Verbs
2. Begin by just looking at the Hershey Kiss and write all of the nouns, adjectives,
and verbs that come to mind. Use your thesaurus for assistance.
3. Next, unwrap the Hershey Kiss and write down all the nouns, adjectives, and
verbs that strike you as you listen to the foil being removed.
4. As you touch the candy, fill in all nouns, adjectives, and verbs that you
experience.
5. Smell the Hershey Kiss and add in all nouns, adjectives, and verbs that are
appropriate.
6. Finally, place the Kiss on your tongue and taste it. Include all nouns, adjectives,
and verbs that you perceive.
7. You now have a usable word bank to draw from while writing your descriptive
paragraph. Begin a rough draft of your descriptive paragraph explaining your
experience with the Kiss.
8. Revise and peer-edit your draft before creating a final copy.
Look Fors
WOW!
4 Points
Almost There
3 Points
On The Way
2 Points
Not Yet
0-1 Points
Main Ideas
My writing has a clear
main idea (topic
sentence).
My writing has a main idea
(topic sentence).
My main idea is not very
clear (no clear topic
sentence).
My writing has no
main idea (no topic
sentence).
On Topic
I stay on topic focusing
on my main point from
start to finish.
I use many interesting
details that support my
main idea.
I used chronological
organization. My writing
had a clear beginning,
middle and end. It is
easy to follow.
I focus on the main point
for most of my writing but
wander a little.
I had some details that
supported my main idea.
For the most part I used
chronological organization
with a beginning, middle,
and end. My ideas are
somewhat connected and
flow.
My writing is interesting
throughout. It utilizes one
example of figurative
language.
My writing does not follow
my main point. The
direction is not clear.
I have very few interesting
details or my details don’t
support my main idea.
My writing has a beginning,
middle, and end, but a few
of the details are not
organized chronologically.
Ideas could be connected
more clearly.
My writing has some
interesting parts but does
not use figurative
language.
My writing does not
follow or is missing its
topic.
My writing has no
interesting or related
details.
My writing is
disorganized and
confusing. I should
pre-write first.
I use descriptive words
appropriately.
I use a few descriptive
words.
My vocabulary is
simple and limited. I
rely on weasel words
to convey my ideas.
Most of my sentences
begin in different ways,
vary in length and
structure, and are
combined effectively. They
flow.
Some of my sentences
begin in different ways,
vary in length and
structure, and are
combined effectively. They
do not flow well.
My sentences are
choppy, repetitive or
rambling.
4 of the 5 components
are present.
2-3 of the 5 components
is present.
0-1 of the 5
components are used.
Most of my writing uses
correct grammar,
capitalization, and
punctuation.
Almost all of the words are
spelled correctly in my
writing.
My writing is legible and
neat.
My writing has many
errors, but the meaning is
clear.
My grammar
interferes with the
meaning of the
writing.
The spelling interferes
with the meaning of
the writing.
My handwriting is
unreadable and
messy.
Ideas
Details
Organization
My writing comes to life
and keeps my reader
interested. It uses two
examples of figurative
language to give it
spark.
I use varied, descriptive
and appropriate words
to create meaningful
pictures. I have used
precise nouns and
adjectives.
Voice
(Emotion &
Style)
Word Choice
N2SSWTSW
My sentences begin in
different ways and vary
in length and structure.
Sentences are
combined effectively.
Sentence
Fluency
My writing is boring
and it uses no
figurative language.
One sentence starts
with an –ing word.
One sentence starts
with an adverb (-ly)
One sentence starts
with an AAAWWUBIS.
One sentence contains
an appositive.
Conventions
Grammar
Spelling
Presentation
(Neatness)
One sentence begins
with an adjective.
My writing has proper
capitalization,
punctuation and
grammar.
All the words are spelled
correctly in my writing.
My writing/typing is
neat/, easy to read and
correctly spaced. It is
pleasing to the eye!
Several of the words are
misspelled in my writing.
My handwriting is poor and
difficult to read.
Subtotal Score
Student Name
Total Score______/ 40
%
Topic/Project
Date