DESCRIPTION PARAGRAPHS

From Chapter 7 of Foundations First

What does it mean to write a description?

When you write a description you use words to help paint a picture for your readers.

DESCRIPTIVE WRITING
Use language that creates a vivid impression of what you have Seen Heard Smelled Tasted Or touched

LETS LOOK AT PAGE 120

The example of a flat description from page 120: Today I saw a beautiful sunrise.

What do we mean by flat? Discuss why it is flat.

LETS LOOK AT PAGE 120

The example of a rich description on page 120

What do we mean by rich? What makes it rich?

LETS LOOK AT PAGE 120

Notice that in this passage the author has not relied on vague words such as good, nice, bad, and beautiful. It is best to use more specific words to really paint a picture for the reader.

THE T IN OUR T-I-E PARAGRAPH:

When writing a descriptive paragraph, you should have a topic sentence that states the main point you want to make in your paragraph.
Examples: My sisters room is a pig sty. The wooden roller coaster at Coney Island is a work of art. The day I graduate college will be

THE I IN OUR T-I-E PARAGRAPH

The topic sentence should be followed by the illustration that gives details that support the topic sentence. Make sure that your details paint a VIVID picture in the mind of the reader! Make sure your description involves multiple senses:
Sight Sound Smell Taste (if appropriate) Touch (if appropriate)

THE E IN OUR T-I-E PARAGRAPH

The paragraph ends with an explanation that has a concluding statement that sums up the main idea stated in the topic sentence.

GENERAL STRUCTURE OF A DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH:

Topic Sentence_________________________________. Detail #1 ______________________________________ ____________________________________________. Detail#2______________________________________ ____________________________________________. Detail #3______________________________________ ____________________________________________. Concluding Statement_____________________________ ____________________________________________. ****You can absolutely include more than 3 details!****

Lets look at the example on page 121: The Lincoln Memorial

Identify the: Topic sentence Transitions: What do they do? Concluding statement

USING APPROPRIATE TRANSITIONAL WORDS AND PHRASES

Examples: Above Behind Between In front of Next to On top of Under

AS A CLASS: PRACTICE 7.1 page 123

WHAT IS THE TOPIC SENTENCE?

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DETAILS THE WRITER USES TO DESCRIBE THE PEOPLE ON THE BUS? LIST SOME OF THE TRANSITIONS THE WRITER USES TO LEAD READERS FROM ONE DETAIL TO ANOTHER.
WHAT IS THE CONCLUDING STATEMENT?

GROUP WORK: PRACTICE 7.2 page 124

AFTER EACH TOPIC SENTENCE LIST 3 DETAILS THAT COULD HELP CONVEY WHY YOU ARE WRITING THE DESCRIPTION. EVERY GROUP SHOULD CHOOSE 1 OF THE 4 OPTIONS .

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE
WRITE A DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH WITH THE FOLLOWING TOPIC SENTENCE: MY SENIOR PICTURE IN MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK REVEALS A LOT ABOUT ME. (YOU ADD THE DETAILS AND CONCLUDING STATEMENT).