Descriptive Writing Format

Day 1 04.05.
2020
Class 9
Worksheet on Writing Skills
Topic: Descriptive Paragraph(place, person)
A description is a set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognised. We can

describe people, places and events. By describing them we make a sketch in words so that the
reader is able to get a clear picture of the described object. A good description creates a clear
mental image in the mind of the reader.Youneed to use sensory information to enable readers to
use their five senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight to understand the topic of the essay.
Qualities of a Descriptive Essay
• Clear and Concise
• Use of Images
• Use of Five Senses
• It must not include opinions or speculations.
As far as clear and concise language is concerned, it is necessary to describe things precisely.
Imagery is used to make things seem real and remarkable. The use of the five senses creates the
imagery or a mental picture, for each reader.
Format
Heading (Topic)
• Topic sentence: The first sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph
• Supporting details: They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of the
description. They give details to develop and support the main idea.
• Closing sentence: This is the last sentence. It restates the main idea and sums up the
thoughts using different words.
Describing People
While describing people we take care of the following points:

• Height- tall, short, medium height
• Build- thin, underweight, plump, strong, sturdy, fat, overweight
• Hair- long, short, curly, black, brown, grey
• Eyes- dark, brown, big, small
• Complexion- dark, fair, wheatish, pale
• Other features- beard, moustache, bushy eyebrows, broken teeth, broad chin, thick lips, long
face
• Appearance- good looking, charming, ugly, smart, handsome, beautiful
• Qualities- sincere, intelligent, diligent, warm, patient, soft spoken, selfish, kind, honest,
innovative, confident, punctual
Describing Places
While describing a place the following points should be taken into consideration:
• Name of the place • Location
• History
• What does it look like (size, appearance, atmosphere)
• What is special about the place • What do you like there
• Do you recommend other people to visit it?
Examples of Descriptive Essays in Literature
Example #1: The Corner Store (by Eudora Welty)
“Our Little Store rose right up from the sidewalk; standing in a street of family houses, it alone
hadn’t any yard in front, any tree or flower bed. It was a plain frame building covered over with
brick. Above the door, a little railed porch ran across on an upstairs level and four windows with
shades were looking out. But I didn’t catch on to those. Running in out of the sun, you met what
seemed total obscurity inside. There were almost tangible smells — licorice recently sucked in a
child’s cheek, dill pickle brine1 that had leaked through a paper sack in a fresh trail across the
wooden floor, ammonia-loaded ice that had been hoisted from wet croker sacks and slammed into
the icebox with its sweet butter at the door, and perhaps the smell of still untrapped mice.”
This description of the “Little Store” is not only clear and concise, but also has images and sensory
information about the store building.
Example #2: Yarn (by Koyoko Mori)
“The yellow mittens I made in seventh-grade home economics proved that I dreamed in colour. For
the unit on knitting, we were supposed to turn in a pair of mittens. The two hands had to be
precisely the same size so that when we held them together, palm to palm, no extra stitches would
stick out from the thumb, the tip of the fingers, or the cuff. Somewhere between making the fourth
and the fifth mitten to fulfill this requirement, I dreamed that the ball of yellow yarn in my bag had
turned green. Chartreuse, leaf, Granny Smith, lime, neon, acid green. The brightness was electric. I
woke up knowing that I was, once again, doomed for a D in home work.”
See the use of colors in this paragraph by Koyoko Mori. This is called “pure description,” in that the
description appeals to the senses. The use of word “brightness” in the last line is striking one.
Sample question(for describing people):
Q. Describe your mother to your school friends.
Answer:
My Mother
Without any doubt, my mother is the most important person in my life and the most powerful
individual I know. She is very beautiful and has the kindest eyes that I have ever seen. She not only
worked hard to ensure that I had a good upbringing, but was also very strict and often punished me
whenever I went wrong. Even though I did not like the punishment then, I now look back and realize
that it was meant to lovingly correct me and help me to follow the right path when growing up.My
siblings and I have always taken pride in the appearance of our mother, especially her lovely long
hair. Even though I have seen very many beautiful people, very few ladies match the beauty of my
mother.One of the reasons that I and my siblings were especially fond of my mother is the way she
used to take great care of us, especially when we were ill. She is a very knowledgeable lady who
made a variety of home remedies to help take care of the minor illnesses that we had as children.
My siblings and I did not like to see our mother sad and would do just about anything to bring a
smile to her face. Interestingly, even when she was very worried or sad about something, she would
always smile to make us stop worrying about her. My mother not only loved those around her but
was also compassionate. We often observed her compassion towards our neighbours, especially
when a new neighbour moved in or when one of the neighbours was going through a hard time. My
mother was a good cook who always left us looking forward to the next meal. Just the memory of
the foods that my mother prepared for us makes me salivate to this present day.
Exercise:
Q 1. Write a factual description about a famous personality ( a celebrity or a leader) in about 200
words.
Q 2. Write a factual description of your new school library in about 200 words.

Descriptive Writing Format

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Day 1 04.05.

Worksheet on Writing Skills

Topic: Descriptive Paragraph(place, person)

A description is a set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognised. We can

Qualities of a Descriptive Essay

• Clear and Concise

• Use of Five Senses

• It must not include opinions or speculations.

While describing people we take care of the following points:

• Build- thin, underweight, plump, strong, sturdy, fat, overweight

• Hair- long, short, curly, black, brown, grey

• Eyes- dark, brown, big, small

• Complexion- dark, fair, wheatish, pale

• Appearance- good looking, charming, ugly, smart, handsome, beautiful

• Name of the place • Location

• What does it look like (size, appearance, atmosphere)

• What is special about the place • What do you like there

• Do you recommend other people to visit it?

Examples of Descriptive Essays in Literature

Example #1: The Corner Store (by Eudora Welty)

Sample question(for describing people):

Q. Describe your mother to your school friends.

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