DESCRIPTION
What is it?
Descriptions are usually found within a larger text, such as:
Sometimes, they can also be found as a separate piece of writing.
- a description of a character or a setting in a narrative or a wanted poster.
- a description of an animal in an information report.
Sometimes, they can also be found as a separate piece of writing.
A description is written to examine or describe features of a particular object, person or experience. This focused writing is on a specific topic or item such as 'My House', 'The Golden Retriever' or 'Tomatoes'. Unlike information reports, descriptions do not include general topics or large groups of things such as 'Cars', 'Plants' or 'Transport'.
Types of Descriptions
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Factual Descriptions
These types of descriptions are found in larger factual texts such as information reports, biographies and encyclopaedia entries. They describe real things or events and are mainly objective (do not show a lot of the writer's personal opinion).
Read and discuss the topics of factual description given below.
These types of descriptions are found in larger factual texts such as information reports, biographies and encyclopaedia entries. They describe real things or events and are mainly objective (do not show a lot of the writer's personal opinion).
Read and discuss the topics of factual description given below.
A Flower Vase
An Art Exhibition
My Remote Control Car
Write some of your own factual description topics.
An Art Exhibition
My Remote Control Car
Write some of your own factual description topics.
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Types of Descriptions
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2
Imaginary Descriptions
These types of descriptions are found in larger imaginary texts such as narratives, plays and poems. They describe make-believe things or events and are often more subjective (include more of the writer's own opinions). Good imaginary descriptions allow the reader to create a better picture of the character of the setting in their mind as they listen to a story being read.
Read and discuss some of the imaginary description topics given below.
These types of descriptions are found in larger imaginary texts such as narratives, plays and poems. They describe make-believe things or events and are often more subjective (include more of the writer's own opinions). Good imaginary descriptions allow the reader to create a better picture of the character of the setting in their mind as they listen to a story being read.
Read and discuss some of the imaginary description topics given below.
Life on Saturn
My Favourite Sport
My Strangest Dream
Write some of your own imaginary description topics.
My Favourite Sport
My Strangest Dream
Write some of your own imaginary description topics.
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Description Structure
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Opening Statement
Opening Statement
An opening statement is used to:
Read the boxes given below. Which ones do you think would be the most effective opening statements and why? Click on the boxes to see the answers.
- identify the topic.
- gain the attention of the reader.
- make the reader know if it is factual or imaginary.
Read the boxes given below. Which ones do you think would be the most effective opening statements and why? Click on the boxes to see the answers.
Last night, there was a storm. I was scared.
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Life on Saturn is very harsh and not for explorers who are faint hearted.
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Mum always tells the best bedtime stories.
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My teddy is as cute and as cuddly as can be.
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Description Structure
2
Series of Sentences
The main part of a description is a series of sentences which describe the features or qualities of the subject, whether it is real or imagined. These sentences may also give a judgement about the subject from the author's point of view.
These sentences could be about
- what the subject looks like.
- how the subject acts or moves.
- what the subject feels like, smells like, tastes like or sounds like.
- other special features or qualities the subject has.
It was a warm spring day. I was walking through the fields. The grass was wet. Some cows and sheep were grazing on the fresh green grass. I slowly walked towards the shed of the horses. The horses were brown or black in colour. They too were grazing on hay.
If the description is part of a larger text, these details may be written in separate paragraphs. In a smaller text, they may be found in just a single paragraph.
Description Structure
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Conclusion
Conclusion
A conclusion gives a final comment on the topic. A conclusion is optional and not all descriptions will have one. Stand-alone descriptions are more likely to have a conclusion than a description that is a part of a larger text.
The conclusion may be also be used by the writer to link the description to the other writing that follows.
Read the boxes given below. Which ones do you think would be the most effective conclusions and why? Click on the boxes to see the answers.
The conclusion may be also be used by the writer to link the description to the other writing that follows.
Read the boxes given below. Which ones do you think would be the most effective conclusions and why? Click on the boxes to see the answers.
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Please approach Ned Kelly with caution. He is a dangerous criminal.
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That is why I believe soccer should be our national sport.
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Finally, cut it in half and display for everyone to see.
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Walking down the beach is so relaxing at this time of the year.
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Description Structure
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Write a description on the topic 'My Favourite Pet'. You have to write a title, an opening statement, a series of sentences and a conclusion.
Write a description on the topic 'My Favourite Pet'. You have to write a title, an opening statement, a series of sentences and a conclusion.
Example text: Description
Pitcher Plants
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Pitcher Plants
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Description: Structure features
Pitcher Plants
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Click on the tabs to highlight the sentences.
Separate title/heading
Opening statement
Series of sentences
Separate title/heading
Opening statement
Series of sentences
Pitcher Plants
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Description: Language features
Pitcher Plants
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Click on the tabs to highlight the sentences.
Specific noun groups
Pronouns
Adjectives
Adjectival phrase
Action verbs
Relating verbs
Nouns
Figurative language
Prepositions
Conjunctions
Adverbial phrases
Pitcher Plants
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Plants might not be able to walk, but they can set traps.
The pitcher plant's leaves are shaped like a jug or a pitcher and form a deep cavity. These pitchers are found at the end of a long stem like tendril and may even have a small lid like flap to cover the opening. Some are brightly coloured and they have a sugary coating along the edge of their leaves. Some pitcher plants are small and only catch insects. Others, however, are large enough to catch frogs and mice. This is why they are known as carnivorous plants.
An insect flies by to taste the sugar. But the sides of the leaves are very steep and the insect falls down the slippery slope and is trapped. The insect drowns in a pool of juices at the bottom of the plant. The plant only eats the soft parts. The skeleton is left. Piles of skeletons can collect at the bottom of the pitcher plant.
Graphic organiser: Description
Using a graphic organiser is very important when you are writing a description.
Look at the example of a spider web chart on the topic of 'Hot Air Balloon'.
Look at the example of a spider web chart on the topic of 'Hot Air Balloon'.
Graphic organiser: Description
Use the spider web chart below to help you organise your information for your own description.
Scaffold: Description
Nouns
Adjectives
Adverbs
Feeling Verbs
Specific topic to be described:
Introduction (only needs to be one sentence):
Descriptive sentences about the topic (group sentences about the same feature together):
Feature 1:
Feature 2:
Feature 3:
Feature 1:
Feature 2:
Feature 3:
Good word bank:
Action Verbs
Action Verbs
Nouns
Adjectives
Adverbs
Feeling Verbs
Ideas for the layout of your description and pictures you could use:
Revision checklist: Description
| Criteria | Always | Some | Rarely | Ideas for revision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Have I described a specific subject? | ||||
| 2. Is the layout clear and easy to read? | ||||
| 3. Does my introductory sentence identify the subject? | ||||
| 4. Have I written about 3 or more different features? | ||||
| 5. Have I used a concluding statement? | ||||
| 6. Have I grouped my sentences well? | ||||
| 7. Does my writing describe? | ||||
| 8. Have I used a plan to organise my description? | ||||
| 9. Have I used specific nouns? | ||||
| 10. Have I used interesting adjectives to build up noun groups? | ||||
| 11. Have I used pronouns to 'track' the subject? | ||||
| 12. Have I used action verbs? | ||||
| 13. Have I used feeling verbs? | ||||
| 14. Have I used adverbs and adverbial phrases to give more detail? | ||||
| 15. Have I used figurative language such as similes while writing descriptions? | ||||
| 16. Have I edited my work to correct spelling and punctuation mistakes? | ||||
| 17. Is my writing objective or subjective? |
Adjectives are known as describing words. They describe features such as shape, size or colour.
Good descriptions use interesting and different adjectives to help the reader create a picture in their own mind of the subject.
Good descriptions use interesting and different adjectives to help the reader create a picture in their own mind of the subject.
Look at the following sentences. The adjectives are highlighted in red.
The Venus flytrap is one of the best-known meat-eating plants. This plant has a sugary, sweet coating on its leaves which makes insects want to land on it to have a tasty meal.
Insects crawl onto the leaves and brush against tiny hairs called 'trigger hairs'. They tell the hungry plant to snap the waiting leaves shut.
The thick fleshy leaves close tighter and tighter, squashing the helpless insect and killing it.
Insects crawl onto the leaves and brush against tiny hairs called 'trigger hairs'. They tell the hungry plant to snap the waiting leaves shut.
The thick fleshy leaves close tighter and tighter, squashing the helpless insect and killing it.
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From the words in the box, choose the adjective that best replaces the words in red.
Drag them into the box at the end of the sentence.
Drag them into the box at the end of the sentence.
The Great Barrier Reef is a pretty area.
Visiting it will be a good experience you'll never forget.
The amount of life among the coral is cool.
Hiding between the long tentacles of the water corals are a
number of creatures such as eels, starfish and sea urchins.
number of creatures such as eels, starfish and sea urchins.
They wave at you as you float by, welcoming you to the nice reef.
People are constantly amazed at how quickly the coral changes.
The colours shine like a rainbow and dazzle in the sunlight as it drifts through the clean water.
It is always moving and colourful.
flowing
breathtaking
variety
remarkable
beautiful
vibrant
amazing
diversity
sparkling
Well done, you correctly replaced all the adjectives!
There were 9 to find. You made 0 attempts and got 9 correct.
Click and choose the adjectives in the sentences given below.
Type the correct adjective to complete the sentences given below.
Writing Practice
You had your English exam on Monday, but you prepared for the Hindi exam. It was Sunday night when you realized your mistake. Describe the situation and how you prepared for the Hindi exam.
Accept all relevant responses.
Writing Practice
While playing in the park, you see a dog chasing a boy. Describe the situation.
Accept all relevant responses.