1. Descriptive Writing

2. The Traits of Good Writing
A piece of writing has all of these important traits:
*Ideas
*Organization
*Word Choice
*Sentence Fluency
*Editing

3. Ideas & Content
A good piece of writing:
~ Make the focus of the topic more specific
~ Use a new and original perspective
~ Write from experience
~ Select, interesting details
(not just common knowledge)

4. Organization
 A good piece of writing has descriptions containing:
• - References to the five senses:
• Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch, Taste (where applicable)
 - Logical and effective order of sentences, structure, & sequence.
 - Use transitional words (e.g. “then”, “suddenly”)
 These words emphasize the sequence of the events and description.
 - place supporting details where they are most appropriate
 Add interesting words that give a better sense of the atmosphere.
(“fiery sunsets, calm, soothing waters etc.)
 - use a conclusion that gives - a sense of resolution

5. Word Choice
 Word choice is crucial to making descriptions:
 - Use words to create mental pictures
 Use several words to create a full description.

 - Use action verbs (vivid verbs)-
 - Use language that is natural and not overdone
 - Be concise (shorter sentences)

6. Sentence Fluency
Sentence fluency makes the composition easier to read:
Student should therefore:
• Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length
• Use complete sentences
• Use transitions (internal & external) to promote cadence

7. Editing
 For the O and N Level candidate, editing is an
important requirement of the writing task in Paper 1.
 All the best word choices as well as good fluency would
be ineffective if the candidate does not edit or check
his/her work for grammatical errors
 So…just check your completed writing and hone out
the points that are not expressed well.

8. Show! Don’t tell!

9. What is Descriptive Writing?
 Descriptive writing paints a picture for the reader.
Let the reader share your experience through your
words. Show it! Don’t tell it!
 Use imagery that appeal to the 5 senses:
Touch
Taste
Smell
Sound
Sight
Imagery:
The use of vivid description to
create pictures, or images, in the
reader’s mind.

10. How do I Make it Great?
 Be specific!
 Expand your ideas!
 Be original and creative!
 Stretch your imagination!
 Use figurative language to make strong
comparisons (similes, metaphors)
 Use sensory details that appeal to the 5 senses.

11. For Example:
 Instead of this:
The hot, yellow sun went behind the mountain and
covered the valley in red.
 Try this:
The sun cut itself on a sharp peak and bled into the
valley.—John Steinbeck

12. Mind Your Words!
 Use strong, specific nouns
 Modify nouns with strong adjectives
 big, bad wolf,
 dazzling smile,
 Antique, decorative mirror)
 Use vivid verbs!
 The car screeched to a halt
 The sting of her slap left him speechless

13. Here are some examples
“Dark shapes glide through the night sky on silent
wings, their sinister shadows outlined against the
light of a full moon. Swooping down to the earth, they
hover near houses and deserted buildings, breaking
the peace of the night with their disturbing presence.
Carriers of disease, drinkers of blood, companions of
witches and demons, bats – the very word brings a
shiver of fear to most people.”
~ Sylvia A. Johnson, Bats

14. A Description of the Wind
“Anybody could see how cold it got. The wind already
had glass edges to it, stiffening muscles and practically
cutting through the stitches of our clothes. When it
blew, the chill stabbed our teeth like icicles, and our
voices jiggled every time we talked.”
From Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida
by Victor Martinez

15. Recall
 The elements of good descriptive writing are?
 Must have Ideas and Content
 Organization
 Sight
 Sound
 Smell
 Taste
 Touch
 Sentence Fluency
