LESSON # 3

QUICK REVIEW
I. TYPES of VERBS
English verbs are divided into 3 groups:
Normal Verbs
Non-Continuous Verbs
Mixed Verbs

Normal Verbs
Most verbs are "Normal Verbs."
These verbs are usually physical actions that you can see somebody doing.
These verbs can be used in all tenses.
To run, to walk, to eat, to fly, to go, to say, to touch, etc.
Ex: I eat breakfast every day.
I am eating breakfast now.
Non-Continuous Verbs
 The "Non-Continuous Verbs," is a smaller group.
 These verbs are usually things you cannot see somebody doing.
 These verbs are rarely used in continuous tenses.

They include:

Abstract Verbs: To be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist...
Possession Verbs: To possess, to own, to belong...
Emotion Verbs: To like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind...

Examples: He is needing help now.

He needs help now.
He is wanting a drink now.
He wants a drink now.
Mixed Verbs
 The "Mixed Verbs," is the smallest group.
 These verbs have more than one meaning.
 Each meaning is a unique verb.
Some meanings behave like "Non-Continuous Verbs," while other meanings behave like "Normal
Verbs."
To appear, to feel, to have, to hear, to look, to see, to weigh...

Examples and Definitions:

She appears confused. Non-Continuous Verb
She seems confused.
My favorite singer is appearing at the jazz club tonight. Normal Verb
My favorite singer is giving a performance at the jazz club tonight.

He thinks the quiz is easy. Non-Continuous Verb

He considers the quiz to be easy.
She is thinking about the question. Normal Verb
She is pondering the question, going over it in her mind.
More mixed Verbs (Practice your reading skills)
I have 10 000 Ariary now. Non-Continuous Verb
I possess 10 000 Ariary.
I am having fun now. Normal Verb
I am experiencing fun now.

She hears the music. Non-Continuous Verb

She hears the music with her ears.
He is hearing voices. Normal Verb
He hears something others cannot hear. She is hearing voices in her mind.

He looks tired. Non-Continuous Verb

He seems tired.
She is looking at the photos. Normal Verb
She is looking with her eyes.

Rivo misses Nomena. Non-Continuous Verb

He is sad because she is not there.
Ando is missing her favorite TV program. Normal Verb
She is not there to see her favorite program.
I see her. Non-Continuous Verb
I see her with my eyes.
I am seeing the dentist. Normal Verb
I am consulting with a dentist.
I am seeing her. Normal Verb
I am having a relationship with her.
He is seeing ghosts at night. Normal Verb
He sees something others cannot see.

The coffee smells good. Non-Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good smell.
I am smelling the flowers. Normal Verb
I am sniffing the flowers to see what their smell is like.

The coffee tastes good. Non-Continuous Verb

The coffee has a good taste.
I am tasting the cake. Normal Verb
I am trying the cake to see what it tastes like.

The table weighs a lot. Non-Continuous Verb

The table is heavy.
She is weighing herself. Normal Verb
She is determining her weight.
 Some Verbs Can Be Especially Confusing
To be:
John is American. Non-Continuous Verb
John is an American citizen.
John is being very American. Normal Verb
John is behaving like a stereotypical American.
John is being very rude. Normal Verb
John is behaving very rudely. Usually he is not rude.
John is being very formal. Normal Verb
John is behaving very formally. Usually he is not formal.

NB
 "To be" is rarely used in a continuous form.
 This is most commonly done when a person is temporarily behaving badly or stereotypically.
 It can also be used when someone's behavior is noticeably different.
To feel:
The massage feels great. Non-Continuous Verb
The massage has a pleasing feeling.

I don't feel well today. Sometimes used as Non-Continuous Verb

I am a little sick.

I am not feeling well today. Sometimes used as Normal Verb

I am a little sick.

NB
The second meaning of "feel" is very flexible and there is no real difference in meaning between
"I don't feel well today" and "I am not feeling well today."
II. PRESENT PERFECT
The form of present perfect tense is: [has/have + past participle]

Use 1 Unspecified time before now (experience, change over time, accomplishment)

I have seen that scary movie once.

I think I have met her many times before.
There have been many cyclones in Madagascar.
My little sister has learned how to read.
Have you done your homework yet?

Use 2 Duration from the past until now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

I have had a cold for five days.

ITU students have been in this university for one month.
Betty has loved John since she was a teenager.
III. FOR – SINCE – UNTIL – FROM & TO
 We often use FOR and SINCE with the perfect tense.
Present perfect (I have done),
Present perfect progressive (I have been doing),
Past perfect progressive (I had been doing) and so on.

 We use FOR to talk about a period of time:

10 minutes, five days, 2 weeks, 7 years, 2 centuries, a long time, ever...
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have information on the exact amount of time that an action
has taken:

 We use SINCE to talk about a point in past time:

8 o'clock, December, Friday, 2020, I left school, the beginning of time...

I have been here for 10 minutes. I have been here since 8 o'clock.
My friend hasn't called for 4 months. My uncle hasn't called since December.
He has worked in the U.S. for a long time She has worked in the bank since she left school.

NB: FOR can be used with all tenses.

SINCE is usually used with perfect tenses only.
UNTIL mentions when an action ends (quite opposite to SINCE).

 It can also appear accompanied by a time or a date:

“We watched video until 2:00 a.m.”

 or a moment working as a reference in time:

“He laughed until his belly ached”.

FROM & TO work together to indicate when the action begins and when it ends.

“We played video game from noon to midnight and we were exhausted, both physically and
intellectually”.

 If you use “Since”, don’t use “Until”.

 If you use “Since” or “Until”, don’t use “For”.
 And if you use “From” and “To”, don’t use any of the others.
IV. IN - AT - ON at
in  Use 'at' with specific places
 Use 'in' with spaces: - at the railroad station
- in a classroom - at the movie theater
- in a building - at the corner of the street
- in a park  Use 'at' with places on a page:
- in a stadium - at the top of the page
 Use 'in' with bodies of water: - at the bottom of the page
- in the lake  Use 'at' in groups of people:
- in the sea - at the back of the class
- in a river - at the front of the class
 Use 'in' with lines:  Use 'at' with precise time:
- in a row - at six o'clock
- in a line - at 7.30
- in a queue - at ten a.m.
 Use 'in' with months & years & periods of
time: - in December on
- in 2021 Use 'on' with surfaces:
- in the sixties - on the ceiling
 Use 'in' with a period of time in the future: - on the wall
- in a few months - on the floor
- in a couple of weeks - on the table
 Use 'on' with small islands
I stayed on Maui. (Hawaii)
 Use 'on' with directions
- on the left
- on the right
- straight on
 Use 'on' with days of the week
- on Sunday
- on Mondays
 Use 'on' with specific calendar days
- on Christmas day

NB : in - at - on the corner
We say: in the corner of a room,
But: at or on the corner of a street

in - at - on the front / the back

We say: in the front - in the back of a car
We say: at the front - at the back of buildings or groups of people
We say: on the front - on the back' of a piece of paper
 HOW TO DESCRIBE
Color red purple lime peach
pink brown aqua maroon
orange black navy mustard
yellow grey cyan teal (bleu canard)
green white coral magenta
blue azure indigo crimson (cramoisi)

Light blue (bleu clair)

Dark green(vert foncé) …
Hatched (hachuré) Ex: hatched drawing (dessin à hachure)
Spotted (tacheté) Ex: a Dalmatian dog with brown or black spots on white.
Polka dot (à pois) Ex: polka dot dress (robe à pois)
Striped (à rayures) Ex: striped pants
Plaid (à carreaux) Ex: plaid shirt (chemise à carreaux
Human body consists of a head, neck, torso or trunk, 2 arms and 2 legs

Head Face Neck (cou)

Brain Eyebrows (sourcils) Throat (gorge)
Forehead (front) Eyelashes (cils)
Temple (tempe) Eyelids (paupières) Arm/Upper limb (bras)
Nape (nuque) Eyes (yeux) Shoulders
Cheeks (joues) Ears Upper arms (le haut des bras)
Dimple (fossette) Nose (nez) Elbows (coude)
Hair Nostrils (narines) Forearms (avant-bras)
Mouth Wrist (poignet)
Teeth/Tooth
Tongue
Lips
Chin (menton)
Hand Torso (torse) Lower limb
Palm (paume) Breast (sein) Thighs (cuisses)
Fingers: Bosom (sein) Knees (genoux)
- little, Nipple (mamelon) Legs (jambes)
- ring, Chest (poitrine) Calf (mollet)
- middle, Stomach (ventre/ estomac) Foot/feet (pieds)
- index or Belly or tummy (ventre) Ankles (chevilles)
forefinger Navel (nombril) Heel (talon)
- thumb Back (dos) Toes (orteils)
Nail (ongle) - big/great
Knucle (jointure de - second/long
Waist (taille)
doigt) - third/middle
Hips (hanches)
- fourth/ring
Genitalia (organes génitaux)
- little/pinky/baby
Ass (cul)
Bottom/buttocks/fanny (fesses)
Words for describing a person
 To describe what a person is like you can use the words below:

Face
Round Diamond Oblong
Oval Square Chubby (=joufflu)
Square Triangle Sun-tanned (=bronzé)
Rectangle Inverted triangle Pale

 Words to better describe your face:

beard (barbe) with smooth skin with a scar (cicatrice)

mustache thin with moles (grains de beauté)
wrinkles (=rides) lean freckles (=taches de rousseur)
with regular features bony lined (ridé)
irregular with hollow cheeks ruddy (rougeâtre)
 The expression of the face:
winning fun sad anxious
cheerful funny cross wild expression
friendly nice worried gloomy
charming serene menacing expressive
smiling anguished (angoissé) pensive
radiant frowning (renfrogné) lively expression
warm sullen (maussade) tense face

 The ears are:

Sticking stick out, big, little pointed

 The eyebrows are:

thick thin emphasized spaced near

 The eyelash are:

long short spaced made-up
Eyes Nose Mouth
Big round blue made-up (maquillé) big Protuberant lips
brown eyes shortsighted (myope) little half-open
light-brown amazed short fleshy
dark expressive long large
blue stunned large red
light-blue shining straight thin
green sweet thin thick lips
grey smart crooked Toothless
large languishing pointed agape (bouche bée)
small gentle sharp smiling
bright woeful (triste) aquiline sweet
narrow frightened flattened with a:
almond-shaped wide snub (retroussé) - good
little bright bulbous - regular
thin brown turned-up - irregular
bulging (exorbités) dark white teeth
Hair
Type of hair Color of hair Length
hairy (poilu) Fair (clair) Long
bald (chauve) brown Medium
straight hair (lisses) red or redhead (roux) Short
curly hair (bouclés) black fringe (frange)
spiky hair (hérissés) grey crew cut (coupe ras du cou)
wavy hair (ondulés) white page boy haircut
frizzy hair (crépus) blonde
ruffled (ébouriffé) brunette
Ex: I usually/often/always have
smooth (lisses) golden
a pony-tail, a pig-tail, a
bristly (hérissés) dark
fringe.
loose (lâchés) streaked (strié)
central parting colored Ex: She has medium length
wavy blonde hair.
on the left bicolored
on the right
Height
tall diminutive graceful
tallish lofty moderate
medium height normal towering surprising
height enviable unusual
short massive immense
quite short statuesque petite
shortish tremendous vertiginous
average formidable
impressive meager
prodigious stratospheric
terrific unimpressive
considerable gigantic
insignificant medium
prominent superior
tiny unnatural
Built brawn (musclé) Complexion (couleur de
lithe (souple)
thin peau)
lean (maigre)
anorexic Fair skin (White)
ample (bouffant)
slender (svelte) very pale skin (White)
wiry (mince et musclé)
underweight lightly tanned skin (White)
petite (courte et mince)
slim (élancé) Light- brown skin (Asian)
barrel-chested
skinny
Dark skin (Black)
fit (en forme)
frail (fragile)
compact (petit et solide)
puny (malingre, gringalet)
delicate (sensible aux maladies)
bony (osseux, maigre)
fat
lanky (grand et maigre) Age
stout (corpulent) teenager
tubby (dodu)
thickset (solide) young
pudgy (rondelet)
gangly (dégingandé) elderly (=assez âgé)
rotund (rond)
dainty (délicat, pas maladif)
overweight (obèse) middle-aged
hunched (voûté)
plump (grassouillet) in 20s, 30s, 40s, …
willowy (fine, agile)
stocky (trapu)
shapely (galbé)
well-built
More words for describing people look’s & appearance
pretty lovely mesmerizing dreamy weathered
beautiful radiant enchanting captivating aged, elderly
sexy graceful alluring seductive wizened
hot elegant fascinating mysterious wispy
ugly delicate captivating sweet-faced gaunt
striking charming irresistible pretty feeble
dashing adorable breath-taking lively shriveled
chiseled attractive cute playful time-worn
sharp stunning chubby energetic timeless
elegant striking delicate tiny grand
stylish masculine bright-eyed youthful distinguished
confident suave rosy-cheeked radiant mature
unattractive rugged innocent-looking fresh-faced weather-beaten
gorgeous charismatic athletic sparkling experienced
curvy alluring imposing wrinkled silver-haired
flabby angelic commanding grizzled time-tested
Dress codes
With regard to clothing one can dress:

smart (élégant, chic) classic scruffy (débraillé)

casual (relaxe) vintage unkempt (négligé)
smart casual streetwear (large jeans and T-shirt shabby (minable, miteux)
business casual with big cap and shoes too) black-tie attire
business professional sport fashion
business formal messy (malpropre) cocktail
urban tidy (soigné, ordonné) dressy (habillé)

Ex:
She wears vintage dresses.
She likes fashion clothing.
He has streetwear style, a mixture of classic skateboarder style, hip hop fashion and vintage.
Characters
Careful Stupid Friendly
Hard-worker Dull (monotone) Naughty (vilain)
Worried Boring Nasty (déplaisant)
Cheerful Imaginative Obnoxious (odieux)
Broadminded Ambitious Energetic (dynamique)
Scoundrel (crapule) Crafty (astucieux) Confident
Curious Gentle Selfish
Secretive (réservé) Naïve Shy
Aggressive Generous Stubborn (têtu)
Tough (difficile) Loyal Reliable (fiable)
Careless (negligent) Self-controlled Clumsy (maladroit)
Independent Moody (lunatique) Intelligent
Sensible (raisonable) Trusting (loyal) Smart
Practical, businesslike Modest Friendly (amical)
Strong-minded Tolerant Lovable (amiable)
Rude Ascetic (ascétique ) Unselfish (généreux)
Nice Authoritarian Selfish (égoïste)
Kind Big-thinking Ill-natured (mauvais)
Mean (méchant) Tenacious (tenace) Thoughtful
Happy Confident (confiant) Easy-going
Sad Optimistic Lovingly
Calm Self-aware Delightful
Upset (vexé) Adaptable (adaptable) Remarkably
Proud (orgueilleux) Flexible Inspirational
Ashamed (timide) Drama-free Affectionate
Haughty (hautain) Boastful (vantard) Possessive
Arrogant Honest Supportive
Caring (attentionné) Brave Vicious
Absentminded Compassionate Clumsy
Amusing (amusant ) Leader Outlandish
Artful (astucieux ) Courageous Jumpy (nerveux, instable)
A simple way to describe somebody

This is Henry Jones. He is 32 years old and lives at Antanimena. He is a high

school mathematics teacher. He has black hair and brown eyes. He is a tall person with
a strong body. He is visibly muscular with his height of 1m82 and his weight of 94kg.
He has a round, smiling face with brown eyes that always give him a cheerful look.
Her hair is black and curly. Although young, he appears older than his age due to some
wrinkles on his face.

and so on …
Object
Shape
square cube flat (plat)
rectangle round twisted (tordu)
triangle wide (large, vaste) shallow ( peu profond)
polygon broad (large) steep (raide, escarpé)
prism narrow (étroit) chubby (joufflu, potelé)
pyramid crooked (coudé) skinny (maigre)
oval curved (courbé) straight (droit, rectiligne)
cone deep (profond) ellipse
star, heart, … high (haut, élevé) circle
sphere low (bas, faible) semicircle
hemisphere hollow (creux)
Taste
sweet (doux) fresh (frais) strong (fort)
bitter (amer) juicy (juteux) tart (aigrelet)
salty (salé) ripe (mûr) tasty (savoureux)
sour (acide) rotten (pourri) fluttering (palpitant)
Umami (taste of MSG) slimy (visqueux) greasy (graisseux)
tasteless (fade) spicy (épicé) grubby (sale)
hot (piquant) stale (rassis) hard (dur)
delicious (delicieux) sticky (gluant) icy (glacé)

Smell
There are 6 basic types of smell:
Sweet putrefaction-like
Fruity burned
spicy paint
A team of researchers found 10 basic smells that the human nose can sense.
Fragrant (e.g. florals and perfumes) parfumé
Fruity (all non-citrus fruits) fruité
Citrus (e.g. lemon, lime, orange) agrume
Woody and resinous (e.g. pine or fresh cut grass) boisé et résineux
Chemical (e.g. ammonia, bleach) chimique
Sweet (e.g. chocolate, vanilla, caramel) doux, sucré
Minty and peppermint (e.g. eucalyptus and camphor) menthe poivrée
Toasted and nutty (e.g. popcorn, peanut butter, almonds) grillé et à l’odeur de noisette
Pungent (e.g. blue cheese, cigar smoke) âcre
Decayed (e.g. rotting meat, sour milk) pourri

The last 2 items, pungent (âcre) and decayed (pourri) are described as “sickening.” dégôutant.
Descriptive Words and Adjectives for Smell (Practice your reading skills)

Acidy acide Gamy faisandé Sharp pointu, tranchant,

Acrid âcre Gaseous gazeux piquant
Aromatic aromatique Mildewed moisi Sickly maladif, chétif, pâle
Balmy embaumé, balsamique Moldy moisi Sour aigre, acide
Briny salé Musty odeur de vieux Spicy épicé, piquant
Burnt brulé Perfumed parfumé Spoiled pourri, abîmé
Damp humide Pungent âcre Stagnant inactif, stagnant
Dank froid, très humide Putrid puant Stench puanteur,
Earthy terreux Rancid rance nauséabonde
Fishy odeur de poisson, douteux, Reek puanteur Sweet doux, sucré
louche Rotten gate, pourri Tempting tentant
Fragrant parfumé Savory savoureux
Fresh frais Scented parfumé

Below is a list of other Shape adjectives :

 Convex Gnarled Massive Round Straight
Shape Cornered Grand Midget Scratchy Strict
Ample Corpulent Gross Miniature Scrawny Symmetrical
Angled Crooked Hard Minuscule Screwed Tall
Angular Curved High Monumental Shallow Tapered
Annular Deep Hollow Narrow Sharp Teeny
Bent Diminutive Horizontal Oblique Short Thick
Big Dinky Horny Orbicular Skew Thumping
Blurry Fat Huge Oval Skewed Tiny
Broad Fatty Large Plain Skinny Tough
Bulbous Firm Lengthy Plump Small Twisted
Bulgy Flat Level Pointy Smallish Upright
Chubby Foursquare Lilliputian Portly Smooth Vast
Circular Fuzzy Little Punny Solid Vertical
Clean Gargantuan Long Regular Square Very Small
Closed Giant-like Low Rigid Steep Warped
Colossal Gigantic Mammoth Rotund Stiff Wide
Describing an object
Usually to describe things you describe using the 5 senses, such as:
Touch Sight Smell Taste Hearing

For example, you can describe a netbook using the 5 senses:

It has a smooth and hard shell touch.
It is cold until it warms up.
It is black in color.
It is rectangular (adjective) in shape or it ​has a shape like a rectangle (noun).
The netbook purrs as you use it.
It has burnt plastic smell when it gets too hot.
I do not know what it tastes like because I don't want to lick it!

NB: What is the relationship between the computer hardware and software?
 Hardware is any physical device used in or with your machine.
 Software is a collection of codes installed onto your computer's hard drive.
Technical description
A paragraph or a passage to describe an object consists of 5 parts:
 Function or Use
 Components or Parts
 Characteristics
Material
Shape or Figure
Dimensions
Property
Color
 Position
 Connection between parts

1. Function or Use
Sentence Structures: ---------- is used to Verb ---------- .
---------- is used for Verb+ing ---------- .
Ex:
A stove is used to cook raw foods.
A fridge is used for storing ready-to-eat and raw foods.
2. Components or parts
consists of
An axe is made up of a handle and a head.
is composed of

An axe includes a handle and a head.

parts: a handle and a head.

An axe has two sections: one is a handle, the other is a head.
components: one is a handle, the other is a head.

3. Characteristics
Material
A cooking pan is made of metal.
Pasta is made from wheat.
Shape or Figure
Sentence Structures: ---------- is shaped like + noun.
---------- is + adj. + in shape.
Ex: A tire is shaped like a circle. (Noun)
A tire is circular in shape. (Adjective)
A tire is circular.
Dimension
Length, width, height, depth, thickness ...

Sentence Structures: ---------- is 120 meters + adjective.

---------- has a + noun of 120 meters .
The noun of ---------- is 120 meters .
Keywords:
Adjective Long High Wide Broad Deep
Noun Length Height Width Breadth Depth

Ex: This electric pole is 15 meters high.

This electric pole has a height of 15 meters.
The height of this electric pole is 15 meters.

Property
It is a special quality that belongs to the object.
Ex: The edge of this desk is straight.
The middle of a cup is curved.
This fabric is thick.
Color
Black, white, green, purple, gray (AmE), grey (BrE), …
Ex:
My smartphone is gray in color.
The color of my smartphone is gray.

4. Position
 Inside, outside, at the top, on the left or right
 In the middle, to the right or left (of), above
 At the bottom, over, below, between, behind
 In front of, nearby, near, by, at the end of ...
Ex:
The engine is inside the scooter with a headlight at the top.
The spare wheel is at the back.
There is a petrol cap under the seat.
A car has four headlights at the front.
At the top of the engine is the radiator and above is an oil cap.
5. Connection between parts
 It is a relationship between two things or more.
 If the object has many parts, describe them part by part with a connection between them.

Connective words:
Attach, detach, join, connect, support, fix, fit, lead, link...

Ex:

The head of an axe is fixed to the handle.

The rubber tube is fitted over the glass tube.
The glass tube is fitted into the rubber tube.
The wire leads from the switch to the bulb.
The wire links between the switch and the bulb.
The wheels of a car are detached from the body of a car.
The wheels of a car are connected by the axles.
The petals and base are joined by putting the wired petals through the whole of the base petals.
 Write a paragraph to describe a kettle. (Step by step)
1. Function or Use
A kettle is container which is used for boiling water.

2. Component or Part
It consists of 4 main parts: a vessel (=récipient) , a lid, a spout and a handle.

3. Characteristics
Material - Dimensions - Shape or figure - Property - Color
It is mainly made of a metal
The vessel is 18 centimeters high.
It is hollow and spherical in shape.
The base is flat and circular.
It has a diameter of 15 centimeters.

4. Position
On the top of the vessel, there is a convex lid with a plastic knob in the middle.
The lid is 12 centimeters in diameter.
Above the lid is a curved handle which is covered with plastic at the middle part.

5. Connection between parts

At the side of the vessel is a conical spout for pouring water out of the vessel.
 The paragraph describing the kettle looks like this: (111 words)
A kettle is a metal container which is used for boiling water. It consists of 4 main parts: a vessel,
a lid, a spout and a handle. The vessel is 18 centimeters high. It is hollow and spherical in shape.
The base is flat and circular. It has a diameter of 15 centimeters. On the top of the vessel, there
is a convex lid with a plastic knob in the middle. The lid is 12 centimeters in diameter. Above the
lid is a curved handle which is covered with plastic at the middle part. At the side of the vessel is
a conical spout for pouring water out of the vessel.

 Describe your smartphone, an object or a picture in 250 words.

1. Function/Use
2. Components/ Parts
3. Characteristics
material
shape/figure
dimensions
property
Color
4. Position
5. Connection between parts
Try to describe this!
Keep trying new things!
 3
Accepted Facts:
Often when we are debating with other people, or writing academic
essays, we want to introduce ideas that we know others agree on.
It's common knowledge that...
Anyone will tell you...
Everybody knows that...
It's a well-established fact that
Few people would deny that...
It's no secret that...
I think we can all accept/agree that...
It is generally assumed that...
It has been scientifically proven that...
It's true/obvious/evident that ... However, ...
While you might say that ..., it's important to remember that ...
I agree with you that ... On the other hand, ...
Although/Even though it is true that... I believe that...
I agree/admit/concede that... , but we must remember that...
I can understand that... Nevertheless, ...
That’s a tough/difficult question to answer, because…
To be honest, that’s a difficult question, because …
That’s a very good question. The reality is that …
What do you mean by that?
Well, it depends on what you mean…
Well, if you ask me, it all depends on your
PRACTICE
1. Review the different shape listed previously.
2. Find the corresponding adjective for the following shape nouns.
NOUN ADJECTIVE NOUN ADJECTIVE
Square Circle
Rectangle Cube
Triangle Pyramid
Ellipse Cone
Semicircle Hemisphere
3. Practice using for – since – until – from & to . Try to make up at least 2 phrases with each.
4. Practice prepositions in - at - on. Try to make up at least 2 phrases with each preposition.
5. Choose one of your favorite classmate and practice to describe him or her with your partner.
(Use as many expressions as possible).
6. Describe one object of your choice (object in your classroom, your school, …) to your partner.
(Use the 5 parts as explained in the lesson).

READING ASSIGNMENT
Read more about “Technical Descriptions“ and write a product description for a computer
software program of your choice.
Technical Descriptions [bit.ai]

 What are Technical Descriptions?

A technical description is a document created for the end-user to understand how a
product, process, or concept works. A technical description typically includes the names of
the product or process, gives a brief overview regarding its functions, and dives deep into its
size, frames, and other components. A technical description describes a process in terms of
its purpose, design, parts, and other key details.

 Types of Technical Descriptions

Technical descriptions are broadly categorized into 2 categories:
- Product Description and
- Process Description
A product description illustrates what the product is like, going into details about its
features. A product can be anything- from a computer software program to a blow-dryer.
A process description describes how a process works or an event is produced. These
descriptions are written for people who want to learn the underlying mechanism of how
something works. From photosynthesis to carbon emissions, process descriptions can be
written for anything that needs explanation.
 How to Write Technical Descriptions?
Step 1. Define your audience
The first and most critical step to writing a technical description is to define your audience.
The more you know about the end-user of your technical description, the better you will be
able to explain and predict their challenges.
In turn, you will be able to write a technical description that is effective and in-line with
what the reader presumes.

Step 2. Describe the result

Illustrate how the reader will benefit from understanding the technical description you have
written and what will they accomplish after doing so.
When the reader knows precisely what to expect from the description, the buy-in goes up
significantly.
Moreover, defining the end-result before-hand will help you write the descriptions better,
with your goal as your north-star.
Step 3. Gather Information
Next, you need to gather information for your technical description.
Gathering answers to questions like:
- What are the frequently asked questions by your consumers?
- Where do most clients face issues?
Spend time learning all you can about the product or process you are writing the description
for, even if you are already familiar with it.
You need to have a clear-cut understanding of the product/process before you begin writing
a technical description for it.
Step 4. Build an outline
As we have discussed before, technical descriptions can be as short as a couple of lines and
as long as few pages.
If your technical description falls in the latter category, it’s a good idea to create a structured
outline and follow it religiously.
List down every key detail (size, shape, components, software, steps, etc.) you are going to
cover in the description doc and classify them into various headings, sub-headings, or topics.
This way, it would be way easier for you to write down technical descriptions clearly,
especially if you are working in a team environment.
Step 5. Make it interactive
Most technical descriptions are text-heavy, filled to the brim with technical jargon no one
wants to read. This leads to dissatisfied readers.
Make your technical descriptions easy to understand and engaging by making them more
interactive.
Add images, infographics, videos, and more wherever it makes sense.
Since we all are visual creatures, we understand better when there’s some visual context
around the content we are reading.
This is extremely useful if you are describing something in steps as you can add screenshots
to guide the reader to the end-point swiftly.

Step 6. Proofread & Edit

Before you “publish” your technical description, make sure you have proofread the entire
thing. It helps to get an extra pair of eyes to go through the document and ensure you
haven’t missed out on anything important.
Stay away from grammatical errors and as it really hampers the reading experience or
worse, confuses the reader.
Step 7. Keep updating
In case you have added a new feature to your product or changes the way you carried out a
certain process, your technical description becomes obsolete.
This is why it’s important to regularly re-visit your technical descriptions and update it
wherever required.