Descriptive writing

• It is a clear description of people, places, objects or events using appropriate

details.
• You can describe in such a way that a picture is formed in the readers mind.

The reason we teach descriptive writing is to:

• Help student’s writing to be more interesting and full of details.

• Encourage students to use new vocabulary words
• To help students clarify their understanding of new subject matter or material.

Students are asked to write many different kinds of texts depending on the subject they
are studying. It can be an essay, lab report, a case study, a book review or a
reflective diary. They are normally referred as to genres.

When writing an essay, it can be either a long or a short one, for one to answer the
question that is asked you need to be able to write texts that do the following:

• Give a definition
• Give an example
• Explain why
• Support your explanation
• Describe a solution
• Describe advantages and disadvantages
• Evaluate
• choose

The genres that we mentioned earlier on can be categorized into four main types:

1. descriptions- this can include defining a topic, describing an object, system or a

process

It also includes categorizing and classifying.

2. Reports- this is the description of a past activity, something you did or something
that has happened.
3. Explanations- this talks about why and how something happens or happened. It
includes giving reasons and explanations and writing about the cause and effect.
4. Arguments- this includes giving options or holding positons for and against an
issue.
Give the advantages and disadvantages; it also involves giving evidence to
support an argument.
Also Involves making decisions or recommendations or justifying actions.
Descriptive writing will cover the following:

(Description)

 Definition

Provide a short and exact description of a particular term. Make sure the meaning of
that term becomes clear and always remember to use formal scientific language.

Many words or phrases have several meanings in a particular subject and may be used
in very specific ways.

Two typical ways of writing a definitions are:

(a) A mortgage is a form of loan that is secured on asset.

Or

(b) A form of loan that is secured on asset is called a mortgage.

One can notice that these are written in the form of: X (mortgage) is a Y (loan) that……

And a Y (loan) that ……………..is X (mortgage)

Make sure that you define rather than just to describe or give examples.

The difference between description and definition

Description definition
• List the main characteristics or • Provide a short and exact definition
facts. description of a particular term.
• Make sure the meaning of the
• You can also show by drawing a particular term is clear.
diagram as part of your description.

 Description of objects, systems, processes and an organization

When writing, we often have to describe something be it an object, a system, an

organization or a process.
Here is an example of a brain in a psychology text book.

The brain looks like a lump of porridge and has the consistency of blancmange.
This organ, weighing an average 1400g in an adult human, is the most
important part of the body. It contains an estimated 10 to 100 billion nerve cells
and about as many supporting cells, which take care of important support and
‘housekeeping’ functions. The brain contains many different types of nerve cell
which differ in shape, size and the kinds of chemicals they produce.

NB: notice the way the description is organized and the language used. One can
see that that if you were writing about the brain, you could describe:

• What the brain looks like

• How much it weighs
• How important it is
• What it consist of

The description is written in present tense (looks, contains) as it is something that is

generally true.

If you are writing a description of an object, you might include: physical

description, colour, size, shape, structure, material, properties or function.

When describing objects, systems or organisations, you can describe physical

characteristics such as:

1. Position

One can say A is opposite B or A is on the right of B

A is between B and C

The example here is: the pivot is vertically above the base.

2. Structure

When it comes to structure, one can say X is connected to Y by Z or X consists of Y and

Z

When describing a structure one can also use the words such as contains or includes.

Example: the brain contains many different types of nerve cells.

3. Size and weight

We can say X is 6cm long, high, wide.

Example: the voltmeter is 4cm wide and 12cm long.

We can further say X weighs or has a weight of 10kg

Example: the adult brain weighs approximately 1400 grams.

4. Shape

X is square, semicircular, and elliptical in shape

5. Function

The function of the thermometer is to measure the temperature.

One can also use words such as purpose, aim, objective or role when describing a
particular object using its function.

Describing a process.

Talks about how things are done or made. These could be products or laws. When
describing a process, if it is in stages then words and phrases like: it starts with, the next
step and finally are used. Make sure that you keep time and sequence clear with words
such as: firstly, next, secondly, lastly or subsequently.

NB: make sure that you describe when you are asked to, do not just give
instructions.

Sequence and order is important in describing a process. Here are few expressions one
can use to indicate a sequence: first- the first step is

At the same time- during

Secondly-after this

Later- following this

Describing an operation including charts and diagrams.

It is useful when describing objects, systems or processes to include reference to tables

and charts.

Typically when you are referring to charts and diagrams, you will: make an explicit
reference to the diagram or chart, draw the reader’s attention to the important features
and describe them and also add some kid of comment which will depend on your
purpose in including the diagram in your writing.
The language that can be used when referring to charts or diagrams is: as can be
seen, it can be seen, we can see from or in table, figure or graph.

If you want to use trends and developments shown in graphs, the following phrases
may be used:

there was a very slight, steady, dramatic, steep rise or increase, fluctuation
decline, reduction or drop or one can say sales, prices or exports increased,
grew, rose, declined, dropped or fell slightly, gradually steadily or dramatically.

 Classifying or categorizing

When you classify, you arrange things into groups according to certain criteria. When
classifying, you need to explain what you are classifying and on what basis.

For example: physics chemistry biology English history arts

Physics, chemistry , biology

English, history, arts

In this case, the school subjects are classified according to whether they are science
subjects or arts subjects.

The most common language that you can use in texts which have classified language
as their purpose is:

There are

There are Two Types Of assets Current and

Kinds non-current
Classes
Categories
Sorts
varieties
The Two Types Of assets Are current or
Kinds non-current
Classes
Categories
Sorts
varieties
Reporting

In any writing that you do, you might also have to report on how something came into
being or how something was done.

When you are writing about past events, it is necessary to be order clear, you should
mention the dates and time and also use various links and connections.

Here are some phrases you can use to refer to tome:

In 1981……

During the 20th century…

Yesterday…

Twenty five years ago…

The phrases that you can use to make your sequence clear are:

Before this When 10years later

For the previous 5 years As soon as After
Previously For the following year Following this