Describing People, Places,

and Former Schools

At the end of this session, students will be able
to
1) Describe people effectively
2) Describe places appropriately
3) Describing former school effectively

Describing People’s Appearance

Facial Features:
1. Shape: Round, oval, square, heart-shaped, etc.
2. Skin: Fair, tan, dark, freckled, smooth, wrinkled, etc.
3. Nose: Small, large, pointed, flat, upturned, etc.
4. Mouth/Lips: Full, thin, wide, curved, etc.
5. Chin: Sharp, rounded, double, cleft, etc.
6. Ears: Large, small, attached, detached, etc.
Hair:
1. Color: Blonde, brunette, red, black, grey, etc.
2. Style: Curly, straight, wavy, bald, braided, etc.
3. Length: Short, medium, long, shaved, etc.
4. Texture: Silky, coarse, thin, thick, etc.
Eyes:
1. Color: Blue, green, brown, hazel, grey, etc.
2. Shape: Almond, round, narrow, wide, etc.
3. Size: Large, small, average, etc.
 4. Eyebrows: Thick, thin, arched, straight, etc.
Clothing and Accessories:
1. Style: Casual, formal, trendy, classic, sporty, etc.
2. Color: Bright, neutral, dark, pastel, etc.
3. Fit: Loose, tight, well-fitted, oversized, etc.
4. Accessories: Glasses, hats, scarves, jewelry, watches, etc.
Describing People’s Character
Positive Traits:
1. Kind: Compassionate, empathetic, caring, generous.
2. Friendly: Sociable, approachable, warm, welcoming.
3. Honest: Truthful, sincere, straightforward, trustworthy.
4. Diligent: Hardworking, responsible, dedicated, reliable.
5. Creative: Imaginative, innovative, artistic, resourceful.
6. Optimistic: Positive, hopeful, confident, upbeat.
7. Patient: Calm, tolerant, understanding, composed.
Negative Traits:
1. Rude: Impolite, disrespectful, harsh, unkind.
2. Arrogant: Conceited, overconfident, haughty, self-centered.
3. Lazy: Unmotivated, idle, unproductive, indifferent.
4. Dishonest: Deceitful, untrustworthy, insincere, manipulative.
5. Stubborn: Unyielding, obstinate, inflexible, headstrong.
6. Pessimistic: Negative, cynical, gloomy, doubtful.
7. Impatient: Restless, easily annoyed, short-tempered, hasty.
Neutral Traits:
1. Introverted: Reserved, quiet, introspective, self-contained.
2. Extroverted: Outgoing, energetic, sociable, expressive.
3. Cautious: Careful, prudent, risk-averse, deliberate.
4. Independent: Self-reliant, autonomous, strong-willed, free-spirited.
 5. Curious: Inquisitive, interested, questioning, exploratory.
6. Serious: Focused, solemn, no-nonsense, intense.
7. Ambitious: Driven, goal-oriented, determined, aspiring.
Describing Places
Types of Places:
1. Urban: Cities, towns, and metropolitan areas, often characterized by tall buildings,
busy streets, and a fast-paced lifestyle.
2. Rural: Countryside, villages, and farming areas, usually quieter, with open spaces,
fields, and close-knit communities.
3. Coastal: Areas near the sea or ocean, including beaches, cliffs, and harbors.
4. Suburban: Residential areas on the outskirts of cities, often with a mix of homes,
schools, and shopping centers.
5. Industrial: Areas dominated by factories, warehouses, and other forms of heavy
industry.
6. Touristic: Locations popular with tourists, often featuring attractions, resorts, and
historic sites.
Natural Features:
1. Mountains: High, rugged terrain with peaks and valleys, often covered in forests or
snow.
2. Rivers: Flowing bodies of water that can be wide and slow or narrow and fast-moving.
3. Forests: Large areas covered with trees, plants, and wildlife, varying from dense
rainforests to sparse woodlands.
4. Deserts: Dry, barren areas with sand dunes, rocks, and very little vegetation.
5. Lakes: Large bodies of still water surrounded by land, often clear and tranquil.
6. Beaches: Sandy or rocky shores by the ocean, with waves, tides, and sometimes cliffs.
Man-made Features:
1. Buildings: Structures such as skyscrapers, houses, temples, or castles, varying in
architectural style.
2. Roads: Paved paths for vehicles and pedestrians, from highways to narrow streets.
3. Bridges: Structures built to span physical obstacles like rivers or roads.
 4. Monuments: Statues, memorials, or historic buildings that hold cultural or historical
significance.
5. Parks: Green spaces within urban areas, often with gardens, playgrounds, and paths for
walking.
6. Public Transport: Systems like trains, buses, subways, and trams that move people
around a city or region.
Atmosphere and Ambiance:
1. Quiet and Peaceful: Calm, serene places where the noise level is low and the pace is
slow.
2. Busy and Vibrant: Areas full of activity, with people moving around, talking, and
engaging in various activities.
3. Romantic: Places with a charming or intimate atmosphere, often associated with
beauty, history, or nature.
4. Mysterious: Locations that evoke curiosity or wonder, often with an element of the
unknown or hidden secrets.
5. Chaotic: Disordered or hectic areas with a lot of noise, movement, and confusion.
Climate and Weather:
1. Tropical: Warm and humid, often with frequent rainfall and lush vegetation.
2. Temperate: Mild with distinct seasons, including warm summers and cool winters.
3. Arid: Hot and dry with little precipitation, typical of desert regions.
4. Cold: Chilly to freezing temperatures, often with snow and ice in winter.
5. Stormy: Frequent storms with strong winds, heavy rain, or snow, creating a dramatic
and sometimes threatening environment.
6. Mild: Generally moderate weather, not too hot or cold, often with gentle breezes and
occasional rain.
Describing former schools
You might want to focus on several aspects to paint a comprehensive picture. Here's a guide to
help you structure your description:
1. Physical Description
 Location:
1. Where was the school situated? In a city, town, or rural area?
2. Was it near any landmarks or important places?
  Architecture:
1. What did the buildings look like? Were they old and historic or modern and new?
2. How many buildings or facilities were there (e.g., classrooms, gym, library)?
3. Were there any unique architectural features, like a large auditorium or a famous clock
tower?
 Campus Size:
1. Was it a large campus with extensive grounds, or a small, compact space?
2. Describe any outdoor areas like gardens, sports fields, or courtyards.

2. Social Atmosphere
 Student Body:
o What was the student population like? Diverse, large, small, close-knit?
o How did students interact with each other? Was it a competitive environment, or
more collaborative?
 Traditions and Events:
o Were there any unique traditions, annual events, or celebrations that stood out?
o Describe any school clubs, sports teams, or organizations that were popular.
 School Culture:
o How would you describe the overall culture? Was it welcoming, challenging,
relaxed, or high-pressure?
o What values or principles did the school emphasize (e.g., academic excellence,
creativity, community service)?
4. Personal Experience
 Memories:
o What are some of your most vivid memories from the school? They could be
academic, social, or extracurricular.
 Impact:
o How did the school influence your personal or academic growth?
o Did it prepare you well for your future endeavors, whether in higher education or
your career?
5. Facilities and Resources
 Technology:
 o How well-equipped was the school in terms of technology? Did it have modern
computers, smart classrooms, or specialized labs?
 Libraries:
o Describe the library—was it large, well-stocked, or a central hub for students?
 Sports and Recreation:
o Were there any sports facilities or gymnasiums? What sports were popular?