Grade (12), Quarter 2, Week (5)

Writing A Descriptive
Essay
“A Place”

Mr. Atef Omara

What is a descriptive Writing?

A descriptive writing creates a

picture of a person, place,
thing, or event. Description
tells what something looks,
sounds, smells, tastes or feels
like.

Mr. Atef Omara

Elements of Descriptive writing:

Good descriptive writing is

comprised of five elements;
sensory details, figurative
language, dominant
impression, precise language
and careful organization.

Mr. Atef Omara

1) Sensory details:

Good descriptive writing includes

many vivid sensory details that paint a
picture and appeals to all of the
reader’s senses of sight, hearing,
touch, smell, and taste when
appropriate. Descriptive writing may
also paint a picture of the feelings the
person, place or thing invokes the
writer.
Mr. Atef Omara
2) Figurative language:

Good descriptive - Simile: uses as or like to compare two

writing often makes unlike things.
use of figurative Ex. Her smile was like sunshine.
language to help - Metaphor: a metaphor compares two
paint the picture in unlike things without like or as:
the reader’s mind. Ex. Her smile was a light that lit up the
There are many room.
ways to use
figurative language, - Personification: suggests comparison
and it is a talent between a nonliving thing and a person
that should be by giving the nonliving thing human
traits.
practiced until
perfection.

Mr. Atef Omara

3) A Dominant Impression:

When you plan a descriptive essay, your focus on

selecting details that help your readers see what you
see, feel what you feel, and experience what you
experience. Your goal is to create a single dominant
impression, a central theme or idea to which all the
details relate-for example, the liveliness of a street
scene or the quiet of a summer night. This dominant
impression unifies the description and gives readers an
overall sense of what the person, place, object, or
scene looks like (and perhaps what it sounds, smells,
tastes, or feels like). Sometimes but not always your
details will support a thesis making a point about the
subject you are describing.

Mr. Atef Omara

4) Precise Language:

Good descriptive writing uses

precise language. Using specific
words and phrases will help the
reader “see” what you are
describing. If a word or phrase is
specific language that is vague,
general, or fuzzy.

Mr. Atef Omara

5) Careful organization:

Spatial order: uses for location,

Good descriptive such as top to bottom, front to
writing is back, and left to right; best for
organized. Some describing a place.
ways to organize Order of importance: puts the
descriptive writing most important details at the
include: of beginning or at the end; best for
chronological describing objects and people.
(time), spatial
(location), and Chronological order: arranges
order importance. details in time order; best for
describing events.

Mr. Atef Omara

3) Transition words and Phrases that signal description:

Spatial order or direction transitions:

Transitions used in Above, below, behind, beside, beyond,
around, next to, nearby, in front/ back of,
descriptive writing over, there, on top of, under, to the right/
vary depending on left, turning right/ left/ south.
whether you are To show order of importance:
describing a Amazingly, but the most important, equally,
person, a place, or increasingly important, even more striking,
initially, strikingly, the most, the major, the
a thing. Here are main, primarily, best of all, foremost, one
some examples of reason is that, most significantly.
transitions that To show time order:
might be used in During, finally, next, suddenly, then, when,
descriptive concurrently, nearby, in front of,
contexts. meanwhile, afterwards, shortly, formerly,
this morning, afternoon, evening, tomorrow,
today, from then on, at present.

Mr. Atef Omara

Outline “The structure of a descriptive essay” ‘A place’:

Introduction:

1. Attention getter. (Hook)

2. Background or general information.
3. Thesis statement

Mr. Atef Omara

Outline “The structure of a descriptive essay” ‘A place’:

Body (1):

1. Describe the location and/ or the parts of

this place.
2. Describe the activities & what happens
there, mention the places or the most
interesting features.
 Do not describe what can be done
there.

Mr. Atef Omara

Outline “The structure of a descriptive essay” ‘A place’:

Body (2):

1. Describe the sensory details: sights,

smells, tastes, sounds, etc.
2. Describe what can visitors do there,
recommend or give details about the
interesting things that can be done there.

Mr. Atef Omara

Outline “The structure of a descriptive essay” ‘A place’:

Conclusion:

Summarize why this place is

important or why you like it.

Mr. Atef Omara

Prompts
Mr. Atef Omara
Prompts:

Choose one of the following prompts and write a 500 words essay:
1. Serene Seaside Retreat: Describe a secluded beach cove tucked away
between rugged cliffs. Capture the sights, sounds, and sensations of this hidden
gem. How does the sun paint the sky during sunrise or sunset? What does the
sand feel like underfoot, and how does the ocean breeze carry its unique scent?
Explore the vibrant marine life and the tranquility of the surroundings.
2. Mystical Forest Glade: Venture into an ancient forest where the sunlight filters
through the towering trees, dappling the forest floor with patches of light. Describe
the array of flora and fauna, the rustling leaves, and the songs of birds. What kind
of magical creatures might inhabit this place? Dive into the enchanted
atmosphere and evoke a sense of wonder and mystery.
3. Hustle and Bustle of an Urban Market: Immerse yourself in the vibrant chaos
of a bustling market in a cosmopolitan city. Paint a vivid picture of the colorful
stalls, the diverse array of people, the rich tapestry of scents from various
cuisines, and the cacophony of voices and sounds. Describe the energy, the
movement, and the unique blend of cultures that converge in this lively space.

Mr. Atef Omara

0 Rubric

Mr. Atef Omara

Rubric
4- Excellent 3- Very Good 2-Satisfactory 1-Needs Improvement
Ideas *“paints a picture” for the reader *creates some clear images for *sometimes strays from the *poorly focused on the topic
*well-focused on the topic the reader topic *ideas are unclear
*clear ideas are well-supported *focused on the topic *ideas are not well-developed *few details are given
with interesting and vivid details *ideas are well-supported with *more details are needed
details

Organization *well-focused on the topic *generally focused on the topic *somewhat focused on the topic *not focused on the topic
*logical organization *some lapses in organization *poor organization *no clear organization
*excellent transitions *some transitions *few transitions *no transitions
*easy to follow *usually easy to follow *difficult to follow *difficult to impossible to follow

Introduction Introductory paragraph clearly Introductory paragraph states Introductory paragraph attempts No attempt is made to state the
states subject of essay and subject of essay but is not to state subject of essay but subject of the essay in an
captures reader's attention. particularly inviting to the reader. does not capture reader's introductory paragraph.
attention.
Word Choice *precise, vivid and interesting *fairly precise, interesting and *vague, mundane word choices *very limited word choices
word choices somewhat varied word choices *wording is sometimes repetitive *wording is bland and not
*wide variety of word choices *wording could be more specific *more descriptive words are descriptive
needed

Sensory Detail Essay includes details that Includes details that appeal to Includes details that appeal to Includes no details that appeal
appeal to at least three of the fewer than three of the five only one of the five senses. to one of the five senses.
five senses (taste, touch, sound, senses.
sight, smell).
Figurative Language Writer effectively uses simile, Writer uses one example of Writer may try to use simile, Writer does not include simile,
metaphor, and personification to simile, metaphor, or metaphor, and personification metaphor, or personification in
describe the subject. personification to describe the but does so incorrectly. essay.
subject.
Sentence Fluency *uses complete sentences *uses complete sentences *occasional sentence fragment *frequent use of sentence
*varying sentence structure and *generally simple sentence or run-on sentences fragments or run-on sentences
lengths structures *simple sentence structure is *sentences are difficult to
used repeatedly understand
Conventions *proper grammar, usage *few errors of grammar and *errors in grammar, usage and *frequent errors in grammar,
*correct spelling usage spelling sometimes make usage, spelling, capitalization
*correct punctuation *mostly correct spelling, understanding difficult and punctuation
*correct capitalization punctuation *some errors in punctuation and make understanding difficult or
and capitalization capitalization impossible
Voice *voice is fitting for the topic and *voice is fairly clear and seems *voice rarely comes through *voice is weak or inappropriate
engaging to fit the topic *not always suited for audience *no sense of audience and
*well-suited for audience and *suited for audience and and purpose purpose
purpose purpose

Mr. Atef Omara