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Introduction to Writing Basics

English

Descriptive Writing

1.5

INSTRUCTIONS

Descriptive Writing - Part One:

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Let's start with a simple activity about a special place.

Pre-Writing Activity

First, visit some web sites or other media that give information about a place. For example, "California".

Remember - this is not a report, this will be a descriptive essay. Right now, you are just looking for lots of descriptive words about

"California". Start with adjectives.

When you see or think of an adjective or phrase that describes "California", write it down. Collect plenty of words and phrases.

Now you are ready to use the graphic organizer to organize your thoughts.

Put "CALIFORNIA" in the middle, and start grouping your descriptive words and phrases.

Clustering:

Some of you may wonder - How do I group my thoughts?

Well, do you have a lot of descriptive words and phrases about places in "California"? If so, you could group these together in one

cluster group that will later become a paragraph. Or do you have a lot of descriptive words and phrases about things to do in

"California"? These could also be grouped together in a cluster that will later form a paragraph. You might also have clusters about

people, or food, or weather.

Is there only one right way to cluster?

Well - yes, and no! Your eventual paragraphs will need to have a topic sentence and supporting sentences. So, your clusters should

relate to each other to make your paragraph writing easier later.

Now that you have a complete cluster of descriptive words about California, here's another activity to make your descriptive word

collection even better!

Part 2: Synonyms

What is a synonym?

A synonym is a word that has a similar meaning to another word. A thesaurus is a resource similar to a dictionary that helps writers to

identify synonyms that they can use to make their own writing more interesting. Here are some examples of synonyms:

Original Word                                              A Synonym

creek                                                          brook                                                                                                     chair

seat                                                                                                        pretty

beautiful                                                                                                   disgusting

gross                                                                                                           cup

mug

Activity 2:

Using your list of adjectives and your graphic organizer about your place:

write down 10 descriptive words in the first column

think of synonyms for your words and write them in the second column

Use a thesaurus to find different synonyms

My Synonyms Chart should include the following headings:

1. My descriptive word from Pre-Writing Activity

2. Synonym that you thought of

3. A synonym from a theasaurus

Activity 3: Write a descriptive essay (5 paragraphs) on the place you have chosen.

First Term Language Program