DESCRIPTIVE TEXTS
What is a descriptive text?
A descriptive essay is a form of writing that is built around a
detailed description of a person, building, place, situation,
event, etc. The main purpose of a descriptive essay is to
describe your point of focus in a vivid and particular manner,
so that readers can easily picture the described object,
person, or state in their mind.
Structure of a description and tips
The structure of a descriptive text must have an introduction,
body and conclusion.
 Introduction or opening sentence
 Body.
 Conclusion or closing sentence
The introduction could, for example, explain why you have
chosen the person, place or event you are going to describe.
You should specify your relation to the person, the location of
the place, the purpose of the object, etc.
In the body of the description you could deal with different
aspects of the person, place or event in different paragraphs.
Think about how you can organize that information. Some
ways to organize descriptive writing include: chronological
(time), spatial (location), and order of importance. For
example:
 morning, daytime, evening
 from left to right, from the background to the
foreground, from the middle to the sides
 from details to general impressions (or from general
 impressions to details)
 physical appearance, personality, talents, and interests
 location, activities, atmosphere
Finally, in the conclusion, use the final paragraph to express
your feelings in a memorable or humorous way to add an
original touch to your description.
Although some topics give more opportunity than others for
personal comment, in general, including reactions, feelings
and an occasional touch of humor will make your description
more interesting to the reader.
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DESCRIBING PEOPLE DESCRIBING EVENTS & EXPERIENCES

Information you can include:

Information you can include:
• Physical appearance.
• Personality, character.
• Attitudes, behaviour.
• Interests, hobbies, profession.
• Your personal impression / opinion.
• The setting – where and when it happened – PAST
TENSES.
• What happened – in chronological order.
• Your impression or opinion about it.
DESCRIBING FESTIVALS AND CEREMONIES

DESCRIBING PLACES Information you can include:

Information you can include:
• Location.
• Physical characteristics, atmosphere.
• Special attractions.
• The culture and people in the place.
• Historical details.
• Your personal impression / opinion.
• Name, time, place of the event, reason(s) for celebrating
(what, when, where, why);
• Preparations;
• Actual event (what was going on);
• Feelings, comments, final thoughts

DESCRIBING THINGS

Information you can include:

• Physical appearance.
• Origin (where it was made).
• Use.
• Your personal impression / opinion.
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Useful language

Adjectives Expressions to express reactions

A descriptive essay focuses on details, so make sure to be
specific in your descriptions. Including colourful adjectives is
always a good idea.
Intensifiers
extremely, really, quite, fairly, pretty, rather, a little bit,
slightly…
As long as I live, I will never forget…
If I had to describe … my best choice would be…
To sum up, this was an amazing…
In short, this memory will stay with me forever.
In conclusion, I will always remember…

Linking language

When going into the details of your description, group similar

and opposing qualities together.

For similar qualities, use also, as well as, in addition to,

besides, moreover…

For opposite qualities use at the same time, in spite of this,

while, nevertheless, although, however…

Verbs of the senses

feel, smell, sound, taste, look, seem …
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