DESCRIPTIVE

PARAGRAPHS
 What is a descriptive paragraph
• A descriptive paragraph is a paragraph that takes
something and makes it real for the reader.
• A descriptive paragraph describes a person, place,
or thing so that the readers almost see it in their
minds.
 Topic Sentence
• The topic sentence in a descriptive paragraph
introduces the item that the writer will describe.
• It may also include the writer’s general feeling or
opinion about the item.

I own a car that has special meaning for me

because it belonged to my grandfather.
 Supporting sentences
• give background information about the item.
• also give details to describe how the item
looks, smells, feels, sounds, or tastes.
• describe how the writer feels about the item.
 Concluding Sentence
• Restates the idea in the topic sentence using
different words.
 The sample paragraph
Lake Harriet is a great place to swim and relax. In the summer, the
water is warm and clean, and the beaches attract people seeking
relief from a midsummer scorcher. In addition to swimming, visitors
to the lake can go canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, or fishing. The blue
water is a refreshing, tempting sight. The sweet scent of sunblock
wafts through the air from sunbathers lying on the beach. Children
laugh and splash in the water, and nearby volleyball games stir
passionate shouts in the heat of competition. Meanwhile, lifeguards
sit atop their towers and make sure everyone is safe. In the distance,
sailboats catch the soft breezes that ripple Lake Harriet’s surface and
canoeists glide quietly past. This is what summer is all about!
 
 
 Showing, not telling
Remember to show, rather than tell, even in your topic and
concluding sentences. A topic sentence that reads, "I am
describing my pen because I love to write" is obvious
"telling" (the fact that you're describing your pen should be
self-evident from the paragraph itself) and unconvincing (the
reader cannot feel or sense the strength of your love of
writing).

Avoid "tell" statements by keeping your list of details handy

at all times. Here's an example of a topic sentence that
shows the subject's significance through the use of detail:
"My ballpoint pen is my secret writing partner."
 Using specific language
Using specific language in descriptive writing
helps give the reader a clear image of what
something looks, feels, sounds, tastes, or
smells like.
General sentences Sentences with specific language

He bought a car. He bought a shiny, new sportscar.

We heard a noise. We heard the sound of breaking

glass
Suddenly I smelled food. Suddenly, I smelled steak and
onions.
 Five Senses
While writing descriptive paragraphs you need to
consider five senses. Before writing the paragraph,
make five columns and list words or ideas for the
subject of the paragraph based on these five senses.
Like this:
touch smell sound taste sight
Here is how to start writing
touch smell sound taste sight

water air laughing sand the sun

sand fish splashing lotion sand
heat hot dogs music children
food trucks volleyball lifeguard
sun block toys
boats
canoes
Using adjectives in descriptive writing
• Adjectives are words that describe nouns. Writer
use adjectives to give the reader a more complete
picture of the people, places, and things they want
to describe.
A violin An antique violin

A desk A huge, metal desk

A knife A pocket knife

A bicycle A racing bicycle

Write a paragraph and describe the
photo