An introduction to descriptive writing tasks at KS3 and GCSE

1. Describe

2. To Describe
•To paint a multi-sensory and vivid picture of
a person, place or event

3. Description texts
•Diaries & journals
•Novels & short stories
•Poetry
•Travel brochures
•Guidebooks

4. Structure
•A striking opening
•Controlled paragraphs
•Variation of sentence length & type

5. Writing features
•Precise attention to details
•Appeal to the senses
•Use of imagery (simile, metaphor,
personification & pathetic fallacy)
•Careful vocabulary choices
•Strong verbs
•Emphasis on adverbs and adjectives
•Show, don’t tell

6. Precise attention to details
The man took a bite out of the apple
He reached across the scarred surface of the
table and took hold of the apple. It was cold
to the touch and as he bit into it, he winced.
The sweet juice trickled into his parched
mouth...

7. Appeal to the senses

8. Appeal to the senses
The old man’s face was a map of
creases and lines which ran backward
and forwards across his features. He
was mumbling quietly to himself as he
staggered forward unsteadily. The
acrid stench of stale tobacco wafted
from his stained jacket...

9. Use of imagery

10. Use of imagery - simile
She reached forward and clutched the
telephone receiver as if it were a
lifeline.
The city of Florence is wedged into the
Tuscan landscape and shines like a
renaissance beacon of hope

11. Use of imagery - metaphor
Before the end of the movie a herd of
stampeding elephants had taken up
residence in my head.
The small capsule held the promise of
salvation and I desperately prised it
out of its foil and plastic
sarcophagus...

12. Use of imagery - personification
The fireworks roared into the night
sky, exploding across the cityscape in
an extraordinary mating dance of light
The child’s candyfloss perched on his
hand, desperate for attention...

13. Use of imagery – pathetic fallacy
The brooding sky refused to offer the
frightened children relief and it
loomed over them menacingly.
The first rays of morning peeked
nervously over the brow of the hill...

14. Careful vocabulary choices

15. Careful vocabulary choices
The English language is rich – we are spoilt
for choices and each word selection should
help to create a vivid impression. Don’t
waste words!

16. Strong verbs
•Said
•Walked
•Lifted
•Ran
•Carried

17. Strong verbs
•Said – whispered, muttered, screamed
•Walked – staggered, strolled, paced
•Hit – thumped, slapped, collided
•Ran – charged, sprinted, loped
•Drank – gulped, sipped, slurped

18. Emphasis on adjectives
The bed is...
Warm, comfortable, soft,
fluffy, fresh, metallic,
broad, unique, ancient,

19. Emphasis on adverbs
It was a challenging jump
A dangerous jump
A skilful jump
A desperate jump
An impressive jump
A foolhardy jump
A suicidal jump
A lucky jump

20. Show, don’t tell

21. Show, don’t tell
He was afraid.
Trembling, his eyes darted about the room.
He could feel the thunder of his straining heart
as it sought desperately for a way to break out
of his heaving chest...

22. Example Question
•Describe a place that is special to you.

23. Example Question
•Describe a person who is important in
your life and explain his or her
importance to you.

24. Example Question
•Describe a nightmare world.
(links to Kafka handouts)

25. Example Question
•Describe an event from your past
which made you feel proud

26. Example Question
•Describe a place that you would never
want to go back to and explain the
reasons why you feel this way

27. Example Question
•Describe the person you would most
like to go on holiday with and explain
why you think they would be such good
company

28. Example Question
•Change can be good or bad or a mixture of
both. Write about a period in your life when
you experienced change of some kind.
Describe what happened and explain how you
felt about the change.