a guide to descriptive writing

Created by Mrs. J. McBride

A Guide to Descriptive Writing

The clue word in a descriptive prompt is

“DESCRIBE.”

What kind of prompt is this?

Descriptive

What is your clue word?

Describe

Think of your favorite place to play. Describe your favorite place to play. You may wish to tell what you see, hear, smell, as well as how you feel inside.

Descriptive Outline

The square is the topic

The triangle is a supporting detail.

It gives more information about your topic.

The triangle is a noun. It is visual. It can be touched or held.

You should have three triangles in your outline.

The circle is your elaborating detail.

It gives more information about your triangle.

It should be FACTS (visual), not opinions (not visual).

Let’s complete an outline together.

My favorite place to play is Chuck E Cheese.

Think of your favorite place to play. Describe your favorite place to play. You may wish to tell what you see, hear, smell, as well as how you feel inside.

Brainstorm things we can see at Chuck E Cheese

• Pizza• Chuck E Cheese• Basketball Game• Children• Balloons

• Playground• Cake• Salads• Tickets• Prizes

Now, let’s fill in our outline.

Descriptive OutlineChuck E Cheese

Chuck E Cheese

6 feet tall

shirt

tail

Basketball Game

goal

balls

tickets

Pizza

cheese

pepperoni

sliced

Closing

SW HISMOP

Can you do it on your own?

Think about your visit to an amusement park, fair, or circus. Describe an amusement park, fair, or circus. You may wish to include what you saw, heard, smelled, or tell how you felt inside.

Decide your topic.

Now, brainstorm.

Fill in your outline.SW HISMOP