1. Descriptive Writing Essay
Canned Lesson #2

3. Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin.
Writing Situation: Each season of the year is beautiful in some way. Think of which season is your favorite. What does it look like? What does it feel like? Is there a smell or taste to it? Directions for Writing: Now write an essay describing your favorite season of the year. What does this place look like? What are the sounds you hear there? What does it feel and smell like?

4. Step 2: Choose a Topic Based on the Prompt.

5. Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer.
Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

6. Step 4: Complete the Graphic Organizer.
Unfold the paper and draw a box in the center. In the center box write a sentence to convey your topic.

7. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Cooler weather.
Write one reason you enjoy spending your time playing in the Colorado mountains.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write one reason you enjoy this season.
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Write another reason you enjoy the season.
Example: When I close my eyes, I can see many things on the mountains.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
The mountains in Colorado are where I enjoy spending my time playing.
Write a third reason that you enjoy the season.
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Summarize your 3 reasons.
Example: Chilly nights.

8. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Write one reason you enjoy spending your time playing in the Colorado mountains.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Add three details to your reason.
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Add three details to your reason.
Example: When I close my eyes, I can see many things on the mountains.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
The mountains in Colorado are where I enjoy spending my time playing.
Add three details to your reason.
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Summarize your 3 reasons.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing

9. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.

10. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.

11. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
Example: Example: Children under the age of 16 feel invincible.
Lack of maturity
Understanding of consequences
Video games – get another life.
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
Elaborate on one detail.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
Elaborate on one detail.
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.
ELABORATE

12. You can find a list of transition words online!
Step 5: Add transitions.
Step 5: Add transitions.
Around me,
On the
way there,
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
You can find a list of transition words online!
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
Once I get
home,
There is
no doubt,
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.

13. Each square will become a paragraph.
Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Around me,
On the
way there,
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
Each square will become a paragraph.
There is
no doubt,
Once I get
home,
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.

14. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason.
As my scarf blows in the wind, I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season. Why would fall be my favorite, though? Cooler weather, gorgeous leaves, and chilly nights make those autumn months special.

15. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Beautiful clouds grace the darkening sky as temperatures drop and silvery, glimmering stars appear. Leaves crunch beneath my boots as I walk back to my home. As my scarf blows in the wind, I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season. Why would fall be my favorite, though? Cooler weather, gorgeous leaves, and chilly nights make those autumn months special.
Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online.

16. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
On the
way there,
Around me,
Next Paragraph
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
There is
no doubt,
Once I get
home,
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.

17. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
Around me, the chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose. The air is filled with the sweet smell of fresh rain and rotting tree bark, an oddly nice-smelling mixture. A rainbow of leaves sets off the dark brown earth and I marvel at the colors as I pull my hoodie closer to my body. Clouds hover close to the treetops as I trot along the path home.

18. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
On the
way there,
Around me,
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Next Paragraph
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
vThe chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
There is
no doubt,
Once I get
home,
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.

19. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
On the way there, I spot a pile of leaves and I simply can’t resist the urge to jump in. Beautiful colors fly and twirl in the air, leaving me dazzled. Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves with a fit of giggles. The smell of leaves surrounds me, making me feel at home.

20. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
On the
way there,
Around me,
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
There is
no doubt,
Once I get
home,
Next Paragraph
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.

21. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
Once I get home, I sit on my porch in the backyard, staring into the dark sky. With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars. A pigeon calls from the night. “Amazing,” I whisper in awe as I spot the constellations. It’s a perfect time to unwind after a long day.

22. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
Around me,
On the
way there,
Once I get
home,
There is
no doubt,
Summary
Paragraph

23. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to paper.
On the
way there,
Around me,
Example: Gorgeous leaves.
Colors
Sounds
Smell
Example: Cooler weather.
Wind
Air
Clouds
Crackle! Snap! They crunch as I lean back, falling into an even bigger pile of leaves and a fit of giggles.
The chilly wind’s fingers send tingles down my spine as a pigeon’s feather tickles my tomato-red nose.
I can’t help but think that autumn is the most beautiful season.
There is
no doubt,
Once I get
home,
Summary
Paragraph
Autumn is my favorite season
Because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights.
Example: Chilly nights.
Hot chocolate
Porch
Star gazing
With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, I gaze at the stars.

24. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Summary
Paragraph
There is no doubt, autumn is my favorite season because of the weather, leaves, and chilly nights. As I wake up the next morning to find the orange sun chasing the dark night and stars away, all that I can do is smile. While I pull on a pair of jeans and zip up my favorite boots, I can’t help but think that fall is truly a graceful season. On my way out the door, I sigh happily and rewrap my scarf. In my mind, autumn is the most beautiful season on Earth.

25. Step 7: Vocabulary Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives
(describing words)
and interesting adverbs
(describing action words)?
ADJECTIVES
ADVERBS

26. Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: The dog ran to get the ball. AFTER:
1. The huge, black dog dashed quickly to fetch the red ball.

27. Step 7: Vocabulary horse stallion
Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score.
horse
stallion

28. Step 8: Visual Expression
Use similes, metaphors, and personification to give your essay more visual expression.
1. “. . . she tried to get rid of the kitten which had scrambled up her back and stuck like a burr just out of reach.” — Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
2. “Time has not stood still. It has washed over me, washed me away, as if I’m nothing more than a woman of sand, left by a careless child too near the water.” — The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
3. “Her romantic mind was like the tiny boxes, one within the other, that come from the puzzling East . . .” — Peter Pan, by J. M. Barrie.

29. Step 8: Visual Expression
Use similes, metaphors, and personification to give your essay more visual expression.
1.That car is a dream. (perfect, beautiful)
2.Time marches on. (steadily, constantly, deliberately)
3.This class is hell. (difficult, cursed, impossible to escape, haunting)
4.I want to get off this merry-go-round of stress. (never-ending, confusing, giddy, never-progressing)

30. Step 8: Visual Expression
Use similes, metaphors, and personification to give your essay more visual expression.
1.The cigarettes stole his health and spent it on phlegm.
2. And with those four words her happiness died.
3.My heart has been skipping around in my chest since I saw her.
4.The wind whistled throughout the day.
5.The road twisted and turned continuously for 100 miles.
6.Her jewelry clearly spoke about her wealth.
7.One look at the garden and you could tell that the plants were begging for water.
8.Anyone who has seen my photographs will know that the camera loves me.

31. Step 9: Reread Your Work Reread your work to make sure you have:
Stay on topic
Give your 3 big ideas in the introductory paragraph
Have paragraphs that give details about your 3 ideas
Elaborate on a detail in each paragraph
Have a summary paragraph that restates your 3 ideas
Begin each paragraph with a transition word
Include adjectives, adverbs, similes, metaphors, and personification
Show, Don’t tell!