Practical Composition Chapter 6: Descriptive Paragraphs

In this chapter Organization: Spatial Order Paragraph Unity The Writing Process: Clustering Sentence Structure: Compound & Complex Sentences Varying Sentence Openings

Organization Descriptive writing appeals to the senses, so it tells how something looks, feels, smells, tastes, and/or sounds. A good description is a word picture. The reader can imagine the object, place, or person in his or her mind.

Spatial Order Spatial order is the arrangement of items in order by space. The spatial organization: left to right / right to left near to far / far to near outside to inside / inside to outside top to bottom / bottom to top

Spatial Order Signals at the top of in the center on the left in front of in the front of inside next to between behind in back of in the back of across

Topic Sentence for Descriptive Paragraph Each topic sentence states a topic and a controlling idea. My bedroom at home is my refuge from the outside world. Topic Controlling Idea

Spatial Order Organization and Details Topic sentence: After my sister spends two hours getting ready to go out, her room looks as if it had been hit by a magnitude 8.5 earthquake. Supporting sentences: a. From the doorway. you see nothing but a mountain of clothes all over the floor.

Descriptive Details Five Senses Sight Smell Sound Touch Taste wild disorder large dark green cry out melody song moist slick

Paragraph Unity An important element of a good paragraph is unity. When a paragraph has unity, all the supporting sentences discuss only one idea. From beginning to end, each sentence is directly related to the topic.

Sentence Structure Compound Sentences with yet, for, and nor Coordinating Conjunctions I was scared, yet I was also curious about the old lady. It is not easy to get there, for you have to hike down a long, hot trail. The book isn't very long, nor is it difficult to read. (The book isn't long. It isn't difficult to read.)

Sentence Structure Complex Sentences There is a large piece of land that is surrounded by banana trees growing in wild disorder. Their green leaves are so thick that sunlight cannot pass through. In the center is a wild field where the children of my village often fly kites.

Varying Sentence Openings Prepositional Phrases

 I was afraid of many things during my childhood. During my childhood, I was afraid of many things. You arrive at Havasupai Village at the end of the trail. At the end of the trail, you arrive at Havasupai village.

The Writing Process Clustering

Topic for Descriptive Paragraph Choose topic: My bedroom in Kaohsiung/ A classroom at Wenzao Make standard format complete sentence outline Write draft based on outline