4 Descriptive and Process Paragraphs In this unit, you will learn about ... = descriptive paragraphs and reasons for writing them. m= organising and writing descriptive paragraphs using adjectives and prepositions. m process paragraphs and reasons for writing them. ™ using transition words to write a process paragraph. D_ Describing people, places, and processes A descriptive paragraph explains how someone or something looks or feels. A process paragraph explains how something is done. Descriptive paragraphs D_ Using adjectives Adjectives are words that tell us how things look, feel, taste, sound, or smell. Adjectives also describe how you feel about something. Here are a few common adjectives. shape and size atmosphere how you feel appearance large / small cosy amazed colourful wide/ narrow comfortable _surprised unforgettable round warm / cool happy beautiful rectangular cold / hot nostalgic unattractive A description of a place may answer some of these questions: Where is the place? How big is it? How warm or cold is the placo? How does the place make you feel? Why? What things can you see in this place? What colours do you soe? I List some words to describe these places. DESCRIPTIVE AND PROCESS PARAGRAPHS 252 Read this description from a travel brochure. Circle the adjectives. iagara Falls, a popular destination for thousands of visitors each year, is a beautiful place. When you stand at the edge and look down at the 188 feet of white waterfalls, you feel amazed at the power of nature. The treetined river that leads into the falls is fast- moving, pouring over the edge of the falls and crashing to the bottom in a loud roar. f you want to experience the falls close up, go for a boat ride. You'll come near enough to look up at the roaring streams of water flowing over the edge and feel ‘the cool mist that rises as the water hits the rocks below. Seeing Niagara Falls is an unforgettable experience! a ee Describing the place around you D> Using prepositions Prepositions tell us how a space is organised. These are some common and useful prepositions: in front of / behind to the right of / to the left of on top of / on the bottom of in the middle of next to around above / below, underneath between Read this paragraph that describes someone's favourite place. Underline the prepositions. z down the ite place to relax isa small café ee Live. This cafe is on a smal side street and as 500" 1rd idow's on for, rh ean winds wth bey vslared flowers. Thee is small wooden door that capens into the: café, and as you 90 in, you cant rd -, , dozen ‘gmail tables all around the roo. Even a ‘ba big place, its size makes ik VOry cO8y and Se rae ie st ato tbe te omer near the front windows. From here, 1can ie the artwork on the walls and at epg i ing. With a strong CHP ¢ hanging from the ceiling. Wi i an fel very happy and relened mY favourite café. 26 DESCRIPTIVE AND PROCESS PARAGRAPHSNA MAB) 4 Write six sentences to describe the place where you are right now. Try to answer some of the questions under ‘Using adjectives’ on page 25. Use adjectives and prepositions. Describing a character > Describing people Here are some common adjectives for describing people: Personality Physical characteristics happy, satisfied big, large, tall relaxed small, tiny, short exciting thin nervous heavy angry strong serious weak sad, deprossed _-brown-, black-, blond-, red-haired outgoing light-, dark-skinned A description of a person may answer some of the following questions: © Who is the person? ‘© What does the person do? ‘© What does he or she look like? © How does the person act—what is his or her personality like? © How does he or she make others feel? 5 With a partner, add at least two other adjectives to the two lists above. DESCRIPTIVE AND PROCESS PARAGRAPHS 276 Read this descripti it s jption written by a youn; i the adjectives that describe the grandmother ga When I was young, | admired my grandmother for her strength and kindness. She was not very big. Infact, she was tiny and very thin. She was strong, ‘though. She lived by herself and etl did a lot of the chores around her house. When | was a child, | eaw her almost every day, and she and | would talk about everything. She was a very happy person and was always Smiling and joking, and she often made me laugh. My grandmother wae also very patient, and che would listen to all of my problems She fave me very good advice whenever | needed it. | didn't need to be afraid to tell her anything, because she never got annoyed with me. She just listened and tried to help jaleo liked to spend time with her because she had interesting stories to tell me about her own childhood and life experiences. When I was young, my grandmother was my best friend. 7 Describe one of th it ‘ ese people. Write eight sentences. Try to the questions at the bottom of page 27. Use your imagination! —_— 8 Think ofa person or place you know well. Then braii i your topic, and write a descriptive paragraph. rainstorm your ideas, narrow down 28 DESCRIPTIVE AND PROCESS PARAGRAPHS