� Descriptive Writing Exercise 1: Describe a Place
Prompt:
Describe your favorite place in the world. Use all five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and
touch) to help the reader imagine being there.
✍� Sample Answer:
My favorite place in the world is my grandmother’s garden. It’s a small piece of paradise hidden
behind her old country house. The moment I step into the garden, I am surrounded by a rainbow
of colors: bright marigolds, soft pink roses, and the deep green of leafy plants. The air smells like
lavender and freshly watered soil. Birds chirp in the trees while bees buzz softly around the
flowers. I can hear the distant bark of a dog and the rustle of leaves dancing in the wind.
When I sit on the wooden bench, the sunlight warms my skin, and I feel the roughness of the old
wood beneath my fingers. Sometimes, my grandmother brings out lemonade. The sweet and
slightly sour taste reminds me of childhood summers. This garden is more than just a beautiful
space; it’s where I feel calm, safe, and happy. It’s a place full of memories, colors, and peace.
� Answer Key / Breakdown:
Element Example from the Answer
Sight "bright marigolds, soft pink roses, and the deep green of leafy plants"
Sound "birds chirp, bees buzz, bark of a dog, rustle of leaves"
Smell "lavender and freshly watered soil"
Taste "lemonade — sweet and slightly sour"
Touch "sunlight warms my skin, roughness of the old wood"
Emotion/Reflection "calm, safe, and happy... full of memories"
� Practice Exercise 2: Fill in the Sensory Chart
Sense Your Description (Imagine a Beach Scene)
Sight e.g., Golden sand stretching for miles; waves sparkling
Sound e.g., Crashing waves, seagulls calling overhead
Smell e.g., Salty air mixed with sunscreen
Taste e.g., Cool coconut water; salty chips
Touch e.g., Warm sand underfoot; sea breeze on skin
� Practice Exercise 3: Fill in the Sensory Chart – Forest
Scene
Sense Your Description (Forest Scene)
Tall trees with leaves dancing in dappled sunlight; moss-covered logs; a winding dirt path
Sight
disappearing into the distance
Sound Birds chirping in the canopy, distant rustle of a deer, wind whooshing gently through the trees
Smell Damp earth, pine needles, and fresh rain on foliage
Taste Cool spring water from a nearby stream (if safe!), a hint of wild berries
Touch Crunchy leaves underfoot, rough tree bark, a cool breeze brushing against your skin
� Practice Exercise 4: Describing a Scene – City at Night
Prompt:
Describe a busy city street at night. Use vivid imagery and sensory language.
✍� Sample Answer:
Neon lights flash in vibrant reds and blues, painting the wet pavement with electric color. Cars
whoosh by, their tires hissing against rain-soaked roads. A distant saxophone hums from a
subway entrance, blending with the chatter of late-night diners and the buzz of neon signs. The
scent of roasted chestnuts and oily hot dogs wafts from corner stalls. Cold air nips at my face, but
the warmth of my coffee cup grounds me in the moment. The city, though never sleeping, feels
strangely peaceful tonight.
� Practice Exercise 5: Describing a Person
Prompt:
Describe someone you admire using physical and emotional detail.
✍� Sample Answer:
My grandfather has hands like old tree trunks — rough, weathered, but strong. His eyes, pale
blue, seem to hold a thousand stories, and when he smiles, the deep creases in his face tell me
he’s done it often. His voice is gravelly, steady, comforting. Even in silence, his presence
commands respect. He carries himself with quiet dignity, and though his steps have slowed, his
wisdom walks ahead of him.
� Practice Exercise 6: Describing a Pet
Prompt:
Describe your pet (or an animal you love).
✍� Sample Answer:
My dog, Milo, is a whirlwind of fur and joy. His golden coat shines like the morning sun, and his
tail, always wagging, beats like a drum of excitement. He bounds through the yard, ears flapping
like flags in the wind. His bark is sharp but friendly, and his tongue hangs out, catching every
scent in the breeze. When he curls up beside me, his body radiates warmth, and his quiet
breathing becomes a lullaby.
� Practice Quiz: Choose the Best Descriptive Sentence
Question:
Which of the following uses strong descriptive language?
A) The cat is sitting on the couch.
B) The sleek black cat lounged lazily across the velvet couch, its golden eyes watching every
movement with calm curiosity.
C) The cat was there and then it wasn’t.
D) The couch had a cat.
✅ Correct Answer: B
Why? It uses specific adjectives and sensory detail ("sleek," "velvet," "golden eyes") to create a
vivid picture.
