Descriptive Composition Writing:

1. Definition of a Descriptive Composition

A descriptive composition is a type of writing that paints a vivid picture of a person, place, event, object,
or experience using detailed observations and sensory details. Its purpose is to make the reader feel as
though they are experiencing what the writer is describing.

2. Key Features of a Descriptive Composition

Sensory details (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell)

Figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification)

Clear organisation (logical structure and flow)

Specific and concrete details (not vague or general)

Emotional connection (how the subject affects the writer or observer)

Use of vivid adjectives and adverbs

3. Steps in Writing a Descriptive Composition

Step 1: Choose a Topic

Pick something that you can describe vividly. It could be:

A place (e.g., a beach, market, or your village)

A person (e.g., your grandmother, a teacher, or a friend)

An event (e.g., your birthday, a festival, or a sports day)

An object (e.g., an old book, a family heirloom)

An experience (e.g., a dream, a storm, or a frightening night)

Step 2: Brainstorm and Plan

Use a graphic organizer or mind map to jot down:

What you see

What you hear

What you smell

What you taste (if applicable)

What you feel (physically and emotionally) Think about:

The setting (where and when it takes place)

The mood or atmosphere (peaceful, eerie, joyful, chaotic)

Your perspective (who is narrating)

Step 3: Structure Your Composition

A typical structure includes:

A. Introduction

Introduce the subject of your description

Use a hook: a question, a sound, a smell, or a brief action

Set the tone or mood

B. Body Paragraphs

Organise details logically (e.g., spatial order: from top to bottom, left to right)

Use a paragraph for each main aspect of the subject

Include figurative language (e.g., “The wind whispered through the trees”)

Use precise vocabulary

C. Conclusion

Reflect on the subject or experience

Restate the mood or personal impact

Leave the reader with a lasting impression

4. Language and Style Tips

Use vivid adjectives (e.g., "crimson sky" instead of "red sky")

Use strong verbs (e.g., "darted" instead of "ran fast")

Avoid clichés or overused phrases

Show, don’t just tell (e.g., instead of saying “It was a scary house,” describe how it looked and made you
feel)

Use varied sentence structure to enhance rhythm

5. Example Sentence Transformations

Basic: The flower was beautiful.

Descriptive: The flower bloomed in a riot of red and gold, its petals soft as silk.

Basic: The room was messy.

Descriptive: Clothes were strewn across the floor like fallen soldiers, and the air was thick with the scent
of forgotten pizza.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Being too general or vague

Using only visual details – include other senses

Overloading with adjectives without substance

Jumping between unrelated ideas

Lack of a clear structure or flow

7. Practice Activity

Describe the following:

A rainy day at the market

The scariest house in your neighborhood

Your favorite childhood memory

A Visit to the Village

Last December, I visited my grandmother’s village, and it was one of the most peaceful and beautiful
places I have ever seen. The journey took us three hours by bus, but it was worth every minute. As we
entered the village, the air changed. It was fresh, cool, and filled with the scent of wildflowers and
burning firewood.

The houses in the village were small and round, with thatched roofs that glowed golden under the
afternoon sun. Children ran around barefoot, laughing and playing with sticks, tyres, and homemade
balls. The narrow, dusty paths twisted between fields of maize and beans, and I could hear birds chirping
in the trees. It felt like nature was alive all around me.

When we arrived at my grandmother’s hut, she welcomed us with a wide smile and warm hugs. Her
kitchen smelled of roasted maize and fresh herbs. The clay pots on the fire bubbled gently, and the
smoke from the wood fire drifted lazily through the open window. I sat on a mat under a tree, watching
goats graze and listening to the soft chatter of villagers as the sun began to set.

At night, the stars shone brightly in the sky. There were no streetlights, so the village was quiet and dark
except for the soft glow of lanterns and the sounds of crickets. It was peaceful, like the world had
slowed down.

I will never forget that visit. The beauty, the calm, and the love I felt in the village made it a special place
in my heart.