Descriptive+Paragraph+Assignment

Descriptive Paragraphs

1. Write a topic sentence that tells what you are describing. 2. Write a sentence that tells why you have chosen this topic. 3. Write a sentence that gives a visual description of your topic. 4. Write another sentence that gives more visual details about your topic. 5. Write a sentence that tells a special feature about the topic. 6. Write a sentence that tells more about your topic. 7. If you need more description, write another sentence that describes your topic. 8. Write a concluding sentence that summarizes your paragraph.
 * Show Brainpop short video on descriptive paragraphs. (Excellent resource for showing - not telling by using excellent vocabulary.)
 * Teach the sample steps in writing a descriptive paragraph. (Sample steps from Shurley English book.)
 * Divide students into groups.
 * Model two descriptive paragraphs. The first paragraph should be average or below average quality. The second paragraph should be an excellent sample. In their groups the students evaluate the paragraphs and why they prefer one paragraph over the other. I also have them tally, when they are shown a description by excellent descriptive words, or when they are told by actual facts. Which is more interesting? Why?
 * Students then write a group paragraph. I give them several prompts to begin their paragraphs.
 * Students share their paragraphs with the class. The class points out what is excellent in the paragraph, and one way to improve the descriptive paragraph.