Descriptive Writing

Artistic Elements: Exploring Art Through Descriptive Writing
Using the book Anna's Art Adventure by Bjorn Sortland as the basis for discussion, students are led through a scaffolded lesson in which they use adjectives to describe the color, shape, line, and mood present within various pieces of artwork. When their descriptions are complete, students are then asked to use their observations to create their own renditions of an artist's work.

Describing the Real World
Students use detail to describe a room. Be sure to check the Teacher's Notes.

Description Essay from WritingDEN
A handout for students.

Description of a Familiar Object using Mythology
Students describe the throne they would have if they were a deity.

Description Paragraph from WritingDEN
For students: suggestions for descriptive writing.

Descriptive Writing Activities and Prompts
A collection of prompts for a variety of grade levels; some are cross-curricular.

Descriptive Writing and the 100th Day of School
This lesson guides K-2 students in writing descriptions of 100th day bottles they create at home. They will write clues about their bottles for a guessing game, practice descriptive writing, and create a class book.

Descriptive Writing Exercises
Three good activities.

Descriptive Writing Techniques
A writer lists techniques such as recalling from memory, sketching, and identifying subjective and objective components to help with composing.

Descriptive Writing with Virginia Hamilton
An online workshop with explanations, models, student writing activies, and an opportunity to publish online.

Dig Those Descriptions
Students write captions for a museum exhibit of artifacts from ancient Egypt. Includes journal writing, reading, links to an online gallery, discussion questions, assessment, vocabulary words, extension activities, and interdisciplinary connections.

Examining How Literary Devices Create Vivid Images
Students analyze and practice with the power of literary devices in journalistic and other writing. Includes a model, an article from the New York Times.

Improving Descriptive Writing
This slide presentation emphasizes eliminating clichés. MS-PowerPoint or compatible application required for access.

Ornament
Elementary students color the ornament on this handout, then write a description of it.

Picture This!
Students use a photograph to prompt descriptive writing. Access requires Adobe Reader or compatible application.

Writing Descriptions
This handout from the Purdue University Online Writing Lab is divided into principles, conventions, and strategies. It does a good job of summarizing classroom instruction and serves as support as students write a descriptive essay.

Writing to Photography/Photography to Writing
A teacher designed this project with two goals in mind: (1) to improve students' writing by incorporating photography into descriptive and narrative writing exercises designed to inspire more varied and creative perspectives, and (2) to enhance visual as well as verbal literacy.