English studies University Hassan II Mohammedia
Writing Paragraphs Kesbi Faculty of letters Department of English
How to Write a Descriptive Paragraph1
Descriptive paragraphs let the reader touch, taste, see, hear and smell
what you are describing. The reader should feel as if they can see what you are
describing clearly. You want to paint a picture as you write the descriptive
paragraph. Here are a few guidelines to help you write a great descriptive
paragraph.
Instructions
1. Describe particular smells and tastes in the paragraph. Use the most
descriptive words possible to allow the reader to smell or taste what you
are describing. For example: "The homemade cookies filled the air with
the scent of warm chocolate, and the chocolate morsels filled your mouth
with the taste of cocoa."
2. Add the senses of touch and hearing to your paragraph wherever
possible. Describe certain textures and sounds. For example: "The silk
garment felt smooth and fluid over my skin, and it had the sound of a
gentle breeze."
3. Use similes and metaphors when you write your descriptive paragraph.
These literary devices strengthen your paragraph if used properly.
4. Insert descriptive adjectives to modify your nouns. Don't just say "blue
ocean." Describe the actual colors you see in the ocean. Use more
descriptive words such as aquamarine or indigo to describe the shade.
5. Try personification to give human characteristics to inanimate objects.
For example: "The tree stood proudly with her arms stretching toward
the sky."
6. Be sure to make your paragraph long enough to give an adequate
description. Describe the scene or object in as many ways as you can, but
check that your paragraph is coherent.
1
http://www.ehow.com/how_2065748_write-descriptive-paragraph.html
