1、DescriptionDescription of Places,Objects and People1 ContentsvDefinition of descriptionvTypes of descriptionvWays to develop a description essayvDescription of a placevDescription of an objectvDescription of a personvAssignment2 DescriptionvDescription is the type of writing that helps the reader to
2、 see what someone/some place/something is like.vOr we may say description is painting a picture in words of a person,place,object,or scene.vA description essay is generally developed through sensory details,or the impressions of ones senses-sight,hearing,taste,smell,and touch,etc.vLeave out the irre
3、levant ones and keep those which help to bring out the dominant characteristic or outstanding quality of the person or thing described.(sample 1)3 Example of Adopting Sight-A Friendly ClownvOn one corner of my dresser sits a smiling toy clown on a tiny unicycle-a gift I received last Christmas from
4、a close friend.The clowns short yellow hair,made of yarn(纱线）,covers its ears but is parted above the eyes.The blue eyes are outlined in black with thin,dark lashes flowing from the brows.It has cherry-red cheeks,nose,and lips,and its broad grin disappears into the wide,white ruffle（花边）around its nec
5、k.The clown wears a fluffy（蓬松的）,two-tone（两种颜色的）nylon costume.The left side of the outfit is light blue,and the right side is red.The two colors merge in a dark line that runs down the center of the small outfit.Surrounding its ankles and disguising its long black shoes are big pink bows.The white sp
6、okes（车轮的辐条）on the wheels of the unicycle gather in the center and expand to the black tire so that the wheel somewhat resembles the inner half of a grapefruit.The clown and unicycle together stand about a foot high.As a cherished gift from my good friend Tran,this colorful figure greets me with a sm
7、ile every time I enter my room.4 Types of descriptionvObjective description-record details without making any personal comment.vSubjective description-the writer is free to interpret details for the reader/audience.Note:Few descriptions outside of science writing,however,are completely objective.5 W
8、ays to develop a description essayvThrough the impressions of ones senses-sight,hearing,taste,smell,and touchvUsing spatial order:describing the physical layout of the place(leftright,bottom top,clockwise/counterclockwise,insideoutside)vUsing chronological ordervUse specific wordsvDecide on the domi
9、nant impression6 General and Specific Words for Good DescriptionvSpecific words help to make writing clear,exact,vivid,and striking,for they are more informative and expressive than general words.Compare:va good manvkind,honest,just,generous,sympathetic,warm-hearted,selfless,brave,honorablevgood foo
10、dvtasty,delicious,nourishing,rich,wholesome,fresh,appetizing,abundant vHousevmansion,villa（别墅）,chateau（庄园）,cottage,bungalow（平房）,cabin,hut,shack,shanty,barn(仓房）7 General and Specific Words for Good DescriptionvPracticevEg.Laugh:smile,grin,chortle,guffaw,sneer,titter,gigglevCry:sob,weep,blubber,snivel
11、,howl,bawl,wail,moan,vAnimal:vFlower:vWind:vRainvTree:vWalk:vAngry:vLook at:v8 General and Specific Words for Good DescriptionvGeneral:It is often windy and dusty here in spring.Specific:In spring there is often a very strong northwest wind.It carries so much fine dust with it that sometimes the sun
12、 becomes obscure.There is no escape from the fine dust;it gets into your eyes,your ears,your nostrils,and your hair.It goes through the cracks of closed windows and covers your desks and chairs.9 General and Specific Words for Good DescriptionvGeneral:General:The room was a mess.vSpecific:Specific:A
13、s I walked into the room I could barely find a clean place to step.There were clothes all over the floor,along with papers,books,and possibly what looked like an old,moldy sandwich.The stench was unbearable.10 General and Specific Words for Good DescriptionvGeneral:I love the smell of sunshine.vSpec
14、ific:?Your turn11 Critical Reading on Description of an ObjectvRead the following three descriptive paragraphs about the sunshine and give your comments.v1.I Like the Smells of Sun Very MuchvI like the smells of sun.It is sweet,which tastes like an ice-cream.It has changeable color,which turns the p
15、lain ground become bright and full.It has soft sunshine,which let my body feel warm and comfortable.It has a quiet language,which makes a gentle whisper through my body and tells me what are the secrets of the sun.It has a wonderful power,which reflects the pure and the beautiful things in the world
16、,brightens all the dark things up,and encourages me to overcome all the difficulties in my life.I like the smells of sun very much.v By student12 Comment on Smells of the Sun by StudentvComment:The description is very imaginative but too abstract.Try to add more concrete examples to show why you lik
17、e the smell of sun.13 2.Smells of the SunvI love the sun.I love the suns rays,light and warmth,especially the suns smells.When the sun comes again after the rain,I can inhale the humid air made by the suns heat.In a sunny garden,the scent of the grass and of plants that carry the smells of the sun w
18、aft along in the breeze.I like sunning my bedclothes if it is a nice warm,sunshiny day,then the bedclothes gain an aroma of the sun after their sunbath.I ask my son,“Can you smell the sun in your bedclothes?”He picks up a corner of his bedclothes,then bends his head close to them and breathes in dee
19、ply.He answers,“What a wonderful smell of the sun.”I enjoy the smells of the sun.v -By Xe Jiao14 Comment on Smells of the Sun by Xe JiaovComment:Xe Jiao writes of the suns smells in a short paragraph.She illustrates for us the power of concrete imagery,dialogue,and descriptive words.15 3.Free Tranqu
20、ilizervVancouvers summer sunshine makes me lazy.I indulge myself under the shade of the maple trees during the summer in Central Park in order to bask in Vancouvers sunshine.Especially when the wind waves the leaves and the sunlight slides through,it feels like velvet patting my body or like a furry
21、 cat rubbing me.I like to sit on the bench,which is on the southern shore of the lake.One day,an old Labrador dog sat beside me.Although there were many adults jogging,children giggling,and squirrels chasing around,the old Labrador was as solid as a rock;he closed his eyes and ears and made his dayd
22、ream without a pause.(To be continued)16 Free TranquilizervSometimes,when the sunlight stung his nose,he shifted his body one inch to avoid it,and when the flies buzzed around his head,he twitched his muscle or his ear to dispel the greedy flies who shared his sunlight.After absorbing enough energy,
23、he trudged away contentedly.I love to sip this free tranquilizer during the summer in Vancouver.(-Anonymous writer)vComment:An excellent descriptive paragraph about the delights to be found at Central Park in Burnaby.17 Dominant Impression for Good Description vDecide on a dominant impression-an ove
24、rall attitude,mood or feeling about the place you are describing(the hustle and bustle of a market place,a haunted castle,a breathtaking scenery spot)18 What Is the Dominant Impression in the Following Photos?19 What Is the Dominant Impression in the Following Photos?20 Describing a place21 Describi
25、ng a PlacevPlaces may be described for their own sake,as in essays on visits to famous scenic places,but also for the purpose of revealing the personality and character of a person,or creating a feeling or mood.vEg.A clean and tidy room might show that the occupant is an orderly person.vEg.The howli
26、ng of a chilly wind,the falling of autumn leaves,a house standing in solitude on a barren mountain,all help to build up a somber mood and increase the feeling of depression.22 Practice:What is the dominant impression of this place?This room was chill,because it seldom had a fire;it was silent,becaus
27、e remote from the nursery and kitchen;solemn,because it was known to be so seldom entered.The house-maid alone came here on Saturdays,to wipe from the mirrors and the furniture a weeks quiet dust:and Mrs.Reed herself,at far intervals,visited it to review the contents of a certain secret drawer in th
28、e wardrobe,where were stored divers parchments(羊皮纸古文稿）,her jewel-casket,and a miniature（微型人像画）of her deceased husband.(By Charlotte Bronte)23 Practice:What is the dominant impression of this place?vPossible Key:This description gives the reader a gloomy and lifeless impression and makes one feel chi
29、lly and frightened.This place appears to be ghost-haunted.vRead P150 on textbook 24 Practice(in class)Write a one-sentence dominant impression of the following places.1.Your local supermarket on Saturday2.A reading-room in your university in the evening3.An examination room4.Playground 25 Describing
30、 an object26 Tips on how to describe an objectvState briefly how you got the object,if this is important.vProvide some basic factual information about it(its size,shape,texture,color,ect.)vPoint out its useful features(uses,functions,etc.)vFocus on a particular,probably the most important characteri
31、stic of the objectvState in what way the object is important to you27 Reading on the SubjectvRead The Pickle Jar(5mins)vAnswer the following questions:1.Why doesnt the writer open his essay with a description of the pickle jars shape?2.What method of organization does he chiefly use?3.When was the p
32、ickle jar removed from the parents room and why was it put back?4.In what way did the pickle jar become a symbol?A symbol of what?28 Describing a person29 Description of a PersonvIn describing a person,the writer should not merely give details of his appearance.He should try to reveal the persons ch
33、aracter,thoughts,and feelings,which may be shown in what the person does and says,or in how he behaves to others.vIt is important to grasp the characteristic features that distinguish him from all other people.Those features that he shares with others can be omitted.vPeculiarities and idiosyncrasies
34、 of a person,if any,should be included in the description,for they usually impress the reader deeply and give life to the person described.vShow the person in action-showing a person(indirect description)vUse anecdotes30 Ways to Describe a PersonvDescribe his/her appearance vDescribe his/her languag
35、evDescribe his/her behaviorvDescribe his/her mannervDescribe his/her psychology vEtc.31 Words Describing a PersonvAdjectives to describe a personvModest/Decorous端庄稳重的/Self-effacing谦让的/Easy-going/Quiet/Demure娴静的/Unassuming平易近人的/Soft-spoken/Compatible能谦容的/Amiable 亲切的/Without air/Affable 和蔼的/Good-humor
36、ed 脾气好的/Obliging 照顾周到的/Considerate考虑周到的/Cordial/Gregarious 合群的/Impartial 公正的Ardent/enthusiastic/zealous 热情的/Erudite 博学的/Versatile/Diligent/Thrifty/frugal 节约的Optimistic 乐观的Open and above board 正大光明/Calm,cool and collected 镇静沉着/Introverted/Extroverted32 Physical Appearance v描述身材常用的形容词有:vtall,small,sho
37、rt,of medium height v描述体型的有:vfat,thin,slim,big,small,of medium build,strong,obese等.v描述相貌的有:vbeautiful,pretty,good-looking,charming,sweet,handsome,funny,ugly,peculiar,rough,ill-looking,homely33 Physical Appearancev体格（build）:fat;thin;slim;skinny;overweight;slight;well-buildv身高（height）:medium height;av
38、erage height;below average;tall;short;tallish;middle-sized;of medium height;1.78 metersv脸型（face）:round;thin;long;square vA.She has a very pleasant smile and she always has a twinkle in her eye.vB.She was young,with a fair,calm face that showed a certain strength.34 Physical Appearancev头发（hair）:v(1)发
39、型（hair style）:vstraight;curly;pigtails;crew cut平头;baldvHer hair is brown and curly.v(2)发色(hair color):vjet-black 乌黑的;fair 金色的;blonde 淡黄色的;golden 金黄色的;dyed 染色的;brunette 浅黑色的;mousey 灰褐色的;chestnut 栗色的.vShe is a beautiful girl with fair hair.vThe middle-aged man already has double chins and receding hai
40、rline.35 Physical Appearancev五官:v(1)眼睛（eye）:vdeep-set;sunken 凹陷的;bulging/protruding 凸出的;eyelashes;eyebrows.vA.His eyes are deep-set because he has worked till midnight for a long time.v他的眼睛深陷，因为他这段时间经常工作到深夜。vB.He had the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen.36 Physical Appearancev(2)鼻子(nose):vlo
41、ng;straight;big;small;flat;hooked.vA.He was born a hooked nose.vB.His nose is very big,so he doesnt like it.v(3)嘴部(mouth):vtooth;even;uneven;chinvA.When he laughs,we see his even teeth.vB.She has a double chin.v 37 Physical Appearancev服饰（dress）:vsmart 潇洒的;scruffy 邋遢的；well-dressed 衣着华丽的;casual 随便的;co
42、nservative 不显眼的;elegant 优雅的;fashionable 时髦的;suave 文雅的;untidy 不整洁的.vA.He looks casual just wearing a tweed suit.v他穿了一件花格子衬衫，看上去很随便。vB.She always dress very elegant and tidy.v她总是穿着优雅整洁。38 LanguagevWell-educatedvEducatedvNot well-educatedvIlliteratevExample for“not well-educated”vOne day I found Tony a
43、t our meeting place behind the garage.I want to be prentice,he said.vMr.Craw,he said,I like a buy a house.39 Behaviorv快乐vA.He is very happy and sweet.vB.They didnt know what to do with themselves for joy.vC.He jumped for fun.vD.H e r f a c e brightened up.v满意 vA.The result is satisfactory.vB.It is d
44、ifficult to please everybody.vC.There is always a smile of contentment on her face.vD.She belongs to those who are very difficult to satisfy.vE.Seeing their task finished gives them a sense of satisfaction.40 Behaviorv惊讶 vA.Im surprised to find you here.vB.Its nothing to b e surprised about.vC.To my
45、 surprise,he didnt come yesterday.vD.She looked at me in amazement.vE.Her appearance fairly took my breath away.vF.Everyone looked at her in astonishment.v悲伤 vA.He looks so sad.vB.He is no stranger to sorrow.vC.His sad story makes her feel pity.vD.His wifes disease took away his appetite.vE.The news
46、 depresses her.41 Behaviorv愤怒 vA.She was burning with anger.vB.He easily loses his temper.vC.He was in a rage.vD.She was red with anger.vSpeak/say/talk/tell/chat/gossip vA.Can you child speak yet?vB.He said he wanted to go to town.vC.I want to talk to you about an urgent matter.vD.Tell me what happe
47、ned.vE.They dropped in for a chat last night.vF.You shouldnt listen to gossip.42 Model 1:A talkative personvHe is so talkative that whenever he chooses you as his listener,whether you are willing or not,you cant escape from him without helplessly giving up 2 or 3 hours of your precious time.He is a
48、frequent visitor to others houses.Once he has settled himself comfortably on your sofa,he will remain there rooted,talking on and on except for a few intervals of filling his tea cup and lighting his cigarettes.He is extremely insensitive to others attitudes;while his victims keep silent,desperately
49、 giving him hints to stop,he takes their silence as admiration of his eloquence.He is really a great talker and able to seize on any chance to begin his constant flow of words whenever he sees you.43 Model 2 vP146 44 Model 2:Tony Trivisonnos American DreamvQuestions:v1.What is the dominant impressio
50、n toward Tony Trivisonno?v2.Find out the changes in Tony Trivisonnos physical appearance.What leads to those changes?Is it necessary for the author to describe those physical changes?v3.What method of organization does he chiefly use?v4.What are some details to show the personality of Tony Trivisonn
