The Description Paragraph

The Description Paragraph

     This category of paragraph is developed by using the technique of description. This indicates that the function of the development section of a description paragraph is to describe a person, a place or an object. In other words, it gives a picture of anything in words. It gives relevant and significant details to make the description lively and vivid.

     As usual, a description paragraph also contains a topic sentence, some developers and a terminator. The topic sentence in this case makes on overall comment on the subject to be described and its controlling idea is generally expressed in descriptive adjectives or adverbs. The developers present necessary details to support the comment and the terminator strengthens the comment by restating it. '

    Here are two model description paragraphs. Read them with close attention to see how they are organized and developed.

1. Rajshahi University Campus

The University of Rajshahi has a beautiful campus. Far from the din and noise of the city, it enjoys a calm and quiet natural atmosphere. It is quite a big campus with an are a of about 750 acres. It is bordered by a road in the south and a railway in the north. The Administration Building of the university with a nice garden in front of it faces the main gate and is surrounded by many other buildings. The buildings are all connected with one another by a vast network of Streets. The rows of different kinds of trees on each side of the streets contribute greatly to the beauty of the campus. It is further enhanced by the green fields, beautiful gardens and the bougainvilleas with their red and purple bracts scattered here and there in the campus. At night the whole campus is lighted by innumerable electric bulbs and then it appears wonderful to the traveling viewers. In fact, this campus has a wonderful scenic beauty.

2. Adornment of a Girl

       The girl who has won the Beauty Contest this year adorned herself m o s t beautifully. She dressed herself in silks and satins. Both her skirt and blouse were splendid. She wore red shoes to match her dress. Besides, she made herself up with dazzling cosmetics. Every item of her cosmetics had a wonderful combination. Her magnificent blonde hair fell beneath her waist. She also wore brilliant ornaments. The bands round her wrists, the chain with the diamond locket round her neck and the rings hanging from her ears—everything was giving out a glittering ray of light. When she appeared on the stage before the onlookers, she held them spellbound with her amusing beauty and splendour.

       As far as the above paragraphs are concerned, both of them have the same structure. Each contains an Introduction, a Development and a Conclusion. However, the first of them describes a place, while the second describes a person. The controlling idea in the former is expressed in an adjective, while that in the latter is expressed in an adverb. You have noticed that both the paragraphs describe static subjects which have nothing to do with the sequence of time. In fact, a description paragraph does generally describe things in their static conditions. In other words, it is a photographic representation of something.

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MAIN POINTS

     i) A description paragraph follows the technique of description.

     ii) It gives a picture o f anything in words.

     iii) It gives relevant and significant details to make the description vivid.

     iv) The controlling idea of a" description paragraph is generally expressed in adjectives and adverbs.

     v) A. description paragraph generally describes a static thing. .

VOCABULARY ENRICHMENT

     adornment — decoration

     blonde - magnificent; o f golden colour

     bougainvillea — Climbing shrub with small flowers surrounded by red bracts

     bract — leaf-like part of a plant situated below a flower

     dazzling — glittering; much too brilliant

     din — loud continuous noise

     (to) enhance - increase

     (to) make oneself up - apply cosmetics to the face.

     Network — complex system of lines crossing one another

     onlooker - person looking at something happening

     overall - including everything

     silks and satins — rich clothes

     spellbound — held by a charm

     static — at rest; not dynamic

     vivid - clear and distinct

EXERCISES

   1. Write a paragraph on each of the following subjects using the method of description:-

   a) The village you live in

     b) Your best friend

     c) A Railway Station

     d) An Ordinary Tea Stall

     e) The Novel You Like Best

  2. Develop each of the following topic sentences into a description paragraph:

      a) The Taz Mohal is one of the seven wonders of the world.

      b) It was a very bad unlucky day for me.