Descriptive Journal
Purpose: Write a 1-2 page vivid and sensory description of a person, place or event.
Due Date: Turn in portfolio with brainstorming notes, outline, first draft, revisions and final draft
on Thursday, February 2.
Evaluation Criteria
Engage your audience: Grab your reader’s attention in your introduction, and clearly identity
the subject and purpose of your description.
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Use vivid and sensory details and imagery: Avoid vague, over-used or clichéd words and
expressions.
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Organize your Description: Provide a visual, thematic or chronological order to your
descriptions. Provide a meaningful story or narrative related to your place or subject.
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Conclusion and Reflection: Explain why this description is meaningful or relevant to you or
your readers. Answer “So What?” from your readers.
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Editing: Use correct spelling, grammar and writing format.
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Average Score:
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GRADE:
8
Descriptive Strategies
Use imagery to appeal to the five senses.
Organize your description, either visually, thematically or chronologically.
Provide your readers with relevant context or background to understand your descriptions.
Use specific names, vivid words and interesting language
 Don’t overuse forms of “to be” (It was a nice day). Instead, use strong, concrete, specific
action verbs. (The sun rose clear and bright that morning).
 Avoid the passive voice (The money was lost). Instead, clearly identify your subject and
what he/she did. (I lost the money)
 Use clear, fresh imagery through well chosen adjectives, adverbs and figurative
language.
1. Metaphor: Prejudice is a stinging dart
2. Simile: Like mosquitoes, photographers surrounded the subject.
3. Personification: Wind whistled over the rooftops.
4. Allusion: With Herculean strength, we lifted the tree to the truck.
5. Overstatement: I left a mountain of dishes in the sink this morning.
6. Understatement: Hurricane Allison was no Sunday picnic
 Avoid clichés (Aunt Bertha was as pretty as a picture) and non-specific words or
expressions such as “things”, “a lot”, “is” or “Back in the day…”
 Exploit the connotations of words. (Note the difference between “house” and “home”)