Descriptive Writing Success criteria for descriptive writing 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

The descriptive piece contains figurative language There is at least one, and preferably more, adjective before each noun. All five senses are included, or at least implied, not just vision. Color descriptions are in precise shades, perhaps using compound adjectives. The sentence lengths are varied, with some complex sentences included. There are personal and imaginative elements, not just facts and statistics. There is some kind of logical framework giving the description form, dimension and progression. The description contains unusual, polysyllabic, interesting and ambitious vocabulary words. The description is free from repetition of ideas or vocabulary. The description is free from clichs (overused and predictable expressions) The description is free from everyday verbs like have and got, and vague and immature adjectives like nice, good, big, small, etc. The sentences begin in different ways (avoiding beginning them all with It). An atmosphere is evoked which engages the reader. There is a range of details which clearly define the ideas and images. The piece has scope and variety. The ideas are developed and clearly sequenced. The piece avoids becoming narrative-based.

Works Cited
Cox, Marian. Cambridge IGCSE First Language English Teacher's Resource. Cambridge: Camridge University Press, 2010.

Arul Prabaharan Gaspar Asia Pacific World School Bangalore, India