Language Arts: Writing a Descriptive Paragraph
Use details, senses, and strong words to paint a picture with writing
Language Arts: Writing a Descriptive Paragraph
Use details, senses, and strong words to paint a picture with writing
Language Arts - Grade 2-3
- 1
Read this sentence: The dog is nice. Rewrite it with at least two describing words that tell more about the dog.
Think about the dog's size, color, fur, and actions.
A strong answer might be: The small, fluffy dog is friendly and playful. This sentence gives the reader a clearer picture of the dog. - 2
Look at a picture of a beach. Write one topic sentence for a paragraph that describes the beach.
A strong answer might be: The sunny beach is a bright and peaceful place to spend the day. This sentence tells what the paragraph will describe. - 3
List three words that describe how a warm chocolate chip cookie might smell, taste, or feel.
Use your senses of smell, taste, and touch.
A strong answer might include sweet, warm, and soft. These words use the senses to help describe the cookie. - 4
Read this paragraph: My backpack is on the floor. It is blue. It has books. Add two more descriptive details to make the paragraph more interesting.
A strong answer might add: My backpack has shiny silver zippers and a round space patch on the front. These details help the reader imagine the backpack. - 5
Choose the better descriptive word in this sentence: The kitten had tiny or big paws. Write the sentence with the word that makes the most sense for a small kitten.
Think about the size of a young cat.
The kitten had tiny paws. The word tiny makes sense because kittens are small. - 6
Write three sensory details about a rainy day. Include something you can see, hear, and feel.
A strong answer might be: I can see dark gray clouds. I can hear raindrops tapping on the roof. I can feel cool drops on my hands. - 7
Read this sentence: The garden was pretty. Rewrite it so it describes the garden with color and detail.
Name flowers, colors, or things growing in the garden.
A strong answer might be: The garden was full of bright red roses, yellow daisies, and green leaves. This sentence uses colors and details. - 8
Put these sentences in the best order for a descriptive paragraph: A. The playground has tall slides and bright swings. B. My school playground is my favorite place at recess. C. I love hearing friends laugh as we run across the soft wood chips.
The best order is B, A, C. The paragraph starts with a topic sentence, then gives details about what the playground has and sounds like. - 9
Write a closing sentence for this paragraph: My bedroom is cozy. A soft blue blanket covers my bed. My favorite books sit on a small white shelf. A warm lamp glows beside my pillow.
End by telling how the place feels or why it matters.
A strong closing sentence might be: My bedroom is the perfect place to rest and read. This sentence wraps up the paragraph. - 10
Look at a picture of a forest path. Write two sentences that describe what you can see.
A strong answer might be: Tall green trees stand on both sides of the path. Brown leaves cover the ground like a crunchy blanket. - 11
Circle the sentence that would fit best in a descriptive paragraph about a birthday cake: The cake had pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles. I went to school on Monday. Explain your choice.
Pick the sentence that tells more about the cake.
The sentence The cake had pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles fits best because it describes the birthday cake with details. - 12
Write a descriptive sentence about a pencil. Include its color, size, or how it feels.
A strong answer might be: The long yellow pencil feels smooth in my hand and has a pink eraser on top. This sentence gives specific details. - 13
Look at a picture of a busy kitchen. Write one sentence that describes a sound and one sentence that describes a smell.
Use hearing for sound and smelling for smell.
A strong answer might be: Pans clatter as dinner cooks on the stove. The kitchen smells like warm soup and fresh bread. - 14
Read this topic sentence: The zoo is full of amazing animals. Write three detail sentences that could follow it.
A strong answer might be: A tall giraffe stretches its neck to eat leaves. A striped tiger walks slowly near the rocks. Colorful parrots flap their wings and call loudly. - 15
Write a complete descriptive paragraph about your favorite toy, place, food, or animal. Include a topic sentence, at least three details, and a closing sentence.
Tell what it looks like, feels like, sounds like, smells like, or why you like it.
Answers will vary. A strong paragraph has a clear topic sentence, several descriptive details using strong words or senses, and a closing sentence that finishes the idea.