2.5 Techniques to make your description more vivid

• To give the reader a more vivid picture of the place/ building, to suggest mood and atmosphere, you can refer to the senses (i.e. sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch).

e.g. Visitors can dine watching the moon rise over the mountains. (sight)

e.g. You can hear the sound of church bells ringing. (hearing)

e.g. I remember the Far East with its aromas of exotic herbs and spices. (smell)

e.g. Enjoy a cup of freshly-ground Italian coffee. (taste)

e.g. Relax in the soothing warm waters of the Roman Baths. (touch)

(Successful Writing. Intermediate. St’s book. p.50)

• You may start or end your essay

• using direct speech

• asking a rhetorical question

• creating mystery, suspense or anticipation

• addressing the reader directly

• describing people’s feelings or reactions about the place/ building

• using a quotation (e.g. As Ernest Hemingway once said, “Paris is a movable feast.”)

(Successful Writing. Proficiency. St’s book. p.26)

(Successful Writing. Upper-Intermediate. St’s book. p.16)

2.6 Sample essays

Sample task:

Describe a famous capital city.

Set in the heart of southern England, London is one of the biggest and busiest cities in Europe. A truly international city, London attracts millions of visitors every year from all over the world, yet never loses its own unique charm.

London has many impressive sights to see, ranging from the histori­cal beauty of St Paul's Cathedral and Big Ben to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. In this city of contrasts, you can be walking along one of the busiest streets, yet still be less than a mile from one of the many huge, peaceful parks. London is a great cultural centre, too; the National Gallery contains one of the finest collections of classical paintings in the world.

London is also well known for other things apart from its monuments and art galleries. Shoppers will enjoy visiting the department stores on Oxford Street or they could try Harrods, the most exclusive shop in London. For evening entertainment, the choice of theatres is enormous. From the famous Southbank Theatre complex to the smaller theatres of Covent Garden, there is no end of plays to see. Soho and its pavement cafés are also worth visiting.

London is an exceptional place, a truly modern city that has managed to keep its traditional style and sense of history. You may get exhausted in London, but one thing is certain; you will never get bored because, as Dr Johnson once said, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

(Successful Writing. Upper-Intermediate. St’s book. p.12)

Sample task:

Describe a seaside resort.

An Ideal Seaside Resort

Brighton is a large town on the south-east coast of England. Located only an hour from London, it is a charming seaside resort and the perfect destination for a peaceful weekend.

Brighton has several tourist attractions which are worth visiting. Among these is the Royal Pavilion, a beautiful Indian-style palace which was built in the early nineteenth century. Brighton's most famous attraction is the lively Palace Pier, with its fantastic funfair and amusement arcades. Both young and old can have fun while admiring the spectacular view of Brighton's seafront.

There are plenty of places to go shopping in Brighton. The town centre has a large modern shopping centre. There are also narrow lanes full of lovely antique shops that are always bustling with tourists.

The nightlife in Brighton is exciting. There are a lot of music and dance clubs which are extremely popular with younger people. The area is also well-known for its fashionable restaurants, which offer a variety of international cuisines.

Brighton is a town that has something to offer everyone. Whether you want to spend your time shopping and seeing the sights, or simply relaxing and enjoying the fresh sea air, Brighton is the ideal choice for a few days away from the city.

(Successful Writing. Intermediate. St’s book. p.49)

Writing topics bank pp.77-78

2D DESCRIBING FESTIVALS/ EVENTS/ CELEBRATIONS

Descriptions of festivals, events or celebrations can be found in magazines, newspapers or travel brochures, or as parts of letters, stories, etc. The style you use depends on the situation and the intended reader.