Writing

Write a descriptive essay about the world’s famous person you admire.

NOTE the structure of a descriptive composition on the following page and consider the following points:

Points to consider

• Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence, which introduces the subject of the paragraph. A variety of linking words should be used to connect ideas.

• To describe physical appearance, details should be given as follows: height/build, age, facial features, hair, clothes, moving from the most general aspects to the more specific details, e.g. John Is a tail, slim man in his mid forties. He has a thin face, blue eyes and a large nose. His short hair is greying at the temples. He is usually casualty dressed.

• To describe character and behaviour you can support your description with examples, e.g. Sally is very sociable. She loves going to parties and dances If you want to mention any negative qualities, use mild language (tends to, seems to, is rather, can occasionally be, etc.). e.g. Instead of saying Sally is arrogant, it is better to say Sally tends to be rather arrogant.

• Variety in the use of adjectives will make your description more interesting, e.g. good-natured, welt-behaved, gorgeous, etc.

• Present tenses can be used to describe someone connected to the present, e.g. someone you see every day. Past tenses can be used to describe someone related to the past, e.g. someone who is no longer alive, someone whom you won't meet again ... etc.

The structure of a descriptive essay

A descriptive composition about a person should consist of: a) an introduction where you give some brief information about the person (his/her name, time or place you met/saw him/her, how you heard about him/her); b) a main body where you describe physical appearance, personality characteristics and hobbies/interests/everyday activities in separate paragraphs; and c) a conclusion which includes your comments and/or feelings about the person. Such descriptions can be found in articles, letters, witness statements, novels, etc.

Introduction Paragraph 1 name of the person; time you met, saw him/her Main Body Paragraph 2 physical appearance Paragraph 3 personal characteristics and justifications Paragraph 4 hobbies, interests or any activities he/she takes part in Conclusion Final Paragraph comments and feelings about the person

Subtopic 2: Household names. Comprehension

1.1 Listen to the interview with Anita Roddick, the founder of The Body Shop¹, while listening tick the points that she makes, and put a cross beside the things that are not mentioned or which are untrue.

1. Before founding The Body Shop, she …

a taught French and history b travelled around the world

c worked for the United Nations d lived with people in the Third World

2. The Body Shop and its products have been successful because .

a women feel at home in the shops b customers aren't pressurised to buy c they don't celebrate youth and passivity d they celebrate women and social justice

e political and social issues are publicised f they help women to look younger g of the thoughtfulness behind the scenes h the products are good value

3. She enjoys . . .

A the wide variety of things she does b staying in the best hotels

c learning as she travels around the world d being in uncomfortable situations

4. She doesn't enjoy . . .

a being responsible for so many people b not having enough time for herself

c dealing with hierarchy d talking about emotions and feelings at work

5. She relaxes by ...

A spending time with her granddaughter b going to the cinema and the theatre

c going for long walks d eating out with people she loves

6. She is proud of...

A challenging the beauty industry b redefining the idea of beauty

c helping people in the Third World d making business kinder and gentler

1.2 Answer the questions below

• What have you learnt about The Body Shop?

• What kinds of products are sold there?

• What kind of image does The Body Shop have? What advantages does The Body Shop have as viewed from the customer’s side?

• What makes The Body Shop and its philosophy different from the mainstream cosmetics industry? What do they campaign on, what’s their social policy?

• What is her vision of a modern woman? What kind of beauty do they celebrate?

• What Anitta Roddick compares travelling with and why?

• What is Anitta Roddick’s business policy? In what way did she reinvented business?

• What are the dark sides of running such a big business?

• What are the reasons of Anitta Roddick’s success and fame? Why is she considered a prominent entrepreneur?

• What are pros and cons of being rich and famous as viewed by Anitta Roddick?

• Do you have similar shops in your country? Would you like to have one?

2. Make a list of people who are “household names” in your country – famous (living) people that most people have heard of according to the suggested scheme:

1 sportsman

1 sportswomen

2 singers or entertainers

2 business people

2 politicians

2 actors or film stars

2 writers

3. Role-play a conversation between a local person and a foreigner who wants to know about the person from your list. Explain him/her why these people are famous. Use synonyms to ‘famous’, ‘admire’. Try to include both women and men.