1. ASManager2_6.zip Driver
2. i_descrb.txt File Contents

i_descrb.txt Driver File Contents (ASManager2_6.zip)

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"Describe" Essay Questions

Essay questions will sometimes ask you to describe something. Describe means to give a word picture of a thought, idea, or situation. The explanation must be very complete and detailed either spatially or chronologically. Your description should work to present a single, clear picture of a person, place, thing, or idea.

Describe the effect of the ozone layer on radiation falling on the earth.

Describe the role the U.S. played in the disarmament discussions.

Describe the young boy's actions when he saw the old man asleep in his chair in Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea.

Strategy

Jot down everything you know about the topic. Brainstorm to develop this list of ideas. Use colors, feelings, smells, appearances, sounds, and tastes to describe the topic. Include everything you know about the topic in brief phrases. Later, you can cut back to only those things that answer the question.

Essay Question

Describe the collision of the world's largest meteorite with the earth.

Topic: world's largest meteorite

Ideas

1. hit earth in China

2. date was March of 1976

3. weighed 3,902 pounds

4. broke into several pieces

5. landed near some homes but no one was hurt

6. made a hole in the earth six meters deep and two meters wide

7. sounded like a sonic boom

8. there was a grayish flash

9. created a mushroom-shaped cloud of yellow smoke and dust

Now, it should be easier to answer the question.

Step 1

Rephrase and incorporate the question into your topic sentence.

I will describe the impact of the world's largest meteorite, which hit China in March of 1976.

(Notice that two facts about the meteorite are included in the topic sentence.)

Step 2

Write the information you listed about the meteorite into sentences supporting your topic sentence. Remember that your topic sentence says you will "describe the impact." Don't wander from this objective.

The huge meteorite weighed 3,902 pounds and broke into several pieces upon impact. The crater created by the meteorite measured six meters deep and two meters wide. According to eyewitness accounts, there was a grayish flash and a sound like a sonic boom. Then a mushroom-shaped cloud of yellow smoke and dust appeared.

(Notice the writer did not use the fact about no one getting hurt, as it would have deviated somewhat from the intent of the paragraph.)

Step 3

Write a summary sentence.

The impact of this meteorite created quite an impression which we are fortunate enough to have witnessed.

Choose three of the essay questions listed below and make a list of descriptive ideas about each topic.

Describe a grandmother you have known.

Topic: A grandmother

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Describe the preparation of popcorn.

Topic: Popcorn

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Describe a violent thunderstorm.

Topic: Thunderstorm

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Describe the appearance of clouds at sunset.

Topic: Clouds

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.


Name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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Choose one of the essay questions from above and write a complete essay answer for this topic. The topics were thunderstorm, grandmother, clouds, and popcorn.

1. Type your chosen topic here:

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2. Scroll up and copy your list of supporting ideas down to this space.

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3. Now write an essay answer of at least one paragraph. Remember to do the following:

a) Include the question in the topic sentence at the very beginning. "I will describe a thunderstorm."

b) Organize your ideas so they follow each other logically.

c) Provide enough details and examples to make your answer interesting and original.

d) Make sure the details relate to the topic.

e) Write an interesting summary or concluding statement.

"Describe" Essay

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Retype or copy your essay answer in the space below. Then share it with a friend or with your writing support group and make revisions. Think about these questions.

1. How clearly do you state the purpose of your essay?

2. How orderly is your presentation?

3. Do you present interesting examples?

4. Do your examples all relate to the topic?

5. Is your closing statement a good summary?

Revised "Describe" Essay

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If you haven't done so already, name and save this file now. (Press ctrl+S, type a name for the file, and press enter.)

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end of activity
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