This document provides guidance on how to write a description of a place or building. It recommends including an introduction with the name, location, and reason for choosing the place. The main body should provide detailed descriptions of the key aspects of the place using the senses. A conclusion can include comments, feelings, or recommendations. Descriptive writing can be found in magazines, brochures, stories, and letters. Style depends on the intended audience. Present tense is typically used to describe places, and past tense for historical facts. Sensory details like sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures help bring the description to life.

1. A DESCRIPTION OF A
PLACE

2. • A descriptive composition about a place or a building
should consist of:
• an introduction in which you give the name and location of
the place or building and / or the reason for choosing it;
• a main body in which you describe the main aspects of the
place or building in detail; for example, when you describe
a place you should describe what you can see and do
there; when you describe a building you should describe its
exterior and interior, as well as give historical facts about it;
• a conclusion which includes your comments / feelings and
/or a recommendation. Descriptions of places or buildings
can be found in tourist magazines, travel brochures,
stories, letters, etc. The style you use depends on the
situation and the intended reader. For example, in an
article for a magazine you should use semi-formal style and
a polite, respectful tone. You normally use present tenses
to describe a place/ building. You use past tenses to write
about the historical facts.

3. USING THE SENSES
To give the reader a more vivid picture of the place/building
you are describing, you can refer to the senses (i.e. sight,
hearing, smell, taste and touch).
• Visitors can dine watching the moon rise over the
mountains, (sight)
• You can hear the sound of church bells ringing .
(hearing)
• I remember the Far East with its aromas of exotic
herbs and spices , (smell)
• Enjoy a cup of freshly-ground Italian coffee , (taste)
• Relax in the soothing warm waters of the Roman
Baths, (touch)

4. EXAMPLE: FASCINATING LISBON
Lisbon, one of the oldest capitals in Europe, is situated on the best coast of Portugal.
Its rich history, colourful traditions and more modern attractions make it a fascinating
city.
Anyone lucky enough to visit Lisbon will find plenty to see and do. For a start, the
magnificent Castle of Saint George is a must. The castle, which is built on a hill,
offers a fantastic view over the city. Directly below is Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon.
Visitors can walk along its narrow streets where they can see fish sellers carrying
baskets on their heads. In Bélem, the city’s port, tourists can visit the Mosteiro dos
Jeronimos, a beautiful monastery built in the 16th century. Baixa, the busy shopping
area of the city, offers a great variety of handmade souvenirs and elegant designer
clothes.
Lisbon’s nightlife is exciting and varied. Visitors can have a drink in Barrio Alto, the
ancient port of the city, where fado- traditional Portuguese music- fills the air with its
sad, romantic sounds. They can also enjoy delicious seafood at first-class
restaurants. For those who like to dance the nigh away there are many trendy
nightclubs in the area.
Lisbon is a wonderful city. If you want to experience the beauty and fascination of a
great European capital, it would be the perfect holiday destination for you.