The document provides guidance for writing a description of an event, including brainstorming the event, using an example, and following an outline. It recommends including an introduction with the event name, date, place and reasons for celebrating. It suggests having paragraphs on preparations, activities, and a conclusion with final thoughts. Descriptive details about sights, sounds, smells and tastes are also encouraged. The document provides linking words, expressions and a checklist to help write a coherent multi-paragraph description.

1. Describing an Event
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2. Have you been to a great
event?
Share your story!
Here is a step-by-step guide to writing
a description
of an event.
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3. Brainstorm
Practice
with an
example
Write
Agenda
Check
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4. Your Task
This is a short guide to preparing an interesting description of
an event you visitedthis summer.
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5. Get ready and “revisit” the event
Brainstorm
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6. Description
of
_________
event
3 What
activities
happened
there?
1Why is this
event
important /
significant /
fun for you?
2date
place time
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7. Practice
with an
example
Use a model
Here you can find a great example
of a description of an event.
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8. Now, write 5 paragraphs using an
outline
Write
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9. There will be 5 paragraphs:
Each paragraph talks about one main idea.
This main idea is the topic of the paragraph.
The paragraph includes specific details and examples about the
main idea.
Topic Sentence
1. Supporting Sentence
2. Supporting Sentence
3. Supporting Sentence
Concluding sentence
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10. Layout
Introduction:
•Mention the name type of event
•Reason for celebrating this event
•Set the scene (time-place)

11. Main body
1st paragraph:
Preparations
2nd paragraph:
Decorations
3rd paragraph:
Actual description of the events:
• Costume
• Games
• Food activities

12. Conclusion:
•Final thought
•Comments
•feelings

13. Annual events:
• Present simple is used:
• Ex. Carnivals festivals that takes place every
year
Something that you attended in the past:
• Past simple is used
•The passive is frequently
used to describe the
preparations or activities
which take place

14. Make your description vivid:
• Using the narrative technique and the
variety of adjectives e.g:
• Crowded
• Brightly
• Coloured
• Clapping
• Cheering
• Sounds

15. A list of guiding words:
•Preparations:
• Paper plates & cups
• Flowers food
• Plastic cutlery
• Balloons
• Actual day
• Sing “Happy birthday”
• Play games
• Watch videos
• Feelings
• All enjoyed themselves
• Some were bored
• Beauty
• Sparkle
• Marvel
• Magic
• Luxury
• Plenty
• Glitter
• Joy
• entertain

16. Introduction:
Include something interesting and why this
event is important / fun to go to
Description of location, time, date
Describe the activities that happened
Describe the sensory details:
Smells, colors, sounds, tastes
Conclusion:
Summarize why this event was worth
attending and what you especially enjoyed
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To be
copied
in CW

17. There are a few things to check:
Check
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18. Did you use past tense?
Check
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19. Did you use linking words?
•Firstly, secondly, finally…
•Then
•2010, 2011….
Sequencing
ideas
•and
•In addition
•also
Adding
information
•Due to the fact
•Because
•Since
Giving a
reason
•but
•Despite the fact
Contrasting
ideas
•therefore
•so
Giving a
result
Check
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20. • USEFUL EXPRESSIONS (list of useful expressions and
phrases)
• Every year, the people
of…………………….celebrate…………………..
• People in Alex celebrate…………………….
• ……………………………..is a big celebration……
• This holiday is in…………………
• It is called……………………………….
• The festival comes from an ancient custom
………………………..
• In the evenings…..
• It’s a religious festival devoted to…………………

21. Did you check grammar and
mechanics?
Check
Sentences begin with
capital letter.
Sentences have proper
punctuation.
Spelling is checked.
There is subject- verb
agreement in each
sentence.
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22. Did you use descriptive words?
Check
Do not use vague words or generalities (such
as good, nice, bad, or beautiful).
Be specific and use sensory, descriptive words
(adjectives).
For example:
I ate a good dinner.
OR
I devoured a steaming hot, cheese - filled
pepperoni pizza for dinner.
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23. Did you provide sensory details?
Check
Smells that are in the air (the aroma of
freshly brewed coffee)
Sounds (laughing people, uplifting music)
Sights (“people dressed in colorful
dresses”)
Touch (“The texture of silky bags sold
there were so smooth.”)
Taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, tart (“drink
stalls selling fresh coconut juice, orange
juice or iced water. ”)
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24. DESCRIBING FESTIVALS, EVENTS,
CEREMONIES*
• Name, time, place of the event, reason(s) for celebrating (what,
when, where, why);
• Preparations;
• Actual event (what was
going on);
• Feelings, comments,
final thoughts.
27February,2015
24

25. DESCRIBING A FESTIVAL
We celebrate Christmas on December 25. Christmas
honours the birth of Jesus Christ and is celebrated by Christians
all over the world.
In England, preparations for Christmas begin in November,
when shop windows are decorated with Christmas ornaments
such as colourful streams, silver tinsels and golden bells.
Christmas lists are written to Santa Claus by children. Finishing
touches are put on Christmas cakes and puddings. A Christmas
tree is decorated with ornaments, bulbs and a star at the top.
Glittering lights are hung in the streets and on the trees, and
wreaths are placed on city buildings and doorways.
27February,2015
25

26. On Christmas morning, the tearing of wrapping paper is
heard as gifts are exchanged, opened and admired. If it is a
“white” Christmas, fresh snow covers the town and
snowmen are made. As the turkey is sizzling in the oven, its
delicious aroma fills the house. Later, the turkey, sausages,
bacon, stuffing and potatoes are served for dinner. The
family, dressed in their best clothes, sits down to enjoy a
delicious meal, which puts a smile on everyone’s face. In the
evening families relax and enjoy the gifts they have
received.
The warm feeling of Christmas spirit fills the home as
the children play happily with their new toys and the adults
relax. This is the time when family members feel closest to
each other, after sharing a day of love and joy.
27February,2015
26

27. Thank you!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.
www.myenglishonline.ca
Homework:
Write a description for an
event you attended recently