Describing an event in the past

1. Describing an event in the past
Summer Course
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2. Describe an event in the past
• Have you learned about a great event
in Canadian history? Share it with
others!
• Here is a step-by-step guide to writing
a description of a past event.

3. Brainstorm
Practice
with an
example
Write
Agenda
Check

4. Get ready and “revisit” the event
Brainstorm

5. Description
of
_________
event
3 Supporting
details: How did
it happen?
1Introduction:
What kind of
event was it? 2 What?
Where?
When?
4 Conclusion:
Why is this
event
significant for
Canada/you?

6. Practice
with an
example
Use a model
Here you can find examples of
short event descriptions in
Canadian history.
http://www.thecanadianencyclope
dia.ca/en/timelines/100-great-
events-in-canadian-history/#

7. Now, write a paragraph using an
outline
Write

8. 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
Paragraph outline

9. • …
Introductory (topic) sentence
• …
• …Description of location, time(s), date(s)
• …
• …Provide specific details of what happened
• …Conclusion:
Summarize why this event was important in
Canadian history

10. There are a few things to check:
Check

11. Did you use past tense?
• Here is a list of irregular verb
forms:
http://www.grammar.cl/Past/Irre
gular_Verbs_List.htm
Check

12. Did you use linking words?
•Firstly, secondly, finally…
•Then
•In 1867….
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

13. 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.

14. 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
For example:
In 1877, belching locomotive Countess of
Dufferin was brought down the Red River by
the sternwheeler Selkirk to St. Boniface. The
public welcomed the first steam train to the
Canadian prairies with genuine interest and
curiosity.

15. Did you post your writing on the
forum?
Please share your story on the forum!
We are looking forward to reading all
the great descriptions!

16. Linking words
Link Collection:
http://www.michellehenry.fr/link.htm
Overview
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conjunctions.htm
Excellent interactive BBC site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode64/languagepo
int.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/#g
Excellent, interactive U of Vic site:
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/sample/beginner/wt/wt_22.htm

17. Linking words
Quizzes
http://www.learn-english-today.com/wordgames/hotpot-quizzes/linking-words1.html
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/connectwords.html
http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/4g67-linking-words.php
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode64/quiz.shtml

18. www.myenglishonline.ca
Check list: Perfect Paragraphs
Rubrics and check - lists
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1035435
http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/edit.htm
http://college.cengage.com/devenglish/fawcett/grassroots/8e/students/writingbetter/index.html

19. Thank you!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License.