Writing to a Prompt - Descriptive

Brenda Hill
Aug 03, 2009

Research supports writing across the curriculum as a means of raising student achievement in all disciplines.  Schools that have shown significant increases in student achievement have consistently focused on nonfiction writing (Doug Reeves, 2006). Students write for various reasons, for different audiences, and from different perspectives.  In order for students to produce quality writing products, it is imperative that we teach them how to organize and pace themselves to effectively meet state writing standards. Narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive writing prompts are great ways to prepare students for formal and informal assessments.

Descriptive writing is used to describe people, places or events.  The characteristics of descriptive writing are as follows: describes one or more persons, places, things, or events; presents a problem with solutions; includes many details and facts; has an introduction, body, and conclusion; describes cause/effect; and organizational flow is connected by transitional words. Practice of descriptive writing allows students to feel competent and confident in their ability to produce quality written products.

Descriptive writing prompts will vary depending upon the grade level and ages of students. Examples of descriptive writing prompts are:

  • Describe how slavery led to the Civil War.
  • Describe your school, home, or favorite toy.
  • The winds and forceful waters of a hurricane can do great damage to a coastline.  Describe the effects of the winds and waters of a hurricane and the possible short- and long-term solutions.
  • Describe how the food we eat impacts who we are.
  • Good hygiene is important to keep you body healthy.  Describe the effects of poor hygiene on your body.
  • Choose your favorite planet in the solar system.  Write a paper to describe its characteristics.

Descriptive writing helps the reader visualize an event, situation, or object. There are multiple, varied opportunities for your students to descriptively write across the curriculum.  A descriptive writing prompt provides practice opportunities for the growth and development of your students as effective communicators. Continue faithfully in your daily instructional practices as you develop each and every student's written communication skills to be demonstrated now and in the future!!!!!

See the Learning-Focused Writing Resources in the Literacy Collection by clicking here!