EL P1 Descriptions Types Notes

1 Name:____________________________ ( ) Date:________ Sec _________ 1. Descriptive writing : Describing an event When describing an event, we can brainstorm about the atmosphere, venue, characters and any noteworthy incidents that happed during the event. In this descriptive essay, the writer focuses on describing an atmosphere that suggests the event will be a disappointment. The writer uses foreshadowing to amply prepare the readers for the eventual disappointment. She does this by describing things associated with the atmosphere and by describing a series of complications to explain why the event did not live up to his expectations. Note also how the writer uses a range of specific adjectives, similes, adverbs and metaphors to make the disappointment palpable. Essay question: Describe an event that you looked forward to which turn out to be disappointing My alarm clock went off and I jolted up in bed, ready to seize the day. It was the day of Party in the Country, a special music festival hosted in a remote part of the countryside. All weekend long, attendants would camp outdoors to enjoy the festivities amongst the serenity of the natural woodland and have a wonderful time. I had been eagerly awaiting this weekend getaway ever since it was announced, especially as my childhood idols, The Funky Monkeys, were playing. Little did I realise that a tumultuous experience awaited me. The drive down to the festival site was scenic but uneventful. Cruising along the highway, I observed the cluttered skyline of the concrete jungle gradually fading into low-rise buildings and eventually I was surrounded by countryside. A vista of rolling pastures flew by my window as my rusty sedan that had seen better days chugged along winding roads. Occasionally, other cars would honk while whizzing by, crammed full of fresh young faces whooping with joy or singing along to the stereo. I smiled to myself as their boisterous sounds trailed off into the distance; clearly I was not alone in my pilgrimage to this grand bonanza. When I finally reached the location, my elation was slightly dampened by an audible squish. I had stepped out of my vehicles and immediately, my sparkling new Doctor Martens boots were half sunk into the damp soil. Rain from the night before had made the ground slick with mud, and the air was stale and musty. Far from the verdant refuge, I had envisioned in my fantasies, this looked more like a muddy swamp. Reassuring myself, I pitched my tent for the night, and got some rest. The following morning, I awoke to the dull thudding of distant music in the background. Dragging myself out of the warm sleeping bag, I already felt hungry. Looking around for my packed food, I realized that ants had breached my tent overnight. Repulsed, I traced the snaking trail of scurrying black bodies all the way to my snack bag, where they had already unceremoniously begun devouring my food. Disgruntled and famished, I dumped the contaminated food into the bin with a bitter sneer. Just then, I caught the familiar smell of bacon wafting in the air. Around the corner, some fellow campers had brought a portable grill and they were cooking up a storm. Transfixed by the sight of the delicious meats shimmering as they sizzled in the sunlight, I almost did not hear them inviting me over to join them. I was grateful for the sustenance and glad to make new friends. Later that evening, it was time for the headliner, The Funky Monkey, to perform and the excitement in the air was palpable. When the band members s trutted out from the backstage, the crowd roared and surged forward, crashing upon the barricades like waves on a shore. Standing at the front of the stage, I was fortunate not to get crushed by the enthusiastic bodies behind me. Although uncomfortable, I was still giddy with anticipation. Then, finally, Mother Nature took things into her own hands.

2 First, a sharp flash of lightning took us by surprise and the crowd heaved a collective gasp. Then after a pregnant pause, the crack of thunder reverberated o minously in the distance and rain began pouring relentlessly onto the festival grounds. Just when we thought it could not get any worse, the lights went out, and we were all plunged into an icy darkness. Panic ensued as people scrambled for shelter amidst a flurry of screams, cellphone flashlights and wet bodies stampeded towards the camp area. Cold and disoriented, I stumbled across the cluttered remains of the concert, a dark field blanketed by plastic trash, barely finding my tent amongst the havoc. At that point, I decided I had had enough and began packing up to return to the city. Wh at was intended as a fun breezy getaway had become a stressful nightmare. As I drove home alongside the caravan of irate festival goers, I learnt that in the future, I should moderate my expectations and prepare myself better especially for outdoor events. Foreshadowing: Describing the atmosphere through the surroundings In paragraph 3, the writer foreshadows the disappointing event through the following descriptions of the surrounding, thereby creating a certain atmosphere. The Surrounding Descriptions Soil damp Ground slick with mud Air stale and musty place like a muddy swamp Foreshadowing: Describing a series of complications The writer also describes a series of complications: Complication Descriptions Ants devouring the food Repulsed, I traced the snaking trail of scurrying black bodies all the way to my snack bag, where they had already unceremoniously begun devouring my food. Boisterous crowd When the band members strutted out from the backstage, the crowd roared and surged forward, crashing upon the barricades like waves on a shore. Standing at the front of the stage, I was fortunate not to get crushed by the enthusiastic bodies behind me. Bad weather First, a sharp flash of lightning took us by surprise and the crowd heaved a collective gasp. Then after a pregnant pause, the crack of thunder reverberated ominously in the distance and rain began pouring relentlessly onto the festival grounds. Lights went out Just when we thought it could not get any worse, the lights went out, and we were all plunged into an icy darkness. Panic ensued as people scrambled for shelter amidst a flurry of screams, cellphone flashlights and wet bodies stampeded towards the camp area. Ruined camp areas Cold and disoriented, I stumbled across the cluttered remains of the concert, a dark field blanketed by plastic trash, barely finding my tent amongst the havoc.

3 2. Descriptive writing : Describing an object Appealing through associations Association is a powerful way of linking a remembered emotion to an object, person or idea. We tend to remember messages of a story or an idea more vividly through associations. Associations also help to bring out the significance and value of an object or a person. In fact, we use associations everyday. While some associations are unique to some cultures and some societies, many associations are universal. For instance, fast food is associated with convenience and instant gratification; a home is associated with protection and security; and a baby is associated with innocence and vulnerability. Colours have their associations too: white is associated with purity and peace while red is associated with passion and love. Essay question: Describe a possession that reminds you of your childhood days and why you will never discard it. Although memories of my early childhood are, at best, foggy in my mind, the memory of one particular object has stayed crystal clear: my ‘po -chim’. Back in those days, it was customary for newborn babies in Hokkien (a Chinese dialect) to be given a bolster, known as a ‘po -chim’. Although I was given more sophisticated stuffed toys as bedtime companions as the years passed, nothing