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-6-
Informal letters

Friendly / Informal Register:

In the exam you may be asked to write a letter or an email to a friend, a pen
friend or a relative. Such letters or emails are called "Friendly Letters", in which you
need to use informal or friendly "register" when you write to them. So, what is a
friendly register?
 Although it is called friendly, it is NOT as the language you would use when
speaking to a friend.
 Although it is written, it is NOT as formal as the language you would use when
writing, for example, a letter applying for a job.
 In other words, friendly register is a level of language which comes between
informal spoken language and formal written language.

Writing in friendly register:

When writing in friendly "informal" register, be careful not to make your level of
language too informal. Do not include the following features which are often used
when speaking to a friend:

1. Words shortened to look phonetic "to look the way they sound":
X How y doin? √ How are you?

2. Text message "SMS"- style phonetics, such as:" u → you", "i → I" or a
number to present a word: "4 → for"

X How r u? √ How are you?

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-8-
 Features of Friendly Register:
R1 Always Personalise and Create the reader's Interest
Here is a list of phrases which help you to join your ideas together and also personalise
them for the reader – in other words, these phrases will make the reader feel that he is
included in your thoughts as you write and that his feelings and opinions have been
taken into account.
 You’ll truly / absolutely / genuinely/ enjoy.......
 You’ll be pleased / delighted/ glad to know.......
 I know you....
 I’m sure you’ll get well on with.
The following examples show you how to use these phrases:
1) E.g.: ‘You’ll be delighted/ tickled to know there’s a fitness centre near where I live, so
that we can work out in the gym anytime.’
‘You’ll be delighted to know’ = personalising; it shows you know
something about what makes your friend happy, her hobbies,
character, etc.
‘There’s a fitness centre near where I live’ – Why tell your friend this? To
create interest.
‘so that we can work out in the gym.’ = personalizing again because it
shows you know your friend likes to work out. It is also support,
because it explains why your house is in a good location for your
friend.
2) E.g.: I’m sure you’ll get on well with my brother, Seif! He’s frantic/
delirious about football, just like you!
'I’m sure you’ll get on well with my brother Seif'= personalising
'He’s frantic about football'= support.
'just like you''= personalising
3) E.g.: I know you’ll love my mum’s cooking! She’s a PRO and can make
almost anything – especially the red velvet cupcakes; your favourite of
course!
I know you’ll love my mum’s cooking! = personalising; it shows you know
your friend well enough to know what food she like
4) E.g.: ‘You’ll absolutely enjoy not having to walk to school in the morning.’
You’ll absolutely enjoy not having to walk to school = personalising; you know
your friend hates walking to school. He’s lazy!
5) E.g.: I know you enjoy sightseeing, so I thought you might like to spend a
day at the Pyramids – it's charming especially at night!
6) E.g.: At the weekends I am quite lazy – as usual!
As usual = personalising; your friend knows your habits.

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 Creating interest

One of the best ways to create interest when you write is through
contrast. However, do not try to draw a contrast in every single case, or
your letter will not sound natural. Look at the following example sentence,
describing where you live:

‘I live in a three-bedroom house right in the centre of the city, which is way
different from your quiet village. Here you'll find countless / tons of things
to do. You will never be at a loose end!’

Notice the following:

 ‘I live’ – Always use person + verb instead of a noun (my house) to create
friendly register.
 ‘In a three-bedroom house’– Why should this interest your friend? The
number of bedrooms in a house usually gives an indication of its size. If
your friend is coming to stay, this might interest him.
 ‘right in the centre of the city’- Why should this interest your friend? This
will probably be a contrast with where he lives.
 ‘it’s way different from your quiet village.’
-This creates interest through contrast.
-This personalises the situation of your friend because it is relevant to
his personal life.
-This also shows the reader that your relationship is a friendly one
because you know your friend lives in a quiet village.

 ‘here you'll find countless / tons of things to do. You will never be at
a loose end!’
- This supports your statement by explaining why your friend enjoys
coming to stay in a noisy city.

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R2 Replace formal verbs with simple verbs and prepositions or phrases:

- To distinguish To tell the difference / make out.

- To consider To think about.
- To postpone To put off.
- To compensate To make up for.

R3 Replace the passive voice with the active voice:

- Revision should be done You should revise.
- The music was played by my sister My sister played the music.

R4 Avoid the use of which and that (when it's possible)

- I was sorry to hear that you feel lonely I was sorry to hear
you feel lonely.

R5 Use contracted forms whenever possible in friendly register, as this is

only place in the written exam where they are appropriate:

- We will We'll.
- I have I've.

R6 - Replace joining words, used to develop a point made in formal

Writing.
Do not use furthermore, What's more
Besides, use
Moreover, That's not all

Do not use However use but

though

- "However" is used in the formal register, it is often the first word in a

sentence. It means "but".
In friendly written register it is not good style to begin a sentence with "but".
You can join two sentences with "but" or you can use "though" at the end of
the sentence.
Therefore, instead of writing:

"I love most fruit. However, I'm not keen on bananas."

It's better to write:

"Above all I love most fruit, but I'm not keen on bananas."
Or "I love most fruit. I'm not keen on bananas, though.
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R7 Avoid listing when writing friendly letters:
When you want to introduce ideas one after another, you should replace
words such as "firstly" and "secondly"

a) Don't use firstly USE To start with, First off "at the beginning"
    OR  for a start, for starters "at the end of the sentence"

E.g.:
- "There are lots of ways to revise for an exam. To start with,
make a revision timetable."
- "If you really want to lose weight, you'll have to give up chips, for
a start."

b) To introduce the second point, do not use secondly

Use Another …., that’s not all, what's more.

E.g.:
- "What's more, try to have a break from revision every two hours."
- "Another good thing is to make sure you get a good night's sleep."

c) To introduce the final or the most important point, do not use finally or
lastly,
and one of the best things….
use and best of all
above all

E.g.:
"Above all, try to have plenty of time to revise."

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 Tip:

"When writing in friendly register, you should try to simplify your

language as much as possible."
Check this formal sentence:
Eg: "Social interaction can be one of the benefits of sports."
To make it informal:
'Social Interaction' Could be mixing and getting on with people.
'Benefits of sport' Could be one of the good things about sport.

So the whole phrase could be written in friendly register as:

"One of the good things about sports is that you get to be

with people and learn how to get on with them."

Now let's try do some practice:

Exercise 1:
Rewrite the following sentences expanding them using friendly
register:
1-Taking up employment in a children's holiday camp offers
excellent opportunities for adventure.
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2- It is essential that measures are taken to prevent motorists from
exceeding speed limits.

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3- Regular exercise is beneficial to health. Moreover, it may result in
weight reduction.

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- 18 -
 Writing an Introduction

In an informal letter, you know the person you are writing to, so always
remember to maintain a chatty style in the introduction, and include the
reason why you’re writing.
There are different ways to start an informal letter:

1) Apology + reason
Ex. "I’m sorry I haven’t written for ages (or, since we last met/ for a long
time), but I’ve been busy studying and haven’t had the time."
(reason can change; better use a reason that leads to the topic)
2) Apology + no real excuse
Ex. ‘I’ve been meaning to write earlier, but I’m afraid I haven’t got round
to it.’
OR ‘I’ve been meaning to write since your graduation day, but with one
thing or another I’m afraid I just haven’t had the time.’
3) No apology, just being friendly
Ex. ‘It was lovely to hear from you last week. Hope you’re feeling better
after your injury.’ OR 'I thought I’d better write and update you with
...' OR 'I know you're longing to hear all about …..'
4) Begin with something personal
Ex. ‘Congratulations on winning the scholarship.’

After this chatty beginning, you need a ‘Transition’ to start the reason why
you’re writing this letter. Normally, the word used is ‘anyway’ or ‘anyhow’ +
past tense, yet you can come up with something different; it depends on
what you’re saying in your introduction.

For example:
Dear Jane,
I’m sorry I haven’t written for so long, but I’ve been busy settling into my new house.
Anyway, I thought I’d drop you a line to let you know about my new life here in...

Signature:
‘Love / Love From/ Yours/ Cheerio / Bye For Now.

Tip: Always remember: be creative and original in your

thoughts, and don’t limit yourself to the examples
suggested.

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 Achieving a suitable tone:

Read the following sentences taken from students' exchange visit letters .If you were
the recipient, which would make you feel at ease? Which might worry you? Put a tick
against the sentences you like and a cross against the others.
As you work discuss how many inappropriate expressions could be made more
suitable. Correct any structural errors.
1. It'll be lovely to see you.
2. The food here will be rather distasteful for you.
3. At least when you are in the house try to behave with respect to my
parents.
4. You'll be very welcome.
5. My friend, you can come and enjoy it but my family is very strict.
6. We can go cycling through our beautiful countryside and have great
parties on the beach.
7. You'll soon feel at home.
8. Mostly, we will visit our countryside every day because here that is the
only worth visiting place.
9. Mum and Dad always listen to our problems before giving their own point
of view.
10. We can go cycling through our beautiful countryside and have great
parties on the beach.
11. We're going to have a wonderful time together.
12. As I already told you, this is a very small place, so don’t think about
hotels, theatres, cinemas, and so on.
13. We can promise you the best time of your life.
14. Don’t take chances if you cannot swim my friend, you will not survive.

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 Letters of Advice
Ex1: Advice Phrases:
Here are some typical advice phrases. Which phrases are ‘stronger’ (S)?
Which are more ‘low key’ (LK):
You need to ………… You'd better ……….
You really should …….. If I were you I'd ………
Why not ……? Remember ……….
You could always ……. May be you could ……..
All you have to do is ………. Try to ………….
You may like to try ………… How about ……?
You really ought to …….. Have you ever thought of ……?
Perhaps you need to …….. You know best but ……
Perhaps you could ……… It's good idea/not a good idea to…….
A little tip I'd like to pass on is ……

Ex2: Tone and register in students' letter:

Oliver has just moved to a new town and started going to college. He says, "The tutors are
very helpful at my new college but it's hard to make friends. I spend all my spare time
watching TV. How can I meet some friendly people?"

The following are openings to letters that students wrote in reply. Decide whether: the
tone and register sound right or not and why? Which one is the most appropriate.

A- "I received your letter of December 1st explaining that you are not satisfied with your new
life. If people don't like you, you must face the situation and solve it. There are many
activities you should take up which would help you overcome this feeling."

B- "It was great to hear from you- knowing you had problems really made my day. The way I
see it is that you are glued to the TV. All I can say is you should join a sports club and get
some of your weight off as well. It will be useful for your health and good exercise for your
legs."

C- "You might want to know why I haven't written. I have been working in my grandfather's
shop. I get paid even though I work for my family. I meet lots of new people and the work is
interesting too. What is your ideal career?"

D- "I was sorry to hear you're not enjoying your new college as much as you deserve to. I know
how you must be feeling because we have to move a lot with Dad's job. Have you thought of
joining the college drama club, though? Don't you remember how you used to amaze us with
your brilliant acting talent? With such superb gift I'm sure striking up new friendships will be
as easy as falling off a log, especially for a social butterfly like you.

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Tip:

Introduction needs to be relatively short to the advice quickly—the apology

type is not appropriate here.
Ex.
1) Show you care: ‘ It was great hear from you this morning...’
2) Show your feelings: ‘ …but I was sorry to know you’re having trouble with...’
3) Reassure your friend: ‘Don’t worry’ OR ‘ try not to worry about it.’
4) Refer to your experience: ‘ I know what you’re going through, because I was in
the same boat last year.’
**Body of the letter:
‐ Always remember to use advice phrases before you give the advice itself.
‐ Avoid general ideas, remember, your friend needs you to show him HOW your
tips can be done.(give specific examples).

‐ Always PERSONALISE:
ex, ‘I know how much you love junk food, but you really ought to give it up.’
‘I know how addicted you are to chocolate’ but have you thought of cutting
down on junk food?’
‘I know you’re not the world’s sportiest person, but if I were you I’d take up
walking.’

‐ Give reason or SUPPORT your advice:

‘ It’ll help you feel better.’
‘ It’ll make you fitter.’
‘ It’ll do you good.’
‘ It’ll give you more energy.’
‘ It’ll help you meet people with the same interests as you.’

** Conclusion:
‐ Be positive and reassuring + personalise + encouraging

‘Well, I hope this gives you some idea what to do about .... I’m sure it’ll work for
you, too, as it did for me. Do write and let me know how you're getting on. I’ll be
thinking of you.’

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 Ex 1- Reading a model letter of reply:

It's Sheryl's first year in university, and although she's enjoying her social
life there, she feels so unorganized and chaotic. Write a letter to Sheryl to
help her get over this feeling and solve this problem.

Read Kate's letter of reply. What do you think of the advice offered?
Underline the advice phrases as you read.

Dear Sheryl,
It was great to hear from you. We miss you here- you're such a special person. I
saw your Mum and Dad the other day when they showed me the photos of the
university- what an impressive building! And right by the sea. You lucky thing!
I'm not surprised, actually, you feel chaotic and a bit overwhelmed. After all, only
a few weeks ago, not only were you bound by your parents’ routine and expectations
but also by a strict school timetable, suddenly you're expected to be completely
responsible for yourself. You know', when I started university, too, I remember finding
things a bit scary, but planning ahead was the key to getting organized.
A little tip I'd like to pass on is to make a list each morning of what you have to do
that day. Try to include everything on your to-do-list, from attending lectures to returning
your books to the library. Keeping assignments on top is challenging, I know, but
studying matters too, so all you have to do is draw up your own study timetable and
stick to it. For a "morning" person/ an early bird like you, you'd better schedule arduous,
tough tasks then? When you've got a minute during the day, don't forget to tick off
things you've completed.
The university social scene sounds brilliant and you seem to be really living it
up*. I remember how popular and outgoing you were at school, so it must be tempting
to say "yes" to every social invitation. It's not a good idea to go out every night! Though
you won't forget to pace yourself and save some time for recharging your batteries*.,
will you?
I'll try to make it at the weekend of the 22nd. I'm really looking forward to seeing
the college and meeting some of your new friends. I'm sure by the time we meet you'll
be super organised and my advice will be needless.

Love,
Kate

* Living it up: enjoying a very good social life.

* Recharging your batteries: resting after effort.

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 Analysing the model letter:

Read the Kate's letter and answer the following questions:

a) How does Kate achieve an appropriate tone in the opening of the letter?
Which details are included to develop the opening more fully?

b) Paragraph "2" shows that the writer understands why Sheryl feels
confused. How does she define the problem for Sheryl? What link does
she make with her own experience? How does this affect the tone?

c) Paragraph "3" offers Sheryl an advice on being organized. Kate doesn't

sound bossy or superior- how does she achieve this? How is the advice
linked to the writer's knowledge of Sheryl? How does this affect the tone of
the letter?

d) Paragraph "4" shows Kate's attitude to Sheryl's social life. Her recognition
of Sheryl's enthusiasm for parties is balanced by a note of caution. How is
this expressed? Do you think Sheryl is going to be annoyed when she
reads this, or is she likely to accept the advice?

e) The last paragraph confirms an invitation. How? Does Kate manage to

round off the letter appropriately? Why?

f) Circle the words and phrases in the letter, which create a warm and
informal tone and register.

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Example 2:

A friend of yours feels so frustrated about gaining weight after a surgery he/she
had to have, followed by a recovery period. Write him/her a letter encouraging
him/her and suggesting ways how he/she can lose weight and become fit again.

Hi Jemma,
How are you? Although, I was delighted to hear from you yesterday, I
was truly sad to know you've gained some weight. I'm not surprised you feel
so down in the dumps- but let's not make a mountain out of a molehill.
For starters, all you need to do is work out. How about paying a visit to
the gym in the neighbourhood? It’s a stone cast from your house. Don’t
hesitate! I'm sure you'll be putting off more kilos than you’d imagine, as well as
getting back in a better shape in no time. That's not all, though!
Since I got your letter I've been looking through some sports guides so
that I can get an idea of what else might help you. Starting off every day with
an hour jog is just a brilliant idea. Yet, if you prefer working in groups, you
might think of joining an aerobics class or swimming sessions. They'll help you
get fit and relaxed while having fun in the water. If you're interested, there are
swimming sessions at the Marina club twice a week for £30 per month.
Because I know what kind of an appetite you have, you'd better watch
what you eat. Having said that, don't you think it's high time you did away with
all the chocolate bars you're secretly keeping in your cupboard/ closet/ chest
of drawers? Oh! One last tip, Jemma, you need to cut down on junk food, too,
don’t you think so?
Lastly, have faith in yourself – you can do it, girl. Write soon and let me
know what you decide to do.

Yours,
Lyly
P.S. Check this app; 'Fitness for Weight Loss'. It's got thousands likes.

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Example3:

Write a letter to a friend who is going for an interview and needs advice.

Dear Farah,
It was lovely hearing from you after such a long time. I know it’s been YONKS since I
last wrote to you and I do feel guilty, so let make it up with this line.

Knowing you made it to the interview stage at The State College was just the most
thrilling news ever, though I had no doubts about it. You’re such a pride, sis! Let’s roll
up our sleeves now to win your seat there, which is mostly down to how you'll master
your interview. So please, do be careful, and let me help you with some tips.

I know how fluent your English is, and how well you put your thoughts into words, but
if you get nervous, things can go wrong. As such/ Therefore , while you're at it try to
relax and think of the interviewer as someone whom you know and respect. It'll make
you think calmly and give you more confidence. At the same time, be on your guard;
don't over do it, or else, you might sound bored or overconfident.

Whatever you do, don't rush through, slow down and be steady. I know that "rush
through" habit of yours. If you slow down, you'll have more grip on yourself and won't
be saying anything wrong or out of place. The best thing you can do, is to answer
briefly, without blabbering about unnecessary things. Don't be too brief either,
otherwise you'll look hesitant.

You could always add a little humour to what you say, or just smile if you can't think of
anything. It'll make the interviewer like you. By the way choose carefully what you
wear; it gives an impression of who you are.

Write soon and let me know how the interview went. I'm sure you'll be fine. I’ll be
thinking of you.

Love,
Nourhan

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Home Assignment 1:

Writing:
A friend of yours has difficulty getting on with his younger brother. He says
that his brother scribbles on his posters, damages his CDs and starts
arguments with him. Write a letter to your friend giving him/her advice on
how he/she can solve the problem. Your letter should be about 180 - 200
words long.

Home Assignment 2:
Writing:
You have a friend who, although a competent student, becomes very
nervous before exams and doesn't always do well in them. You know she
has some important exams coming up and you would like to see her be
successful.
Write her a letter suggesting some ways in which she could control her
nervousness and improve her examination results. You may wish to write
about:
 The importance of positive thinking.
 The need for pacing herself.
 The benefits of relaxation, proper sleep and enough exercise.
 The usefulness of a study timetable.
 Techniques to improve memory.
 Studying with a friend.
 The importance of following the exam rubric.

Your letter should be about 200 words long.

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 Descriptive & Narrative
Vague vs Vivid

The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place,

object or an event in such a way that a picture is formed in the reader's
mind. Capturing an event through descriptive writing involves paying close
attention to the details by:

1- Word Choice
 One thing you want to avoid is writing what is dull and flat. One way to do
this is to choose interesting words. You don't need a great many – just a few
fresh or powerful ones.
- Try to avoid lazy words - these often come into your head first
and we choose them because we can't be bothered to think of
others. NICE and REALLY are two of the worst. :(
- Try to be as specific as much as you can in your word
choice especially Verbs and adjectives. So,
"We had a really nice dinner" could become, "We enjoyed a tasty
meal"

 Have a look at these examples and see if you can spot which versions
give the best description:

-The street is empty and full of -The street lay empty, full of
shadows. shadows.
-The children had a great time at -The children shared a thrilling
the circus night at the circus.

There are a number of ways you can make your writing more mature:
 You can create adjectives by adding suffixes to nouns or adjectives, e.g.
panoramic, colourful.
 You can make adjective more emphatic by using adverbs as intensifiers, e.g.
staggeringly, exceptionally, seriously, alarmingly, appallingly, beautifully,
amazingly, admiringly, strikingly, strangely, surprisingly, astonishingly. Hardly
recognisable, frantically busy, dazzlingly bright, exceptionally interesting, bitterly
cold, heavily in debt, acutely painful, mentally/physically tiring, completely
exhausted.
 Adjective collocations, such as 'crystal clear', are another way of adding impact
to your description. E.g. a skillful ghost movie/ sumptuous furnishings, stylish
shoes/ violent murder/ brick red/ jade green.

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 Use comparisons : ( like ) - ( as )

**as............ as

 As quick as lightning/ as a flash

 As pale as a ghost
 As hard as a snail
 As old as history
 As red as tomato/ beetroot
 As busy as a bee
 As blind as a bat
 As easy as falling off a log
 As ageless as the sun
 As bald as an egg
 As blind as a bat
 As bold/brave as a lion

Examples:
 When she saw it, her face went as white as sheet.
 When I told him, his face went as red as beetroot.
 She knew the answers as quick as a flash.
 Don’t worry; using the computer is as easy as falling off a log.
 The bed was as hard as iron and I couldn’t sleep.

**Like
 To swim like a fish
 To eat like a horse
 To cry like a baby
 Like a bear with a sore head (angry)
 To run like the wind
 To have a head/ memory like a sieve
 Eyes like a hawk

Examples:
 I felt like a celebrity on the red carpet.
 Yesterday, I slept like a log.
 The boss was like a bear with a sore head.
 Sorry, I forgot to ring you again. I’ve got a head like a sieve.
 My plan worked like a dream, and the problem was soon solved.
 Make sure the principal doesn’t see you; she’s got eyes like a hawk.

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2- Using Your Senses
The sensory details you select in your writing should create the picture
you have in mind for your reader. Instead of using vague, general
words, your language should be concrete and sensory-packed. This
makes the difference between the vivid and the vague language. Take a
look at the following comparison: Table 1
Table 1: Descriptive:
# Vague
   
1 The food was unappetizing.
2 The pizza was delicious.
3 The coffee was enjoyable.
 
4 The sprinkler was refreshing.
5 It was a beautiful morning.
- 49 -
Vivid
1-The pale turkey slices floated limply in
a pool of murky fat.
-Steam rising up off the melted cheese
made my mouth water. The first bite,
with my teeth sinking into the cheese
through the tomato sauce and into the
moist crust, made me chew and
swallow rapidly. Even the cheese and
sauce, sticking to my fingertips, begged
to be licked.
-Mushrooms and pepperoni sausage
formed thick layers on top of one
another while the white mozzarella
cheese bubbled over the bright red
tomato sauce. Each time I took a bite, I
planned it so that I got a taste of every
luscious ingredient.
I cradled the mug in both hands, leaning
my head over it in the rising steam.
Pursing my lips, I blew softly over the
surface, while dropping my eyelids.
2-The cool water from the sprinkler
sprayed our hot faces.
Behind the mountains, the sun peaked
brightly, ready to start a new day, while
the blue sky remained silent. Through
the trees/ the foliage of leaves, the wind
was whispering as the cheerful sun was
rising, syncronising with the birds gentle
chirping as if they wanted to wake me
up.
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   On the suffocating days of summer, we
In summer we usually have dinner usually enjoy our meals in the garden
6
in the garden. where it is fairly cool and quiet, amid of
melodious twitting of birds.

3-Our old car puffed as Main Street

7 The traffic was heavy. became clogged with a line of
clamoring motorists.

  Mary's blue eyes glistened with joy

  Mary was pretty girl, with blue eyes
8 while her blond hair was bouncing with
and blond hair. each step.

Moly is always there when anyone

Moly is a wonderful person. (could needs her. She's the first to arrive with a
be: a mother/ aunt/ grandmother, casserole when someone is sick, the
9 first to send a note of encouragement to
or anyone with a motherly
those who are troubled, the first to offer
kindhearted nature.) a huge to anyone- a man, woman or
child- at any time.

Giggles and screams filled the arena.

The soft curls were damp with
perspiration and anticipation of the
10 The girls were excited. event, while holding tight to each other.
Arms flailed upwards and voices
echoed in varying tones. The moment
was here.

-Sitting at his desk, his jaw tightened

while his eyes were flashing heat waves
11
 
at me. The words erupted from his
He is angry. mouth, "I want to talk to you after class,”
ended with a final hiss in his voice, which
warned me about his feelings.

He had Paul Newman's eyes, Robert

12 He was an attractive man. Redford's smile, Sylvester Stallone's
body, and bill Gates money.

 
His eyebrows crunched down and his
13 His face looked petrified. teeth chattered and spoke in a slow
crackly voice.

- 51 -
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More Examples:
Table 2: Narrative:
# Vagu
My sister and I walked along
1 the promenade/ boardwalk
each afternoon of our vacation.
We watched the ocean/ lake
2 boardwalk one afternoon on our
and listened to the waves/
leaves' shaking sound.
Usually we stopped for a snack at
3 one of the many stores that line
the boardwalk.
4 Afterwards, we walked along the
beach and let our feet get wet.
5 My morning was crazy. It was hard
to get to school on time.
6 her pockets, angrily kicking rocks,
She went home in a bad mood.
- 53 -
Vivid
-Sauntering along the boardwalk, each
Morning, my friend (use a name) and I
f t d
feasted our eyes on the crystal clear,
placid lake/ river, enjoyed listening to the
rustling of leaves and chirping of birds
while exchanging our stories and jokes.
OR:
As we sauntered along the
vacation, feeling the hot boards
warming our bare feet, we watched
the foam- covered waves
topple over each other before sliding
back into the sea.
- Sometimes we would stop/ we
stopped at one of those stands/ booths,
which line the boardwalk, to grab a
hearty snack/ breakfast/ a perfectly oval
fluff of pink cotton candy that dissolved
sweetly in our mouth.
Afterwards, we walked along the edge
of the water, permitting the warm salty
air blow our hair away from our neck
as the cool water lapped over our toes.
I awakened to the deafening buzz of
my alarm clock at 7a.m, hit the snooze
button three times before dragging my
drowsy self to the bathroom. I brushed
my teeth, took a shockingly cold
shower and blew dry my wet hair in
record time.
After trying on nearly every outfit in my
closet (putting on my boring uniform) I
ran down the stairs and hastily fed
Murphy, my lovely golden retriever.
Before my final race to the door, my
books are tossed in my back-pack,
coat and gloves grabbed.
She stomped home, hands jammed in
dogs, small children, and anything else
that crossed her path.
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- 54 -
3- A Mature style:
An effective description creates a mood or an atmosphere.

Example:
“When I was a child, we, as a family, used to eat and drink at
The Mermaid Diner every Friday night. Last week, celebrating my
grandma's 80th birthday we went there for a re-union.
Huddled close in a large, red booth we scanned the familiar
menu while sniffing the aroma of the gravy over the creamy mashed
potatoes that lingered in the air. I snuggled close to my grandma's
arm, as she was making her order, just like our old days. A few
minutes later the waitress brought our drinks on a tray and placed
them in front of us on the paper doily, at the same moment the juke
box in the back was playing songs, the most of which we knew the
words, so we sang along until the food arrived hot and enticing on the
table.”

 The mood of the paragraph is safety, comfort and happiness. We

don't tell the reader what we felt but show him how.

4- Vary Sentence Structure:

**Avoid using the same subject-verb pattern in all sentences.
Embedding descriptive elements and combining sentences can
help to avoid the routine subject-verb structure.
INSTEAD OF Saying
“The hall was empty so, she ran towards the classroom. She
entered right after the bell rang.”

Put it this way:

“Racing down an empty hall, she skidded into the classroom,
breathless, just as the bell clanged above her.”

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 Describing People:
Whether describing a real person for your reader or creating characters
they must be believable. Try to imagine that all people you describe, both
real and made-up, have a full life, a history, a background but you only
select what is needed for your writing.
(BE SELECTIVE) Remember people have appearance and personality. It is
personality which is more important for your readers though you can use their
appearance to make a point about their personality.
Avoid a list-like approach and remember:
- You don't have to describe everything from the top of a person's head to
their toes.
- It is important to remember to change the focus of your description. For
example, instead of describing the whole picture you can concentrate on a
person's face or movement or voice etc. Circumstances can change a
person's eyes or their mouth or even the way they hold their head.

Example -1
**"Mary's eyes widened and sparkled as she read the news, her mouth
slowly turned upwards." "Mary's eyes darted from side to side. She
moistened her lips and swallowed hard."

What sort of an emotion is Mary experiencing in each quotation?

Example 2
**"Paul was tall and slim and walked effortlessly across the room."
OR
"Paul was lanky and skinny and strode ungainly across the room."

Which Paul do you prefer? The first description uses flattering

words, the second negative words but it could be the same Paul.

**Further Description of People:

- Her Amazonian figure sat well on her wafer-thin body with a decanter
shaped waist and an impeccable blonde/ tanned complexion.
- Her pencil-thin eyebrows eased down gently to her black, beetle’s-leg
eyelashes.
- A sculptor could not have fashioned her seraph’s (of angels) ears and
pixie’s (fairylike) nose any better.
- When she broke into a smile, her beguiling, oyster-white teeth lit up the
room.
- It could jolt you like an electric current when that megawatt smile gives you
her full attention.
- Filed to perfection, her Venus-red fingernails ran through her
nougat-brown hair.

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 Describing your family

Tip:

Here are some ideas to help you describe members of your family.
You can use the vocabulary and phrases in your sentence.
 I have an older brother, Mark, who's mad about computers, just like
you. (creating interest / sense of audience)
 My sister Mariam who; two years younger, loves to sing at the top of
her voice whenever I am trying to study! Don’t worry, though, she’s
going on a summer camp so you won’t be seeing much of her!
 I’m sure you’ll get on well with my Dad. He's a sincere fan of football,
almost as much as you are!
These are some more:
 A football fan/ computer nut = someone very keen on computers or
television addict.
 Easy to talk to / to get on with = always interested in other people’s
viewpoints.
 A workaholic = someone addicted to work, always at the office / business,
so you don’t see much of him.
 His bark is worse than his bite =he is strict / he does shout a lot, but never
take any real action or carry out his threats.
 She is young at heart =she still has the outlook of a young person.
(Usually with elderly people). (VS: an old head on a young shoulder).
 Easy to talk to / always ready to lend an ear.
 A brilliant cook.
 She is really a hard – working / studious person /always in her room, you’ll
never really see her – not even at weekends.
 He always listens to music at full volume whenever he’s at home, or
playing his guitar/ drums...etc.
 My younger brother is a nuisance / always disturbing you/ always playing
tricks on you.
 My younger sister is a bookworm? (In other words, she reads books all the
time).
 He has some particular features: round face / orange hair / spiky hair /
thick-rimmed / glasses.

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 ** A description shows what the person is like by giving:

* Key details about appearance.

* Examples of behaviour.
* Reasons why this person is unusual or valued.

Ex: 1

My father is a real one of a kind. He’s friendly, and approachable with an amazing fun loving
spirit which make him popular with all my friends. Being practical and confident with his
hands is one of the things I admire about him. I still keep the pine cabinet he made me for
my CD’s , when I was in year 6 , which I treasure. Although he looks smart in the formal suit
he has to dress for work, I like him more when he dresses casually, especially in jeans. He’s
a genial – looking, tall man of medium build with dark brown eyes and coal –black hair,
streaked with grey.

Ex: 2

Rania, my closest friend, is special and stands out in everything she is or does. She wears
conventional clothes, listens to music and watches movies back from the seventies.
Although she's in her mid-teens, seeing or speaking with her, one would be astonished
how sensible and level headed she is. She is an old head on a young shoulder.

Ex: 3

Moving to a new place and coping with an extremely different life could
sometimes be a nut hard to crack for some, but that wasn't my case: all thanks to
Omar, my next-door neighbour.
Omar is in his mid-teens, well-built and has a distinguishing oval shaped face
with charming sea-blue eyes and spiky jet black hair. He just reminds me of ….
The first day I arrived, he came over offering his help, and since that day we've
been inseparable. One of the things I worship Omar for is his trustworthiness and
tolerance; he’s admiringly frank and honest with everybody- the kind of person who
calls a spade a spade. Such qualities made him earn the trust of all those who know
him. Adding to that, Omar is charismatic, and incredibly industrious, which are all
reasons why he’s won the SU elections this year.

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 Ex: 4

My special friend
I'd like to describe my best and indispensable friend Simon, who is a complex mixture
of frankness and reserve.
To start with, he is small, slight and rather studious- looking with his gentle golden-
brown eyes hidden behind a large pair of horn rimmed-glasses. Simon is very neat and
particular in everything he does, even his books and pencils are always arranged in a perfect
order on his desk!
One of the things I admire Simon for, is his capability of change. He used to be painfully
shy, had never been interested in sport or smart clothes and often shopped in second –hand
shops. The other students used to think he was scruffy and called him 'ugly duckling ‘. One
day, however, he decided he wasn't going to let his shyness crush him. He had to try to be
himself and began to open out and make friends.
Another thing I adore about Simon is being an amazing trustworthy and straightforward
friend. When I was worried once about an operation I had to have, he was the one friend there
for me helping me talk through my fears, which gave me the confidence to ask the doctors for a
proper explanation of what was going to happen. I learned from Simon that it is better to face
your fears than to hide them.
I know I'm really a lucky person because I have a dear friend on whom I can always
rely.

Ex: 5
Write a letter to your pen friend, who’s coming for a visit for the first time, telling him/her
about your family, home and things you are going to do together.
Dear Mariam,
How are you? I was bouncing off the walls to know you’re coming for a visit. At last, we’re
going to see each other after those years of letter writing/ emailing! I thought you might like to know
some more about us, apart from the picture I’ve sent and what you already know.
We live in a two-storey semi with a separate room for each one of us, and a spare one for
you. Yet, you’re welcome to share mine, if you wish, of course. The house is a walking distance to
the city centre, and being the shopping MANIA I know you are, let me tell you, you'll be spoilt here.
You lucky thing, it's the big SALE season, so you'd better bring all your savings. That's not all, I've
already booked a weekend in Sharm, by the Red Sea, where fun and adventures are endless:
sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and parasailing, let alone the charming bedouin nights in
the desert. If you're interested, we can go camping in the countryside. I know it won't be as
spectacular as Kenya, but I'm sure you'll enjoy the tranquil atmosphere there, and maybe we'll see
some wild ponies. When you get exhausted we can stay at home and watch the world go by. You'll
never be at a loose end.
Moving on to my family, I have to give you a word of warning: my eight-year old twin sisters,
Hana and Jana, love playing tricks on people and will try to drive you crazy by swapping their
dresses every now and then. Yet, I’m sure you’re going to love their presence, they're the life and
soul of the house. Wait until you meet my mum; the mother nature incarnate. She's unbelievably
loving and caring; the last to get to sleep after making sure we're all in bed especially, my older
brother Adam, who always gets home late. I know you'll get along with him: he's a mouse potato just
like you, and a big fan of tennis too- you'll be spending some quality time together -that is a sure
thing. As for dad, he's one of a kind; an easy going sort of person who loves life and likes to tell
jokes whenever he's at home. He's such a great man whom I love and cherish.
Well, hope this gives you an idea about us. We’re all looking forward to seeing you. Kisses to
all back in Nairobi.
Love
Halima
P.S:
Send me your flight details as soon as you get them.

- 63 -
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 Vocabulary
A- Physical description:
Category Descriptive words /phrases
In his teens, in her sixties, in his early / mid/ late,
Age fortyish, over sixty, in her mid-twenties,
thirties, teenaged, middle –aged, elderly
Tall, short, just over five feet, under six feet,
lanky, of average height, of medium height
towering over 180cm
Height and build or figure
athletic, skinny, thin, slim emaciated, scrawny,
plump, chubby, overweight, fat,.

Blue, brown, green, black, hazel eyes

Eyes small, large, big, slanted, almond-shaped, round,
squinted(looking with eyes partly closed)
 shape and size
bright, alert, sparkling, dreamy, sorrowful, sunken,
lustrous, bloodshot eyes, compassionate
 expression
Thick eyebrows, arched eyebrows, bushy

 Eyebrows/ eyelashes eyebrows, fluttering eyelashes, long/ bushy

eyelashes

Hair
 Hair length and texture Curly, wavy, straight hair, fair, bald
long, short, shoulder length, wiry, parted, crew cut

 Hair appearance
neatly combed, unkempt, disheveled
 Hair color
blonde, brunette, redhead, auburn, chestnut, jet-
black, brown, ginger, graying at the temples, a
 Hair style
streak of grey, stand of white hair
pony tail, braids, layered, permed, afro
 Lots of hair
thick, full, lustrous, bushy

 Little hair bald, balding, receding hairline

Beard, moustache Thick, thin, bushy

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 Category Descriptive words /phrases
Hooked, crooked, straight, turned –up, flat, big,
Nose
small

Mouth Small, wide, thin lips, thick lips

Round, oval, square, long, thin, wrinkled, round,
Face and complexion
broad, heart-shaped, pointed, egg-shaped, , a

 Shape of face double chin, laughter lines.

fair, dark, freckled, pimpled, rosy complexion, a

 Complexion good tan, a pale /dark complexion, rosy cheeks
smooth, tanned, wrinkled, pale

casual, smart , conventional clothes. Wears too

tight clothes that he bulges out of them / loose,
shapeless clothes / creased / colours do not go
together.
Casual, trendy, gaudy, matching, expensive,
glittering, sequined, floral

 Wearing his favorite flannel shirt, he stood at the

entrance to welcome his guests.
Clothes  Dressed in a sequined evening gown with a
matching wrap, she walked into the hall where
her guests were waiting.
 Smartly dressed in their uniforms, the scouts took
part in the parade.
 Casually attired in a pair of jeans and a collared t-
shirts, he appeared relaxed and comfortable.
 Simply clad in shorts and a batik shirt, the
foreigner walked into the restaurant.
 She looked stunning in her long-sleeved blouse
and matching skirt.
Trivial, feather headed, inhumane, devoid of
humanity, rebellious, uptight, hot-tempered, timid,
Character / Personality
adventurous, vicious, wicked, high-spirited,
supportive, down-to-earth.

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DESCRIBING FEMALES:
PERSONALITY:

a cheerful, bubbly, elegant, joyous ,ladylike, a

genteel personality
1. She had a cheerful character.
2. She had a bubbly outlook.
3. She had a ladylike temperament.
4. She h a d a genteel persona.
5. She had a winning disposition.

RED HAIR:
mercury-red hair/ magma-red hair/ ruby-red hair/ vermillion-red hair/
lava-red hair/
1. mercury-red which tumbled over her shoulders.
2. magma-red that crashed over her shoulders.
3. rouge-red spiralling over her shoulders.
4. tresses of vermillion -red that plummet over her shoulders.
5. swirls of lava-red cascading over her shoulders.

BLACK HAIR:
midnight-black hair/ coral-black hair/
ebony-black hair / moon shadow-black hair/ obsidian-black hair
1. midnight-black flowing over her shoulders.
4. locks of sable-black which surged over her shoulders.
5. tresses of obsidian-black which swooped over her shoulders.

BLONDE HAIR:
/ ore-gold hair / star flame-gold hair / sunrise-gold hair/ moon gleam-
gold hair sunset-gold
1. lush, sunrise-gold hair.
2. lavish, moon gleam-gold hair.

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BROWN HAIR:
locks of chestnut-brown hair/ wisps of auburn-brown / tumbles of
russet-brown swirls of caramel-brown hair/ ringlets of tawny-brown
hair / Restoration curls of cinnamon-brown hair
1. Locks of chestnut-brown hair curtained her oval face.
2. Ringlets of tawny-brown hair veiled her heart shaped face.
3. curls of cinnamon-brown hair.

COLOUR OF EYES:
dreamy, bliss-blue eyes/alluring, galaxy-blue eyes/ lambent, jade-
green eyes / enticing, constellation-blue eyes/ nebulous Eden-
green eyes
1. She had dreamy, bliss-blue eyes that were globe round.
2. She has alluring, galaxy-blue eyes which a r e orbit round.

A SWEET VOICE:
a soothing voice
a dulcet voice
a melodious voice
a songbird sweet voice
a mellifluous voice
1. She had a songbird sweet voice and her hair blazed in the
sun. (We enjoyed listening to her songbird sweet voice while
her h a i r blazed in the sun.)
2. She had a melodious voice which charmed us while her
opulent hair glittered in the beams of the sun.

CLOTHES
Voguish / vibrant / chic gothic / kidult
1. Rebelliously she was cladded in gothic clothes.
2. She w a s d r e s s e d i n kidult clothes in an offbeat way.
3. She wore chic, shredded clothes in a mutinous way.

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- 72 -
 Description of people
(personality - appearance)
Idioms Meaning Example
Someone who turns out to be Because of the electoral promises he
disappointing, after a promotional made, which so far he has failed to
all sizzle and
campaign which led us to expect
no steak something better, is called all sizzle keep, many people call the new
and no steak. president 'all sizzle and no steak'.

I don't want my son to be friends

To refer to someone as a bad egg
bad egg with Bobby Smith. Bobby's a bad
means that they cannot be trusted.
egg.
A person who is behind the times
behind the has old-fashioned ideas and does Jane doesn't have a mobile phone.
times not keep up with modern life in She's completely behind the times.
general.
A person who calls a spade a What I like about the new manager
call a spade a spade speaks openly and truthfully is that he calls a spade a spade - it
spade about something, especially difficult makes things so much easier for
matters everyone.
To say that someone, for example Her career is just beginning but
an athlete or entertainer, is a class
class act she's already a class act.
act means that they are very good
at what they do.

If you refer to someone as a couch Don't be such a couch potato.

potato, you criticize them for
couch potato There are better ways of spending
spending a lot of time sitting and
watching television. your time than in front of the TV.

A person who is down-at-heel is

someone whose appearance is The down-at-heel student I first
down at heel untidy or neglected because of lack met became a successful writer.
of money.
Someone who is down to earth is
not a dreamer but a realistic and Don't ask Suzy for help. She's fun,
down to earth practical person who has sensible but not very down to earth.
reactions and expectations
When someone, especially a
woman, is dressed to kill, they She arrived at the reception
dressed to kill are wearing very fashionable or
glamorous clothes intended to dressed to kill.
attract attention.

Someone dressed up to the nines Caroline must be going to a party -

dressed up to
is wearing very smart or glamorous
the nines clothes. she's dressed up to the nines.

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 Idioms Meaning Example
face only a This is a humoristic way of saying The poor guy has a face only a
mother could that someone is ugly or
unattractive. mother could love.
love
face that Someone who has a face that You'll recognize him - he's tall and
would stop a would stop a clock has a thin, with a face that would stop a
clock shockingly unattractive face. clock!
old head on This expression refers to a child or When she heard Emily warning
young young person who thinks and her brother to stay out of trouble,
shoulders expresses themselves like an older her mother thought: "That's an old
more-experienced person. head on young shoulders."

A person who does something

stupid or ridiculous which causes If you wear that to school you'll be
laughing stock others to laugh becomes a the laughing stock of the class!
laughing stock.

life and soul of The life and soul of the party is the I'm so glad we invited Emily. She
most lively and amusing person
the party present at an event. was the life and soul of the party.

This term refers to a person who My son and his friends are all
mouse potato spends a lot of time in front of the mouse potatoes - constantly glued
computer. to the computer!

If a person is as nice as pie, they After our argument, she was as

nice as pie are surprisingly kind and friendly. nice as pie!

If someone does not have a hair Angela is always impeccably

not a hair out
out of place, their appearance is
of place perfect dressed - never a hair out of place.

Someone who has a poker face He sat with a poker face all
poker face has an expressionless face that through the show, revealing
shows no emotion or reaction at all. nothing of his thoughts.

has a quick Someone who has a quick temper He makes me nervous - he's got
temper gets angry very easily. such a quick temper.

A person who has a lot of friends

and acquaintances and likes to flit Jessica is constantly out and
social butterfly from one social event to another is about; she's a real social butterfly.
called a social butterfly.

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 Idioms Meaning
Someone who’s considered
A black sheep disreputable by his family/
relatives
too afraid to stand behind
Has no backbone convictions, and backs
down when pressured
A dare devil a daring person
Chicken hearted not brave
does many things, but isn't
A jack-of-all trades very good at any of them
someone whose
A Jeckyll and Mr. personality has two
Hyde different parts, one very
nice the other unpleasant
very successful at their job
A high flyer and soon becomes
powerful or rich
someone who does or
says something that stops
a wet blanket
other people from enjoying
themselves
good at keeping plants
Have green fingers healthy and making them
grow
someone who is always
trying to seem more clever
A smart alec
than anyone else in a way
that is annoying
- 77 -
Example
He keeps making a nuisance
of himself. What do you
expect from the black sheep
of the family.
What a dare devil!! She
jumped across a ten-foot
chasm
Yes, I'm a chicken-hearted
softie. I never try anything
too risky
"You can't depend on him to
be friendly- he's a Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde.
I don't want to be a wet
blanket, but you really must
play your music more
quietly or you'll disturb the
people next door
I was just admiring your
beautiful plants, Helen. You
must have a green thumb.
Some smart alec in the
audience kept making witty
remarks during my talk
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**Topic Vocabulary for Describing People:
A- Words to describe personality and character:

Vocabulary Meaning Positive / Negative

Affectionate

Alert

Altruistic

Attractive

Caring

Cautious

Charming

Cheerful

Humble

Industrious

Jovial

Just

Loyal

Optimistic

Confident

Dedicated

Dependable

Diligent

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 Vocabulary Meaning Positive / Negative

Elegant

Extrovert

Generous

Handsome

Rational

Respectable

Tactful

Talented

Tolerant

Understanding

Aggressive

Boastful

Bold

Clumsy

Corrupted

Cowardly

Cruel

Deceitful

Dishonest

Fierce

Foolish

Greedy

Grumpy

Impudent

Inconsiderate

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 Vocabulary Meaning Positive / Negative

Indifferent

Introvert

Irresponsible

Jealous

Lethargic

Mean

Mischievous

Moody

Reckless

Rude

Selfish

Spiteful

Talkative

Timid

Unapproachable

Unreasonable

Unscrupulous

Vain

Wicked

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 Say and don't say:
Don't Say Say

1- liberal, lavish, charitable, free-handed, hospitable, prodigal, bountiful,

open- handed, princely, bounteous, ex. He's very generous with his money.
Antonym:
Generous ✖ mean, selfish, cheap, tight, greedy, stingy, parsimonious, miserly,
(adjective) avaricious, close-fisted
2- magnanimous, kind, noble, benevolent, good, big, high-minded, unselfish,
big-
hearted, ungrudging He was generous enough to congratulate his successor.

Plentiful ✖ small, tiny, meagre, minimal, scanty

1- attractive, stunning(informal), charming, tempting, pleasant, fetching,

gorgeous, pleasing, magnetic, delightful, exquisite, enticing, seductive,
graceful, captivating ,appealing, radiant, alluring, ravishing, comely,
2- wonderful, great, excellent, superb, marvellous, sensational (informal),
Beautiful cracking( Brit. informal), awesome, world-class, first-rate,
adjective Quotations
"Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless;
peacocks and lilies for instance"

"Things are beautiful if you love them"

astonishing, striking, surprising, brilliant, stunning, impressive, overwhelming,

staggering, sensational (informal), bewildering, breathtaking, astounding, eye-
opening, wondrous (archaic or literary), mind-boggling, jaw-
Amazing dropping, stupefying, startling ex. It's amazing what we can remember with a
little prompting.
adjective So remarkable as to elicit disbelief:
astonishing, astounding, fabulous, fantastic, fantastical, incredible,
marvelous, miraculous, phenomenal, prodigious, stupendous, unbelievable,
wonderful, wondrous.

Extremely displeasing to the eye:

hideous, ill-favored, unsightly.
Idiom: ugly as sin.
Extremely unpleasant to the senses or feelings:
atrocious, disgusting, horrid, nasty, offensive, repellent, repulsive, revolting,
UGLY sickening, unwholesome, vile.
Having or showing a bad temper:
bad-tempered, crabbed, cranky, cross, disagreeable, fretful, grumpy, ill-
tempered, irritable, nasty, peevish, petulant, querulous, snappish, waspish.
Informal: crabby, mean.
Idiom: out of sorts

1. stride, wander, stroll, trudge, step, march, advance, pace, trek, hike, tread,
WALK
ramble, tramp, promenade, amble, saunter, take a turn, traipse(informal),
verb
toddle, make your way, mosey(informal), plod on

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 think, consider, judge, suppose, maintain, estimate, imagine, assume, gather,
Believe reckon, conclude, deem, speculate, presume, conjecture, postulate, surmise
accept, hold, trust, credit, depend on, rely on, swallow (informal), count on
verb ,have faith in, be certain of, be convinced of, place confidence in,
presume true,

1. (sometimes plural) opinion, thought, idea, belief, thinking, feeling,

attitude,
reckoning, impression, notion, conviction, judgment, point of view,
viewpoint, persuasion, standpoint You should make your views known
to your parents.
2. study, review, survey, assessment, examination, scan, inspection,
look,
scrutiny, contemplation a concise but comprehensive view of basic economics
3. regard, see, consider, judge, perceive, treat, estimate, reckon,
deem, look on, adjudge, think about or of America was viewed as a
land of golden opportunity.
view 4. look at, see, inspect, gaze
noun at, eye, watch, check, regard, survey, witness, examine, observe,
explore, stare at, scan, contemplate, check out (informal), behold, get a
load of(informal)
in view of considering, taking into account, in the light of, bearing in mind,
keeping in mind, mindful of, taking into consideration, taking note of ex.
In view of the
circumstances, his achievement is remarkable.
on view on show, showing, displayed, on display, on exhibition An exhibition
of
contemporary sculpture is on view at the gallery.
with a view to with the aim or intention of, in order to, so as to, in the hope
of She joined a dating agency with a view to finding a husband.

1. unhappy, down, low, blue, depressed, gloomy, grieved, dismal,

melancholy, somber , glum, wistful, mournful, dejected, downcast,
grief-
stricken, tearful, doleful, heavy-hearted, down in the
dumps(informal), cheerless, down in the mouth(informal), low-spirited, sick
at heart. Ex. The loss left me feeling sad and empty.
sad 2. tragic, moving, upsetting, dark, sorry, depressing, disastrous,
adjective dismal, pathetic, poignant, grievous, pitiful, calamitous, heart-
rending, pitiable . Ex. the sad news that he had been killed in a
motor-cycle accident.
3. deplorable, bad, sorry, terrible, distressing, unfortunate, miserable,
dismal, shabby
, heartbreaking, regrettable, lamentable, wretched, to be deplored It's a
sad truth that children are the biggest victims of passive smoking.

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 bray - laugh loudly and harshly bellylaugh - laugh a deep, heartylaugh
howl, roar - laugh unrestrainedly and heartily
snicker, snigger - laugh quietly
giggle, titter - laugh nervously; "The girls giggled when the rock star came into
the classroom"

Verb
cackle - emit a loud, unpleasant kind of laughing
guffaw, laugh loudly - laugh boisterously
chortle, chuckle, laugh softly - laugh quietly or with restraint
convulse - be overcome with laughter
be rolling in the aisles(informal),
Laugh
verb *laugh at something or someone make fun of, mock, tease, ridicule, taunt,
jeer ,deride, belittle, (informal), pour scorn on, make a mock of I thought
people were laughing at me because I was ugly.

*laugh something off disregard, ignore, dismiss, overlook, brush aside,

make light of, While I used to laugh it off, I'm now getting irritated by it.
 
**Quotations
"Laugh and the world laughs with you;"
"Weep, and you weep alone;"
 
Proverbs
"He who laughs last, laughs longest"
- Content(ed), blissful, elated/ joyful, joyous, jubilant, radiant in high spirits, stirred,
delirious, euphoric, ecstatic, overjoyed, rapt, agitated, flurried, hot
Happy/
Examples: *The bride looked truly radiant on her wedding day. *He felt ecstatic
excited when his wife gave birth to their first child. * a mad whirl of pleasure, * there
was something frantic in their gaiety.

Depressed, gloomy, glum, dejected, despondent, dispirited, discontent(ed),

miserable, somber, joyless. Examples:
Unhappy * Everyone has moments when he feels dejected or down. * Eventually I left at six
o'clock feeling utterly dispirited and depressed.

Scared, frightened, terrified, shaken, intimidated, fearful, petrified, panic-

Afraid
stricken, faint-hearted, fretful, aghast, on edge, nervous

Tempestuous, furious, raging, outraged, fuming mad, irritated, provoked, indignant,

Angry
hot under the collar.
Disquieted, disturbed, troubled, apprehensive, anxious, on edge, agitated,
Worried
overwrought :(distraught, upset, frantic, uptight, on edge)
Numerous, innumerable, various, varied, countless, myriad, scores, several
Many / A lot sundry ( all and sundry, means: everybody, collectively and individually: gave free
samples to all and sundry.) piles, heaps
Vantage, blessing, beneficial
Advantage Avail to: of advantage/of use/ of help ( *All our efforts availed us a little. *Nothing
you do will avail.)

Assist, aid, facilitate, support, back, standby, avail, lend a hand, give a hand, "give
Help
someone a leg up".

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 Detriment, drawbacks, limitations, shortcomings.
Disadvantage " have two strikes against one" ( to be at a disadvantage, and thus have less
chance of successfully reaching ones goal, or following through with one's plans.)

Consequence, result, outcome, influence, impact

Effects Repercussions ( a remote or indirect consequence of some action: ** His act had
unforeseen repercussions.)

(A)meliorate, amend, develop, enhance, reform, perfect, hone.

"Turn around" ( improve dramatically.* the tutor turned around my son's
Improve performance in Maths.)
Beautify, embellish ( make beautiful)
Fine-tune, refine, polish (skills/ writing style)
expand: applies to an increase in size, volume or scope( * expanding interests in ...)
Multiply, grow
Jump/leap: sudden increase
Increase
Increase in salary: hike, wage hike
Up-tick: a small increase

- light informal conversation for social occasions

chin-wagging, chit chat, chitchat, chit-chat, gossip, small talk
chat, - an informal conversation
Verb:
tittle-tattle - speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
blabber, piffle, prattle, tattle, twaddle, blab, chatter- express in speech; "She talks a
lot of nonsense"; "This depressed patient does not verbalize"
blather, smatter, babble - to talk foolishly; "The two women babbled and crooned at
the baby"

1. certainly, absolutely, undoubtedly, genuinely, positively, without a doubt,

assuredly, verily, surely. E.g. I genuinely feel that some people are being
unfair.
Really 2. very, particularly, seriously (informal), truly, extremely, terribly, remarkably,
adverb unusually, exceedingly, excessively, eminently, uncommonly.
3. truly, actually, in fact, indeed, in reality, in actuality . Eg: In actuality, my father
didn't love her.

appropriate, befitting, convenient, expedient, fit, proper, tailor-made, useful.

Suitable:
adjective

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C- Match the adjectives on the left with the opposites ones on the right:

Adjective Opposite
1-clever a-conceited
2-generous b-open minded
3-relaxed c-cruel
4-kind d-self-confident
5-shy e-mean/stingy
6-modest f-silly/foolish
7-sophisticated g- naïve
8-narrow- minded h- stupid
9-sensible i- nervous
D- Decide which of the adjectives on the left have a similar meaning to the
ones on the right:
Adjective Synonym
1-jolly a-insincere
2-cunning b-absent-minded
3-clever c-bright
4-level-headed d-kind
5-excitable e-cheerful
6-reliable f-miserable
7-fair g-crafty
8-self-confident h-direct
9-forgetful i-sensible
10-snobbish j-stuck-up
11-frank k-self-assured
12-glum l-even-handed
13-two-faced m-trustworthy
14-good-natured n-highly-strung

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E- Use a suitable prefix or suffix to form the opposite of each of the

adjectives below. Here are some examples:

unhappy - unpleasant -insincere – incredible- dishonest – dissatisfied

impolite- impossible- careless – harmless - illegible – illegal

…agreeable… …discreet… …imaginative…

…thoughtful… …predictable… …considerate…

…decisive… …mature… …approachable…

…efficient… …likeable… …reasonable…

…articulate… …enthusiastic… …logical…

…reliable… …biased… …flexible…

…loyal… …respectful… …competent…

…friendly… …sensitive… ….tolerant…..

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Home Assignment:

A- Write a description of a person whose work has brought

benefits to many people.

o Say why you admire this person

o Describe the work he/ she has done
o Explain how people have benefited.

B- Write a description of someone you are close to.

o Describe the person's special qualities

o Give examples of his/ her behavior
o Explain why the relationship is important to you.
Write about 200 words.

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Describing Places:

Cities:

- Venice: is the most stunning city in the world; the only one that can truly be
described as unique. Each building is a work of art, with the beauty enhanced when
reflected on the canals that cross the city.

Its magical scenery is fascinating and breath taking at first sight, evoking the feeling of
entering the setting of a real life fairy tale.

- Magnificently sited on a series of hills …… is one of the most scenic. Beauteous

unexpected views are found at every turn down its colourful, picturesque streets. The
city has unpolished seductive appearance.

Amsterdam:
- Each of the thousands of buildings that line Amsterdam's main canals can be
classified as a monument, exquisitely kept as a apartments, offices, cafés and
restaurants. They form an aesthetic uniformity that make the city one of the most
captivating in the world, an amazing place of bridges and bikes crossing canals,
picturesque cobbled streets, and strikingly elegant architecture.

Rio:

- A saying goes that God created the world in six days and developed a seventh to Rio.
The city is indeed blessed with one of the most stunning, gorgeous settings in the
world, making it the most naturally attractive/ appealing/ gripping city in the world.
Green, tropical luxuriance mixes with the blue of the ocean and the brightness of the
sand at the beaches, proving that this is indeed, "the marvelous city" as the locals call
it.

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Scenes:

A RIVER:
The mist faded, allowing the technicolor of nature to be turned up like a light
switch.

THE BEACH AT DAWN:

1- The horizon seemed to be stitched with a line of silver.

3- A single yacht bobbed and lolled in the incoming tide, like a toy
in a bath. Its lights winked saucily as the wave-crests rose
gently.

DESCRIBING SPRING:
1- Spring is glee. It’s a fizzy tonic, like a slowly overflowing bottle of bubbling
joy.

DESCRIBING SUMMER:
1- The perpetual skies of summer are buckled with clouds
flaring up in a luminous, neon-blue sky when the mood
takes them.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING:

1 - The autumn sky was as bright as Zeus’ eyes. Nary a cloud
blemished its bliss-blue complexion and the sun was like a
glowing medallion pinned to a sheet of white paper.

LOST AT SEA:
1- The emptiness in my soul matches the spiritless sky and
the featureless waterscape around me.
2- I am floundering in a sea of divine-blue quicklime and there’s no escape.

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**WEATHER REFLECTING MOOD

The river was babbling.

The doom-black sky made the soldiers fearful.
The mountains were brooding.
The wind howled outside as the orphans cried within.
The radiant stars made our cares fall away.
The sun was staring down at us.
The somber clouds were darkening our mood.
The moon looked lonely in the sky.
The heaving ocean made us feel ill.

**Personification
is giving animate (living) nature, non-natural objects and ideas human terms.
Personification can add a tantalising and thought-provoking dimension to your
writing.

The flowers were nodding their heads.

The ship was plodding as it left the harbour.
The bees were humming a tune.
The trees were staring at us.
The car’s engine was screaming in pain.
The words were leaping off the page.

PERSONIFYING IDEAS

Time is a great healer.

Fate was hurrying to meet me.
Destiny is no one’s slave.
Courage is the enemy of weak men.
Cowardice is a strange bedfellow for

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 You can use the following table of descriptive words and phrases to
help you with your writing:
Location Off the beaten track (isolated), hard to get to but worth the effort /
only five minutes away, right in the centre of the city

Atmosphere Light-hearted, , intimate, tranquil, relaxing, safe, warm, friendly, ,

dimly / brightly lit, comfortable, appealing, unspoilt, ,
Invigorating, bustling, lively
Mysterious, eerie
Smells Fragrant, perfumed, sweet-smelling, pungent, smoky
Sounds Cheerful sound of talk and laughter, peaceful, not a sound, silent,
sound of birds calling ,an appalling deafening sound

Colours Colorful, vibrant, bright, shining, rich, glowing, radiant, soft

Emotions Relax, secure, contended, feel, excited, exhilarated, speechless,

wide opened eyes/mouth, with dropped jaw, numbed to all my
senses, heart beats were louder than marching drums.
(A) My Village:
The village is strikingly pretty and unspoilt. The houses, rising up from the harbor, are
pale coloured with painted shutters and made of stone .The village is surrounded by
pine-clad hills, which provide panoramic views of the area.

(B) My favourite house:

My favourite place, and somewhere that was very important to me when I was
young, was my best friend's house .It was an hour drive from London and I can still
remember how much I looked forward to going there. Because I only visited this house
during the school holidays, I always associated it with freedom
The house itself was set in a large garden. Here we used to play tennis on warm
summer days or enjoy barbecues by the side of the cool swimming pool. Roses grew, it
seemed, everywhere- the most beautiful was a large climbing – rose which covered the
front wall of the house. Now, Whenever, I smell the scent of roses, it takes me back to
those happy days.
Inside the house it was always warm. The kitchen, where the family spent most of
their time, was heated by a large cast- iron stove, and the old wooden table,
comfortable chairs and red floor tiles gave it a homely atmosphere. The rest of the
house seemed enormous. There were several rooms which were never used apart
from when we wanted to hide .I do remember the bedroom I used to sleep in, though: it
had a large window overlooking the back garden. Every morning I used to wake up on
the sound of birds chirping, and sometimes I would lean out of the window to reach the
plum tree, that grew near my room, and pick a fruit for myself. I will never forget the
large soft bed, with its red Indian silk bedspread and the lots of colourful cushions
scattered everywhere, where I enjoyed curling up until I sink and dream about all the
things we would do the following day.

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  Describing your home

The different types of houses in England:

 A flat – all the rooms are on floor. There may be other flats on the same
floor. The building is called a ‘block of flats’.
 A house – most people in England live in houses. Usually they have living
rooms down stairs and bedrooms upstairs. Most have a garden at the
back of the house and some also at the front. A ‘detached house’ is
usually expensive because it does not join onto any other house.
 A ‘semi-detached house’ (or semi’), as the name suggests, is joined to a
neighbouring house on one side.
 A bungalow – all rooms are on one level, like a flat, but a bungalow
stands alone at ground level, and usually its own garden.

Describing location
Describing the location of your house is one way to create interest.
Tip:

 Describing an inner city location:

* quite near the city centre
* right in the centre Of the city.
* in the heart of Cairo.
*overlooking the busy/ noisy/market square
*has a lovely/ marvelous/ fantastic view of the famous river Nile.
*On the outskirts of/ not far from '+name of city'
*About half an hour drive from / Bus ride/ a walk '+name of city'
For example:
*‘I live right the centre of Cairo with a marvelous view of the river Nile.’
*‘I live quite near the city centre, overlooking a park.’
‘I live in the outskirts of Paris.’
‘I live about half an hour’s drive from Alex.’

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 Support

*Make sure that the support phrase links to the friend’s character; so
you could write: ( prsonalise and create interest )
For example;
... so you’ll never be at a loose end (she gets bored)
... so we can go shopping whenever you like (she enjoys shopping)
... so we can easily walk to the tennis club (she is sporty)
... so we can sit and watch the world go by (she is happy to stay at
home)
... so you can put your feet up, relax and enjoy the view (she comes from
stressful environment)

**‘I live right the centre of Cairo, so we can go shopping whenever you
like.'

1- Describing a district:
Maadi is one of Cairo's most appealing districts, famous, above all for
its gardens with their huge trees and exotic plants. The area has a
lively, lighthearted atmosphere which is enlivened by all kinds of music
made by street bands and singers. filling the air It’s easy to walk
around, with lots of things for you to see. The paintings of local artists
laid out on the walls and pavements cannot be missed.

2- Describing a street:
This street is home to the Craft Fair and Flea Market, both, wonderful
places to shop. They are filled with leather, knitted and other
handmade goods, and you'll also enjoy looking around at the colourful
displays.

3- Describing a square:
The square is surrounded by grand apartment buildings. In this area
the architecture of buildings is a mixture of 19th century Parisian and
traditional Arabic styles. The broad avenues are lined with palm trees,
and fountains pour showers of water into ornamental pools in the
centre of the square.

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 Describing a location in the countryside:
*in the heart of the countryside
For example:
*‘I live in the middle of the country with a wonderful view of the pine
forest.’
*‘I live in the heart of the country with a fantastic view of the
mountains.’

 Describing your school:

*Is it old?‘I go to a very old school – it was built almost /nearly fifty years
ago.’
* Is it very new? I go to a very modern progressive school. In fact it was
only built last year!

*Is it near your house?

- ‘It’s only a fifteen – minute walk to school from my house.’
- ‘It only takes me ten minutes to bike to school (from home)’.
- ‘I have to get up at six o’clock to catch the bus to school – it takes
almost an hour’s trip!’
- ‘You’ll be glad to know it’s only a ten-minute walk to school from my
house, so you won’t have to get up early!

*School Facilities:
You may like to tell your friend about
The Olympic-sized indoor/outdoor swimming pool (heated if you live
in a cold climate, cooled if you live in a hot-country). She can relax/get
her exercise there each day/after school/at weekends.
If he is keen on music:
‐ Write about the music room where he can practise the guitar at
lunch break
‐ Perhaps he can join the school orchestra/choir.
If she is keen on reading:
Write about the well-stocked library. She can shut herself in there
whenever she likes while you are playing tennis, if she is not keen on
sport.

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 3‐ Describing objects:
Language Notes:
When you describe objects you need language in the following
categories:
 Measurements: ( e.g. width/ height / length / depth/ area /
volume / weight)
 Shape: (geometric, e.g. triangular, oval;
informally – expressed, e.g. egg – shaped).
 Colour: (pure, e.g. yellow, purple, combinations.
e.g. reddish –brown ;gradations, e.g.: light – green,
off – white).
 Texture of surfaces: (e.g. smooth, ridged, bumpy).
 Pattern and decoration: (e.g. floral, striped, criss –crossed).
 Material: (e.g. wooden, brass, denim).
 Physical properties: (e.g. transparent, hard).
 Position: (e.g. bottom, end ,upper – edge ;
on, by , near , inside )
Other categories that could be useful concern the notions of value, quality, use and

sensory impressions.
Look at the descriptions below:
A- Mr. Denis sent us this report of a sighting of a flying saucer: It was long, round; cigar-
shaped, and had several curious markings on the bottom. It seemed very bright, and
hovered about 20 feet above the ground.

B-These curtains are patchwork in design, and are made by stitching lots of different
squares of material together in interesting color combinations. Each curtain is about six
feet long , and they hang from an old wooden rail, which had round wooden rings at
intervals along it .The wood is dark , and the predominant colours in the curtains are
white , light green, and russets, browns , and oranges.

C- Vale Cottage is a roomy, 17th century building, roughly an L- shape, built of limestone
with about 22 thick. There are four downstairs rooms, and three up, including an attic
room .The exterior has been painted off – white, and is rough in appearance.

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