Descriptive Text

Structure
What is a descriptive
paragraph?

The author describes the topic

by listing characteristics,
features, and examples.
The focus is on one thing or idea
and its components.
Questions to ask yourself

What person, place, idea,

or thing is being
described?
How does the author
organize the description?
Which detail or details
seem to be the most
important?
 Clue Words
Such as
Is like
looks like/ sounds like etc.
For instance
Including
For example
To illustrate
 Example of a descriptive
paragraph
The Florida worm lizard does not
have legs or feet. It is about eight
inches long and looks like a giant
earthworm because it is pink. It
doesn’t have eyes or ears, but it has a
mouth that looks like other lizards’
mouths. Its body is covered with
scales.
How do I organize the information in a
descriptive paragraph?
 Concept:

Florida Worm Lizard

 Definition

Text Says: a burrowing reptile in the SE US

I Say: a type of cold-blooded scaly animal

that lives underground in Florida
 Characteristics
No legs, feet, eyes or ears

Has a mouth

Eight inches long

Looks like earthworm

Pink

Scales
 Examples

Examples and Non-examples may be pictures

or items that fit within the category being
described.
Non-examples
 Another Option: How do I
organize the information in a
descriptive paragraph?