HOW TO WRITE A

DESCRIPTIVE TEXT
 How to write a descriptive text
The purpose of writing a descriptive text is to make the reader picture or “see” a
person, place, event, situation, etc. in his mind, as you provide specific details
through the use of adjectives that make the text more vivid.
This type of text transmits feelings and sensations that the reader can experience as the
writer describes it. Some examples of descriptive texts can be found in a book, for
example when describing a horror or scene and creating an atmosphere:

“It was an ordinary cold night in autumn. The orange brownish crunchy leaves of the
trees were revolving on the ground as the wind blows them one time and then another.
In the little peaceful town, people felt safe inside their humble but warm and cozy
homes, with no suspect of the terrible and unexpected event that was about to
happened…”

Other examples of descriptive text are travel brochures in which there are many
details about the different destinations, things to do, visit, eat, etc.
The following steps will be a guide to write a descriptive text:

Introduction
In the first paragraph, we write the name of the place and location as well as the
reasons for choosing it.

Main Body
In the second paragraph we usually write about what the place looks like. In the
third paragraph we describe the place in detail. We can include the things we can
see, feel, hear, smell and taste.

Conclusion
In the last paragraph we write about our feelings and personal comments and/or
recommendation. Narrative descriptions of places can be found in tourist
magazines, letters, stories, etc. We normally use
past tenses to describe our visit. However, we use the present tenses to talk about
the location. We can use a variety of adjectives and adverbs as well as our senses to
make our description more appealing to the reader (Evans & Doodley, 2002, p. 114).
 Coyoacan

C o yo aca n is on e of the m ost typ ical neig hb orhoo ds located inside the n oisy
an d fast-p aced M exico C ity a n d a m a nd atory p lac e to visit if you w a nt to e njo y
the exp erience of tranq uility an d p eac e.

A s yo u w alk b y th e streets of this place yo u c an ob s erv e s om e of the old es t

b ut colorful and tradition al ho uses th at keep the S p a nish style in their
construction an d B aroq u e desig n. Y ou ca n stop for a m om en t a nd taste a
w arm arom atic cup of coffee as you enjo y a talk w ith frien ds or ap p re ciate a
local art exp osition. C o ntinue yo ur journ e y an d find an en dless typ e of uniq u e
souv enirs at the m ultip le sh op s, libraries, b outiq u e s, m us e um s a nd g alleries.

A t lunc h an d dinn er tim e yo u ca n taste a v ariety of exq uisite food. W ithout a

do ub t there is som ething for ev eryon e, from a delicious typ ical M exican food
stand in a corn er, up to the m ost exq uisite g ourm et dishes at a fanc y
restaurant.

T here is alw ays s om ething to do in this liv ely an d b eautiful place. S o next tim e
you com e to M exico C ity, include C o yoac an in your iti nerary an d enjo y the
pleasure of a relaxing m om ent in tim e.
 Summarizing, a good descriptive text has the following characteristics:

 Provide clear information about the place, object, or person being described.
 Provide a detailed description in the body of the text.
 Finish the text with a recommendation or comment about the object described.
 Use of present simple or past simple in case of a narration.
 Use of vivid words and adjectives.