How to Write a Descriptive Paragraph

A descriptive paragraph is a focused and detail-rich account of a specific topic. Paragraphs in this style often have a concrete focus—the sound of a waterfall, the stench of a skunks spray—but can also convey something abstract, such as an emotion or a memory. Some descriptive paragraphs do both. These paragraphs help readers  feel  and  sense  the details that the writer wants  to convey. To write a descriptive paragraph, you must study your topic closely, make a list of the details you observe, and organize  those details  into a logical  structure. Finding a Topic The first step in writing a strong descriptive paragraph is identifying your topic. If you received a specific assignment or already have a topic in mind, you can skip this step. If not, its time to start brainstorming. Personal belongings and familiar locations are useful  topics. Subjects that you care about and know well often make for rich, multilayered descriptions.  Another good choice is an object that at first glance doesnt seem to warrant much description, like a spatula or a pack of gum. These seemingly innocuous objects  take on entirely unexpected dimensions and meanings when captured in  a well-crafted descriptive paragraph. Before you finalize your choice, consider the goal of your descriptive paragraph. If youre writing description for descriptions sake, youre free to choose any topic you can think of, but many descriptive paragraphs are part of a larger project, such as a personal narrative or an application essay. Make  sure the topic of your descriptive paragraph aligns with the broader goal of the project. Examining and Exploring Your Topic After youve selected a topic, the real fun begins: studying the details. Spend time closely examining the subject of your paragraph. Study it from every possible angle, beginning with the five senses: What does the object look, sound, smell, taste, and feel like? What are your own memories of or associations with the object?   If your topic is larger than a single object—for example, a location or a memory—you should examine all of the sensations and experiences associated with the topic. Lets say your topic is your childhood fear of the dentist. The list of details might include your white-knuckled grip on the car door as your mother tried to drag you into the office, the gleaming white smile  of the dental assistant who never remembered your name, and the industrial buzz of the electric toothbrush.   Dont worry about writing full sentences or arranging the details into a logical paragraph structure during the prewriting phase. For now, simply write down every detail that comes to mind. Organizing Your Information After youve compiled a lengthy list of descriptive details, you can begin assembling those details into a paragraph.  First, consider  again the goal of your descriptive paragraph. The details you choose to  include in the paragraph, as  well  as  the details you choose to  exclude, signal to the reader how you feel about the  topic. What message, if any, do you want the description to convey?  Which details best convey that message? Reflect on these questions as you begin constructing the paragraph. Every descriptive paragraph will take a somewhat different form, but the following model is a straightforward way to get started:  Ã‚   A topic sentence  that identifies the topic and briefly explains its significanceSupporting sentences that describe the topic in specific, vivid ways,  using the details youve  listed during brainstormingA concluding sentence that circles back  to the topics  significance Arrange the details in an order that makes sense for your topic. (You could easily describe a room from back to front, but that same structure would be a confusing way to describe a tree.) If you get stuck, read model descriptive paragraphs for inspiration, and  dont be afraid to experiment with different arrangements. In your final draft,  the details should follow  a logical pattern, with each sentence connecting to the sentences that come before and after it. Showing, Not Telling Remember to  show,  rather than  tell, even in your topic and concluding sentences. A topic sentence that reads, I am describing my pen  because I love to write is  obvious telling (the fact that youre describing your pen should be self-evident from the paragraph itself)  and unconvincing (the reader cannot  feel  or  sense  the strength of your love of writing). Avoid tell statements by keeping your list of details handy at all times. Heres an example of a topic sentence that  shows  the subjects significance through the use of detail:  My ballpoint pen is my secret writing partner: The baby-soft tip glides effortlessly across the page, somehow seeming to pull my thoughts down from my brain and out through my fingertips. Edit and  Proofread Your Paragraph The writing process isnt over until your paragraph has been edited and proofread. Invite  a friend or teacher to read your paragraph and provide feedback. Assess whether the paragraph clearly conveys the message you intended to express. Read your paragraph aloud to check for awkward phrasing or cumbersome sentences. Finally, consult a proofreading checklist to confirm that your paragraph is free of minor errors.

Crime And The Crimes Of Crime Essay - 1949 Words

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) crime is defined as â€Å"an offence punishable by the State on behalf of the general public whose standards do not permit the offending behaviour.† Whilst countless studies have been conducted over the years surrounding crime and the committing of crimes by individuals’, there has also long been debate surrounding whether or not crime is gendered and if so, to what extent. Over the decades a number of studies have been conducted in order to answer this question, with significantly varying results uncovered. Whilst some studies, including those by Darrell Steffensmeier and Emilie Allan (1996) and Jennifer Schwartz and Darrell Steffensmeier (2008) have found that gender plays a significant role in the committing of crimes, other studies including that of Kenneth Polk (1993) have found that the prevalence of gender differences in crimes is reliant on the nature of the crime itself. According to Frances Heidensohn (1985), â€Å"gender appears to be the single most crucial variable associated with criminality† (p.22). In agreement with this statement, Steffensmeier and Allan (1996) highlighted in ‘Gender and Crime: Toward a gendered Theory of Female Offending’, that worldwide criminologists agree that the gender gap within offenders of crime is universal, in that men are always more likely to commit a criminal act than women. However, Steffensmeier and Allan (1996)’s research also highlighted discrepancies between the opinions ofShow MoreRelatedCrime : Crime And Crime1688 Words   |  7 Pagesdetermined that a crime is committed every second a day. Given the data by the FBI’s crime clock, a violent crime such include murder, robbery, rape and assaults occurs every 23.9 Seconds in the United State. Property crime including burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft every 3.4 seconds a day. 55% of Americans say crime is an extremel y or very serious problem in the U.S. Another 38% view the U.S. crime problem as moderately serious, while one in 20 consider it not serious. Crime has increase inRead MoreCrime, Crime And Crime1551 Words   |  7 Pageslarge and dramatic drop in not only its victims of crime but also the amount of crimes that have been reported to the local police, even though this community already has extraordinary low crime states. The crime states in Lowville show a huge fall across all different levels of crime; this includes a 12.2 per cent drop of criminal damage offences and a 12.8 percent drop in drug offences. Moreover, they have also seen a fall in the statistics for crimes such as robbery, this has dropped by 7.5 per centRead MoreCrimes And Crimes Of The Crimes945 Words   |  4 Pages Crimes can be committed by everyone. 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When a crime takes place, the part that fascinates peo ple the most is how the offender is captured and brought to justice (NathanRead MoreCrime : Crime And Crime1059 Words   |  5 PagesLarge or small, crime affects us all. Whether it is presented to you on a personal level, or you happened to have heard it one the news while you and your family were enjoying a nice Sunday meal. In the words of Jeff Mariotte â€Å"Crime touches us all† (Mariotte, Jeff P1). This is shown to us in the popular television series Criminal Minds because of the way the producers and show writers portray the act of crimes as well as the accuracy of the crime, the inside look of what is going on in the criminals’Read MoreCrime Is A Crime And Crime999 Words   |  4 Pagescommits a crime, the immediate response from the public is that they deserve a punishment for their crime. Some of the crimes that offenders act upon range on the spectrum: from a minor crime to a major crime. When an offender commit a minor crime it is known as a misdemeanor and the punishment consists of a year or less in county jail. However, for a serious major crime, offenders are charged with a felony which includes a punishment of a year or more in prison. Additionally, the lowest crime is anRead MoreCrime : Crime And Crime2447 Words   |  10 PagesCrime has always existed in some shape or form. However, the question about how crime much crime exists has always been the source of some discrepancy. Knowing how much crime exists at certain points in time is very important to law enforcement, criminal justice researchers, politicians and other public officials. Being able to measure the amount of crime allows the creation and tracking of crime trends. This allows those concerned with crime trends to better adjust their tactics or methods inRead MoreCrime : Crime And Crime Essay1878 Words   |  8 PagesCrime is ever present in our society. Unfortunately, crime has become seamlessly woven into our social fabric and structure. Crime creates soci etal concern, tension and in some cases may cause panic. No society or group is immune to crime and crime will never be totally regulated or controlled. This is because crime has a certain allure to us all. In effect, everyone in any society has the potential to be a criminal not because we are all bad people but because of the temptation that crime can createRead MoreThe Crime Of A Crime981 Words   |  4 PagesA Crime To Be Poor? Many people are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet and making less money than ever before. Being poor has now become almost illegal in a country that punishes you for falling victim to poverty. Many are being discriminated for not having a place to call home. City ordinances are making it almost impossible for the homeless to have their needs met. According to Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Is It Now A Crime To Be Poor, If you re laying on a sidewalk, whetherRead MoreCrime Movie : Crime And Crime859 Words   |  4 PagesCrime in film What is on television today? We have lots of different kinds of shows out there these days. We have the shows that are for children like Ant Farm, Jessie, and My Little pony. These shows are safe for children, and they are as some may say safe. Next you have the shows for young adults like Once Upon A Time, Pretty Little Liars, and Digi-mon. Show like this is when producers start to add the violence, fighting, and public display of affection. This is also the age frame that the video

Difference Between ‘Use-by’ Dates - and ‘Best Before Dates’

Question: Write an essay of detailing the difference between Use-by dates, and Best Before Dates. Answer: The primary aim of this paper is to find out the basic differences between the use by dates and best before dates marked on the food items. Any food packet contains several labels on them. A proper understanding of all the hidden information behind the labels is necessary for any consumer for the purpose of food safety. The date markings on different food packets are considered the necessary guidelines regarding food items (Diary Dates 2012). The dates guide the consumers regarding the span of time for which the food is fit for consumption before it starts to degrade and become unsafe for consumption. These dates are not only important to the consumers for the selection of a healthier diet but also; they make sure whether the foods are safe for human consumption. There are two types of date marking on the food items. They are use by dates and best before dates. It is the responsibility of the food supplier for placing a use by or best before date on food items (Jones 2016). The "best before" date mark consists of a period in the order of day, month and year. The use by date mark, also consists of a date, either in the order of day and month, or in the order of day, month and year, it is also accompanied by the conditions required for the storage, which must be taken into consideration (O'Sullivan 2015). The "use by" dates are often found on a consumable product. It indicates the recommended date by which, the food item must be consumed. Whereas, the best before dates are the "manufacturers estimate" that show that even if the date is over the food is fit for the human consumption provided it is fit (Jones 2016). Once the use by date marked on the food item is over, it should not be eaten even if it looks good and smells delicious because it has become poisonous and could put the health of the consumer at risk. The best before date on the other hand, is not about the quality or safety of the food. It is the date from when the food might start to degrade in flavor and texture but is not harmful for consumption (Quetiapine best bet in bipolar disorders in the UK 2012). Not all the food items require carrying the date markings. These is found in "Regulations 4 and 22 and in the list of Annex I" of the legal status of guidance. Foods like "eggs, items those are sold loose, fancy confectionery products, foods that are sold permanently in glass bottles as well as those food items that are sold in seasonal selection packs" do not require date markings (Tuma 2012). Food items on which, "use by" dates is marked, are like ready-prepared salads, smoked fish as well as meat products. Similarly, the best before dates are used for canned, dried, ambient, frozen food items. Sometime, the food items that have a shelf life of more than two years like some canned foods do not require the label of best before dates. As in such condition, it becomes, difficult for the food suppliers to give an exact date to the consumers and guide about the longevity of the food (Aribisala 2012). Such, food items may retain their quality for several years and can be very well consum ed before it gets spoil. The only food is the bread, which can have several date marks not only in the United Kingdom but also in the entire world. It can be labeled with a particular "baked on or baked for a date" only if the shelf life is not more than one week (Lane 2012). There is no particular list of food items, which should carry an exact date mark. In the Food Labeling Regulations (FLR), the legislative framework is that all the food elements that are ready to be delivered to the "ultimate consumer" must carry an exact indication of the durability, which would normally be the "best before" dates (Aribisala 2012). The legal status of guidance is made to provide an overall understanding of the entire process to meet the terms of the legal aspects and requirements regarding the date marks. According to the governmental laws on food safety of the United Kingdom, if the use by dates marked on the food item have passed, it is forbidden to be sold. It is considered as a serious crime to sell any food items after the dates are marked as the use by date. If sold, then the people behind this would be punished severely. It is similar to killing a human being. Whereas, even if the best before dates have passed the food item can be sold, as still the food has not become harmful and is safe. It could be fit for eating though the flavor might have decreased (Lane 2012). Thus, it is not a serious offense to sell the food item even after the "best before dates." Provided it still complies with "Food Safety Act 1990 and the General Food Regulation 2004" but if the quality of the food item has degraded or it ha s failed to meet all the expectations of the consumers then the retailer would be at offense (Radin et al., 2012). Thus, the conclusion that can be drawn from this paper is that the prime goal of the date markings is to help the consumers to make a safe, healthy and optimum use of the food item. The manufacturer marks these dates. The use by dates and best before dates indicate the accurate duration in which food is kept under the storage conditions specified on the food packets. As Food Safety, the fundamental right of each in the society is a branch of science that describes the proper management, preparation, and storage of food in the ways that prevent any illness that may originate from food. References Aribisala, O. (2012). Best interests provisions in the UK Mental Capacity Act 2005.The Psychiatrist, 36(12), pp.459-462. Diary Dates. (2012).Gerodontology, 29(2), pp.159-159. Jones, M. (2016). Book review: The Unaccountable and Ungovernable Corporation: Companies Use-by Dates Close In.Accounting History, 21(1), pp.131-133. Lane, I. (2012). Ultracold fluorine production via Doppler cooled BeF.Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 14(43), p.15078. O'Sullivan, J. (2015). Resource use peak dates distract from real planetary limits.Ecology and Society, 20(2). Quetiapine best bet in bipolar disorders in the UK. (2012).PharmacoEconomics Outcomes News, NA;(655), p.8. Radin, R., Mitchell, A. and Werler, M. (2012). Predictors of recall certainty of dates of analgesic medication use in pregnancy.Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 22(1), pp.25-32. Tuma, R. (2012). MCRPC.Oncology Times UK, 9(5), pp.13-14.