Sentence Strategies for Description

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Effective descriptions not only create a distinctive image but also contribute to the overall impression the writer wants to convey. To create this overall impression, writers must determine not only what is most relevant, important, or interesting about what they are describing but also what role they are playing. The sentence strategies that follow may provide you with a jumping-off point for writing descriptions that are both powerful and effective. To make these sentences your own, though, you may need to rework them as you revise.

To Reflect on Your Observations

To Describe as a Participant

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To Describe as a Spectator

To Describe as a Participant Observing Other Participants