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My room is a nice a cozy place. As you enter the room, you will see my desk on the right. Next to my desk, there is a wide fireplace with a chimney on the top of it. As you pass the fire place you will see my bed. Now you will have to make a left turn. As you pass along my bed, on the wall you will notice a window that opens to a beautiful garden. When you get to the foot of my bed, you will have to make another left turn; other wise, you will bang against the wall in front of you. After you have made the turn, you will see my computer table in the corner in front of you. On this table you will find my computer and all of its peripherals. Then you should make your last turn and move along the wall to get to the door; one step further, and you will be in the hall.
When you want to describe an object, very often you can follow the same strategy. You will start from one end and move along to the other end. Descriptions of people, animals, etc., may also be achieved in this way. The following paragraph is a description of the structure of earth. The writer has started the paragraph with the description of the outermost layer, has gone on with the description of the intermediate layers, and has ended the paragraph with the description of the innermost layer.
The earth consists of several parts. First, the atmosphere is the gaseous envelope that surrounds the solid body of the planet. Second, the hydrosphere is the layer of water in the form of oceans, inland seas, lakes, rivers, and underground waters. The next layer, the lithosphere comprises two shells: the crust and upper mantle. The crust itself is divided in two: the sialic or upper crust; and the simatic or lower crust. The upper mantle is separated from the crust above by the Moho and from the lower mantle below by a zone of weakness known as the asthenosphere. The dense, heavy interior of the earth is divided into a thick shell, the mantle, surrounding an innermost sphere, the core. The mantle extends from the base of the crust to a depth of about 2900 km and is solid except in some parts. The core has an outer shell about 2225 km thick. This shell is
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An alternative approach to descriptive paragraphs also exists. Remember that you have already learnt how to write outlines. A wise strategy for developing a paragraph is to begin with a clear outline in which you identify the aspects of the topic you will describe and also the details you will report for each aspect.
The following outline provides the pieces of information that can describe the statue of liberty.
Topic: Statue of liberty
I. Objects accompanying the statue
A. Chains of tyranny at the feet
B. Torch of liberty in the right hand
C. Tablet in the left hand
D. Robes as dress
E. Crown on the head
II. Height of the statue
A. 46 m actual height
B. 47 m height of the pedestal
III. Materials used in the construction of the statue
A. The statue itself
1. Hammered copper sheets on the surface
2. Iron framework inside
B. The pedestal
1. Granite on the surface
2. Concrete inside
Now, read the following paragraph and observe how the writer has used the above outline to develop his paragraph.
The Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom throughout the world. I t depicts a woman escaping the chains of tyranny, which lie at her feet. Her right hand holds aloft a burning torch that represents liberty. Her left hand holds a tablet inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, the day the United States
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EXERCI SE
1. Study the following outline carefully.
Topic: Structure of a tree trunk I . Heartwood
A. Located at the center of the trunk B. Older than other layers C. Generally darker than other layers D. More durable than other layers
I I . Cambium
A. Thinnest layer B. Usually fresh C. Contains generative cells D. Produces sapwood
I I I . Sapwood
A. Softer than other layers B. Lighter in color C. I s invaded by extractives
1. Natural substances 2. Cause sapwood-to-heartwood change D. Gradually changes into heartwood
I V. Bark
A. Outermost layer B. Functions as skin C. Protects tree from cold, heat, etc.
Now, carefully examine the following diagram which identifies the different layers of the tree trunk as they are arranged one after the other. Combine the information from the diagram with the information from the outline. Write a paragraph about the general