FACTUAL DESCRIPTION
A factual description is the detailed description of the physical attributes of the object as it appears to the onlooker with the special features included.
There are three main types of factual description. They are-
• Description of an object.
• Description of a person.
• Description of an event.
Format
• Topic sentence: It is the sentence which introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
• Supporting details: They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of the description. They give details to develop and support the main idea.
• Closing sentence: This is the last sentence. It restates the main idea and sums up the thoughts using different words.
Content
• A simple description of features or characteristics of the topic.
• Avoid giving your opinion. Stick to the facts, not your interpretation of them. Use short concise sentences. Be specific. State only known facts, not speculation.
• For example, if you see smoke, but not a fire you can state there was smoke. You cannot state there was fire.
• Use relating verbs to define, describe and classify.
• The word limit is of 80-100 words.
• Physical description is of the utmost importance.
• Some of the important characteristics to be mentioned :
1. SAMPLE OBJECT WASHING MACHINE
A washing machine is a convenient appliance that is used for washing clothes. The automatic washing machine has a central drum that is used for holding the clothes. There is a dispensing tray, where the detergent and additives can be put in. The control panel has knobs which control the temperature and allow users to select different modes of operation. The drum also helps to dry clothes by spinning like a centrifuge machine. A washing machine is usually made of metal parts but some of them are reinforced plastic. They may be front opening or top loading. Washing machines have reduced work load and are widely used today.
2. SAMPLE PERSON Mr. Beau Didapper
Mr. Beau Didapper was a young gentleman of about four-foot, five-inches in height. He wore his own hair, though the scarcity of it might have given him sufficient excuse for a periwig. His face was thin and pale; the shape of his body and legs none of the best, for he had very narrow shoulders, and no calf; and his gait might more properly be called hopping than walking. The qualifications of his mind were well adapted to his person. He wasn’t entirely ignorant; for he could talk a little French, and sing two or three Italian songs; he had lived too much in the world to be bashful, and too much at court to be proud. He seemed not much inclined avarice, for he was profuse in his expenses.
3. SAMPLE EVENT Tree Plantation Day
Nirmala Convent School, Nainital celebrated a ‘Tree Plantation Day’ on 15th June, 2013. It was celebrated to inform and impress the young students with the importance of trees in our life. Every year our forests are being destroyed. As a nation we love to talk but pay scant attention to the plantation of trees in keeping the environment clean, fresh and bringing the rains. Thousands of trees are felled for buildings and firewood. To mark this auspicious day the Green Ambassadors decorated each classroom with floral and leafy saplings planted and adopted by them. They even named the saplings after themselves. Later, the school organized a drawing and poster display competition. The theme for the competition was ‘Save Earth, Save Mankind’ a tree plantation campaign and planted anumber of herbal and medicinal plants in the school premises. Chief Guest in his address highlighted the importance of planting trees and said unless we are sincere in respecting our trees; we cannot have a healthy world.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Write a factual description on any one object in your study room.
2. Write a factual description about famous personality- celebrity or a leader.
3. You recently celebrated Teachers’ Day in your school. Write a factual description about it.
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 10 English Factual Desription Worksheet
