General Writing Describing Sizes and Shapes

To tell someone how something looks, smells, feels, acts, tastes, sounds, we have to depend on five physical senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste) as well as our emotions (how something makes us feel) because we need to mention its size, shape, color, texture, smell, taste, and even use.

The main purpose of describing something is to help the reader visualize whatever is being described, even if we are describing something we can't really see, like an emotion. But emphasis should be placed on only one aspect of the object at a time, probably its most important characteristic.

Examples 1. Of the various currencies in ancient China, the round bronze coin with square hole in the center was by far the most common. The earliest coins in this form were a product of China’s first centralized kingdom, the Qin dynasty, established by Qin Shi Huang in 221 B. C. (The earliest coins in China)

Examples 2. An egg is small, oval and lightweight. It is small enough to fit into the palm of a person’s hand.

Describing advantages Describing advantages 1) Since its appearance, people have benefited a lot from it. 2)...is/are playing an increasingly significant role / part in our lives / society. 3) We can hardly live without... 4)... is/are endowed with many advantages. 5) Nowadays no one can escape from the influence of... 6) There is no doubt that both... and... have their own advantages. 7) Despite / In spite of these problems, I think its advantages still outweigh its disadvantages.

Describing disadvantages 1) It has brought much harm to humans. 2) People take opposing views of... 3) Some people take the opposing view that... 4) While other people think the other way... / take a different attitude (an opposing view)... 5) Nothing can be perfect and everything has two sides,... is / are not an exception. 6) Nothing should be carried to extremes. 7) We should take a correct attitude towards... 8) We should make full use of its benefits, and meanwhile try to avoid its disadvantage.

Transition signals 1) to indicate order or sequence: first, second, next, finally, before, after, afterwards, soon, later, now, then, at the same time, on the left, on the right, close to, above, below... 2) to indicate an additional idea: additionally, besides, in addition, furthermore, also, similarly, likewise, in the same way,... 3) to indicate an contrasting idea: though, although, even though, instead, at any rate, but, yet, neither, despite, in spite of, nevertheless, whereas, on the other hand... 4) to indicate a generalization: in general, general speaking, as a general rule, on the whole...

Transition signals 5) to indicate a possibility or certainty: possibly, perhaps, clearly, no doubt, certainly, evidently... 6) to indicate a conclusion: above all, thus, as a result, in conclusion, in summary, accordingly, consequently, therefore... 7) to introduce a cause or reason: because, as, for, due to, since... 8) to introduce an example: for example, for instance, that is, namely... 9) to emphasize or clarify: actually, in other words,, in fact, as a matter of fact, of course... 10) to refer to something previously mentioned: the former, the latter, such, where, which, whom...

Tasks Describing A basketball The earth A textbook An apple A water-menon A TV set