A wild ride!
In this lesson, we will work on using specific language to make powerful examples and anecdotes.
A good example should paint a clear picture for the listener. It should be specific, and it should give details.
- What's happening in the picture above?
- Can you think of a time when you went to an amusement park, and describe it in detail?
The goal of this class is to help students add information through vivid descriptions.
If they need help with the second question, you can give an example (real or fake) about a time you went to an amusement park. Talk about one thing that you did, and include vivid details. For example:
My hometown had this big amusement park. I went there often as a child, and there was a huge roller coaster made of wood! It squeaked and shook as you went up—it was terrifying—it seemed like the roller coaster would break at any moment! But it was so exciting.
What's the problem with this example? Can you make it stronger?
Tokyo has great food. For example, sushi and ramen.
Tell your student a strong example will paint a word picture in the mind of the listener. It should be specific and memorable.
Include some detailed information:
Tokyo has great food, like local ramen shops with rich pork-bone soup called tonkotsu ramen. It's been slow-cooked for hours and hours, and it's made by a chef who has been perfecting his recipe for years, sometimes decades. Tokyo has the best ramen in the world! That's one reason it's such a great city.
To add detail, keep these in mind:
- Add as many who, what, when, where, why and how details as possible.
- For experiences, fill in the sense details: how did it smell, sound, taste, feel or look?
A. The key to giving powerful examples and anecdotes is to use high-level verbs and adjectives. You probably have a rich vocabulary already, so practice using it now. Read the example answer below. Which words or phrases make it vivid? What information paints a clear picture?
Describe your colleagues.
My colleagues are fantastic. They always help me. For example, when I was new, I had a tough client who demanded so much! I had to stay at the office every night until 2 or 3am, but my team members gave me great support. They'd finish their own work and then come by to check on me and give me a hand.
B. Now describe these topics using vivid language.
- Your best vacation.
- Your boss.
- Your favorite kind of clothes to wear.
- A food you hate.
A. Most students can understand a lot of high-level vocabulary but tend to use only simple language. This goal here is to activate the language your student can understand, and practice using it for output.
If the student has a limited vocabulary, then this lesson will take more time, but it may be even more important.
B. In each question, dig for detail. These questions are guides only. Your real follow-up questions may be different. Make sure to get specific.
- Your best vacation.
↳Where did you go? What did you do? Describe how it looked. - Your boss.
↳Is your boss a good or a bad boss? Can you think of an example of this? - Your favorite kind of clothes to wear.
↳Where do you wear them? Are they comfortable or stylish, or both? - A food you hate.
↳When did you first have this food? What's so bad about it?
Teaching tip: For places, you can get the name of the place, search for an image of it, and get your student to describe it in detail.
E.g.: "Maui island on Hawaii has gorgeous white sand beaches and clear blue water. You can relax on the beach and read a book or take a nap, and just feel the stress leaving your body. It's so relaxing."
You can easily do the same with food, e.g., lasagna; and fashion, e.g., sari.
Place
- bustling = crowded and busy, but positive.
- charming = cute, likable, usually small (not a big city).
- cosmopolitan = place with diverse people.
ESOL Courses has a very effective list for describing places.
Teaching tip: There are other vocabulary lists on ESOL Courses as well. The full site is a bit difficult to navigate, but it has a lot to offer on all aspects of English, divided by levels. Students might appreciate the link.
People
- ambitious = having a strong desire for success or achievement.
- practical = guided by experience and observation, rather than theory.
- witty = quick and funny.
- passionate = having strong beliefs; being interested in or liking something a lot.
Vocabulary.com has a very effective list for describing people.
Teaching tip: There are thousands of vocabulary lists on Vocabulary.com—students will appreciate being introduced to the site.
Fashion
- loose-fitting = large, comfortable, not tight.
- sensible = practical and comfortable, rather than fashionable.
- formal = (traditionally) for the office, or for a special occasion.
- skimpy = tight, not covering much of the body. [negative]
Macmillan Dictionary has a comprehensive list of common words to describe clothing.
Teaching tip: Macmillan Dictionary has lists of vocabulary related to a wide variety of topics. Intermediate-to-above students could find the link helpful. It may be a bit too advanced for lower-level students.
Food
- creamy = soft and smooth; contains cream or tastes like it does.
- crunchy = crispy, breaks easily, makes noise when you eat it.
- juicy = full of liquid/juices, like fruit; can also describe meat and some vegetables.
- spicy = peppery; strong, hot flavor.
ESOL Courses also has a very effective list for describing food.
Now choose a question from below, and answer it with detailed examples:
- What are some important factors for many people when choosing a new place to live?
- How would you describe your personality?
- Do you think there are cultural differences in fashion?
- What is your favorite food? Can you explain how to make it?