Leaving Cert Notes and Sample Answers

Leaving Cert English: Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments..

Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

No two humans share the same mind.

This means that each time a person hears a word, a slightly different meaning is registered depending on the person’s experiences, thoughts, emotions, and knowledge.

That’s awfully philosophical, you might think, yet it is completely relevant to what we’re about to discuss today:

After all, you might read the mark scheme and then decide that you understand what a Level 6 under Content and Structure means when it says: “Many well-defined and developed ideas and images create a convincing overall picture with varieties of focus.”…

But what does it really mean to define or develop an idea? 🧐

What does it mean to even create a ‘convincing’ picture? 😰

As we discussed the other day, it is very important to have good examples to make sure that your understanding of the criteria and the mark scheme actually reflects that of an examiner and more importantly that of someone who has a seasoned understanding of the English language and its capacity to create specific forms of writer’s effect.

Chances are, you read our set of sample essays for IGCSE narrative composition the other day – thank you for sharing them with your friends and also for enjoying them!

With that in mind…

Here are two completely free descriptive composition essays for you!

Once again, each essay is written to match a specific level descriptor, has been validated with the experience of our team, and reflects the way that we would assign marks based on the mark scheme.

Also, there will also be an interesting surprise for you at the end of this post.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s go!

We’ll start with two essays from the Winter 2022 Paper 2 Variant 2 in the Descriptive and Narrative Composition section; more examples will come soon as well.

Without further ado, here are the examples!

First, let’s look at a Level 4 essay.

write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

Write a description with the title, ‘By the light of the Moon’. (Winter 2022, Paper 2, Variant 2). Bathed in the ethereal silver glow, the sleepy village nestled amidst the embrace of hills, a blanket of peace enshrouding it. The moon, like a watchful guardian, cast its pale light upon the quiet streets, as night creatures began their nocturnal dance. The distant howl of a wolf echoed through the valley, a haunting melody that seemed to resonate with the very core of the hills. Wandering along the cobblestone path, I beheld the moon’s reflection shimmering upon the surface of the tranquil lake. A gentle breeze whispered through the swaying trees, their shadows stretching like slender fingers across the ground. The night was alive with a symphony of sounds; the rustle of leaves, the chirping of crickets, and the distant murmur of a flowing stream. The ghostly outline of the ancient stone bridge loomed ahead, its timeworn arches bearing the weight of centuries. As I crossed it, I could feel the coolness of the stones beneath my feet, worn smooth by the passage of countless travelers. The murmuring stream beneath the bridge seemed to carry whispered secrets, tales of love and loss, joy and sorrow. Beyond the bridge, the path meandered through a moonlit meadow, where delicate wildflowers nodded beneath the lunar radiance. The sweet scent of honeysuckle hung heavy in the air, mingling with the subtle fragrance of dew-kissed grass. A lone owl perched on a gnarled branch, its piercing eyes observing the world below with an air of detached wisdom. As I continued my journey, I stumbled upon a secluded glade bathed in the moon’s luminescence. The serenity of the scene was amplified by the soft glow illuminating the dewdrops resting on blades of grass, giving the impression of a field of twinkling stars. The distant hoot of an owl and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze provided a soothing soundtrack to this enchanting tableau. The path eventually led me to an abandoned cottage, its once-vibrant facade now weathered and worn. Vines and ivy crept up the walls, reclaiming their territory from the intrusion of human habitation. The moonlight filtered through the broken windows, casting eerie patterns on the crumbling interior, a testament to the passage of time and the impermanence of all things. The moon’s light gradually waned as it continued its celestial journey, leaving the village to slumber in the darkness of night. As the last remnants of silver light retreated, I too turned back towards the village, carrying the memory of this enchanted nocturnal world within my heart.

The essay demonstrates Level 4 in terms of content and structure (W1 and W2). The content is relevant with some development, offering a cohesive description of a moonlit night in a village. The structure is competently managed, guiding the reader through various settings such as the village, lake, bridge, meadow, glade, and the abandoned cottage. However, the essay does not reach Level 5 or 6, as the imagery and details could be more vivid and engaging.

Regarding style and accuracy (W3 to W5), the essay employs simple vocabulary and straightforward sentence structures, such as “The ghostly outline of the ancient stone bridge loomed ahead.” The essay maintains a simple register with a general awareness of the context. There are occasional minor errors in punctuation and grammar but they do not detract from the overall readability.

To improve this essay, the writer could use more evocative language, draw on a wider range of sensory details, and incorporate more complex sentence structures. In the essay, some phrases could be improved to make the descriptions more vivid and engaging. For instance, “A gentle breeze whispered through the swaying trees” could be rephrased as “A gentle breeze caressed the swaying trees, their leaves rustling like whispered secrets.” By incorporating stronger imagery, the writer can create a more immersive experience for the reader.

Additionally, the essay could benefit from a wider range of sensory details. While it effectively conveys visual and auditory elements, it could include more tactile, olfactory, and gustatory descriptions to create a richer sensory experience. For example, the writer could mention the cool, damp earth underfoot, the scent of damp earth mingling with the honeysuckle, or the taste of the crisp night air.

In terms of sentence structure, the essay relies heavily on simple and compound sentences. To elevate the writing, the author could use more complex and varied sentence structures, which would add interest and rhythm to the prose. For example, “The night was alive with a symphony of sounds; the rustle of leaves, the chirping of crickets, and the distant murmur of a flowing stream” could be rephrased as “The night reverberated with a symphony of sounds, as the rustle of leaves intertwined with the chirping of crickets, all underscored by the distant murmur of a flowing stream.”

To improve their writing, the author could study literary works that are known for their evocative descriptions and varied sentence structures. One such book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. This novel is an excellent example of how to create vivid, engaging descriptions using sensory details and varied sentence structures. By reading and analyzing such works, the writer can gain insight into effective techniques for descriptive writing and apply them to their own compositions.

Next, let’s look at a Level 6 essay.

*This is members-only content – To view it, please sign up for a free membership!

Content (Table A): The essay effectively captures the essence of a magical and enchanting moonlit night through vivid descriptions and sensory details. The author takes the reader on a journey through a series of beautifully crafted scenes that paint a picture of a world transformed by the light of the moon. The narrative is engaging and cohesive, building upon each scene to create a sense of progression and a clear storyline. The essay effectively conveys the emotions and experiences of the narrator, making the reader feel as though they too are experiencing the magic of the night. Overall, the content of the essay is well-structured, creative, and effectively conveys the author’s intended message.

Language (Table B): The language used in the essay is rich, poetic, and evocative. The author skillfully employs a variety of literary devices, including imagery, metaphor, and personification, to create a vivid and immersive world. The vocabulary used is precise and carefully chosen, adding depth and nuance to the descriptions. The essay’s sentence structures vary in length and complexity, creating a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader in. The language is also grammatically correct and free of spelling errors, allowing the reader to focus on the beauty of the prose. Overall, the language used in the essay is exceptional, effectively creating a world that is both enchanting and captivating.

To improve this essay, the writer could focus on incorporating an even wider range of sensory details to create an even more immersive experience for the reader. Although the visual and auditory elements are well-developed, adding more tactile, olfactory, and gustatory details could elevate the descriptions further.

To continue refining their writing skills, the author could study literary works known for their vivid descriptions and lyrical prose. One such book is “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This novel is renowned for its evocative imagery and rich language, making it an excellent resource for writers seeking to improve their descriptive writing abilities. By reading and analyzing such works, the writer can gain valuable insights into effective techniques for creating immersive and engaging descriptions.

Okay, and we’re done! 🙂

I hope that you enjoyed this post, and that you will find it valuable!

If you did, do feel free to share it with your friends! We will proceed onwards with descriptive writing examples pretty soon – these will be part of the membership site component of the site materials, and we will also create more of these materials for you soon!

Thank you once again, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon!

P.S. Also, we’re just putting the finishing touches on the Descriptive and Narrative Composition book that we promised a while back. HUGE thanks to all the people who have taken the time to share their thoughts, insights, and perspectives.

Here is a preview! If you’re accessing this on mobile it may not display – if so, access it here!

' src=

victortanws

Leave a comment cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recommended Posts

write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

Welcome to FirstLanguageEnglish.com!

Welcome to the ultimate guide to conquering the 0500 First Language English exam! Whether you’re a student or a teacher, we are confident that you’ll find some value here. The materials on this site will break down the IGCSE First Language English curriculum for you, offer you some helpful tips, […]

write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

It’s never too late. 

The scene is familiar. You wake up one morning and the page of the calendar turns.  Yet again. Imperceptibly, you’ve crept one day closer towards that test, that exam.  Maybe time passed and you didn’t realize it.  Maybe it wasn’t all that important to you.  Maybe the only reason that […]

Narrative Essay Composition Bank Updated! (26th March, 2024)

Dear all, The Narrative essay compilation has been updated! Want to gain the exact examples you need for that A*? Sign up for a Premium membership so that you don’t miss out, today! V. We hope you enjoyed these essays! If you want to join our IGCSE First Language English […]

write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

There Are No Miracle People: The Myth of Being “Naturally Good at English”

In a recent class, I talked to some of my students about Greek myths – specifically the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, and I think myths are really cool, the students really liked it, and I think I’ll probably do it again. And so today, what I want to talk […]

Descriptive Essay Composition Bank Updated! (19th March, 2024)

Dear all, The Descriptive essay compilation has been updated! Want to gain the exact examples you need for that A*? Sign up for a Premium membership so that you don’t miss out, today! V. We hope you enjoyed these essays! If you want to join our IGCSE First Language English […]

40 Excellent Descriptive and Narrative Essays (My apologies!)

Hello all! Some of you wrote over asking why it was that you couldn’t purchase the 40 Excellent Descriptive and Narrative Compositions book from the site – it was because the page didn’t include the file initially. So sorry about this! You should be able to purchase it now with […]

Narrative Essay Composition Bank Updated! (12th March, 2024)

Dear all, The Narrative essay compilation has been updated! If you’d like to access the essays and you have a premium membership, click below and enjoy! Want to gain the exact examples you need for that A*? Sign up for a Premium membership so that you don’t miss out, today! […]

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

ReviseWise

  • Leaving Cert. English (Higher) 2013: Paper 1 Section II Composing
  • Back to the question >

Preparation

  • This is a debate speech. You task is to successfully argue for or against the motion. You must persuade the audience to agree with your views.
  • Use all rhetorical devices at your disposal. Some effective examples include rhetorical questions, flattering your audience, using emotive language, strong anecdotes, strong imagery, involving the listener, creating a sense of unity with the audience, etc.
  • Begin your speech with the usual ‘Chairperson, adjudicators, members of the opposition/proposition, fellow team mates, ladies and gentlemen....’
  • When planning your essay, you may consider some or all of the following: what is heroic, banking scandals, politicians, the honesty of our society, the importance of loyalty, justice, your heroes, what makes a hero, etc.  
  • Re-read Text 2 — it may give you some valuable ideas for this essay.
  • This title gives you the opportunity to take a number of different approaches but remember it must be a personal account. Your ideas should be at the heart of the essay.
  • Remember how you will be awarded marks in this section: 30% for clarity of purpose, 30% for coherence of delivery, 30% for efficiency of language use and 10% for mechanics.
  • If you love music and pay particular attention to lyrics, this may be a good choice for you.
  • When planning your essay, you may consider the following points: how music moves and influences you, the purpose of music, protest songs, music as a way to exercise one's demons, the use of music and storytelling in different societies, etc.
  • Remember you must provide a 'hook' for your reader to entice them to continue reading.
  • You are free to write whatever short story you like but your main character must either be manipulated or be manipulative.
  • You must write a short story. You can take a variety of approaches but generally, all short stories have a beginning, middle and end, have at least one character, and have some sense of tension, climax and resolution.
  • Ask yourself questions to create ideas — where, what, who, why, when and how?
  • Beware of creating an over-long timeline. You have limited space and time. It would be impossible to cover a character’s entire life in 2-4 A4 pages.
  • Try to stick with 1-3 main characters.
  • You have a long time to write this essay. Re-read what you have written quickly to check it for mistakes.
  • Create atmosphere and images for the reader — it will improve your writing.
  • Remember your central character must be faced with making an important decision. Try to create a scenario that would interest the reader.
  • Your essay must be descriptive. Concentrate on creating images and atmosphere for the reader. Consider a multi-sensory approach.
  • You are asked for a variety of glimpsed moments so take your inspiration from a number of different settings.
  • Plan this essay carefully. Try to create a fluid piece.
  • Try to create a lively and engaging piece for the reader.
  • You are free to take a number of different approaches to this task but remember it must be a personal account. Your ideas should be at the heart of the essay.
  • Consider the difference between what we may aspire to and the mundane realities of life. You could craft a lively and humorous essay on this.
  • Audience: Readers of a ‘popular magazine’. Tone should be friendly and professional.
  • Purpose: Discuss the ‘competing attractions’ — this means you must look at the good points about both urban and rural lifestyles.
  • Go online and look up ‘The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse’ by Horace. It’s an amusing account of city and country life, which is relevant despite being over 2,000 years old!
  • See the notes above on writing a short story.
  • Re-read Text 3 — it may give you some ideas for your story.  
  • Your short story must have a theme of reunion.  
  • Create images and vivid characters for your reader.
  • Help us make e-xamit better - e-mail support if you spot any errors!
  • The content of this site is the intellectual property of e-xamit.ie
  • Legal & privacy information
  • Junior Cert
  • Elizabeth Bishop
  • Emily Dickinson
  • Seamus Heaney
  • Thomas Kinsella
  • Derek Mahon
  • All 2014 guides on CD
  • Sylvia Plath
  • Eavan Boland (LC 2012)
  • Patrick Kavanagh (LC 2012)
  • Adrienne Rich (LC 2013)
  • Gerard Manley Hopkins (LC 2013)
  • Cancelled Order
  • Thank You for your order

Language of Narration / Description

The Language of Narration

Descriptive Language / Aesthetic Language

Narration literally means to tell a story. Plot, setting & characterization = 3 key elements.

Descriptive language creates a clear picture in your mind of what is being described.

Aesthetic language is beautiful, artistic & carefully crafted with a poetic rhythm & flow.

Genre – novels, short stories, memoirs, personal essays, diary entries, travel writing and poetry all make use of narrative, descriptive and aesthetic language. Speech writers and journalists writing articles often use these techniques in their writing.

Target audience – anyone who reads for pleasure and out of curiosity to know more about life, the world and human beings (rather than simply to find out information or to argue a point of view). Your audience wants to be entertained, thrilled, shocked, angered, made to laugh out loud or to cry silently into their coffee, provoked into thinking about life as a ridiculous joke, or as a wonderful dance, or as a tragic tale “ full of sound and fury, signifying nothing ”.

Language register – depends on the writer and the style of writing. If it’s a novel, play, short story or diary entry you can use slang and curse words, especially in dialogue, but keep it to a minimum. If it’s a personal essay, poem, piece of travel writing, speech or newspaper article it’s best to avoid cursing and slang (unless quoting someone).

Techniques: Narration

Stories are expected to have a clear beginning, middle and end (not necessarily in that order!). Something must happen in your story, but take a short time span and don’t have LOTS of dramatic events happening in a short story. Tension & suspense can be created by leaving some questions unanswered in the reader’s mind and then gradually revealing the truth. A sense of unity & closure is important. Avoid a predictable ending.

Clearly describing your setting allows the reader to imagine being in that place , allows them to mentally look around & see what the characters see. It also helps to create a specific mood & atmosphere .

CHARACTERISATION =

Readers get to know a character’s personality through what they say , what they do , how they look and from other people’s opinions & attitudes towards this character. These details need to be revealed gradually and to be worked naturally into the act of telling the story. You can also reveal their thoughts and feelings, which gives the reader a greater insight into the character’s true self. Only have 1 or 2 main characters to avoid confusion. Your reader needs to relate to the character on some level (to feel sympathy, fascination or amusement); the reader need to feel curious to find out more about them; and finally the reader must believe in the character – must understand what motivates them and feel that their actions, statements and thought processes are convincing and true to life.

* Writers generally use the PAST TENSE when describing something – but recently quite a few successful novels have been written in the PRESENT TENSE (The Hunger Games, Skippy Dies) as it creates a dramatic immediacy for the reader. The important thing is to pick a tense and stick with it.

* Narrative writers use all the techniques of descriptive writing.

* Anecdotes (a short tale narrating an interesting or amusing biographical incident) use narrative techniques in the space of a few lines. Here’s an example:

“ Cary Grant is said to have been reluctant to reveal his age to the public, having played the youthful lover for more years than would have been appropriate. One day, while he was sorting out some business with his agent , a telegram arrived from a journalist who was desperate to learn how old the actor was. It read: HOW OLD CARY GRANT? Grant, who happened to open it himself, immediately cabled back: OLD CARY GRANT FINE. HOW YOU?”

Techniques: Description (vivid imagery)

Vivid imagery literally means that the words create a clear picture in your mind, using:

Action words, which show what is happening, what someone is doing e.g. “ Suzie  bounces over, screaming with excitement “. To paraphrase Orwell, ‘all verbs are active, but some verbs are more active than others’. Your verbs need to be specific. They need to work hard if they are going to successfully add energy and excitement to a sentence. For example, the sentence above wouldn’t be nearly as effective if it said “ Suzie walks over and says she’s really excited “.

ADJECTIVES =

Words which describe the noun eg. “ a heavy low grey cloud loomed on the distant horizon”. In this sentence the cloud and the horizon are the nouns being described.

Words which describe the verb eg. “ the cloud loomed menacingly , then burst suddenly . Freezing raindrops immediately soaked through my flimsy nightdress”

In this sentence ‘loomed’ ‘burst’ & ‘soaked’ are the verbs whose action is described.

To compare two things using the word “like” or the word “as”. A really good simile draws an unexpected connection between two things and helps us to see the thing being described in a new light. For example, Muhammad Ali used a simile to describe the art of boxing: “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. This is considered a brilliant comparison because it asks the reader to consider boxing as a sport that requires agility, speed, precision and a lightness of foot. Traditionally people viewed it as a violent aggressive lumbering sport, but this simile asks them to view it in a new light.

Similes can be ironic or sarcastic, often creating a humorous effect: “as subtle as a sledgehammer” “as elegant as a dead cat” “his touch was like the cool caress of sandpaper”. The following description deliberately contradicts the idea that the person being described is praiseworthy (or genuinely nice, or kind, or dependable):

“ He’s nice. Like tissues when your nose is runny. He’s kind. Like your granny giving you 50c for sweets when what you really need is six quid for fags. He’s dependable. Like that old pair of tatty grey knickers you wear when everything else is in the wash”.

Less impressive similes are ones that have been used so often they have become clichés

Eg. ‘ As blind as a bat’, ‘howl like a hyena’, ‘as black as coal’, ‘sweet like chocolate’ .

METAPHORS =

Make a direct comparison, saying something IS something else. Eg. “all the world’s a stage” “you’re my own personal Jesus” “her face was a knotted tree trunk of misery”

Like similes, metaphors can be used for comic effect. The following extended metaphor is deliberately hyperbolic/sarcastic: “ This is a crisis. A large crisis. In fact, if you’ve got a moment, it’s a twelve-story crisis with a magnificent entrance hall, carpeting throughout, 24-hour porterage and an enormous sign on the roof saying ‘This Is a Large Crisis .'”

Less impressive metaphors are ones that have been used so often they’ve become clichés: eg. “ they broke the ice” “take the bull by the horns” “she was an angel in white”.

EVOKE 5 SENSES =

Really good descriptive writing doesn’t just describe SIGHTS, but also SOUNDS SMELLS and less often TASTE and TOUCH . This gives the reader a fuller experience in their imagination, because in real life we experience the world through all 5 senses.

eg “ the church bells chimed loudly to remind us that life would continue on as normal, but the foul taste of smoke in my mouth and the rancid smell of burning flesh suggested otherwise. I winced as the nurse wound a bandage around my mangled leg, the open wound throbbing at her gentle touch ”.

SYMBOLISM =

Where a word/object has a deeper meaning above and beyond its dictionary definition . A beautiful house filled with dirty dishes & grime could be a symbol of a characters’ depression. A storm could be a symbol of a troubled mind. A flower in spring could symbolise a new beginning. A candle in a dark room could symbolise hope. This allows reader & writer to see and appreciate a deeper meaning beyond the obvious.

PERSONIFICATION = Describing an object as though it is alive . Giving it human qualities. This is effective because it makes the writing buzz with life, Eg “ The teddy bear sat slumped on the bed, looking sadly at its feet .” “ this computer loves to torture me” “death stalked the town, seeking newer victims”.

Techniques: Aesthetic language

Aesthetic language involves using words artistically , in the same way that painting involves using paint to create something beautiful/artistic/memorable. Writers pay attention not necessarily to what they want to say, but focus more on how they say it .

Poetry is the most obvious example of aesthetic language, but all types of writing aim to appeal aesthetically to the reader. Remember, the message can be ugly but the writing beautiful eg “ sing a last song for the lady who has gone, fertile source of guilt and pain ”

All of the devices used in descriptive writing (see above) and those listed below add to the aesthetic value of a text.

REPETITION = A word/phrase is deliberately repeated to emphasise its importance.

“ I dream of tomorrow, I dream of an end to sorrow, I dream of peace”

CONTRAST = Placing opposites side by side to point out the differences between them and the unique characteristics of each:

“ her poisoned blood stained the pure white snow”

HYPERBOLE = Deliberate exaggeration. Makes writing more dramatic or humorous.

“ I’ve had a thousand chances & I’ve flushed every one down the toilet”

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS = Writer asks a question but doesn’t expect a response (or the answer is obvious). Is this used to grab the readers attention?

EMPHATIC WORDS = words which imply absolute certainty. Used to make us trust the writer – they must have a reason for being so sure of themselves! Now, never, always, forever, all, every, none, nothing, any, must, certainly, absolutely, definitely, honest(ly), truth/true/truly, the one, the only, yes.

LISTS / TRIADS = reader feels overwhelmed with info & finds it hard to disagree/resist.

“ the fear and pain and poverty and hardship hit you like an oil tanker”

ALLITERATION = repetition of a letter at the beginning of a series of words eg “ cruel cramped conditions ” which attracts the eye and the ear.

ONOMATOPOEIA = words whose sound imitates their meaning: “ buzz, screech, gulp ”.

Hearing the sound of what’s described brings it to life for the reader.

Narrative / Descriptive / Aesthetic Language

Comprehensions:

What features of good descriptive writing are evident in this passage?

Would reading this extract encourage you to read the novel in full?

What kind of world has been created by the author in this extract?

Question B :

Inspired by Seamus Heaney’s essay about the importance of objects from the past, your class has decided to organise an exhibition celebrating the significance of objects from childhood in the lives of well-known people.

Write the letter you would send to a well-known person, inviting him or her to contribute an object from his or her childhood and a written explanation regarding its personal significance. In your letter, you should explain the inspiration for the project and include, as an example, a piece you have written about an object from your childhood that is of significance to you.

Write a letter to Margaret Laurence in response to Text 1, commenting on what you find interesting in the extract and telling her about your home place and its impact on you.

Write a talk, to be delivered to your School Book Club, on the enduring appeal of the mysterious in books, films, etc. You might refer to some of the following aspects of the mystery genre in your answer: setting, tension, suspense, dialogue, characterisation, atmosphere, music, special effects, etc.

Imagine you are Sarah, the young girl in Text 3 above. Based on your reading of this extract, write two diary entries, one shortly before and one shortly after your journey to Dublin.

Imagine you are making a cartoon film (featuring animals as characters) either to promote or oppose zoos. Write the script of a scene (in dialogue form) between two of the animal characters.

Write two diary entries: one written by Alexander , recalling his encounter with Eva in Tompkins Square Park and the second by Zach , giving his thoughts on hearing that Eva has purchased the violin.

Imagine that, in an attempt to control his feelings, the boy writes into his diary an account of the incident and his reactions to it. Write out his diary entry.

Write three diary entries that Margaret Ann might have written over a series of Saturday evenings.Your writing should relate to her experience as described in the passage.

Imagine that you have discovered a time capsule containing a number of items from the distant or more recent past. Write a letter to a local or national newspaper announcing your find & describing the items in the capsule.

You have been asked to give a short talk on radio about an interesting journey you have made. Write out the text of the talk you would give.

Write three or four diary entries that record the details of a disastrous holiday (real or imaginary) that you experienced.

Imagine your local radio station is producing a programme entitled Comic Moments in which a person from the community introduces his/her favourite moment from the world of radio, television or live performance. Write the text of the presentation you would like to make.

Choose one of the people pictured in Text 4 and write 4 short diary entries that your chosen person might write on one important day in his/her life.

Essay Titles:

Short Story – every year there’s been at least one, and often two out of seven titles.

If asked for a story based on one of the images, you must say which image.

Personal Essay – every year there’s at least one.

Magazine Articles – some articles call for a very personal approach e.g. “Write an article about the beginning and ending of a relationship”

Descriptive essay – this appeared for the first time in 2011.

Write a short story in which a central character is either manipulated or is manipulative.

Write a short story about a reunion.

Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments.

Write a personal essay in which you explore the storytelling evident in music and song and its impact on you as a listener.

Write a personal essay about the tension you find between the everyday treadmill and the gilded promises of life.

Write a short story inspired by the phrase “an inferior rock band howling for fame”

Write a short story in which a young character is eager to leave home.

Write a personal essay on what you consider to be the marvels of today’s world.

Write a descriptive essay about twenty-four hours in the life of a town or city.

Write a story to be included in a collection of modern fairytales.

Write a short story in which a mystery is solved.

Write a personal essay about your clothes, what they mean to you and what they say about you.

2010 + 2004 (performance)

Write a personal essay about your experience (as performer and/or audience member) of the dramatic arts: plays, musicals, concerts, comedy, etc.

Write a short story in which two unusual or eccentric characters meet for the first time.

Write an opinion piece for a popular magazine entitled “Indecision – my own and other people’s”.

Write a short story in which a photograph, or a set of photographs, plays a part in the plot. Your story may be prompted by one or more of the photographs in TEXT 3.

Write a short story in which the central character is a rebellious teenager (male or female)

Write a personal essay in which you describe a place that you consider beautiful.

Write a personal essay on the idealism and passions of youth.

Write a magazine article (serious or light-hearted) entitled: “The Modern Shopping Centre”.

Write an article for a popular magazine on the importance of the imagination.

Write an article for a popular magazine on the importance of romance in our lives.

Write a personal essay on the part which other people’s expectations play in our lives.

Write a short story suggested by one or more of the images in TEXT 2.

Write a personal essay in which you explore some of your earliest memories of childhood.

“ ‘See you later, Paul,’ said one of the girls. There was a titter of laughter.”

Write a short story suggested by these words

2004 + several other years

Write a short story suggested by one or more of the images in TEXT 3.

Imagine you are a member of Tim Severin’s crew on board the new Argo. Write a letter (or series of letters) to a personal friend or family member in which you describe some of your adventures.

“…huge funds of energy but very little money.”

Using this as your title, write a personal essay.

Write an article for a popular magazine or journal in which you explore the aspects of your own family that are special to you.

“After the war” Write a short story inspired by this title.

Write an article (serious or lighthearted) about the beginning and ending of a relationship in your life.

Write a personal essay in which you explore your sense of what it means to be Irish.

9 responses to “ Language of Narration / Description ”

Pingback: AT1-Week 3 blog entry « Shauna Diane .

Pingback: Photography Project | Who is Tales?

Pingback: Language Learning and Global Education » Procedure Text

Pingback: ‘Critical Manga’ Assignment: Part 1 | KawaiixFukuro NTU Blog

Recent Posts

  • A long slow goodbye…
  • Lear’s journey
  • Some themes in Lear…
  • King Lear – Plot Chronology
  • King Lear quotes (in translation!)
  • Justice in King Lear – how to construct an answer…
  • The Old Warrior and Me
  • Single text options…
  • Tackling the Comparative
  • Reading Shakespeare (Othello)
  • Game Based Learning
  • Originality – Freshness – Energy – Style
  • Discussions
  • Comprehensions
  • Comparative
  • Studied poetry
  • Unseen poetry
  • Media Studies
  • Uncategorized

Affiliations

Nominations.

IMAGES

  1. Good Descriptive Essay Examples for All Students

    write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

  2. How to Write a Descriptive Essay

    write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

  3. how to write a descriptive essay

    write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

  4. 11+ Free Descriptive Essay Templates

    write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

  5. Writing a Descriptive Essay: Tips and Topics That Will Work without

    write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

  6. FREE 9+ Descriptive Essay Examples in PDF

    write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments

VIDEO

  1. How to Write a Descriptive Essay

  2. What is DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY

  3. Easy Tips to Write Descriptive Paragraph (Person)

  4. Descriptive writing grade5

  5. Suggestions for Descriptive Writing Section For IBPS PO 2023

  6. How to write Descriptive Essays in AD IB Exams? By Sir Rana Fraz

COMMENTS

  1. Leaving Cert English: Write a descriptive essay based on a ...

    Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments. You may also like: What is a descriptive essay? In an instant the playful breeze had metamorphosed, blowing brisk and blustery. Ripples glanced off the banks of the softly lit water lily pond, beside which a lonely figure sat ensconced upon a large mahogany […]

  2. Descriptive Essays | leavingcertenglish.net

    2013 Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments. 2011 Write a descriptive essay about twenty-four hours in the life of a town or city. Here’s a link to a descriptive essay I wrote a while back, called ‘fragments from a lost weekend‘. I deliberately used lower case letters in the title to try and reflect my sense that ...

  3. IGCSE First Language English – Descriptive Composition: Two ...

    We’ll start with two essays from the Winter 2022 Paper 2 Variant 2 in the Descriptive and Narrative Composition section; more examples will come soon as well. Without further ado, here are the examples! First, let’s look at a Level 4 essay. Write a description with the title, ‘By the light of the Moon’. (Winter 2022, Paper 2, Variant 2).

  4. Essay Writiing - Aoife's Notes

    Past Titles: Descriptive Essays In TEXT 2, William Trevor mentions ‘the art of the glimpse’. Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments. (2013 Theme: Story-telling) ‘…the dust and seep of the city…’ Write a descriptive essay about twenty-four hours in the life of a town or city. (2011 Theme: Mystery)

  5. A Variety of Glimpsed Moments (2013)

    Descriptive Essay | Sample answer 1 Descriptive Essay | Sample answer A Variety of Glimpsed Moments (2013) I squeeze my husband’s sweaty hand as the nurses urge me to give one more push. Just one more and this excruciating pain, as well as nine months toil, will all be over. With all the strength I can muster, I do as I’m told.

  6. Leaving Cert. English (Higher) 2013: Paper 1 Section II Composing

    4. Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments. Your essay must be descriptive. Concentrate on creating images and atmosphere for the reader. Consider a multi-sensory approach. You are asked for a variety of glimpsed moments so take your inspiration from a number of different settings. Plan this essay carefully.

  7. fragments from a lost weekend | leavingcertenglish.net

    The Bent Elbow Hotel. Then a lake. Two men in a mint green rowboat. Those weird white wind-spinners on the hill. A man on a scooter with a red helmet. A buttercup yellow sun smothered in Vaseline, smeared across the sky. Life’s minutiae thrill and happiness comes in starburst moments. Even as we arrive we know there is the funeral. Even as we ...

  8. Language of Narration / Description | leavingcertenglish.net

    Write a descriptive essay based on a variety of glimpsed moments. 2013. Write a personal essay in which you explore the storytelling evident in music and song and its impact on you as a listener. 2013. Write a personal essay about the tension you find between the everyday treadmill and the gilded promises of life. 2012