A DESCRIPTION OF A PLACE

• A descriptive composition about a place or a building should consist of:

• an introduction in which you give the name and location of the place or building and / or the reason for choosing it;

• a main body in which you describe the main aspects of the place or building in detail; for example, when you describe a place you should describe what you can see and do there; when you describe a building you should describe its exterior and interior, as well as give historical facts about it;

• a conclusion which includes your comments / feelings and /or a recommendation. Descriptions of places or buildings can be found in tourist magazines, travel brochures, stories, letters, etc. The style you use depends on the situation and the intended reader. For example, in an article for a magazine you should use semi-formal style and a polite, respectful tone. You normally use present tenses to describe a place/ building. You use past tenses to write about the historical facts.

USING THE SENSESTo give the reader a more vivid picture of the place/building

you are describing, you can refer to the senses (i.e. sight,

hearing, smell, taste and touch).• Visitors can dine watching the moon rise over the

mountains, (sight)• You can hear the sound of church bells ringing .

(hearing)• I remember the Far East with its aromas of exotic

herbs and spices , (smell)• Enjoy a cup of  freshly-ground Italian coffee , (taste)• Relax in the soothing warm waters of the Roman

Baths, (touch)

EXAMPLE: FASCINATING LISBON Lisbon, one of the oldest capitals in Europe, is situated on the best coast of Portugal. Its rich history, colourful traditions and more modern attractions make it a fascinating city.

Anyone lucky enough to visit Lisbon will find plenty to see and do. For a start, the magnificent Castle of Saint George is a must. The castle, which is built on a hill, offers a fantastic view over the city. Directly below is Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon. Visitors can walk along its narrow streets where they can see fish sellers carrying baskets on their heads. In Bélem, the city’s port, tourists can visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a beautiful monastery built in the 16th century. Baixa, the busy shopping area of the city, offers a great variety of handmade souvenirs and elegant designer clothes.

Lisbon’s nightlife is exciting and varied. Visitors can have a drink in Barrio Alto, the ancient port of the city, where fado- traditional Portuguese music- fills the air with its sad, romantic sounds. They can also enjoy delicious seafood at first-class restaurants. For those who like to dance the nigh away there are many trendy nightclubs in the area.

Lisbon is a wonderful city. If you want to experience the beauty and fascination of a great European capital, it would be the perfect holiday destination for you.