Description Paragraph Writing Prompts

Writing description paragraphs can be difficult for kids with language-based learning issues. You can get your students to write more vivid descriptions by using these formatted templates that allow them to do prewriting planning on the same page to write the paragraph on. Use them prewriting area for dictating words if needed. I have found that using the same template each time helps my students to know that the requirements for paragraphs are the same every time, yet the words used in writing are the most important in creating word pictures for their readers.

The 205 descriptive writing prompts are divided into prompts for People, Places, Things, and Ideas. As you select topics for your students to write about, you can reinforce grammar concepts that adjectives describe nouns. Coming up with sensory adjectives is important for writing description. The prewriting planning grid is organized to elicit sensory words.

This file also includes ideas for teaching proofreading and evaluating paragraph writing. The topics are provided in lists at the end of the file to use with more advanced writers who don’t need a formatted template. Use the topic lists in a classroom literacy center or as a handout for students to select topics for daily journal writing.

You can’t miss with over 200 prompts for writing description! Perhaps they will even give you and your student more ideas for developing paragraphs when writing their own stories. The prompts vary from simple everyday objects to more abstract ideas that can challenge students to higher level thinking.