Student Writing Handbook Fifth+Edition

Description / 91

PROCESS

In order to plan, organize, write, revise, and proofread your description, use the fol-
lowing process.

STEP 1: Prewriting—Choosing a Topic

Ordinarily almost any topic can lend itself to description. Think about the subjects
you have studied most recently in various content areas:

cooking utensils

machines

audiovisual equipment

globes, maps

writing techniques

art supplies

wiring harnesses

cell phone options

rough-cut lumber

chemical reactions

camera functions

As you think about the subjects, choose one that fits the purpose. [See also Chapter 1,
Prewriting.]

STEP 2: Prewriting—Narrowing the Topic

The subjects listed in Step 1 are too broad for a single descriptive paper. To narrow
a topic, try listing subtopics for each general topic. Use the following example as a
pattern:

General subject: globes, maps

Subtopics: outline maps

regional maps

resource maps

topographical maps

political maps

world maps

As you list the divisions for your subject, you should find a topic narrowed enough
for a descriptive paper. In the preceding list, for instance, you may choose topo-
graphical maps for a descriptive paragraph.

Select your own narrowed topic before you go on to Step 3.