Looking ahead to a future home gives students practice in using descriptive details while it stimulates their imagination.
Preparation:
I selectseveral real estate ads* from the newspaper to photocopy, or have students bring in an ad for their dream house. I explain that they are to study the ad and then envision the entire house, basing their mental picture on the facts given in the ad.
Writing Task:
Once the students have a clear mental image of the house, I ask them to select one room to describe in detail. Their written description should include:
– architectural style
– shape of the room
– placement of doors and windows
– floor covering
– drapes or curtains
– wallpapers or color of walls
– furniture
– light fixtures
– artwork
– view from the window
– other details (Perhaps a calico cat sleeping in front of the fireplace!)
*real estate ads: advertisements to sell or rent houses and apartments