Definition: A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.

Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look! Today we’re tackling “descriptions,” and it's a word that pops up a lot when we talk about writing and observing. The dictionary gives us a good starting point, doesn’t it? Let's break it down piece by piece, like a puzzle you’re trying to complete. Think of "description" as painting a picture with words. It's not just telling us something, it’s showing us! Let’s look at those parts of the definition: “A sketch or account of anything in words…” – That means you're writing about something—a person, a place, an event, even an idea. You're giving your reader some information about it. “…a portraiture or representation in language…” - This is like saying you’re creating a little "snapshot" of the thing using words. You want to capture its essence – what it looks like, how it feels , maybe even how it sounds . “...an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.” - This is a slightly trickier part! It means you're picking out the most important facts about something. What makes it special? What are its key features? Like, if we’re describing a dog, we wouldn’t just say “dog”. We might mention its fluffy tail, its wet nose, or the way it wags with excitement! Basically, descriptions help us understand and imagine something. They go beyond simply stating facts; they try to bring that thing to life for the reader. Think of it like this: Instead of saying "The tree was tall," you might say, “The ancient oak stood sentinel against the sky, its branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, covered in emerald leaves.” See? That's a description ! It uses more detail and imagery. Do you have any questions about this concept? Let’s talk about how we can use descriptions to make our writing stronger – let’s work on building those mental pictures with words!