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Writing Guidelines
Prewriting ■ Choosing a Topic
An effective description begins with a strong topic—a person, place, or thing that you know well and would like to describe. To find a suitable topic, simply list people, places, and things in your life.
Gathering Details
Once you have selected a strong topic, gather specific details about it. If you use sensory details, you will help your reader see, hear, smell, taste, and/or touch what you are describing. Use a sensory chart to list details. (See page 149.)