Factual description of a process or an event requires a step by step account of an activity, experiment, procedure.
The ideas should be systematically presented with important points coming first followed by not-so-important points. Heading is an essential part of it and should be short and crisp.
Make a note of tenses used in your description as most often this is the place where students find greater difficulty in.
Language
The language used should be semi-formal in nature. Try to be simple, attractive and appealing. Also try not to show your linguistic ability. You should make your factual description in such a way that it shows your attention to detail and observatory skills.
Content
- When did the event occur, venue of the event
- Sequence of programme
- Information about participants/chief guests/judges
- Kind of organization, people responsible for programme/arrangements
- Results, if describing a contest
Value points
PERSON based
- Physical attributes
- Intellectual and emotional qualities
- Others’ perception about him/her
- Any other relevant trait of him/her by use of an incident
PLACE based
- Location
- Dimensions
- Special features about the place
OBJECT based
- Physical description (colour, design, material used, etc)
- Utility value
- Special features about the object
Format
You usually start writing factual descriptions by writing the TITLE at the centre and then following it with regular paragraphs.The factual descriptions would generally look like the following and for ease in organizing, I’ve marked areas so that you know how your content flows in the factual descriptions.
Word limit
80 – 100 words is generally the prescribed word limit for factual descriptions. But, be sure of it by regularly consulting your teachers.
Example
The following is an example of an object based factual description.
WASHING MACHINE
A washing machine is a convenient appliance that is used for washing clothes. The automatic washing machine has a central drum that is used for holding the clothes. There is a dispensing tray, where the detergent and additives can be put in. The control panel has knobs which control the temperature and allow users to select different modes of operation. The drum also helps to dry clothes by spinning like a centrifuge machine.
A washing machine is usually made of metal parts but some of them are reinforced plastic. They may be front opening or top loading.
(97 words) (The word count is for your information, not be written in examinations)
