1. Objective Description:
* Focus: Focuses on providing factual and unbiased details about a person, place, thing, or event.
* Purpose: To inform the reader by presenting a clear and concise picture of the subject matter.
* Characteristics:
* Uses precise language and avoids subjective opinions.
* Often includes specific details about size, shape, color, texture, etc.
* May utilize technical vocabulary depending on the subject matter.
Example: "The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. Constructed in 1889, it is 330 meters tall and has three levels for visitors. Its construction involved over 18,000 pieces of iron and 2.5 million rivets. The tower is a popular tourist attraction, visited by millions of people each year."
2. Subjective Description:
* Focus: Emphasizes the writer's personal feelings and impressions about the subject matter.
* Purpose: To evoke an emotional response in the reader and create a vivid picture in their mind.
* Characteristics:
* Uses figurative language (similes, metaphors, imagery) to create sensory details.
* Often uses emotional vocabulary to convey the writer's feelings.
* Focuses on the subject's significance and impact on the writer.
Example: "The old oak tree stood sentinel at the edge of the meadow, its gnarled branches reaching towards the sky like the arms of an ancient giant. Sunlight filtered through its leaves, dappling the ground with a mosaic of light and shadow. The air hung heavy with the scent of earth and pine, a symphony of nature that filled my heart with a sense of peace."
Beyond these two categories:
* Descriptive paragraphs can also be informational, narrative, or persuasive, depending on their overall goal.
* The distinction between objective and subjective description is not always clear-cut. A paragraph can contain both factual details and emotional language.
Ultimately, the best way to categorize a descriptive paragraph is to consider its primary purpose and the tone the writer is trying to achieve.