10．1描述法
叙述讲述发生了什么事情，描述（description）则向读者描绘某事物的样子、声音、味道等等。作者可以通过外表、行动或变化用语言描绘一个人，一个物体，一个地方或一个场面。
示范段落10－1
A tsunami is a great wave or series of waves．It extends from the surface to the sea floor and moves the entire vertical section of ocean through which it speeds．The greater the ocean depth，the faster the tsunami travels．Speeds of up to 600 mph have been reached．Toward land it slows down as the bottom of the wave drags on the seabed；its crest rises from fifty to a hundred feet or more．
10．2示范段落分析
主题句：A tsunami is a great wave or series of waves．
细节1：extention
细节2：speed（statistics used）
细节3：height（statistics used）
在上面段落中，作者用细节（包括数据）描述了海啸的宽度（extention）、速度（speed）和高度（height），从而告诉读者海啸是什么样子。
示范段落10－2
The kitchen was in a mess．Along the left wall were the counter and sink covered with dirty dishes and garbage．On the far wall the washing machine groaned under a load of filthy clothes．Right next to the door where I was standing，on my right，I saw at able cluttered with old newspapers，an overturned catsup bottle，and a wet，half－eaten hot dog．At the far end of the right wall the refrigerator stood with the door ajar and milk dripping down from the top shelf．It was the messiest kitchen I had ever seen．
10．3示范段落分析
主题句：The kitchen was in a mess．
细节1：Along the left wall-counter and sink
细节2：On the far wall-washing machine
细节3：Right next to the door，on my right-table
细节4：At the far end of the right wall-refrigerator
结论句：It was the messiest kitchen I had ever seen．
10．4关于如何写描述段落的建议
1）主题句给读者一个深刻的印象
写一段好的描述段落要注意两个方面：首先给读者一个深刻的印象（a dominant impression），然后运用充分的细节（aptdetails）。这种深刻的印象必须首先吸引读者，因此不要在主题句中用太琐碎的东西冲淡这一印象。
比较下面两个主题句：
a．The kitchen is in a mess．
b．The kitchen is a place where the hostess does almost all the housework and as a consequence it is not always attractive and neat．
显然，前一句主题句比后一句更吸引读者，因为它能给人以更深刻的印象。
2）提供充足的细节
具体和生动的细节是成功的描述所不可缺少的。在示范段落10-1中，作者通过海啸外表的生动细节以及速度和高度的具体数据描述海啸。在示范段落10－2中，在主题句后，作者提供细节描绘厨房是怎样的乱七八糟。记住不要提供无用的细节使读者失望。
3）使用空间顺序法（space order）组织段落
好的描述还在于把一大堆具体的细节按空间顺序组成一个整体（关于空间顺序法见第12单元）。在示范段落10－1，作者按照从表面到海底，从远到近的顺序描绘。在示范段落10－2中，作者按照从左到右，从近到远的顺序描绘。
4）使用有新意的明喻和暗喻
明喻（Similes）和暗喻（metaphors）可使描述更加生动。但要尽量避免使用已经用得太滥的比喻。
Exercise 10-1
Directions：Write a paragraph of description，describing a student dormitory．
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Exercise 10－2
Directions：Write a paragraph of desccription，describing a natural phenomenon that you are familiar with．
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