Crafting a Scene Description: Understanding the Structure of Descriptive Writing

Crafting a Scene Description: Understanding the Structure of Descriptive Writing, brief 1

Question 1 (page 11 of Vietnamese Language Grade 5 textbook): Read and identify the opening, body, and conclusion of the following essay:

Sunset on the Perfume River

As dusk settles over Hue, there's an eerie tranquility that descends upon the city, as if something is adding a touch more serenity to this already peaceful place.

In autumn, the wind carries clouds towards the river mouth, casting a dark shadow beneath Trang Tien Bridge, while upstream towards Kim Long, the river glistens in shades of turquoise, reflecting the vivid pink hues of the evening sky. The Perfume River seems particularly sensitive to light, so even as night falls, standing on the bridge and looking down, one can still discern blurry patches of rosy colors shimmering like an illusion on the dark water's surface. The streets are deserted, and the riverside path stretches further under the canopy of green leaves from the rows of trees.

On the riverbank, the village of Con Hen is cooking dinner, releasing billows of smoke that envelop the bamboo groves. Somewhere, beyond the quiet bend of the river, the rhythmic sound of fishing boats pulling up their last nets echoes across the water, making the river seem wider. As the streetlights begin to illuminate the faint purple orbs, transitioning to green, and finally bursting into bright white, illuminating the faces passing by, the tranquil moment of the evening comes to an end.

Hue awakens to a new rhythm, returning to its original way of life.

By HOANG PHU NGOC TUONG

Answer:
a. Introduction: (from the beginning to ... peaceful place).
b. Body: (from Autumn to ... comes to an end).
c. Conclusion: (from Hue awakens to ... way of life).

Question 2 (page 12 of Vietnamese Language Grade 5 textbook): What are the differences in the descriptive order between the essay above and the essay 'Scenery of the Village in Harvest Season' that you've studied? From these two essays, draw conclusions about the structure of descriptive writing.

Answer:
The differences in descriptive order between the two essays:
* Scenery of the Village in Harvest Season:
- Introduces the predominant color of the village in harvest season as yellow.
- Describes the various shades of yellow in the scenery.
- Describes the weather, and the people.
→ In summary: This essay describes each component of the scene.

* Sunset on the Perfume River:
- Provides a general comment on the tranquility of Hue at sunset.
- Describes the changing colors of the Perfume River from the beginning of sunset to full darkness.
- Describes human activities on the riverbank and on the river surface from the beginning of sunset until the city lights up.
- Comments on Hue's awakening after sunset.
→ In summary: This essay depicts the scene's changes over time.
From analyzing these two essays, students can draw conclusions about the structure of descriptive writing.

Practice:

The scorching sun beams down on the earth like streams of fire. Sitting indoors during noon, one can vividly see tiny, delicate strands of air rising gently, swirling from the ground upwards indefinitely. What distant sound is that? The melancholic creaking of a rocking chair resonates from a nearby house. Occasionally, a lullaby rises, 'Ah oi...' It seems like someone is singing a lullaby. As one falls asleep, the other wakes, continuing the lullaby. Hence, the song rises and falls, then fades into the heaviness of closed eyelids. A rooster crows once. In the garden corner, the sound of a hoe hitting the ground adds to the oppressive heat of noon. Not a bird chirps, not a breeze blows. Even the banana trees slumber, their leaves still as if bowing to the sun. The village road is deserted. The shadows of bamboo and jackfruit trees also remain silent.

By Bang Son

The essay is structured into three parts:
a. Introduction (opening sentence): General observation about noon sunlight.
b. Body: Scenery within the noon sunlight.
The body consists of the following four paragraphs:
+ Paragraph 1 (from 'Sitting indoors during noon' to 'swirling from the ground upwards indefinitely'): The intensity of the earth in noon sunlight.
+ Paragraph 2 (from 'What distant sound is that?' to 'the heaviness of closed eyelids'): The sound of the swing and the lullaby in noon sunlight.
+ Paragraph 3 (from 'A rooster crows once' to 'remain silent'): Flora and fauna in noon sunlight.
+ Paragraph 4 (from 'What distant sound is that?' to 'the heaviness of closed eyelids'): Image of a mother in noon sunlight.
c. Conclusion (final sentence – expanding conclusion): Thoughts on mother ('Oh mother, how much I love you!').

"""""END OF ESSAY 1"""""

Alongside Preparing Essay: Structure of Descriptive Writing, students should explore other compositions in the 5th grade Vietnamese textbook such as Preparing Essay: Synonyms Practice or the section Preparing Essay: Descriptive Writing Practice to reinforce their knowledge of Vietnamese.

Preparing Essay: Structure of Descriptive Writing, Short 2

I. Observation

1. Read and identify the opening, body, and conclusion of the essay below:

Sunset on the Perfume River

At dusk, Hue often returns in a strangely tranquil manner, so much so that I feel as if something is settling further into this already serene city.

In autumn, the wind carries clouds towards the river mouth, the water under Trang Tien Bridge darkens, while upstream near Kim Long, the river surface glows in shades of jade, reflecting the vibrant pink hues of the evening sky. The Perfume River seems very sensitive to light, so even at night, standing on the bridge and looking down attentively, one can still see vague colorful patches rising like an illusion on the dark water. The streets are deserted, the riverside road stretching further under the green canopy of two rows of trees.

Along the riverbank, the fishing village cooks evening meals, releasing thick smoke into the bamboo groves. Somewhere beyond the silent bend of the river, the sound of oars pulling the last batches of fish sends ripples across the water, making the river appear wider. And as the street lights begin to illuminate pale purple spheres, gradually shifting to green and finally bursting into bright white, illuminating the faces passing by, the tranquil moment of the evening comes to an end.

Awakening to a fresh rhythm, Huế steps into its primal existence.

As per Hoàng Phủ Ngọc Tường

Response:
The essay 'Sunset on Perfume River' comprises three parts:
- Introduction (from the beginning to... quiet in this inherently tranquil city): Huế particularly serene at sunset.
- Body (from Autumn comes to... evening's tranquility also comes to an end): The changing hues of Perfume River and the activities of people along the riverbank from sunset to the city lights up. This section has two parts:
+ First part from 'Autumn comes to two rows of trees': The changing hues of Perfume River from sunset to complete darkness.
+ Part 2 (remainder): Activities of people along the river from sunset to city lights up.
- Conclusion: (last sentence): Huế's awakening after sunset.

2. How does the descriptive order in the above essay differ from the essay 'Scenery of the Countryside in Harvest Season' that you have studied? Based on these two essays, make observations about the composition of descriptive essays
Response:
* Observations on the descriptive order in the two essays:
- 'Scenery of the Countryside in Harvest Season' describes each scene in order:
+ Introducing the predominant color enveloping the rural village in harvest season as yellow.
+ Describing various shades of yellow in the scenery, objects.
+ Describing the weather, people.
- 'Sunset on Perfume River' describes the changes in scenery over time in order.
+ General observation about the serenity of Huế at sunset.
+ Describing the changing hues of Perfume River from the onset of sunset to complete darkness.
+ Describing the activities of people along the riverbank, the river from the onset of sunset to city lights up.
+ Describing Huế's awakening after sunset.

II. Practice
Examine the structure of the following essay:

Noon Sun

The noon sun descends like streams of fire onto the earth.
Sitting indoors, gazing out into the yard, one can clearly see tiny, delicate strands of air, light and gentle, swirling up from the ground endlessly.
What distant sound is that? The mournful creaking of a hammock echoes from a neighboring house. Occasionally, a lullaby softly rises and falls, as if someone is rocking a child to sleep. The child sleeps, and the one singing softly also drifts into slumber. The child suddenly wakes, stirring the other to consciousness, and the lullaby resumes. Thus, the song rises and falls, then ceases altogether, engulfed in the heaviness of closed eyelids.
A rooster crows. And in the corner of the garden, the sound of a hoe striking the ground adds to the oppressive, stifling heat of the noon sun. Not a bird chirps, not a breeze stirs. Even the banana trees slumber, their leaves silent as they wilt in the sun. The village road lies deserted. The bamboo and coconut shadows too remain still and silent.
Yet, mother must hastily grab her old hat, place it upon her head, and step into the sun to tend to the unfinished fields.
Oh, how much I pity my mother!

As per Băng Sơn