Top 6 Best Essays on 'General Understanding of Descriptive Literature' for 6th Grade

A. Key Knowledge

1. Understanding Examples

Example 1:

Situation 1: On the way to school, you encounter a visitor asking for directions to your house. How do you help them find it?
=> You must describe the main features of the road and your house clearly, allowing the visitor to visualize and find the location.

Situation 2: You and your mother visit a clothing store filled with many colorful shirts. How do you get the shop assistant to fetch the right one for you?
=> You need to describe the shirt clearly, highlighting the features that make it different from the others.

Situation 3: A third-grade student asks you what a bodybuilder looks like. How do you help them visualize a bodybuilder?
=> You should describe the bodybuilder's physical appearance, as their build is naturally different from an average person.

Example 2:

- Two vivid descriptive passages of a cricket and a grasshopper:

Cricket description: 'Because I eat in moderation... I raise both legs to groom my whiskers.'
Grasshopper description: 'This little grasshopper... like my burrow.'

- These passages help us visualize the distinct traits of the two crickets:

The Cricket: strong and sturdy
The Grasshopper: small, thin, and frail.
- Descriptive details that help us imagine these traits:

The Cricket: sharp, slender legs, tough and pointed claws, wings with a dark tip; body covered in glossy brown; kicking the grasshopper’s legs…
The Grasshopper: thin and tall body; short wings exposing the back; wide legs; face confused, with a shallow burrow…

2. Descriptive Writing Knowledge:

Descriptive writing is a form of literature that helps readers or listeners imagine the key features of an object, event, person, or landscape, bringing it vividly to life. It is used when we need to present or introduce something unfamiliar to others.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1: Page 16, 6th-grade Literature textbook – Volume 2

Read the following excerpts and answer the question: (Textbook)

What does each excerpt describe? Identify the key features of the objects, people, and scenes described in the three passages or poems above.

Solution:
Excerpt 1: Describes the strong, powerful Cricket
Key features: shiny claws, sharp pointed claws, kicking forcefully...

Excerpt 2: Describes the lively, cheerful, and carefree boy (Lượm)
Key features: short legs, lively step, head tilted, cap worn askew, whistling...

Excerpt 3: Describes a waterlogged area near a pond after rain
Key features: water covering everything, a flurry of activity with animals and birds, and loud calls...

Question 2: Page 17, 6th-grade Literature textbook – Volume 2
Practice Task
a) If you had to write a paragraph describing the arrival of winter, what would you highlight?
b) If you were to describe your mother’s face, what prominent features would you focus on?
Solution:
- For winter: Gray skies, cold winds, leafless trees, and people bundled up in warm clothes.
- For your mother: Oval face, charming dimples, a sweet smile, a few wrinkles around the eyes, long, curved eyebrows, and a prominent nose...

I - What is Descriptive Writing?

Question 1: Read and consider the following scenarios:

- Scenario 1: On your way to school, you encounter a stranger asking for directions to your home. How do you describe your house so that the person can find it easily?

- Scenario 2: You and your mother visit a clothing store, where there are many different colorful shirts hanging high up. How would you ask the shopkeeper to get the exact shirt you're looking for?

- Scenario 3: A third-grade student asks you: 'What is a bodybuilder like?' How do you describe a bodybuilder so the student can visualize it?

In these situations, you need to use descriptive writing. Think of some other similar scenarios and explain what descriptive writing is.

Answer:

- Scenario 1: To help the stranger find your house, you need to describe the key features of the road leading to your house so that the person can picture it and find the location.

- Scenario 2: You should describe the distinguishing characteristics of the shirt you're interested in so the shopkeeper can easily identify it among all the others.

- Scenario 3: A bodybuilder has distinctive physical traits due to their strength, so you should describe these differences compared to an ordinary person.

- Some other similar situations: Describing your school to a friend; describing the prominent features of your pet cat.

- Conclusion: Descriptive writing helps the reader or listener visualize the key features of an object, person, event, or scenery, bringing them vividly to life in their mind.

Question 2: In the story 'First Lessons in Life', two vivid descriptions of the grasshopper and the cricket are presented. Identify these two excerpts and answer the following questions:

a) Do these descriptions help you visualize the distinct characteristics of the two insects?

b) What details and images helped you form this picture?

Answer:

- Description of the Grasshopper: From the beginning until 'the strongest in the world.'

- Description of the Cricket: From 'This young cricket' to 'many burrows like my hole.'

a) These two descriptions give a clear contrast between the two insects.

- The Grasshopper is strong and robust.

- The Cricket is weak and frail.

b) Details and images:

- Grasshopper: shiny, sturdy legs, sharp claws, wings with tail-like ends, covered in brown oily skin.

- Cricket: thin, long body, short wings exposing the back, broad legs, a clueless expression, only able to dig a shallow hole.

Remember:

Descriptive writing is meant to help the reader or listener visualize the distinct characteristics of objects, people, events, or landscapes, making them appear before the eyes of the reader. In descriptive writing, the writer’s or speaker’s observational skills are especially evident.

II - Practice

Question 1: Read the excerpts below and answer the questions:

Excerpt 1:

Before long, I became a strong young grasshopper. My legs were firm and shiny. The claws on my feet were getting stiffer and sharper. Occasionally, to test my claws' strength, I raised my leg and struck the grass. The blades broke as if a knife had slashed through them...

(To Hoai)

Excerpt 2:

The little boy
A cute little satchel
Quick little legs
A proud little head
A crooked cap
Whistling loudly
Like a sparrow
Hopping along the golden road...

(To Huu)

Excerpt 3:

It had rained heavily the other day, and the water had flooded the ponds in front. The water was deep and new, and the crabs and fish swam busily in all directions. All kinds of birds—herons, storks, cranes, ducks—flocked to the fresh water to forage. They squawked loudly in competition over food. Some herons, though slim and weak, waded through the mud with their long legs but never caught anything.

(To Hoai)

Questions:

What do these excerpts describe? Identify the main features of the objects, people, and scenes described in the texts.

Answer:

- Excerpt 1: Describes the Grasshopper's appearance

- Main Features: A strong, robust grasshopper with shiny legs, sharp claws, and powerful wings.

- Excerpt 2: Describes the messenger boy

- Main Features: Small, agile, cheerful, and lively.

- Excerpt 3: Describes the scene around the ponds after heavy rain

- Main Features: The commotion of animals searching for food in the water and the competition among them.

Question 2: Practice Exercise

a) If you had to write a paragraph describing the arrival of winter, what would you highlight?

b) The image of my mother’s face is always in my mind. If I were to describe her face, what features would I focus on?

Answer:

a) The key features of winter:

- The sky is overcast and heavy.

- The landscape is desolate and still.

- The cold wind cuts through the bones.

- The streets are muddy and wet.

- People’s movements become slower as they bundle up in thick coats.

b) Describing my mother’s face:

- Gentle and familiar beauty.

- Specific features like her eyes, lips, and cheeks need to be described in a unique way, as no one’s mother looks the same.

Part I - WHAT IS DESCRIPTIVE WRITING?

Question 1 (Page 15-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2)
Read and consider the following situations:

Situation 1: On your way to school, you meet a stranger asking for directions to your house. How would you describe your house so the stranger can recognize it while you're heading to school?

Situation 2: You and your mother go to a store to buy a shirt. There are many different shirts of various colors and styles hanging high up. How would you ask the shopkeeper to bring down the one you want?

Situation 3: A third-grade student asks you: 'What does a strongman look like?' How would you describe a strongman to help the student imagine what he looks like?

In these situations, you have used descriptive writing. Can you think of other similar situations and summarize what descriptive writing is?

Some other situations: Your friend in Saigon asks you: 'What does Hoan Kiem Lake look like?' Another child asks you: 'What does a sugar cane look like?'

Observation: Descriptive writing helps the reader or listener visualize the prominent characteristics of an event, object, person, or scenery.

Question 2: (Page 15-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2)
In the text 'First Life Lesson,' there are two vivid descriptive paragraphs about the characters Cricket Men and Cricket Choat. Identify these paragraphs and answer the following questions:

a) Do the two paragraphs help you visualize the distinctive features of the two crickets?

b) Which details and images helped you visualize this?

The paragraph describing Men Cricket and Choat Cricket: Men Cricket: 'Since I eat and drink in moderation... raking my antennae.'

Choat Cricket: 'The Choat Cricket, a thin and bony fellow... my hole.'

a) The two paragraphs help you imagine that: Men Cricket is robust and strong while Choat Cricket is frail and weak.
b) Details and images that helped you recognize this: Men Cricket: shiny and firm pincers; sharp claws; wings that end at the tail; a body covered in shiny brown; kicking at the aggressive Gong Vo... Choat Cricket: thin and lanky body; short wings exposing the back and sides; broad pincers; a confused expression; only able to dig shallow holes...

Part II - EXERCISES

Question 1: Page 16-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2
Read the following excerpts and answer the question: (SGK)

What does each excerpt describe? Identify the prominent characteristics of the objects, people, and scenery described in the three excerpts.

Each excerpt describes: Excerpt 1: Describes the image of Men Cricket as strong, beautiful, firm, and sharp.
Excerpt 2: Describes the little, nimble, lively, and cheerful Lượm.
Excerpt 3: Describes the scene of a pond or lake after a heavy rain. The animals are noisy and lively as they search for food.

Question 2: (Page 16-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2)
a) If you had to write a paragraph describing the arrival of winter, what distinctive features would you include?

b) Your mother's face always comes to mind. If you were to describe your mother's face, which details would you focus on?

a) If I had to write a description of winter arriving, I would include the following characteristics:

Winter brings a chilly feeling, especially with morning fog.
On the sidewalks, the trees are shedding their yellow leaves.
Vendors are quickly roasting corn and sweet potatoes to produce golden corn and fragrant sweet potatoes.

b) Describing my mother's face:

My mother's face looks gentle and kind.
Her dark, sparkling eyes reflect love and care.
Her hair is dark, long, and smooth.
Her wide forehead has some wrinkles.
Her lips are like blooming flowers. Every time she smiles, her even and sparkling teeth are visible.

I. What is Descriptive Writing?

Question 1 (Page 15-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2):

- Situation 1: To help a visitor recognize your house, you must describe the features of your home.

- Situation 2: To get the shopkeeper to show you the shirt you want, you need to specify the size, color, and position of the shirt.

- Situation 3: To help a student visualize a strongman, you would need to describe his physique, appearance, and strength.

- Another situation that uses descriptive writing: describing your school or a beautiful tourist destination you have visited.

Question 2 (Page 15-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2)

- The paragraph describing Men Cricket: 'From the beginning, he lifted both legs to comb his antennae.' The paragraph describing Choat Cricket: 'The Choat Cricket, with his thin body and numerous burrows like mine.'

a) Both paragraphs help you imagine the distinctive characteristics of the two crickets.

- Men Cricket: robust, with shiny pincers, sharp claws, long wings, a long and bold antenna, a large head, prominent cheeks, black teeth, a proud gait, and an arrogant personality.

+ Choat Cricket: thin, weak, with short wings, broad pincers, a stumpy antenna, a confused face, and a reckless attitude.

b) The descriptions of the wings, pincers, antennae, body shape, along with the comparison details about their temperament, movement, and speech, help visualize the characters.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1 (Page 16-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2)

- Excerpt 1: Describes Men Cricket, a strong young cricket, big, strong, with shiny pincers and sharp claws.

- Excerpt 2: Describes the little Lượm, small but intelligent, quick, cheerful, and innocent.

- Excerpt 3: Describes a waterlogged field after rain, a noisy and chaotic world of tiny creatures.

Exercise 2 (Page 17-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2)

Describing winter, with these features:

- Little sunshine, often overcast, with cloud cover.

- Cold winter winds, sometimes accompanied by drizzle.

- Trees stripped of leaves.

- People wearing many layers or using heaters to stay warm.

Describing your mother's face, focusing on the following features:

- The shape of her face (round, oval, etc.).

- Notable features on her face: forehead, eyes...

- Describing her smile.

- The color of her hair, whether it's curly, straight, or framed around her face...

Part I: What is Descriptive Writing?

Answer to Question 1 (Page 15-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2):

Read and think about the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: On your way to school, you meet a stranger asking for directions to your house. Since you’re heading to school, you can’t walk them to your house. How can you help them recognize your house so they can find it on their own?

Scenario 2: You’re shopping with your mother for a shirt. Among many different shirts of various colors and styles, all hung high, how can you get the salesperson to bring you the exact one you want?

Scenario 3: A third-grade student asks you: What is a strongman like? How can you help them imagine what a strongman looks like?

Detailed solution:

- Scenario 1: To help the stranger recognize your house, you must describe its features.

- Scenario 2: To get the salesperson to bring you the shirt you want, you need to specify its size, color, and where it’s located.

- Scenario 3: To help the student visualize a strongman, you must describe their appearance, physique, and strength.

- Other scenarios that use descriptive writing: describing your school or a beautiful tourist destination you’ve visited.

Answer to Question 2 (Page 15-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2):

In the text 'The First Life Lesson,' there are two vivid descriptions of the Crickets, Men and Choat. Identify these passages and answer the following questions:

a) Do the two passages help you imagine the distinctive features of the two crickets?

b) Which details and images helped you imagine this?

Detailed solution:

a) The two passages clearly help you visualize the distinctive features of the two crickets.

b) The details that help you visualize this:

- Men Cricket: strong, with shiny pincers, sharp claws, long wings, long and bold antennae, a big head, prominent cheeks, black teeth, a proud stance, and an arrogant character.

- Choat Cricket: thin, weak, with short wings, broad pincers, a stumpy antenna, a confused look, and a reckless nature.

Details about the wings, pincers, antennae, body, and comparisons, along with descriptions of their personalities, movement, and speech, help visualize the characters.

II. PRACTICE EXERCISES

Answer to Question 1 (Page 16-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2):

Read the following excerpts and answer the questions:

Excerpt 1:

Soon, I became a young, strong cricket. My pincers were shiny. The claws on my legs and knees were firm and sharp. Occasionally, I tested the sharpness of my claws by lifting my leg and striking the grass. The grass bent as though a knife had cut through it...

(Tô Hoài)

Excerpt 2:

The little boy was quick and cheerful, his head held high, his cap crooked, whistling joyfully like a small bird hopping on a golden path...

(Tố Hữu)

Excerpt 3:

A few days ago, there was heavy rain, and the water rose, flooding the ponds and fields. As the water flowed, crabs, fish, and other creatures rushed in all directions. Birds like storks, cranes, and pelicans flew to the new water area to hunt for food. The entire area was buzzing with activity...

(Tô Hoài)

What does each passage describe? Identify the key characteristics of the people, animals, or scenery described in these three excerpts.

Detailed solution:

- Excerpt 1: Describes Men Cricket’s physical strength and beauty through personification: strong, vibrant, with shiny pincers and sharp claws...

- Excerpt 2: Describes the little Lượm, small, quick, cheerful, lively, and playful, like a little bird...

- Excerpt 3: Describes the scene of a flooded area after heavy rain, with an energetic and chaotic animal world searching for food.

Answer to Question 2 (Page 17-SGK Literature 6 - Volume 2):

- If you were to write a paragraph describing winter, what key features would you highlight?

- When describing your mother’s face, what notable features would you focus on?

Detailed solution:

* Some key features of winter:

- Cold and damp: north winds and drizzling rain.

- Long nights and short days.

- Overcast sky: clouds cover the stars and the moon, with many clouds and fog.

- Trees bare and leafless, shedding many leaves.

- A season for flowers like plum, peach, and apricot blossoms...

* Some key features of your mother’s face:

- Focus on her prominent features: forehead, eyes...

- Describe her smile.

- What is the color of her hair? Is it curly, straight, or framing her face?

I. FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE TO MASTER

1. Descriptive writing is a type of writing aimed at helping the reader or listener visualize the prominent features of an object, event, person, or scenery... making them appear vivid and real before their eyes.

2. In descriptive writing, the writer's or speaker's observational skills are most apparent.

II. GUIDANCE FOR UNDERSTANDING THE LESSON

1. Scenario 1: To help the visitor find your house, you need to give directions and describe its features – this means using descriptive language.

- Scenario 2: To ensure the salesperson brings the right shirt you want, you must specify its color, size, and location.

- Scenario 3: To help the student visualize a strongman, describe their appearance, physique, and especially their strength.

- Another scenario: Your friend didn’t attend a concert by singer H, but they’re a big fan. After attending the concert, how would you describe the singer to your friend?

2. The passage describing the Men Cricket from the beginning to becoming the strongest, and the passage describing the Choat Cricket from ‘The Neighbor’ to ‘Like my den’.

a) Both passages help you imagine the distinct characteristics of the two crickets.

Men Cricket is strong, with shiny pincers, sharp claws, long wings, long and bold antennae, a large head with prominent cheeks, sharp black teeth, a proud posture, and an arrogant, impulsive character.

Choat Cricket is frail, thin, with a long, scrawny body. It has tiny wings, wide pincers, a broken antenna, a confused look, and a hasty personality.

b) The descriptions of their pincers, wings, antennae, body, and comparisons, alongside their personalities, movements, and speech, help us visualize these details.

III. PRACTICE GUIDANCE

1. Read the three excerpts carefully. Pay attention to what each passage describes and the key features of the described subject. From this, draw conclusions:

- Excerpt 1: Describes Men Cricket, a strong, muscular cricket with features like a shiny pincers, sharp claws, and large body.

- Excerpt 2: Describes Lượm, a small, quick, cheerful, and lively little boy.

- Excerpt 3: Describes a flooded area after rain, with the noisy, busy world of crabs, fish, and birds looking for food.

2. a) For winter, you could describe features such as:

- Overcast skies, with lots of clouds.

- Cold winds, possibly accompanied by drizzle.

- Trees losing their leaves, standing bare.

- Birds migrating to escape the cold.

- Inside homes, people gather around a fire to keep warm.

b) When describing your mother’s face, focus on details like:

- The shape of her face (round, oval, etc.)

- Her forehead

- Does her hair frame her face, or is it tied up?

- Her eyes and mouth

- Skin tone, and her gentle, radiant expression...