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2. Factual Descriptions: Places

Objectives of the Unit
Upon completion of this unit, you are expected to be able to:
1. write a factual description of a place with the appropriate generic structure
(introduction, description of features, and conclusion;
2. use grammar appropriately in a factual description of a place;

3. use adjectives appropriately in a factual description of a place.

Prepare Before Reading

In this unit you will learn about factual descriptions. What are factual descriptions? They
are descriptions of a particular place, person, or thing. The purpose is to tell about the

subject by describing its features, which may include such aspects as size, height, color,
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shape, or any other important characteristics of the subject.
A factual description mainly consists of three parts, i.e. a general statement about the
subject functioning as an introduction, a series of paragraphs about the subjects, and a
concluding paragraph. The first part gives the readers brief details about the when, where,
who, or what of the subject. The second part consists of several paragraphs, each of which
describes one feature of the subject. The third part is optional and marks the end of the
text. The grammatical features of a factual description include verbs in the present tense
and adjectives to describe the features of the subject. In this Unit you will learn about
factual descriptions of places.

Detailed Reading

Now, read the following example of a factual description of a place called Aoshima or Cat
Island.

Aoshima is a sleepy island in Ehime Prefecture just one mile long and is better
known by its nickname, “Cat Island.” With feline residents outnumbering the
human population by about eight to one, it’s a must-visit for all cat lovers! [1]
Although once a bustling fishing island, there are now only a handful of human
residents left on Aoshima. The cat population is thriving, however. Originally
introduced to help the fishermen by keeping the mouse population in check, they
are now YouTube sensations and the island’s star attraction. [2]

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