1. Describing Events, Festivals and Ceremonies
When writing about a festival or ceremony you should give the
reader a clear picture of the event, along with descriptions of the
atmosphere, the people involved and their feelings.
Festivals are annual events. Therefore, when describing a festival, the
present tense should be used. The passive voice should also be used
to describe the preparations that take place
1. Brainstorm your description
Think about the following questions. Choose the points that are relevant to your essay.
• When and where is the festival celebrated?
• What does it look like?
• What activities are organized in the festival?
• Is it a religious festival?
• What is special or interesting about it?
• What can you do there?
• Do you recommend that people visit it?
2. Structure
1. In the first paragraph, explain when and where does the festival take place?
2. In the next paragraph(S), give more information about the place both in general and in
detail.
3. In the last paragraph, say why you/other people like it.
3. Content
1. Give examples of the things /people can do in this place.
2. Explain why this festival is interesting or important.
3. Use a range of adjectives to describe the events and the atmosphere.
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2. Describing Events, Festivals and Ceremonies
4. Write a first draft.
5. Check your work!
Have you followed the plan?
Have you checked it for mistakes?
Have you used a variety of adjectives to describe the place?
Do your sentences have a subject?
Grammar Do your sentences follow English word order?
Do your subjects and verbs agree?
Useful links
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/festivals/carnivals-and-fiestas/mardi-gras/mardi-
gras-and-new-orleans.html
http://www.michellehenry.fr/celebrasites.htm
http://martinpiecyk.com/site/improveyourwritingability/index.html
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS (list of useful expressions and phrases)
Every year, the people of…………………….celebrate…………………..
People in Alcanar celebrate…………………….
……………………………..is a big celebration……
This holiday is in…………………
It is called……………………………….
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3. Describing Events, Festivals and Ceremonies
The festival comes from an ancient custom ………………………..
In the evenings…..
It’s a religious festival devoted to…………………
Read the following models and find out topic sentences which you can
use in your writing.
My favorite celebration
My favorite celebration is National Independence Day. It takes place on
September, 18 because in on this day the country started its independence.
The National Day takes place in all homes of Chile. In this party all people have
a right to participate. The people eat, dance, sing, participate in typical contests.
The people eat turnovers, drink chica, eat barbecue, dance cueca, wear huaso
suit and dress with flowers in all colours.
There are places where peñas folkloricas and fondas takes place and there are
many typical food stalls. In this time of the year the people are happy and share
with their families. There are typical games too. Other tradition is to put one flag
to show love for our homeland.
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4. Describing Events, Festivals and Ceremonies
Model 2
Halloween
October 31 is Halloween. Halloween is a fun, joyful holiday, celebrated in many
countries around the world.
Millions of children will enjoy dressing up as witches, ghosts, skeletons,
superheroes, monsters and princesses at Halloween.
They parade through the local streets, "trick or treating", while their parents
keep an eye on them to check that they are safe. When they knock on their
neighbours doors, shouting "trick or treat," they will usually be given candy or a
sweet treat of some sort, before heading off to the next house. Many adults will
celebrate Halloween by going to Halloween parties, while others will enjoy
telling scary stories or watching a Horror movie to get into the spirit of things!
The holiday comes from an ancient Celtic custom of celebrating the change
from autumn to winter, known as All Hallows' Eve. Celtic people believed that
the spirits of the dead walked the earth and mingled with the living on that day.
They would leave sacrifices of food for the spirits of the dead, and set fires to
scare evil spirits away and keep them from doing harm to the living. The masks
that people wore on All Hallows' Eve were meant to conceal their identity, and
prevent bad spirits from playing tricks on them.
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5. Describing Events, Festivals and Ceremonies
Model 3
Thanksgiving in Canada & The USA
Thanksgiving is a Canadian and North American harvest festival and family
holiday. People in Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in
October. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the
USA.
About Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a big family celebration.
People travel from all over the country to be with their family for the holiday.
Roads and airports get very busy over Thanksgiving weekend.
Many big cities hold parades and other special events.
The Thanksgiving Meal
Thanksgiving was originally a Christian religious festival.
Christian families often say a prayer (called grace) before eating their
Thanksgiving dinner.
Many non-Christians also enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving.
Traditional Thanksgiving foods include turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce,
sweetcorn and sweet potatoes.
A sweet dessert called pumpkin pie is also eaten.
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