Idiomatic Expression & Descriptive Essay – JSS3 English Lesson Note (First Term)

An idiom is a phrase whose figurative meaning differs from the literal meaning of its words, and a descriptive essay paints a vivid picture of a person, place or thing using the senses.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what an idiom is and give examples;
2. state the meaning of common idiomatic expressions and use them in sentences;
3. explain the purpose of a descriptive essay;
4. describe the main steps of the writing process for a descriptive essay;
5. use the “show, don’t tell” approach in their own writing.

What is an idiom?

An idiom, also called an idiomatic expression, is a word or phrase whose figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning of its words.

• Hidden meaning: an idiom does not mean exactly what the words say.
• Fixed form: native speakers understand the meaning by convention, so the words are not changed.
• Informal style: most idioms belong to everyday, informal English.
• Found in every language: idioms are hard to learn for people who do not speak the language as a first language.

What are examples of idioms?

Two common examples of idioms are “kick the bucket” and “spill the beans”.

• Kick the bucket: means “to die”.
• Spill the beans: means “to tell people secret information”.

• The meaning of each expression is different from the literal meaning of its words.
• The meaning is used figuratively.

What does “hold your tongue” mean?

“Hold your tongue” means “do not speak”.

• It does not mean you should grab your tongue with your fingers.
• People “hold their tongues” when they want to talk, but staying silent is wiser.
• The tongue is ready to talk, but the person “holds” it back and says nothing.

What is the difference between a literal expression and an idiom?

A literal expression means exactly what its words say.

An idiom means something different from its words and must be learnt as a whole phrase.

What are 20 common idiomatic expressions and their meanings?

The table below gives 20 common idioms, each in an example sentence with its meaning.

What are some other common idioms?

Six more common idioms are listed below with their meanings.

• Break the ice: to start a conversation in an awkward situation.
• Burn the midnight oil: to work or study late into the night.
• Once in a blue moon: very rarely.
• Let the cat out of the bag: to reveal a secret by mistake.
• Bite the bullet: to face something unpleasant bravely.
• The ball is in your court: it is your turn to decide or act.

How do you use idioms correctly?

Use an idiom only when you know its meaning and the situation fits.

• Learn the whole phrase: do not work out the meaning word by word.
• Keep the words fixed: say “a piece of cake”, not “a slice of cake”.
• Check the tone: idioms suit informal speech and friendly writing more than formal letters.
• Do not overuse them: one or two well-chosen idioms read better than many.
• Make the meaning clear: the rest of the sentence should help the reader understand.

What is a descriptive essay?

A descriptive essay is a piece of writing that creates a vivid picture of a person, place or thing through detailed sensory observation.

• Purpose: to reveal the meaning of a subject through detailed observation, using language and all the senses.
• Difference from a narrative essay: a narrative essay reveals meaning through a personal story.
• Sign of a good essay: the reader feels they have met the person, visited the place or held the object.
• Sign of a great essay: the reader also feels a connection to the subject’s importance.

What can a descriptive essay describe?

A descriptive essay can describe a person, a place, an object or an event.

• Person: a grandparent, a teacher or a friend.
• Place: a market, a school compound or a tree house.
• Object: a favourite toy or an old bicycle.
• Event: a festival or a harmattan morning.

The topic does not have to be famous or unusual.

What are the five senses used in descriptive writing?

The five senses are sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.

What figures of speech are used in a descriptive essay?

Simile, metaphor and personification are the figures of speech most used in descriptive writing.

• Simile: compares two things using “like” or “as”, for example “as bright as the sun”.
• Metaphor: says one thing is another, for example “the road was a ribbon of fire”.
• Personification: gives human actions to a non-living thing, for example “the house frowned”.

How is a descriptive essay organised?

A descriptive essay has an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

• Introduction: names the subject and gives a general picture of it.
• Body: each paragraph describes one focus, such as appearance, sounds or feelings.
• Conclusion: shows what the subject means to the writer.

What are the steps of the writing process for a descriptive essay?

There are four steps: prewriting, drafting, revising and editing.

1. What happens in prewriting?

Prewriting is the stage where the writer chooses a subject and plans what to say.

• Decide who or what to describe and why.
• Choose a subject that holds meaning, such as a grandparent, a favourite toy or a tree house.
• Brainstorm the qualities and details of the subject, including its surroundings.
• Note the physical features and also the memories, feelings and ideas the subject brings.
• Plan the focus of each paragraph and write an outline in a logical order.

2. What happens in drafting?

Drafting is the stage where the writer follows the outline and writes the first version.

• Remember the main rule: “show, don’t tell”.
• Involve all five senses so the reader sees, hears, smells, tastes and feels the subject.
• Use descriptive language, concrete images, similes and metaphors.
• Aim to create a mental picture for the reader, more than to list facts.

Compare telling with showing:

• Telling: The house was old.
• Showing: The house frowned with a wrinkled brow, and inside it creaked with each step, releasing a scent of neglected laundry.
• Telling: The market was busy.
• Showing: Traders shouted prices over blaring music, and the smell of frying akara drifted between crowded stalls.

3. What happens in revising?

Revising is the stage where the writer reviews, changes and reorganises the draft to improve it.

Reread the draft with these questions:

• Does the essay unfold in a way that helps the reader appreciate the subject?
• Do any paragraphs confuse more than describe?
• Do the words and figurative language involve the five senses and convey emotion and meaning?
• Are there enough details to give a complete picture?
• Is there a link between the description and its meaning to the writer? Can the reader identify with the conclusion?

• Keep the reader in mind: think of the reader from the opening paragraph to the last.
• Go from general to specific: otherwise the reader cannot build the image in the mind.
• Example: do not describe a glossy coat of fur before telling the reader that the essay is about a dog.

4. What happens in editing?

Editing is the stage where the writer proofreads and corrects errors in grammar and mechanics.

• Correct spelling, punctuation, capital letters and tenses.
• Improve style and clarity.
• Remove clichés, which are over-used phrases.
• Avoid loading the essay with too many adjectives and adverbs.

Evaluation

1. What is an idiom? Give two examples and state what each means.
2. Explain the meaning of “hold your tongue”.
3. What is the purpose of a descriptive essay?
4. What does “show, don’t tell” mean in a descriptive essay?
5. List the four steps of the writing process described in this lesson.

Assignment

Choose ten idioms from the table of 20 common idioms. For each one, write the meaning and your own sentence that uses it.