Using Relative Clauses for Descriptive Effect

A relative clause is created when a noun is replaced by pronoun (like which, that, who, whom, or whose) + an appropriate description. This can be used to provide
information about an object, while avoiding repetitive language and being economical in your word choice.

It is important to note that relative clauses may or may nor be punctuated with a comma. If you use a relative clause without commas, you’re saying that the
information in the clause is true of only some of the things or people you mentioned in the sentence. When you use a relative clause with commas, you’re saying that
the information in the clause is true of all the things or people mentioned in the sentence.

EXAMPLE:

– Tacos, bagels, and sushi can now be found at fast-food counters everywhere. Tacos, bagels, and sushi were once available only in authentic ethnic restaurants.
->
Tacos, bagels, and sushi, which can now be found at fast-food counters everywhere, were once available only in authentic ethnic restaurants.

Descriptive writing tries to make its subject “come alive” for the reader. It uses a variety of sensory details (not only sight, but sound, smell, and feel), and makes
comparisons using metaphors or similes. Most importantly though, it shows and doesn’t tell. Avoid using subjective claims like “beautiful,” and instead focus on
finding concrete descriptive terms.

FOR THE ASSIGNMENTS:

A. Name a place that has special significance for you, and then describe it using a relative clause. Show your work like so:

-The lilac tree in my backyard was an unusually bright purple.
-The lilac tree in my backyard would remind me of spring.
=
The lilac tree in my backyard, which had the most unusually bright shade of purple, would remind me of spring.

B. Build a descriptive paragraph of 150-200 words about that place.

I just want to note: for all orders in the topic section I wrote “description”, I was refereeing to the description section. I don’t want the writer to get confused.