• 1 TRY OUT LANGUAGE

  • 2 LEARN GRAMMAR

  • 3 APPLY ON YOUR OWN

Describe an Experience

Elaborate

Tell a partner about a race or other sports event that you participated in or would like to participate in.

Start by writing down ideas that you would like to share. Then think of ways you would like to elaborate, or tell more about them. Add examples, details, and explanations to elaborate.

IdeasElaborate
I trained for the race.I ran three miles each day for two months before the race. I also jumped rope for 10 minutes every day.
I didn’t give up.During the race, I got very tired. But I didn’t give up because I wanted to finish the race well. I stayed focused, and I just kept on running!

Now share information about the race or competition with your partner. Trade roles.

How to Elaborate

  • 1. Tell the main idea or point that you want to make.

  • 2. Add details. Give background information, examples, or explanations.

  • 3. When you give more information, you need to use complete sentences with a subject and a predicate.

I ran in a race.

I ran the race on May Day—May 1—in my home town. I was happy because I finished with my best time ever!

Use Complex Sentences

When you describe an experience, you can use complex sentences to combine some of your ideas. Complex sentences help to show relationships between your ideas. A word like because will “hook” a reason to your idea.

Simple Sentences:I almost missed the whole race. I overslept.
Complex Sentence:I almost missed the whole race because I overslept.
My sister runs fast because she loves to win!

My sister runs fast because she loves to win!