Painting People with Words

Let’s dive into the art of describing people with vivid details and unlock their stories through polite, thoughtful questions that reveal what makes them truly unique! could their story mirror your own aspirations?

Mission 1. Who Inspires You?

Let’s share, connect, and discover the power of inspiration by answering the questions below!

Have you ever thought about the person who inspires you the most? Maybe it’s someone in your family, a teacher, or even a famous figure you admire. In this activity, we’ll explore what makes these people special by describing them and asking polite, thoughtful questions to learn more about their lives and achievements.

• Who inspires you the most in your life? Why?

………………………… …………………………

• What qualities or characteristics make this person special to you?

……………………… …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………

• What has this person achieved that you find remarkable?

………………………… …………………………

• How has this person influenced your life or the way you think?

………………………… …………………………

• If you could meet this person, what would you want to know about them?

….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………..

• Do you think this person’s influence could inspire others? Why or why not?

………………………… …………………………

Mission 2. Choosing Your Inspiration: Writing About Remarkable Figures

Take a moment to read about four inspiring figures, each of whom has made a significant impact in their field and beyond. Choose the person who inspires you the most and write a short paragraph explaining your choice. Consider the following questions to guide your writing,

Person	Description

Guiding questions for writing task

• Who did you choose as your inspiration? Why? • What qualities of this person do you admire the most? • What achievements or contributions make this person special? • How has this person’s story influenced you or your way of thinking? • Do you think this person’s impact is important for others as well? Why?

Mission 3. Guess Who?!

Look at the pictures of the inspiring figures provided in the previous mission (Mission 2). Carefully read the clues in the box, each containing hints about the person’s physical appearance, achievements, and personal traits. Guess each clue to the correct person by writing the name of the figure in the corresponding clue box.

………………………………..	…………………………………….

Mission 4. Family Description

Let’s describe your family! Use the table to write about 2-3 family members. Include their names, how they look, their personality, hobbies, and why they are special to you. Be detailed and creative—you’re creating a mini-portrait of your loved ones in words!

Name/relation	Physical Appearance	Personality Traits	Hobbies/interests	Something special about them

Physical Appearance

Personality Traits

Mission 5. The Polite Detective

In this mission, you are a detective trying to find a missing person. Your mission is to solve the case by asking polite, thoughtful questions to gather information from witnesses and suspects. Remember, being polite helps people feel comfortable sharing details with you.

Detective: "Good morning. Thank you for coming in. Could you please tell me your name?" Witness: "Of course. My name is Mr. Thompson." Detective: "Thank you, Mr. Thompson. ________________________ (ask where the witness was last night)." Witness: "I was at the park near the river around 8 PM." Detective: "I see. ________________________ (ask if the witness saw the missing person)." Witness: "Yes, I did. I saw them walking toward the bridge." Detective: "Interesting. ________________________ (ask what the missing person looked like)." Witness: "They were tall, with short black hair, wearing a red jacket and jeans." Detective: "Thank you. ________________________ (ask if the witness noticed anything unusual)." Witness: "Well, I noticed someone else following them. That person looked very suspicious!"

Mission 6. Step Into the Shoes of a Journalist

Imagine you’re a journalist, and you’ve been given the chance to interview someone you admire! Prepare a list of polite, open-ended questions you would ask your chosen figure. Write your interview questions in the box provided below. Think about their achievements, challenges, and what inspires them.

Example polite questions:

• Could you tell me about…? • Would you mind sharing…? • May I ask how you…?

List of interview questions:

1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mission 7. Polite Question Challenge

Let’s practice writing polite questions! You’ll see different real-life situations, and your task is to write at least two polite questions for each one. Use phrases like 'Could you,' 'Would you mind,' and 'May I.' After you finish, you can share your favorite questions with the class."

Scenario	Polite questions

Mission 8. Polite Conversations: Start, Sustain, and Shine!

Let’s master the art of polite conversations! In this activity, you’ll learn how to confidently start a conversation, keep it interesting with follow-up questions, and end it on a positive note. Think of it as creating a great first impression every time you speak!

Two students meeting for the first time in a library during a group project meeting. Alyssa: "Hi, it’s nice to meet you! My name is Alyssa. Could you please tell me your name?" James: "Hi Alyssa, nice to meet you too. I’m James." Alyssa: "It’s great to have you in our group, James. May I ask which school you attended before coming here?" James: "Sure! I attended Riverdale High School. What about you?" Alyssa: "I went to Springfield Academy. By the way, could you tell me what subjects you enjoy studying the most?" James: "I really enjoy studying history and literature. They’re fascinating to me. How about you?" Alyssa: "That’s interesting! I like literature too, especially poetry. Do you have a favorite book or author?" James: "Yes, I love reading anything by Jane Austen. Have you read Pride and Prejudice?" Alyssa: "Yes, I have! It’s one of my favorites. Elizabeth Bennet is such an inspiring character. Could you share why you enjoy Jane Austen’s work?" James: "I admire how her stories are full of wit and strong characters. Plus, her take on social issues of her time is amazing. Would you mind telling me which Austen book is your favorite?" Alyssa: "I’d say Sense and Sensibility. The way she portrays the sisters’ contrasting personalities is so relatable. By the way, do you also enjoy movies based on her books?" James: "Yes, absolutely! The movie adaptations are great, especially the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. Do you have a favorite adaptation?" Alyssa: "I do! I really liked the 1995 BBC series. It’s such a classic. Well, it’s nice to find someone who loves Jane Austen too. Shall we get started on our project now?" James: "Yes, let’s do that. Thanks for the conversation, Alyssa. It was really nice talking to you!"

Explanation and analysis:

Initiating the Conversation: Alyssa starts the conversation politely with a greeting and introduces herself: "Hi, it’s nice to meet you! My name is Alyssa. Could you please tell me your name?" James reciprocates the politeness and answers clearly.

Mission 9. Understanding Through Questions

Based on the dialogue and explanation provided in the previous mission (mission 9), answer the following questions carefully. Use the details and insights from the analysis to support your answers. Make sure to provide clear and thoughtful responses that show your understanding of the material.

• What other polite ways can you introduce yourself in a new situation? • What kinds of follow-up questions can you ask to show genuine interest? • What are some alternative polite phrases you could use in this dialogue? • How can you use comments to make the conversation feel more engaging? • What polite ways can you use to end a conversation naturally?