GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

This research set out to discover how undergraduates from Nigerian universities apply the techniques of description in their descriptive essays. The theories of descriptive linguistics and applied linguistics formed the theoretical basis. Using the technique of stratified random sampling, 147 essays were stratified into 9; 3 each from the departments of economics, political science, and public administration of Akwa Ibom State University. The test title was "Describe the frontage of your residence." The essays were scored on the variables of naming, detailing, and comparing, among others. The test required an essay length of 300 words to be written in 40 minutes and was administered under strict examination conditions. It was found out that our subjects coded A to I do not have problems with naming and detailing. The only problems are in the areas of comparing and using sensory descriptions as well as grammatical and lexical infelicities. It is recommended that the use of English courses for freshers in Nigerian universities be extended from one session to two.

KEYWORDS: Descriptive Essay, Performance, Detailing, Comparing, Sense, Special Issues, Grammatical and Lexical Issues, Undergraduates and Akwa Ibom State University