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How to write a captivating descriptive essay that paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.
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Have you ever wanted to transport your readers to another world with your writing? To paint vivid images in their minds, evoke powerful emotions, and create a lasting impact? If so, mastering the art of descriptive writing is an essential skill that you simply cannot afford to overlook. Crafting a captivating descriptive essay requires more than just a basic understanding of language – it demands the ability to engage all five senses, to create a sensory symphony that envelops the reader.
Join us on a journey of exploration and discovery as we delve into the nuances of descriptive writing. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of composing a descriptive essay that will leave your audience spellbound. From selecting a compelling topic to employing effective literary devices, we will equip you with the tools and techniques necessary to bring your writing to life.
Along the way, we will share invaluable tips and tricks gathered from seasoned writers who have mastered the art of description. You will learn how to harness the power of strong verbs and sensory details, infuse your writing with emotion, and create a narrative that lingers in the minds of your readers. So, whether you aspire to become a novelist, a poet, or simply want to enhance your overall writing skills, this guide is your passport to unlocking the secrets of captivating descriptions.
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Choose the Perfect Topic for Your Descriptive Essay
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When it comes to crafting a descriptive essay, the topic you choose plays a vital role in the overall success of your writing. A well-chosen, engaging topic allows you to capture the attention of your readers and transport them into the world you are describing. In this section, we will explore the various factors to consider when selecting the perfect topic for your descriptive essay.
First and foremost, it’s important to choose a topic that you have a genuine interest in. When you are personally invested in the subject matter, it will naturally shine through in your writing. Whether it’s a place you love, a person you admire, or an experience that left a lasting impression on you, selecting a topic that resonates with you will give your descriptive essay an authentic and enthusiastic voice.
In addition to personal interest, it’s crucial to consider the audience you are writing for. Think about who will be reading your essay and what they might be interested in. Are you writing for nature enthusiasts? Foodies? Travel enthusiasts? Tailoring your topic to suit the preferences of your target audience will help to ensure that your descriptive essay is relatable and engaging to them.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a topic is the availability of descriptive elements. A good descriptive essay is characterized by vivid and sensory details that bring the subject to life. Consider whether your chosen topic has plenty of descriptive elements that you can explore and describe in your writing. For example, if you choose to write about a specific place, consider whether it has interesting sights, sounds, smells, and textures that you can vividly portray in your essay.
Lastly, it’s essential to select a topic that allows for a unique and fresh perspective. Avoid choosing overused or cliché topics that have been covered extensively. Instead, find a unique angle or approach to a common subject that will make your essay stand out. This could involve focusing on a specific aspect or moment within a broader topic, or showcasing a lesser-known aspect of a well-known subject.
By considering your personal interest, the preferences of your audience, the availability of descriptive elements, and a unique perspective, you can choose the perfect topic for your descriptive essay that will captivate your readers and make your writing truly memorable.
Create an Outline for Your Essay
Developing a clear and organized outline is an essential step in the process of crafting a well-written descriptive essay. By creating an outline, you can effectively structure your thoughts and ensure that your essay follows a logical progression. It serves as a roadmap for your writing, allowing you to focus on the main ideas and supporting details that you want to include.
Before beginning your outline, take some time to brainstorm and generate ideas. Consider the main aspects or features of the subject you are describing and think about the specific details that you want to highlight. This brainstorming process will help you establish a strong foundation for your outline and guide your writing throughout the essay.
When creating your outline, start by identifying the main sections or paragraphs of your essay. Each section should focus on a different aspect or feature of the subject. Within each section, include the specific details, examples, or evidence that you want to incorporate to support your description.
Remember to maintain a logical progression throughout your outline and essay. Start with an engaging introduction that provides some background information and sets the tone for your essay. Then, move on to the body paragraphs, which should present the main ideas or features of the subject in a clear and organized manner. Finally, conclude your essay with a thoughtful and concise summary that reinforces the main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Additionally, consider the order in which you present your ideas within each section. You may choose to present them in a chronological or spatial order, depending on the nature of the subject. Experiment with different arrangements and see which one flows best for your essay.
An outline acts as a roadmap for your essay, allowing you to navigate through the writing process with clarity and organization. By investing time in creating a solid outline, you can ensure that your descriptive essay is well-structured, coherent, and engaging.
Use Sensory Details to Bring Your Writing to Life
Engaging all five senses in your writing is essential to creating vivid and immersive descriptions. By incorporating sensory details, you can transport your readers into the world you are portraying, evoking emotions and allowing them to experience what you are describing.
Instead of simply stating that something is loud, show how the sound reverberates through the air, making your reader’s eardrums vibrate. Instead of writing that a room is cozy, describe the soft texture of the cushions, the warm glow of the fireplace, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies hanging in the air.
When you focus on sensory details, your writing comes alive. Paint a picture with words, allowing your readers to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the world you have created. Use colorful and descriptive language to appeal to the senses, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for your audience.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different sensory details. Think about the atmosphere, the different elements present, and how they affect the senses. How does the rain feel on the skin? How does the scent of flowers linger in the air? These small details can make a significant impact on the reader’s experience.
By incorporating sensory details into your writing, you can elevate your descriptive essay from a mere collection of words to a vibrant and captivating piece of art. So next time you sit down to write, remember to engage all five senses to bring your writing to life.
Organize Your Essay with Clear and Cohesive Paragraphs
When it comes to writing a descriptive essay, it is important to organize your thoughts and ideas in a clear and coherent manner. A well-structured essay not only helps the reader understand your message, but it also showcases your ability to convey information effectively.
One way to achieve this is by using clear and cohesive paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or idea related to your topic, providing detailed descriptions and supporting evidence. By dividing your essay into paragraphs, you create a logical flow that guides the reader through your thoughts.
To ensure the clarity and cohesiveness of your paragraphs, it is important to start each one with a clear topic sentence. This sentence should introduce the main idea of the paragraph and serve as a guide for the reader. From there, you can provide supporting details, examples, or evidence that further develop the main idea.
In addition to topic sentences, it is important to use transitional words and phrases to create a smooth transition between paragraphs. These words and phrases help the reader understand the connection between your ideas and how they relate to each other. Some examples of transitional words and phrases include “however,” “in contrast,” “similarly,” and “on the other hand.”
Furthermore, organizing your paragraphs in a logical order can greatly enhance the clarity and cohesiveness of your essay. Consider the most effective way to present your ideas, whether it be in a chronological order, a spatial order, or by importance. This will help the reader follow along easily and understand the progression of your thoughts.
Finally, it is important to conclude each paragraph in a way that summarizes the main points and leads into the next paragraph. This helps to maintain a strong flow throughout your essay and ensures that your ideas are well-developed and connected.
In conclusion, organizing your essay with clear and cohesive paragraphs is essential for conveying your ideas effectively. By using topic sentences, transitional words and phrases, logical order, and effective conclusions, you can create a well-structured essay that engages the reader and showcases your descriptive writing skills.
Show, Don’t Tell: Use Vivid Language and Examples
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When it comes to writing a descriptive essay, it’s important to remember the old adage: “show, don’t tell.” This means that instead of simply stating facts or describing something in a straightforward manner, you should use vivid language and examples to bring your writing to life. By using descriptive language, you can create a more engaging and immersive experience for your readers.
One way to bring your writing to life is by using vivid language that appeals to the senses. Instead of simply saying that something is “big,” you can use more descriptive words like “enormous” or “massive.” Similarly, instead of saying that something is “beautiful,” you can use words like “stunning” or “breathtaking.” By choosing words that evoke strong emotions and sensory experiences, you can paint a more vivid picture in the minds of your readers.
In addition to using vivid language, it’s important to provide specific examples to support your descriptions. Instead of making broad statements about a person, place, or thing, try to include specific details that help to illustrate your point. For example, instead of saying that a beach is “peaceful,” you could describe the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the feel of the warm sand between your toes. By providing specific examples, you can help your readers to better visualize and understand what you are describing.
To further enhance your descriptive writing, you can also incorporate figurative language, such as metaphors and similes. These literary devices can add depth and richness to your descriptions by comparing one thing to another in a creative and imaginative way. For example, instead of simply saying that a sunset is “beautiful,” you could compare it to a painting that is “a fiery masterpiece, with colors that dance across the sky.”
Overall, when writing a descriptive essay, it’s important to use vivid language and examples to bring your writing to life. By creating a sensory and emotional experience for your readers, you can make your writing more engaging and memorable. So, instead of telling your readers what something is like, show them through your use of descriptive language and specific examples.
Revise and Edit Your Essay for Clarity and Conciseness
After completing the initial draft of your detailed composition, it is imperative to carefully review and modify it for clear and precise language. By revising and editing your essay, you can enhance the overall quality of your writing and effectively convey your ideas to the reader.
Begin by carefully reading through your essay, identifying any areas where your language may be unclear or confusing. Look for opportunities to rephrase sentences or clarify ideas, making sure that your message is easily understandable. By using precise vocabulary and avoiding unnecessary jargon or ambiguous terms, you can improve the clarity of your essay.
It is equally important to ensure that your writing is concise and to the point. Review each sentence and paragraph, considering whether any redundant or repetitive information can be eliminated. Aim for brevity, expressing your thoughts in a concise and straightforward manner. Remove any unnecessary qualifiers or excessive adjectives that may detract from the clarity of your essay.
Pay attention to the organization and flow of your essay as well. Check that your ideas are presented in a logical order and that your paragraphs transition smoothly from one to the next. Consider whether any information can be rearranged or added to improve the overall coherence and comprehension of your essay.
After revising for clarity and conciseness, it is crucial to proofread your essay for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors. Read through your essay multiple times, checking for any typos or inconsistencies. Consider using online tools or asking a peer to provide feedback to catch any errors you may have overlooked.
By revising and editing your essay for clarity and conciseness, you can enhance the impact of your writing. Ensure that your ideas are effectively communicated and easily understood by making precise language choices and eliminating any unnecessary or confusing information. Take the time to carefully review your essay, and you will be rewarded with a polished and well-crafted piece of writing.
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A descriptive essay is the most creative of all essay types. It involves the use of sensory descriptors and impactful narratives to depict an object, person, or even something abstract like an emotion. This type of essay is administered by teachers and professors to gauge your understanding of language.
In this article, we will guide you through everything there is to know about descriptive essays. This includes the descriptive essay definition, some descriptive essay topics, and various examples. To help you in your essay-writing process, we have also included an outline of a descriptive essay.
But let’s start from the beginning: What is a descriptive essay?
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What is a descriptive essay?
A descriptive essay is a highly creative form of writing which describes an object, person, location, experience, emotion, or situation. It makes use of vivid imagery and different figures of speech to create a beautiful and immersive experience for the reader.
This type of essay is often assigned in creative writing courses in schools or colleges. It does not involve the presentation of arguments or information. It just involves creatively expressing yourself with the help of various language devices.
Unlike a narrative essay which involves telling a story, a descriptive essay only focuses on one particular object or idea. Although most essay topics are non-fictional, descriptive essay topics can either be fictional or non-fictional.
Let us look at a few examples of topics for a descriptive essay.
Descriptive essay topics
Since writing a descriptive essay is a creative form of writing, it can cover a wide range of topics. These topics can range from practical experiences such as “My Grandpa’s Couch” to thought experiments such as “Living in a world with no concept of time”.
Here are a few more descriptive essay topics:
- Exploring a ghost town
- A starry night in the mountains
- A day in the life of an explorer
- Trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Wandering through the Swiss meadows
- My childhood home
- Memories of grandma’s farm
- Experiencing euphoria for the first time
- My description of utopia
- My most treasured possession
Descriptive essay structure
Since descriptive essays are highly creative in nature, the descriptive essay structure is much more fluid as compared to most academic essay types. Although they do follow a general structure, there is no specific descriptive essay format. It serves more as a guideline than a hard and fast rule.
Descriptive essays generally don’t revolve around proving a point or making an argument. The goal is to simply provide a vivid and detailed description of a particular subject.
Let’s study the basic structure of a descriptive essay:
1. Introduction
Wondering how to start a descriptive essay? Like all essay types, the introduction of a descriptive essay is composed of three key elements: A hook, some background information, and a thesis statement.
However, the thesis statement of a descriptive essay is different from the thesis statements of most academic essays. It simply makes a claim regarding the subject of your choosing.
Here’s an example of a descriptive essay introduction:
- Background information
- Thesis statement
The last day of school—a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work and growth. Excitement hangs in the air as students gather for one final day of shared experiences and unforgettable memories. The hallways buzz with chatter and laughter, mingling with the anticipation of summer freedom. It’s a day of mixed emotions, as the promise of lazy days ahead clashes with the bittersweet farewell to teachers and classmates who have become like family. The last day of school is a mosaic of emotions, a snapshot of a moment that holds the weight of an entire academic journey, and a prelude to the new adventures that lie just beyond the horizon.
2. Body paragraph
A descriptive essay usually has three body paragraphs. However, the length and number of paragraphs may vary depending on the complexity and scope of your essay topic.
A body paragraph comprises of a topic sentence that focuses on a particular aspect of the subject. The topic sentence is elaborated upon by sensory, contextual, and emotional descriptors. Each paragraph ends with a transition sentence that provides context for the next paragraph.
Let’s understand this better with the help of an example:
- Topic sentence
- Description
- Transition sentence
Classrooms brim with finality and accomplishment. Doodles and scribbles now grace once-neat desks, testifying to idle daydreams and shared laughter. Colorful displays and academic achievements adorn the walls, silently witnessing each student’s growth. Empty lockers echo the countless exchanges and whispered secrets they once held. Yearbooks circulate like cherished artifacts, pages filled with smiling faces and heartfelt messages. Laughter and hugs fill the hallways as friends make promises to keep in touch and embark on summer adventures. The last day of school etches indelible memories, a tapestry of nostalgia and celebration that encapsulates the joy, camaraderie, and growth of their academic journey.
3. Conclusion
The conclusion of your essay should begin with the restatement of your thesis statement along with its broader implications. You can then provide a quick summary of all the important aspects mentioned in the body paragraphs.
Finally, you can end your essay with a powerful statement or a clincher. This can include anything from a powerful lesson to a thought-provoking quote. The goal is to leave the reader with something to think about.
Here’s an example:
- Restated thesis statement
- Summary of body paragraphs
- Concluding statement
As the final bell echoes through the hallways and students scatter in all directions, school leaves behind a lingering sense of closure and anticipation. It is a day filled with mixed emotions—a blend of nostalgia for the memories created, gratitude for the knowledge gained, and excitement for the new chapter that awaits. The last day of school symbolizes a milestone in each student’s journey, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It is a time to reflect on the growth, challenges overcome, and friendships forged along the way. The last day of school is not an end, but rather a stepping stone towards new horizons, where each student will continue to learn, explore, and thrive.
Now that we’ve understood how to structure a descriptive essay, let’s figure out how to write it!
How to write a descriptive essay
In order to write a perfect descriptive essay you must effectively make use of multiple creative writing devices. These creative writing devices include figures of speech, imagery, sensory and emotional descriptors, as well as evocative language.
If you find the essay writing process challenging, we’re here to equip you with essential tips on writing a descriptive essay. Let’s take a look at how to write a descriptive essay:
1. Use figures of speech
Literary devices such as similies, metaphors, and imagery are creative devices that describe an object or a person in a figurative sense. These creative devices add an element of interest to your essay, making it more vivid, vibrant, and colorful.
The use of figures of speech can turn an otherwise boring piece of writing into a masterpiece. Take a look at the following example:
On that spot stood an old banyan tree with thick bark and intertwining branches.
Although this example is a good start, it can be made much more interesting with the use of figures of speech.
On that spot stood an old banyan tree with its resolve as strong as iron. Its arms intertwined as they reached for the skies, yearning for the sun.
The use of literary devices such as personification and metaphor makes the banyan tree in the second example come to life. This is how you can make your writing more vivid, descriptive, and poetic.
2. Use your senses
Sensory descriptors are one of the most important aspects of a descriptive essay. The key is to make the reader experience what you’ve experienced. This means appealing to all five senses of the reader.
Although the visual aspect is important, you should also focus on how something sounds, feels, and smells. The experience of touching, smelling, or feeling something is more evocative than simply viewing it.
Some sensory descriptors are used in a literal sense:
The smell of rain in July takes me back to my childhood. The pitter-patter reminds me of my mother’s footsteps, bringing us delicious snacks.
They can also be used metaphorically:
The beautiful, cold gaze of the moon stunned us all.
3. Use evocative language
It is a good idea to use strong, evocative language that conveys an intense action or emotion. Creative use of words is an important factor in writing a descriptive essay since passive language leads to a dull, boring essay. Let’s take a look at the following sentences:
The 100-meter race was completed by Usain Bolt in under 10 seconds.
Usian Bolt whizzed through the 100-meter race in under 10 seconds!
The use of the word “completed” indicates no action and the use of passive voice makes the example dull. On the other hand, the phrase “whizzed through” indicates speed and intensity which makes the second example much more interesting to read.
Now that we’ve understood the different methods of writing a descriptive essay, let’s understand its outline.
Descriptive essay outline
The outline of a descriptive essay is less structured compared to most academic essay types. It merely serves as a guideline that you can use to flesh out your essay. It also helps you develop a coherent structure and logical flow for your topic sentences.
In order to help you further develop your essay, we’ve created an outline for your reference. The following descriptive essay outline revolves around the nostalgia experienced when going through an old diary.
Turning the Pages of Time
I. Introduction
A. Hook: Engaging opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention.
B. Background: Briefly explain the significance of finding your old diary and the memories associated with it.
C. Thesis statement: Clearly state the main idea of the essay, highlighting the emotional journey of rediscovering your old diary.
II. The discovery
A. Setting the scene: Describe the circumstances and location where you stumbled upon your old diary.
B. Initial emotions: Express the range of emotions that flooded your mind upon finding the diary.
C. Anticipation: Share the anticipation and curiosity about what lies within the pages of the diary.
III. The diary’s contents
A. Opening the pages: Describe the physical act of opening the diary and the smell and texture of the pages.
B. Memories unfolded: Reflect on the memories and experiences captured in the diary entries.
C. Emotional impact: Discuss the emotional response evoked by reading your own words and reliving past moments.
IV. Nostalgic reflections
A. Time traveling: Explain how reading the diary transported you back to the time and place when the entries were written.
B. Reconnecting with your past self: Describe the process of reconnecting with your past self and reevaluating your thoughts and experiences.
C. Lessons and insights: Highlight any valuable lessons, self-discoveries, or personal growth revealed through the diary’s contents.
V. Resonating with present self
A. Relevance to current life: Discuss how the insights and reflections from the diary still resonate with your present self.
B. Perspective shifts: Explain any shifts in perspective or newfound understanding that arose from revisiting the diary.
C. Appreciation: Express gratitude for the diary and its role in preserving and enriching your personal history.
VI. Cherishing the rediscovery
A. Preservation: Discuss the steps you took to preserve and protect the diary after finding it.
B. Future reflections: Share your intentions and plans for continuing the habit of journaling or preserving personal memories.
C. Closing thoughts: Reflect on the lasting impact of finding your old diary and the value of personal reflection and self-expression.
VII. Conclusion
A. Recap: Summarize the emotional journey of rediscovering your old diary.
B. Significance: Emphasize the personal and emotional significance of reconnecting with your past self through the diary.
C. Closing remarks: Conclude with a reflection on the power of personal artifacts and the importance of preserving one’s history.
Now that we have taken a look at the descriptive essay structure let’s look at an example.
Descriptive essay example
To help you better understand the process of descriptive essay writing, we’ve constructed an example. The following example revolves around an imaginary situation. It describes the writer’s voyage through the cosmos.
Exploring the Cosmos
As the rocket engines ignited, the powerful thrust propelled us into the vast expanse of space. The vibrations rattled through the cabin, merging with the palpable anticipation that filled the air. We were embarking on a remarkable journey through the cosmos, leaving behind the familiarity of Earth and venturing into the unknown.
Outside the small window, the twinkling stars grew brighter, casting a mesmerizing glow on the infinite darkness. The view was awe-inspiring as if we were floating amidst a sea of diamonds, each one beckoning us to explore its mysteries. The depth and grandeur of space stretched out before us, reminding us of the minuscule nature of our existence in the universe.
As we traversed through the cosmic void, weightlessness engulfed our bodies, releasing us from the Earth’s gravitational pull. Every movement became a ballet, effortlessly gliding from one corner of the spacecraft to another. The sensation was both exhilarating and disorienting as if the boundaries of physical limitations had dissolved.
The silence in space was profound, a symphony of tranquility. Without the interference of atmospheric sounds, we were left with the gentle hum of the spaceship’s systems and the rhythmic beating of our own hearts. It was a humbling reminder of the vastness and serenity that lay beyond our home planet.
Farther into our journey, celestial bodies came into view, captivating us with their sheer beauty. The fiery hues of neighboring planets illuminated the darkness, displaying their own distinct personalities. We marveled at the majestic rings of Saturn, a delicate masterpiece encircling the giant planet, and the crimson swirls of Jupiter, a tempestuous giant with its own cosmic dance.
Time seemed to lose its grip on the vastness of space. Hours felt like mere moments as we traveled through light-years, witnessing the unimaginable beauty of celestial phenomena. We were reminded of the sheer magnitude of the cosmos, a testament to the wonders that lie beyond our earthly confines.
Eventually, the time came for us to return to our home planet. As we reentered Earth’s atmosphere, the fiery descent illuminated the sky, marking our triumphant return. The journey through space left an everlasting mark on our souls, forever changing our perception of our place in the universe.
Our journey was more than a physical exploration; it was a voyage of wonder and introspection. It taught us the fragility and interconnectedness of all things and ignited an insatiable curiosity to continue unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. We were forever transformed by the immensity and beauty that awaited us beyond our pale blue dot in the vast expanse of space.
After writing the essay, it’s important to edit and proofread it, which is a not easy. If you find essay editing challenging, you can consider taking the help of an essay editing service .
Want to keep reading? Here are the newest articles we’ve worked on:
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How to Write a Descriptive Essay | Example & Tips
Published on July 30, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on August 14, 2023.
A descriptive essay gives a vivid, detailed description of something—generally a place or object, but possibly something more abstract like an emotion. This type of essay , like the narrative essay , is more creative than most academic writing .
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Table of contents
Descriptive essay topics, tips for writing descriptively, descriptive essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about descriptive essays.
When you are assigned a descriptive essay, you’ll normally be given a specific prompt or choice of prompts. They will often ask you to describe something from your own experience.
- Describe a place you love to spend time in.
- Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.
You might also be asked to describe something outside your own experience, in which case you’ll have to use your imagination.
- Describe the experience of a soldier in the trenches of World War I.
- Describe what it might be like to live on another planet.
Sometimes you’ll be asked to describe something more abstract, like an emotion.
If you’re not given a specific prompt, try to think of something you feel confident describing in detail. Think of objects and places you know well, that provoke specific feelings or sensations, and that you can describe in an interesting way.
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The key to writing an effective descriptive essay is to find ways of bringing your subject to life for the reader. You’re not limited to providing a literal description as you would be in more formal essay types.
Make use of figurative language, sensory details, and strong word choices to create a memorable description.
Use figurative language
Figurative language consists of devices like metaphor and simile that use words in non-literal ways to create a memorable effect. This is essential in a descriptive essay; it’s what gives your writing its creative edge and makes your description unique.
Take the following description of a park.
This tells us something about the place, but it’s a bit too literal and not likely to be memorable.
If we want to make the description more likely to stick in the reader’s mind, we can use some figurative language.
Here we have used a simile to compare the park to a face and the trees to facial hair. This is memorable because it’s not what the reader expects; it makes them look at the park from a different angle.
You don’t have to fill every sentence with figurative language, but using these devices in an original way at various points throughout your essay will keep the reader engaged and convey your unique perspective on your subject.
Use your senses
Another key aspect of descriptive writing is the use of sensory details. This means referring not only to what something looks like, but also to smell, sound, touch, and taste.
Obviously not all senses will apply to every subject, but it’s always a good idea to explore what’s interesting about your subject beyond just what it looks like.
Even when your subject is more abstract, you might find a way to incorporate the senses more metaphorically, as in this descriptive essay about fear.
Choose the right words
Writing descriptively involves choosing your words carefully. The use of effective adjectives is important, but so is your choice of adverbs , verbs , and even nouns.
It’s easy to end up using clichéd phrases—“cold as ice,” “free as a bird”—but try to reflect further and make more precise, original word choices. Clichés provide conventional ways of describing things, but they don’t tell the reader anything about your unique perspective on what you’re describing.
Try looking over your sentences to find places where a different word would convey your impression more precisely or vividly. Using a thesaurus can help you find alternative word choices.
- My cat runs across the garden quickly and jumps onto the fence to watch it from above.
- My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above.
However, exercise care in your choices; don’t just look for the most impressive-looking synonym you can find for every word. Overuse of a thesaurus can result in ridiculous sentences like this one:
- My feline perambulates the allotment proficiently and capers atop the palisade to regard it from aloft.
An example of a short descriptive essay, written in response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” is shown below.
Hover over different parts of the text to see how a descriptive essay works.
On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.
My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.
With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…
Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.
Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.
If you’re not given a specific prompt for your descriptive essay , think about places and objects you know well, that you can think of interesting ways to describe, or that have strong personal significance for you.
The best kind of object for a descriptive essay is one specific enough that you can describe its particular features in detail—don’t choose something too vague or general.
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How to Write a Strong Descriptive Essay
Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked
Brainstorming Ideas for the Essay
Writing the essay, polishing the essay, outline for a descriptive essay, expert q&a.
This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,529,685 times.
A good descriptive essay creates a vivid picture of the topic in the reader’s mind. You may need to write a descriptive essay as a class assignment or you may decide to write one as a fun writing challenge. Start by brainstorming ideas for the essay. Then, outline and write the essay using vivid sensory details and strong descriptions. Always polish your essay and proofread it so it is at its best.
Best Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay
Outline the essay in sections and create a thesis statement to base the essay on. Then, write a strong introduction and describe the subject matter using creative and vivid adjectives. Use similes, metaphors, and your own emotions to help you bring the topic to life.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 1 Choose a person to describe.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1d/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-1-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-1-Version-3.jpg)
- You could also choose a fictional person to write about, such as a character in a book, a story, or a play. You could write about a character on your favorite TV show or video game.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 2 Pick a place or object to describe.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/3/3b/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-2-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-2-Version-3.jpg)
- Another take on this option is to write about a made-up place or object, such as the fantastical school in your favorite book or the magic wand from your favorite TV show.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 3 Select an emotion to describe.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/68/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-3-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-3-Version-3.jpg)
- You could also choose a more specific emotion, such as brotherly love or self-hatred. These emotions can make for powerful descriptive essays.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 4 Make a list of sensory details about the topic.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7b/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-4-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-4-Version-3.jpg)
- For example, if you were writing about a person like your mother, you may write down under “sound” : “soft voice at night, clack of her shoes on the floor tiles, bang of the spoon when she cooks.”
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 1 Outline the essay in sections.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/40/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-5-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-5-Version-3.jpg)
- If you are writing the essay for a class, your instructor should specify if they want a five paragraph essay or if you have the freedom to use sections instead.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 2 Create a ...](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/7b/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-6-Version-2.jpg)
- For example, if you were writing a descriptive essay about your mother, you may have a thesis statement like: “In many ways, my mother is the reigning queen of our house, full of contradictions that we are too afraid to question.”
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 3 Write a strong introduction.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/55/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-7-Version-3.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-7-Version-3.jpg)
- For example, if you were writing the essay about your mom, you may start with: “My mother is not like other mothers. She is a fierce protector and a mysterious woman to my sisters and I.”
- If you were writing an essay about an object, you may start with: "Try as I might, I had a hard time keeping my pet rock alive."
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 4 Describe the topic with vivid adjectives.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/13/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-8-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-8-Version-2.jpg)
- You can also use adjectives that connect to the senses, such “rotting,” “bright,” “hefty,” “rough,” and “pungent.”
- For example, you may describe your mother as "bright," "tough," and "scented with jasmine."
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 5 Use metaphors and similes.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/53/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-9-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-9-Version-2.jpg)
- You can also use similes, where you use “like” or “as” to compare one thing to another. For example, you may write, “My mother is like a fierce warrior in battle, if the battlefield were PTA meetings and the checkout line at the grocery store.”
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 6 Discuss your emotions and thoughts about the topic.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1b/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-10-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-10-Version-2.jpg)
- For example, you may write about your complicated feelings about your mother. You may note that you feel sadness about your mother’s sacrifices for the family and joy for the privileges you have in your life because of her.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 7 Wrap up the essay with a strong conclusion.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/08/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-11-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-11-Version-2.jpg)
- For example, you may end a descriptive essay about your mother by noting, “In all that she has sacrificed for us, I see her strength, courage, and fierce love for her family, traits I hope to emulate in my own life.”
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 1 Read the essay out loud.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b1/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-12-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-12-Version-2.jpg)
- You can also read the essay aloud to others to get their feedback. Ask them to let you know if there are any unclear or vague sentences in the essay.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 2 Show the essay to others.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/ca/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-13-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-13-Version-2.jpg)
- Be open to constructive criticism and feedback from others. This will only make your essay stronger.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Step 3 Revise the essay for clarity and length.](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/4b/Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-14-Version-2.jpg/v4-460px-Write-a-Descriptive-Essay-Step-14-Version-2.jpg)
- If you have a word count requirement for the essay, make sure you meet it. Add more detail to the paper or take unnecessary content out to reach the word count.
![how do you start a descriptive essay how do you start a descriptive essay](https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/73/Outline-for-a-Descriptive-Essay_sample.png/340px-Outline-for-a-Descriptive-Essay_sample.png)
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- Start your essay with an attention-grabbing introduction that gives a good sense of the topic.
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- ↑ https://www.writeexpress.com/descriptive-essay.html
- ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.iup.edu/writingcenter/writing-resources/organization-and-structure/descriptive-writing.html
- ↑ https://spcollege.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=10168248
- ↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/descriptive_essay.html
- ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/descriptive_essays.html
About This Article
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To write a descriptive essay, start by choosing a topic, like a person, place, or specific emotion. Next, write down a list of sensory details about the topic, like how it sounds, smells, and feels. After this brainstorming session, outline the essay, dividing it into an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Open with a vivid introduction that uses sensory details, then introduce your thesis statement, which the rest of your essay should support. Strengthen your essay further by using metaphors and similes to describe your topic, and the emotions it evokes. To learn how to put the finishing touches on your essay, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
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What is a Descriptive Essay? How to Write It (with Examples)
![pexels-askar-abayev-6193638 What is a Descriptive Essay? How to Write It (with Examples)](https://pp-blog.paperpal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pexels-askar-abayev-6193638-1170x781.jpg)
A descriptive essay is a type of creative writing that uses specific language to depict a person, object, experience, or event. The idea is to use illustrative language to show readers what the writer wants to convey – it could be as simple as a peaceful view from the top of a hill or as horrific as living in a war zone. By using descriptive language, authors can evoke a mental image in the readers’ minds, engaging readers and leaving a lasting impression, instead of just providing a play-by-play narrative.
Note that a description and descriptive essay are not the same thing. A descriptive essay typically consists of five or more well-written paragraphs with vivid imagery that can help readers visualize the content, as opposed to a description, which is typically one or more plain paragraphs with no particular structure or appeal. If you are still unsure about how to write a compelling descriptive essay, continue reading!
Table of Contents
What is a descriptive essay, types of descriptive essay topics.
- Characteristics of descriptive essays
How to write a descriptive essay using a structured outline
Frequently asked questions.
A simple descriptive essay definition is that it is a piece of writing that gives a thorough and vivid description of an object, person, experience, or situation. It is sometimes focused more on the emotional aspect of the topic rather than the specifics. The author’s intention when writing a descriptive essay is to help readers visualize the subject at hand. Generally, students are asked to write a descriptive essay to test their ability to recreate a rich experience with artistic flair. Here are a few key points to consider when you begin writing these.
- Look for a fascinating subject
You might be assigned a topic for your descriptive essay, but if not, you must think of a subject that interests you and about which you know enough facts. It might be about an emotion, place, event, or situation that you might have experienced.
![how do you start a descriptive essay](https://pp-blog.paperpal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RPaperpal_BlogBanners-1_02_.png)
- Acquire specific details about the topic
The next task is to collect relevant information about the topic of your choice. You should focus on including details that make the descriptive essay stand out and have a long-lasting impression on the readers. To put it simply, your aim is to make the reader feel as though they were a part of the experience in the first place, rather than merely describing the subject.
- Be playful with your writing
To make the descriptive essay memorable, use figurative writing and imagery to lay emphasis on the specific aspect of the topic. The goal is to make sure that the reader experiences the content visually, so it must be captivating and colorful. Generally speaking, “don’t tell, show”! This can be accomplished by choosing phrases that evoke strong emotions and engage a variety of senses. Making use of metaphors and similes will enable you to compare different things. We will learn about them in the upcoming sections.
- Capture all the different senses
Unlike other academic articles, descriptive essay writing uses sensory elements in addition to the main idea. In this type of essay writing, the topic is described by using sensory details such as smell, taste, feel, and touch. Example “ Mahira feels most at home when the lavender scent fills her senses as she lays on her bed after a long, tiring day at work . As the candle melts , so do her worries” . It is crucial to provide sensory details to make the character more nuanced and build intrigue to keep the reader hooked. Metaphors can also be employed to explain abstract concepts; for instance, “ A small act of kindness creates ripples that transcend oceans .” Here the writer used a metaphor to convey the emotion that even the smallest act of kindness can have a larger impact.
- Maintain harmony between flavor and flow
The descriptive essay format is one that can be customized according to the topic. However, like other types of essays, it must have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The number of body paragraphs can vary depending on the topic and available information.
It is crucial to remember that a descriptive essay should have a specific topic and goal, such as sharing personal experiences or expressing emotions like the satisfaction of a good meal. This is accomplished by employing exact language, imagery, and figurative language to illustrate concrete features. These language devices allow the writer to craft a descriptive essay that effectively transmits a particular mood, feeling, or incident to readers while also conjuring up strong mental imagery. A descriptive essay may be creative, or it may be based on the author’s own experiences. Below is a description of a few descriptive essay examples that fit into these categories.
- Personal descriptive essay example
A personal essay can look like a descriptive account of your favorite activity, a place in your neighborhood, or an object that you value. Example: “ As I step out of the front door, the crisp morning air greets me with a gentle embrace; the big chestnut tree in front, sways in the wind as if saying hello to me. The world unfolds in a symphony of awakening colors, promising a day filled with untold possibilities that make me feel alive and grateful to be born again”.
- Imaginative descriptive essay example
You may occasionally be required to write descriptive essays based on your imagination or on subjects unrelated to your own experiences. The prompts for these kinds of creative essays could be to describe the experience of someone going through heartbreak or to write about a day in the life of a barista. Imaginative descriptive essays also allow you to describe different emotions. Example, the feelings a parent experiences on holding their child for the first time.
Characteristics of descriptive essay s
The aim of a descriptive essay is to provide a detailed and vivid description of a person, place, object, event, or experience. The main goal is to create a sensory experience for the reader. Through a descriptive essay, the reader may be able to experience foods, locations, activities, or feelings that they might not otherwise be able to. Additionally, it gives the writer a way to relate to the readers by sharing a personal story. The following is a list of the essential elements of a descriptive essay:
- Sensory details
- Clear, succinct language
- Organized structure
- Thesis statement
- Appeal to emotion
![how do you start a descriptive essay](https://pp-blog.paperpal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/blog-banner_extra.png)
How to write a descriptive essay, with examples
Writing an engaging descriptive essay is all about bringing the subject matter to life for the reader so they can experience it with their senses—smells, tastes, and textures. The upside of writing a descriptive essay is you don’t have to stick to the confinements of formal essay writing, rather you are free to use a figurative language, with sensory details, and clever word choices that can breathe life to your descriptive essay. Let’s take a closer look at how you can use these components to develop a descriptive essay that will stand out, using examples.
- Figurative language
Have you ever heard the expression “shooting for the stars”? It refers to pushing someone to strive higher or establish lofty goals, but it does not actually mean shooting for the stars. This is an example of using figurative language for conveying strong motivational emotions. In a descriptive essay, figurative language is employed to grab attention and emphasize points by creatively drawing comparisons and exaggerations. But why should descriptive essays use metaphorical language? One it adds to the topic’s interest and humor; two, it facilitates the reader’s increased connection to the subject.
These are the five most often used figurative language techniques: personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole, and allusion.
- Simile: A simile is a figure of speech that is used to compare two things while emphasizing and enhancing the description using terms such as “like or as.”
Example: Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving – Albert Einstein
- Metaphor: A metaphor are also used to draw similarities, but without using direct or literal comparisons like done in similes.
Example: Books are the mirrors of the soul – Virginia Woolf, Between the acts
- Personification: This is the process of giving nonhuman or abstract objects human traits. Any human quality, including an emotional component, a physical attribute, or an action, can be personified.
Example: Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world – Louis Pasteur
- Hyperbole: This is an extreme form of exaggeration, frequently impractical, and usually employed to emphasize a point or idea. It gives the character more nuance and complexity.
Example: The force will be with you, always – Star Wars
- Allusion: This is when you reference a person, work, or event without specifically mentioning them; this leaves room for the reader’s creativity.
Example: In the text below, Robert Frost uses the biblical Garden of Eden as an example to highlight the idea that nothing, not even paradise, endures forever.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay
– Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost (1923)
Descriptive essays need a combination of figurative language and strong sensory details to make the essay more memorable. This is when authors describe the subject matter employing senses like smell, sound, touch, and taste so that the reader can relate to it better.
Example of a sensory-based descriptive essay: The earthy fragrance of freshly roasted chestnuts and the sight of bright pink, red, orange fallen leaves on the street reminded her that winter was around the corner.
- Word choice
Word choice is everything in a descriptive essay. For the description to be enchanting, it is essential to utilize the right adjectives and to carefully consider the verbs, nouns, and adverbs. Use unusual terms and phrases that offer a new viewpoint on your topic matter instead of overusing clichés like “fast as the wind” or “lost track of time,” which can make your descriptive essay seem uninteresting and unoriginal.
See the following examples:
Bad word choice: I was so happy because the sunset was really cool.
Good word choice: I experienced immense joy as the sunset captivated me with its remarkable colors and breathtaking beauty.
- Descriptive essay format and outline
Descriptive essay writing does not have to be disorganized, it is advisable to use a structured format to organize your thoughts and ensure coherent flow in your writing. Here is a list of components that should be a part of your descriptive essay outline:
- Introduction
- Opening/hook sentence
- Topic sentence
- Body paragraphs
- Concrete details
- Clincher statement
![how do you start a descriptive essay](https://pp-blog.paperpal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AllAccess_BlogBanner_640x139_02.png)
Introduction:
- Hook: An opening statement that captures attention while introducing the subject.
- Background: Includes a brief overview of the topic the descriptive essay is based on.
- Thesis statement: Clearly states the main point or purpose of the descriptive essay.
Body paragraphs: Each paragraph should have
- Topic sentence: Introduce the first aspect or feature you will describe. It informs the reader about what is coming next.
- Sensory details: Use emphatic language to appeal to the reader’s senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell).
- Concrete details: These are actual details needed to understand the context of the descriptive essay.
- Supporting details: Include relevant information or examples to improve the description.
Conclusion:
- Summarize key points: Here you revisit the main features or aspects of the subject.
- Restate thesis statement: Reinforce the central impression or emotion.
- Clincher statement: Conclude with a statement that summarizes the entire essay and serve as the last words with a powerful message.
Revision and editing:
- Go over your essay to make sure it is coherent, clear, and consistent.
- Check for logical paragraph transitions by proofreading the content.
- Examine text to ensure correct grammar, punctuation, and style.
- Use the thesaurus or AI paraphrasing tools to find the right words.
A descriptive essay often consists of three body paragraphs or more, an introduction that concludes with a thesis statement, and a conclusion that summarizes the subject and leaves a lasting impression on readers.
A descriptive essay’s primary goal is to captivate the reader by writing a thorough and vivid explanation of the subject matter, while appealing to their various senses. A list of additional goals is as follows: – Spark feeling and imagination – Create a vivid experience – Paint a mental picture – Pique curiosity – Convey a mood or atmosphere – Highlight specific details
Although they both fall within the creative writing category, narrative essays and descriptive essays have different storytelling focuses. While the main goal of a narrative essay is to tell a story based on a real-life experience or a made-up event, the main goal of a descriptive essay is to vividly describe a person, location, event, or emotion.
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How to Take Descriptive Writing to the Next Level
![how do you start a descriptive essay Lindsay Kramer](https://contenthub-static.grammarly.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LKprofilepic-124x124.jpg)
Sometimes, writing feels like you’re climbing up a hill. A slippery, muddy hill. During a rainstorm.
Even when the words are there, it can be tough to get the feeling onto the page. You might have listed the events you’re covering and presented all the facts clearly and logically, but when your writing doesn’t feel engaging, something’s missing. That something is descriptive writing.
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Descriptive writing consists of a variety of techniques and choices you make in an effort to give your reader an accurate, three-dimensional impression of the subject you’re writing about. It’s part word choice , part figurative language, part comparison, and part knowing what to include and what to leave out of your writing to set just the right mood .
Table of contents
When to use descriptive writing, descriptive writing techniques, sensory writing, personification, onomatopoeia, give your writing extra polish.
Use descriptive writing almost anywhere your writing can benefit from immersive scene-setting. Most kinds of writing can benefit from a little bit of descriptive writing. Some, like fiction, poetry, and memoir, can benefit from a lot of it.
Instead of listing all the types of writing that can benefit from descriptive words, phrases, and sentences, here is the short list of the kinds of writing where this type of content is not appropriate:
- Technical writing
- Academic writing
- Professional emails and other correspondences
Descriptive writing is juicy. It evokes the reader’s senses. It’s the perfect tool for accurately communicating something that isn’t tangible, and that’s precisely why it’s not appropriate for the more formal, objective kinds of writing listed above.
Use descriptive writing when your goal is for the reader to feel like they’re standing in your shoes. The most effective way to write about the euphoric feeling of affection you felt when you adopted your puppy may be to use descriptive writing techniques to make the reader feel like they’re the one seeing Fluffy wag her tail and feeling her lick your hand, rather than simply listing her physical features. Descriptive writing promotes empathy in your reader and personalizes your work.
There are lots of different ways you can make your writing more descriptive. Here are a few of the most common descriptive writing techniques:
A metaphor is a descriptive technique that likens one thing to another. Take a look at these examples of common metaphors:
- My child is the light of my life.
- He’s the black sheep of our family.
- She’s a tornado that destroys everything in her path.
By stating that one object is another, you’re saying they share certain traits. You aren’t saying they’re indistinguishable or that they’re actually the same object; you’re expressing that the reader will encounter these specific traits in a very similar way in both objects.
A simile is like a metaphor . And yes, that was a simile.
Just like a metaphor, a simile describes something by comparing it to something else. The difference between the two is that a simile uses the word “like,” “so,” “than,” or “as” to make the comparison. For example:
- The building was as tall as Mt. Fuji.
- She drives faster than a NASCAR racer.
- They ate like a bunch of vultures.
With a simile, the comparison typically isn’t literal—it’s hyperbole that emphasizes the statement being made, much like it does with a metaphor. If you aren’t familiar with the term “hyperbole,” don’t fret—we’re covering it later on in this section.
Sensory writing depicts a scene through your senses. Take a look at these examples:
- When the cool water splashed my face, the contrast made me realize just how red-hot my skin had gotten.
- Their home always smelled like freshly baked cookies; a constant cloud of chocolatey, sweet warmth wafted through the house.
- The sticky substance reached every centimeter of my skin, oozing into my pores and gluing my fingers and toes together.
As you can see, sensory writing typically incorporates other kinds of descriptive writing, like similes, metaphors, and hyperbole.
Freewriting is a great way to channel your senses and craft some spot-on sensory writing. Just open your word processor or notebook and start writing what you think, feel, or have experienced. There are no rules, no restrictions—just move everything that’s happening in your mind onto the page, walking through sensations like how you feel, what you hear, what you see, and what these sensations are driving you to do.
When you use an extreme statement to make a point, you’re using hyperbole . Here are a few quick examples:
- It was a million degrees out yesterday.
- I haven’t heard that name in a hundred years.
- He was the sweetest boyfriend ever.
You know it wasn’t actually a million degrees, you most likely haven’t been alive long enough to not have heard a specific name in the past century, and surely there are many other boyfriends who are kind and thoughtful. But when you say things like this, you aren’t confusing or lying to your listener—you’re intentionally exaggerating to express just how extreme something was: It was very hot outside, you haven’t heard that name in a long time, and your boyfriend was very romantic.
It was a joyful bouquet. Each flower had a distinct, vibrant face and together, they were a happy choir of enthusiastic friends, ready to break into song at any moment.
We’re talking about flowers here and, as you know, flowers don’t have faces, voices, or friendships. But see how giving the flowers in this description human qualities like faces, voices, and interpersonal bonds gives you a clear image of the bouquet being described? It’s not just a collection of flowers; it’s a coherent group of fresh, healthy, colorful flowers.
Onomatopoeia are words for specific sounds. If you’ve ever watched the live Batman TV show from the 1960s, you’ve seen such onomatopoeia as “bam!” and “thwap!” flash across the screen during the fight scenes, creating a comic book-like feel. That’s what onomatopoeia does—it immerses you in the scene by giving it a “soundtrack.”
What is a descriptive essay?
A descriptive essay is an essay focused on describing something. That “something” can be anything, such as an event, a place, an experience, an object, or even a person. Descriptive essays aren’t exactly the same as other kinds of essays , though you might find yourself using descriptive writing in other essay types to strengthen your argument.
In a descriptive essay, your goal is to make the reader feel like they’re experiencing the subject you’re describing firsthand. For example, let’s say you’ve been assigned to write a descriptive essay about the role pizza plays in your campus culture.
Your descriptive essay might include lines and passages like:
Sweet relief came over me when I got that notification text saying my pizza had arrived. My stomach was roaring; it was 2:00 a.m. and I hadn’t eaten since dinner at 6:00. Unlike my roommate, whose study habits and time management allowed her to go to bed at midnight, I was up working on a paper that was due in about eight hours. Thick socks on my feet, I quietly stepped away from my desk and out into the hallway to meet the driver at the door. The pizza was already paid for, so all I needed to do was take my hot pie of cheesy stamina from his nocturnal hands and get back to work. While walking back to my room, the garlicky smell emanating from the box lulled me into a state of relieved relaxation, but this relaxation was gone in a flash when I realized where my key was: not in my pocket, but sitting on my desk.
Compare this to a cause-and-effect essay on the same topic. Instead of trying to make your reader’s mouth water, you’d instead craft a narrative of the effect the local pizza shop has had on your campus culture. You might start by discussing the food options you had before it opened and how the pizza shop upgraded students’ access to delicious food and changed their approach to ordering out. In a persuasive essay , your goal might be to convince the reader that adding the pizza shop to the list of local vendors who accept meal plan credits is a good idea, and in an analytical essay, you’d state a specific position about the pizza shop (for instance, how it’s an inextricable part of campus life). And you’d defend that position with clear evidence (more than half of the pizza shop’s deliveries are to campus, the shop regularly hires students, and the shop caters a significant number of events on campus, for example).
Crafting a compelling piece of descriptive writing can be tough, especially if descriptive writing is new to you. The two keys to becoming a pro at descriptive writing are to read a wide variety of writing types and practice, practice, practice. This doesn’t mean you have to write an immersive novel or start cranking out poems by the page—you can train your descriptive writing muscles by working a little bit into each of your future assignments. Maybe you add a metaphor to your next history essay’s intro or work some similes into your upcoming economics presentation.
Wherever you’re working on descriptive writing, Grammarly is here to help. Before you hit “send” or “submit,” have Grammarly give your writing a once-over to catch any spelling mistakes , punctuation errors , and even instances where your tone is less than perfect for your writing’s goals. No matter what you’re aiming to achieve with your writing, Grammarly can help you achieve your goals.
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- Writing Tips
How to Write a Descriptive Essay
4-minute read
- 26th February 2020
A descriptive essay, as the name may suggest, is an essay in which you describe something. The idea is to create a vivid picture of something – a person, object, place or experience – for your reader.
But how do you write a descriptive essay? We have a few helpful tips to share.
1. Brainstorming and Organizing Your Ideas
Your first step should be to brainstorm ideas . Think about the qualities of what you’re describing. As well as physical qualities, make notes about any thoughts, memories, and emotions you associate with your subject matter.
This brainstorming will give you the raw material for your descriptive essay. The next step is to create an essay outline. Typically, this will include:
- An Introduction – An outline of what you will describe and the “thesis” for your essay (i.e., a key theme that will run through your essay and guide your description). For instance, if writing about an inspirational teacher, you could mention the importance of education in the introduction.
- Main Body – A series of paragraphs in which you describe your subject. Each paragraph should cover a single main point, then lead neatly on to the next one, adding to the overall picture you’re creating for the reader.
- Conclusion – A final paragraph where you summarize your overall essay. This is also a good place to reaffirm your essay thesis, emphasizing how your description reflects this.
Before you start writing, then, make some notes about what each paragraph in your essay will include. This will then guide the drafting process, making sure your essay has a clear structure.
2. Use Vivid, Sensory Language
A descriptive essay should paint a picture for your reader. And this means you need to use vivid, exciting language rather than a formal, academic tone. Ideas for making your essay more linguistically engaging include:
- Using sensory language to evoke how something looked, smelled, etc.
- Writing in the present tense to make the situation feel immediate.
- Describing feelings and thoughts elicited by the subject of your essay.
- Looking for dynamic adjectives and adverbs to use (e.g., you could say something made you “happy,” but “elated” or “delighted” may be stronger).
- Using metaphors, similes, and other literary techniques .
Keep your introduction in mind while writing. The language you use should serve the “thesis” you set out there, drawing the reader’s attention to specific aspects of the thing you’re describing.
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3. Show, Don’t Tell
“Show, don’t tell” refers to a technique used by authors to make their writing more engaging. Essentially, all this means is using action, description, and dialogue to paint a picture for the reader rather than simply stating something in plain language. We can see the difference below:
Telling: Miss Hardy was an engaging speaker.
Showing: When Miss Hardy spoke, everyone listened. Her voice bubbled with enthusiasm, bringing even the most mundane subjects to life.
In the first sentence, we simply tell the reader that Miss Hardy was an engaging speaker. But in the second, we try to help the reader picture being in her class, listening to her speak. And by engaging the reader’s imagination like this, we can make our description more memorable.
4. Editing and Proofreading Your Descriptive Essay
Once you have a first draft, you’ll be ready to start editing. The idea here is to go back over your essay – at least once, but possibly multiple times – to look for ways you could improve it. This drafting process may involve:
- Making sure your writing is clear, well structured, and impactful.
- Rewriting passages that feel clichéd or that could be stronger.
- Reading your essay out loud to see how well it flows.
- Ensuring that the central theme of your essay is present throughout.
And when you’ve finished redrafting, go through the essay one more time to remove any typos that remain. Alternatively, you can submit your descriptive essay for proofreading . With the expert eye of a professional editor on your side, you can be confident your writing is the best it can be.
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Descriptive Essays
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What is a descriptive essay?
The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to describe something—object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc. This genre encourages the student’s ability to create a written account of a particular experience. What is more, this genre allows for a great deal of artistic freedom (the goal of which is to paint an image that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader).
One might benefit from keeping in mind this simple maxim: If the reader is unable to clearly form an impression of the thing that you are describing, try, try again!
Here are some guidelines for writing a descriptive essay.
- Take time to brainstorm
If your instructor asks you to describe your favorite food, make sure that you jot down some ideas before you begin describing it. For instance, if you choose pizza, you might start by writing down a few words: sauce, cheese, crust, pepperoni, sausage, spices, hot, melted, etc. Once you have written down some words, you can begin by compiling descriptive lists for each one.
- Use clear and concise language.
This means that words are chosen carefully, particularly for their relevancy in relation to that which you are intending to describe.
- Choose vivid language.
Why use horse when you can choose stallion ? Why not use tempestuous instead of violent ? Or why not miserly in place of cheap ? Such choices form a firmer image in the mind of the reader and often times offer nuanced meanings that serve better one’s purpose.
- Use your senses!
Remember, if you are describing something, you need to be appealing to the senses of the reader. Explain how the thing smelled, felt, sounded, tasted, or looked. Embellish the moment with senses.
- What were you thinking?!
If you can describe emotions or feelings related to your topic, you will connect with the reader on a deeper level. Many have felt crushing loss in their lives, or ecstatic joy, or mild complacency. Tap into this emotional reservoir in order to achieve your full descriptive potential.
- Leave the reader with a clear impression.
One of your goals is to evoke a strong sense of familiarity and appreciation in the reader. If your reader can walk away from the essay craving the very pizza you just described, you are on your way to writing effective descriptive essays.
- Be organized!
It is easy to fall into an incoherent rambling of emotions and senses when writing a descriptive essay. However, you must strive to present an organized and logical description if the reader is to come away from the essay with a cogent sense of what it is you are attempting to describe.
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Writing Guides / How to Write a Descriptive Essay (2021 Edition)
How to Write a Descriptive Essay (2021 Edition)
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A descriptive essay is both expository and creative. When you write a descriptive essay, you use rich diction to make your chosen subject come alive. Your job is to describe in detail a person, place, or thing.
You describe things every day of your life. Just think: you tell your friend about the date you had last night in great detail, or you describe how good that bowl of ramen was yesterday.
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You tell your parents about your bad day at school, or you make fun of your teacher.
Writing a descriptive essay just asks you to do the same in writing.
What Is a Descriptive Essay?
Consider the difference between these two paragraphs:
Big Macs are popular because they taste good in addition to being cheap and filling. Every time I go to a McDonald’s restaurant, I order a Big Mac because when I am hungry, nothing else hits the spot. Ordering a Big Mac is a simple process. Eating a Big Mac allows me to grab a quick lunch before I go to work. Although they are unhealthy and fattening, I like Big Macs because they are salty, fatty, and delicious.
Even before I opened the door, the thick, nauseating aroma of French fries filled my nose and making me wince. The restaurant was filled with loud children, two of which screamed at the top of their lungs demanding more food from their mothers. A long line had formed at the ordering counter, and I took my place behind the last person. After a grueling five minutes of waiting, I place my order for a Big Mac. When my sandwich finally arrives, I can feel the saliva already filling my mouth. The first bite of familiar salt and fat fills my mouth with pleasure, obscuring all the inner voices telling me to stop eating such disgusting food.
Both paragraphs describe a Big Mac, notice how the second paragraph has richer detail about a specific moment in time as well as the item being described? The first paragraph is more about why you like Big Macs, whereas the second paragraph is more about the experience of ordering one. This is what a descriptive essay should be. You are asked to engage all five senses to invite your reader on a journey.
Describing With the Five Senses
In a descriptive essay , you will almost always be expected to use as many of your senses as possible. If you can use all five senses, then you can create truly fantastic descriptive essays.
The use of the five senses in your description is known as imagery .
Of course, it will not always be possible to employ all five senses in every scene but with a little practice, you might find that you are writing just as much about the taste of fear in your mouth as you are about the feel of your heart beating in your chest.
Sight: Consider color, size, shape, design patterns, straight versus curvy lines, where the item is in relation to other items, lighting.
Sound: Pitch, tone, duration, volume, intensity, melody, rhythm, cadence
Taste: Metallic, bitter, sweet, overly sweet, sour, familiar, unfamiliar
Touch: Smooth, bumpy, sharp, gummy, gooey, viscous, sandy, grainy
Smell: Garbage, sewer, tar, sulfuric, floral, fruity, overripe, coffee, like grandma’s house
Using Metaphors and Similes
One of the hallmarks of a descriptive essay is using the literary devices of metaphor and simile.
Metaphor and simile are types of figurative language .
Figurative language is the opposite of literal language.
Literal Statement
That couple has eight children.
Figurative Statement
That couple breeds like rabbits.
Both a metaphor and a simile describe something in terms of something else, to transform an unfamiliar person, place, or thing into something the reader will find familiar and can relate to.
Simile Example
Bubble tea has large black balls at the bottom called pearls. These pearls have a gummy texture, and when you chew them, they are a lot like gummy bears .
The italicized portion of this passage (“they are a lot like gummy bears”) is a simile. Bubble tea pearls are being compared with gummy bears. They are like gummy bears, even though they are not the same thing.
He stayed in the sun so long that he looked like a baboon’s butt.
In this example, you compare the person to a baboon’s butt. You could have said, “He stayed in the sun so long, he turned red,” but using the simile adds a humorous dimension to your description.
A metaphor achieves the same goal but in a more direct way. Metaphors are commonly used in tasting notes for wine.
Metaphor Example
This cabernet sauvignon has aromas of plum and fresh tobacco, with lingering notes of dark cherry.
Plum, tobacco, and dark cherry are not actual ingredients in the wine, but are the closest things that the taster will recognize when sampling it.
Metaphors function as more assertive versions of similes.
There was a tower of food on my plate.
Your plate of food was not a literal tower, but you want the reader to imagine how much food the kitchen piled onto it.
Metaphor Example:
She was an ogre that day.
The person you are describing was not a mythical creature in a literal sense, but her demeanor made her a metaphorical ogre.
[related essays]
Extended Metaphors
An extended metaphor is a descriptive writing technique in which you spend a good paragraph or so describing your object in terms of another.
Extended Metaphor Example
She was an ogre that day. Her pent-up resentment made her skin look puffy, and her lack of sleep was turning her skin chartreuse. With hunched-over shoulders, she would grumble a few words that sounded like gibberish. If you asked her to repeat what she said, she would yell or spit out abuses like, “What are you, deaf?” In true ogre spirit, she seemed ready to bite off our heads at the slightest disturbance. No amount of kind words could restore her sense of humanity.
Avoiding Cliché
While you may be tempted to use metaphors, similes, analogies, and other figurative language that is familiar to you, be careful of using clichés .
A cliché is an overused term or phrase. If you find yourself using a cliché, spend an extra minute thinking of a new way of saying the same thing. Keeping it fresh will make your descriptive essay a lot better. If you want good grades, avoid clichés as much as possible.
She eats like a horse.
She eats like a mother bear emerging from her den at the first thaw of spring.
The Difference Between Showing and Telling
When you write a descriptive essay, your job is to make a person, place, or thing come alive for a reader.
You will put your reader to sleep unless you use imagery, simile, metaphor, and other literary devices.
Example of Telling
The church was an old building, built in 1795. It was big and attractive.
Example of Showing
Most of the townsfolk thought the church was haunted. Built in 1795, the bell tower loomed over the town, casting a long dark shadow across the public square each and every afternoon.
Descriptive Essay vs. Narrative Essay
A descriptive essay is similar to a narrative essay, in that both of them may use rich detail, imagery, simile and metaphor.
However, a narrative essay tells a story. A descriptive essay does not necessarily need to have a plot : a beginning, middle, and end.
A narrative essay is almost always descriptive, but a descriptive essay is not necessarily narrative.
Unlike most other formal academic essays, descriptive essays and narrative essays can be written in either first or third person. Use whatever you prefer, or whatever the assignment instructions indicate.
Example of a Descriptive Passage in First Person
The room smelled of freshly brewed coffee when I walked in. Sunlight streamed in from the windows, causing me to squint, temporarily blinding me and making me feel cranky. I set down my book with a sudden thump, which startled my sister. She filled the cup, the sound of the liquid stream making me anticipate the rejuvenating power of caffeine. I took a sip so eagerly, I burnt my tongue on the hot liquid, but I did not care. It tasted so good, at once of chocolate and cherries. My sister makes the best coffee in the world.
Example of the Same Descriptive Passage in Third Person
The room smelled of freshly brewed coffee. Sunlight streamed in from the windows, illuminating dust particles in the air and exposing all the stains on the kitchen counter. Julie filled a cup from the carafe, breaking the silence in the room. The warm cup was comforting, and the coffee tasted like chocolate and cherries. Julie makes the best coffee in the world.
How to Write a Descriptive Essay
There are four main steps to writing a descriptive essay:
1. Picking a subject
2. Outlining and prewriting
3. Rough Draft
4. Polishing and Revision
Descriptive Essay Topics
The first step to writing a descriptive essay is picking a subject or topic you want to describe. Most descriptive essays will be about people, places, things, events/experiences, or feelings.
Someone in your family
A role model
A famous person
A character in a novel
A place you have been on vacation
A famous landmark
Your college or university
A natural setting like a forest or beach
A kitchen gadget
A food item
A music festival
A religious ritual
A party you attended
How you felt when you broke up with your first boyfriend/girlfriend
How you felt when you got into college
How you felt when you walked into a room of people you did not know
Descriptive Essay Outline
The second step in writing a descriptive essay is prewriting, including brainstorming and outlining.
Loosen up your mind by jotting down anything you can think of in relation to the person, place, or thing you are describing. Doing prewriting exercises like these will make the process of writing the essay a lot easier because you are no longer starting from a blank slate.
Do not worry about full sentences at this point. Just write down colors, smells, and anything that comes to mind.
Ask yourself some questions like:
What does this person, place, or thing remind you of?
If this person were an animal, which animal would he or she be?
Is the object you are describing hard or soft? Cold or hot? Where does the object belong, and where does it not belong?
An essay outline is the transition point between brainstorming and the essay itself. All the thoughts you had about the person, place, or thing can coalesce into the blueprint for your essay.
An essay outline is a road map for your descriptive essay. Because a descriptive essay borders on creative writing, you may not need to use a five-paragraph essay format as you would for other types of expository essays.
You may still be asked to use the five-paragraph essay structure, though:
I. Introduction
A. Tell the writer what you are about to describe.
B. Thesis statement that mentions several of the core characteristics of the person, place, or thing
II. Body paragraph one
III. Body paragraph two
IV. Body paragraph three
V. Conclusion
Another way of structuring your descriptive outline would be to use each body paragraph to describe a different aspect of the person, place, or thing.
If you are describing a person, for example, you could use the following type of outline:
A. Introduce the person
B. Thesis: This person comes from a wealthy background, has a healthy body, and good communication skills.
II. This person’s family was wealthy, but the person does not take their position of privilege for granted.
II. This person volunteers twice per week at the homeless shelter
A. This person lives in a small and humble home
III. This person maintains a healthy body
A. This person is a vegetarian
B. This person exercises every day
IV. This person has good communication skills.
A. This person listens patiently and with good eye contact
B. This person speaks calmly and focuses only on positive aspects of the situation.
A. This person shows how to live an ideal life because of their grace, discipline, and kindness.
Descriptive Essay Outline Example
Let’s say you are going to write a descriptive essay of a church service. Your outline might look like this:
A. On January 23, 2021 I visited the orthodox Greek Church in Buffalo, NY, for a Sunday service.
B. Thesis: The main features of the religious ritual included the smell of incense, the sound of chanting, and the formal attire.
II. Smells
A. Incense
B. The smell of the old building
III. Sounds
A. Chanting
B. The voice of the priest during the sermon
C. The sounds of the congregation
IV. Visuals
A. Clothing worn by clergy
B. Clothing worn by people
C. The stained glass windows, wood, and other interior design elements
A. An orthodox religious service is a multisensory experience, involving different smells, sounds, and sights that set the sacred space apart from the ordinary world.
Descriptive Essay Example
Using the above outline, we can write a rough draft.
On January 23, 2021 I visited the orthodox Greek Church in Buffalo, NY, for a Sunday service. The loud chimes of my alarm broke into my deep sleep at 7AM. Feeling the cool water on my body during my morning shower woke me up faster than coffee could, and I hustled to put on a conservative outfit: a plain blue shirt and beige pants. After a bland breakfast of crunchy but soupy cereal in milk, I sped down the road in my car towards the building I had seen before but had yet to enter. The engine purred and within five minutes I was in the Orthodox Greek Church parking lot. Walking in with a steady stream of worshippers, I took my seat in one of the back pews, all of which were made of maple wood. This was my first time attending an Orthodox Church service. The main features of the religious ritual included the smell of incense, the sound of chanting, and the formal attire.
The smells of the Orthodox Church are remarkable, exotic, and evocative. This particular church is in a historical building, and I noticed the mustiness right away. It was a pleasant mustiness, the kind that reminds me of being in an old library. The smell of old books and wood makes the church feel connected with history. Likewise, the use of frankincense and myrrh resin incense brings to mind the Biblical times. An Orthodox Church ritual feels so ancient partly because of this characteristic aroma. Incense smoke fills the air but without becoming too intense, possibly due to the good ventilation system and the high ceilings. The smell also induces a calm state of mind as the service begins.
Chanting and the droning sound of the priestly voice are the overarching sounds at the Greek Orthodox service, punctuated by the occasional cough or murmur from the congregation. Less participatory than a Protestant religious ritual, there was some audience participation in the singing. Overall, though, the Orthodox service seemed stoic because most of the sounds emanated from the high altar. The priest did most of the talking, and occasionally chanted some Biblical verses and prayers. A chorus also filled the air with angelic voices that in unison carried the hopes and dreams of the congregation to heaven. As if the incense did not already induce an altered state of consciousness, the religious chanting puts the mind into a trance state during the ceremony.
Befitting the orthodoxy of the Sunday service, all the congregants wore formal attire, and the clergy wore long flowing robes suitable to their station. The formality of the clothing matched that of the ceremony itself. There was no color scheme for the members of the congregation, except for the fact that the priest wears all black. The room was filled with both artificial and natural light streaming in from the stained glass windows and skylights. It was apparent the building had been renovated and rebuilt over the years, evidenced by the obvious new additions and annexes. The floor was also a newer tile, which clashed somewhat with the wood beams on the ceiling. Incense censers dangled from strategic places on the ceiling, and Byzantine-style gold leaf religious iconography of the saints adorned the altar.
An orthodox religious service is a multisensory experience, involving different smells, sounds, and sights that set the sacred space apart from the ordinary world. A blend of old world and new, the Greek orthodox ceremony reveals the way a religion can serve as the link between the past and the present. Gilded and ceremonial as many of the elements of the church service are, the ceremony was also simple in other ways, via the use of ancient incense, timeless chanting, and conservative priestly vestments.
Hopefully after reading this article you have a much better idea of what a descriptive essay is and how to write one. In fact, all of us already use descriptive language in our daily lives. Writing a descriptive essay is a natural extension of the way we think and communicate about the world around us.
A descriptive essay can be fun to write. Writing a descriptive essay allows you to be creative, and to think like a poet.
When you describe something, you want to use all the five senses if possible: showing the reader what the person, place, or thing might look, feel, smell, taste, or sound like to them.
You can use a descriptive essay to describe an event or situation from your past, a moment in time, a person, a place, or an item.
You will frequently use similes and metaphors in a descriptive essay, which allows you to practice your writing skills. With similes, metaphors, and other types of figurative language, you bring your description to life like Dr. Frankenstein animated his creature.
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Mastering Descriptive Essay: A Student’s Guide
Do you want to write descriptive essays that captivate your readers and transport them to the world of your imagination? Do you want to learn how to use descriptive language effectively and creatively to convey your ideas and emotions? Do you want to improve your descriptive writing skills and impress your teachers and peers?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this guide is for you. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything you need to know about writing descriptive essays, from choosing engaging topics, to using figurative expressions and sensory details, to structuring your essay and avoiding common pitfalls. You will also find examples of effective descriptive essays, practice prompts, and additional resources to help you hone your craft. But before we dive into the details, let’s first understand what a descriptive essay is and why it is important.
What Is a Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay is a type of essay that requires you to describe something in detail, such as a person, place, object, event, experience, emotion, or situation. The goal of a descriptive essay is to create a vivid picture of your topic in the reader’s mind, using words that appeal to their senses and emotions.
A descriptive essay is not just a list of facts or features. It is a creative and artistic form of writing that allows you to express your personal perspective and voice. A descriptive essay is also not a narrative essay that tells a story. It is a genre that focuses on the quality and depth of description, rather than the sequence and plot of events.
Purpose and Impact of Descriptive Essay
The purpose of a descriptive essay is to engage the reader and evoke their emotions, imagination, and curiosity. A descriptive essay can have a powerful impact on the reader, as it can make them feel as if they are part of the scene, or share the same feelings as the writer. A descriptive essay can also help the writer express their thoughts, feelings, and impressions about the subject, and explore their own creativity.
Balancing Creativity and Clarity
One of the challenges of writing a descriptive essay is to balance creativity and clarity. On one hand, you want to use your imagination and originality to make your description as interesting and unique as possible. On the other hand, you want to make sure that your description is clear and coherent, and that the reader can easily follow and understand what you are describing. To achieve this balance, you need to use descriptive language, sensory details, word choice, and tone effectively.
Selecting Engaging D escriptive Essay Topics
The first step in writing is to choose a descriptive essay topic that you are interested in and passionate about. The topic should be something that you can observe or imagine in detail, and that you can describe in a way that will capture the reader’s attention and interest. Some examples of possible topics for a descriptive essay are:
- Personal experiences and memories: You can write about a memorable event, a significant person, a special place, or a meaningful object in your life. For example, you can write about your first day at school, your best friend, your favorite vacation spot, or your cherished childhood toy.
- Imaginative scenarios: You can write about a fictional or hypothetical situation, a fantasy world, a dream, or a nightmare. For example, you can write about what it would be like to travel to the moon, to live in a fairy tale, to have a superpower, or to face your worst fear.
- Unconventional angles: You can write about something that is usually overlooked, ignored, or taken for granted, but that has a hidden beauty, significance, or meaning. For example, you can write about a simple object, a mundane activity, a common phenomenon, or a subtle emotion. You can also write about something from a different perspective, such as from the point of view of an animal, an object, or a stranger.
Brainstorming Techniques
Once you have a general idea of what you want to write about, you need to narrow down your topic and come up with specific details that will make your description more vivid and engaging. To do this, you can use various brainstorming techniques, such as:
- Mind mapping: This is a technique that involves creating a visual diagram of your topic and its related ideas. You start by writing your topic in the center of a blank page, and then draw branches that connect to subtopics, and then draw more branches that connect to supporting details. This way, you can organize your thoughts and see the connections and gaps in your description.
- Freewriting: This is a technique that involves writing continuously and spontaneously, without worrying about grammar, spelling, or structure. You simply write whatever comes to your mind, without stopping or editing, for a set amount of time. This way, you can generate ideas and express your feelings and impressions about your topic.
- Collaborative discussions: This is a technique that involves talking to someone else about your topic, and asking for their feedback, opinions, and suggestions. You can also ask them questions, such as what they think, feel, or imagine when they hear your topic, or what they would like to know more about it. This way, you can get new perspectives and insights, and discover aspects of your topic that you may have overlooked or ignored.
The Art of Descriptive Language: Figurative Expressions
One of the most effective ways to make your description more interesting and unique is to use figurative expressions, such as metaphors, similes, and analogies. These are expressions that compare two things that are different, but have something in common, in order to create a striking image or convey a deeper meaning. For example:
- Metaphors: These are expressions that state that one thing is another thing, even though they are not literally the same. For example, “Her eyes were stars” is a metaphor that compares her eyes to stars, implying that they are bright, beautiful, and captivating.
- Similes: These are expressions that use the words “like” or “as” to compare two things that are similar in some way. For example, “He ran like the wind” is a simile that compares his speed to the wind, suggesting that he is very fast and agile.
- Analogies: These are expressions that use a familiar or simple situation to explain a more complex or unfamiliar one, by showing how they are similar in some way. For example, “Writing an essay is like baking a cake” is an analogy that compares the process of writing an essay to the process of baking a cake, highlighting the steps and ingredients involved in both.
Figurative expressions can help you breathe life into your descriptions, by making them more vivid, creative, and memorable. However, you should use them sparingly and appropriately, and avoid using clichés or mixed metaphors that can confuse or bore the reader.
Sensory Details
Another way to make your description more vivid and engaging is to use sensory details, which are details that appeal to the reader’s five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Sensory details can help you create vivid mental images for the reader, and make them feel as if they are experiencing what you are describing. For example, instead of writing “The room was dark and cold”, you can write “The room was shrouded in shadows, and a chill ran through my spine as I stepped inside”. Sensory details can also help you convey the mood, atmosphere, and emotion of your description, by using words that evoke positive or negative feelings. For example, instead of writing “The garden was beautiful”, you can write “The garden was a paradise of colors, fragrances, and melodies”.
Sensory details can help you make your description more realistic, immersive, and emotional. However, you should use them selectively and strategically, and avoid using too many or irrelevant details that can overwhelm or distract the reader.
Word Choice and Tone
Another aspect of descriptive language that you need to consider is your word choice and tone, which are the words and expressions that you use to communicate your message and attitude to the reader. Your word choice and tone can affect how the reader perceives and responds to your description, and whether they find it interesting, informative, persuasive, or entertaining. For example, you can use different words and tones to describe the same thing, depending on your purpose and audience. For example, if you want to describe a snake, you can use different words and tones, such as:
- Scientific: “The snake is a reptile that belongs to the suborder Serpentes, and has a long, slender, legless body covered with scales”.
- Informal: “The snake is a creepy, crawly, slithery thing that has no legs and a scaly skin”.
- Poetic: “The snake is a graceful, mysterious, sinuous creature that glides through the earth and the air”.
Your word choice and tone can help you evoke emotions, create impressions, and convey meanings in your description. However, you should use them carefully and consistently, and avoid using words or tones that are inappropriate, confusing, or contradictory for your purpose and audience.
How to Write a Descriptive Essay?
Once you have generated ideas and details for your description, you need to organize them into a clear and coherent structure. A descriptive essay typically follows a standard five-paragraph structure, which consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, you can also use other structures, such as a chronological, spatial, or thematic order, depending on your topic and purpose. Here are some guidelines on how to write your descriptive essay :
Introduction
The introduction is the first part of your essay, and it serves to introduce your topic, hook your reader, and set the scene for your description. The introduction should:
- Capture the reader’s attention with a catchy opening sentence, such as a question, a quote, a statistic, a fact, or an anecdote
- Provide some background information or context about your topic, such as its history, origin, significance, or relevance
- State your thesis statement, which is the main idea or point of your essay, and briefly outline the main aspects or features of your topic that you will describe in your essay
- Create a mood or atmosphere for your description, such as happy, sad, mysterious, or scary, and use descriptive words and phrases to appeal to the reader’s senses and emotions
For example, if you are writing a descriptive essay about your favorite place , your introduction could look something like this:
Have you ever been to a place that makes you feel calm, relaxed, and happy? A place that you can escape to whenever you need a break from the stress and chaos of everyday life? A place that fills you with joy and peace every time you visit it? For me, that place is the beach. The beach is my favorite place in the world, and I love everything about it: the sand, the water, the sun, the breeze, and the sounds. In this essay, I will describe the beach in detail, and explain why it is so special to me. As I write, I hope you can imagine yourself there, and feel the same way I do.
Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs are the main part of your essay, and they serve to describe your topic in detail, using descriptive language and examples. The body paragraphs should:
- Follow the descriptive essay outline that you provided in your introduction, and describe each aspect or feature of your topic in a separate paragraph
- Use topic sentences to introduce the main idea of each paragraph, and support sentences to explain and illustrate your idea with specific details and examples
- Use transition words and phrases to connect your paragraphs and sentences, and create a smooth and logical flow of your description
- Vary your sentence structure and length, and use different types of descriptive language, such as figurative expressions, sensory details, and word choice, to make your description more interesting and engaging
For example, if you are writing a descriptive essay about your favorite place, your body paragraphs could look something like this:
The first thing I notice when I go to the beach is the sand. The sand is soft and warm, and it feels like a gentle massage on my feet. It comes in different colors and textures, depending on the location and the weather. Sometimes it is white and smooth, like powdered sugar. Sometimes it is yellow and coarse, like grains of salt. Sometimes it is brown and wet, like mud. I love to walk on the sand, and feel it between my toes. I also love to build sandcastles, and decorate them with shells and stones. The sand is like a canvas, where I can express my creativity and imagination.
The second thing I notice when I go to the beach is the water. The water is clear and blue, and it sparkles like diamonds in the sun. It is cool and refreshing, and it soothes my skin and my soul. It comes in different shapes and sizes, depending on the tide and the wind. Sometimes it is calm and flat, like a mirror. Sometimes it is wavy and choppy, like a roller coaster. Sometimes it is stormy and wild, like a monster. I love to swim in the water, and feel it around my body. I also love to surf on the waves, and ride them like a bird. The water is like a friend, where I can have fun and adventure.
The third thing I notice when I go to the beach is the sun. The sun is bright and warm, and it fills me with energy and happiness. It comes in different colors and intensities, depending on the time and the season. Sometimes it is yellow and mild, like a lemon. Sometimes it is orange and strong, like a fire. Sometimes it is red and intense, like a blood. I love to bask in the sun, and feel it on my face and my hair. I also love to watch the sun rise and set, and admire its beauty and majesty. The sun is like a star, where I can find inspiration and hope.
The conclusion is the last part of your essay, and it serves to summarize your description, reflect on its significance, and leave a lasting impression on your reader. The conclusion should:
- Restate your thesis statement, using different words or phrases, and remind the reader of the main aspects or features of your topic that you described in your essay
- Explain the meaning or importance of your topic, and how it relates to your personal experience, perspective, or opinion
- Provide a final comment or suggestion, such as a call to action, a recommendation, a question, or a prediction, that will make the reader think or feel something about your topic
- End with a memorable or catchy closing sentence, such as a quote, a proverb, a joke, or a compliment, that will make the reader remember your essay
For example, if you are writing a descriptive essay about your favorite place, your conclusion could look something like this:
In conclusion, the beach is my favorite place in the world, because it has everything that I love: the sand, the water, and the sun. The beach is not just a place, but a state of mind. It is a place where I can relax, have fun, and be myself. It is a place where I can escape from the problems and pressures of life, and find peace and happiness. It is a place where I can connect with nature, and appreciate its beauty and wonder. The beach is my paradise, and I hope you can visit it someday, and experience its magic for yourself. As the famous poet John Keats once said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Descriptive Essay Examples
Reading and analyzing effective descriptive essays can help you improve your own descriptive writing skills. You can see how other writers use descriptive language and structure their essays, and find inspiration and ideas for your own topics and descriptions.
You can find descriptive essay samples from various sources, such as websites, blogs, databases, libraries, books, magazines, or personal or public collections. In this chapter, we will look at some descriptive essay examples from WritingsCentre.com, a website that offers professional academic writing services, including descriptive essay writing, editing, and proofreading.
WritingsCentre.com has a team of qualified and experienced writers who are experts in descriptive essay writing, and who can handle any topic, deadline, or requirement that you have. They can write descriptive essays that are original, creative, and effective, using descriptive language and techniques that will impress your readers and teachers.
Here are some of the descriptive essay examples from WritingsCentre.com, and what you can learn from them:
- Memorable Sister’s Wedding Event
- California Dust Storm Disaster
- The Little Black Dress
- London Greatest Landmarks
- Mulatto Girl Beauty
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Writing a descriptive essay can be challenging and rewarding, but it can also be prone to some common pitfalls that can affect the quality and the effectiveness of your essay. Here are some of the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
- Overdescription: This is when you provide too much or unnecessary information or detail in your description, which can make your essay boring, confusing, or overwhelming for your reader. To avoid this, you should strike the right balance between showing and telling, avoid verbosity and redundancy, focus on the most important or relevant aspects or features of your topic, and use examples and details that support your thesis or main idea.
- Lack of focus: This is when you deviate or digress from your topic or thesis, which can make your essay unclear, inconsistent, or irrelevant for your reader. To avoid this, you should stay true to the chosen topic and thesis, eliminate or avoid distractions, use a clear and logical structure and flow, and use transition words and phrases.
- Revision: This is the process of reviewing, editing, and improving your essay, which can help you identify and correct the errors and weaknesses in your essay, and enhance its quality and effectiveness. To revise your essay, you should seek peer feedback, use self-editing techniques, and use online tools and resources.
Useful Resources for Your Inspiration
In this guide, you have learned how to write descriptive essays effectively, from choosing engaging topics, to using descriptive language, to structuring your essay, to learning from examples, to avoiding common pitfalls, to revising your essay. You have also learned about the purpose and impact of descriptive essays, and how they can help you communicate your impression and interpretation of your topic to your audience.
- Descriptive Essay Writing : A website that offers tips, examples, and exercises on descriptive essay writing, as well as a free descriptive essay generator
- Grammarly : A website that offers a powerful online grammar checker, as well as a plagiarism detector, a word choice tool, and a writing assistant
- Thesaurus.com : A website that offers a comprehensive online thesaurus, as well as a dictionary, a word of the day, and a writing tool
Utilizing Descriptive Essay Writing Services
If you need more assistance or guidance with your descriptive essay writing, you can always rely on the professional and reliable descriptive essay writing services offered by WritingsCentre.com. WritingsCentre.com is a website that provides high-quality academic writing services, including descriptive essay writing, editing, and proofreading, for students at various academic levels and disciplines.
By using WritingsCentre.com, you can benefit from the expert writers, original content, affordable prices, and customer support that they offer. You can also easily avail their descriptive essay writing services by filling out the order form, choosing the writer, communicating with the writer, receiving your descriptive essay, and enjoying your descriptive essay.
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How to Write a Descriptive Essay
More than many other types of essays, descriptive essays strive to create a deeply involved and vivid experience for the reader. Great descriptive essays achieve this affect not through facts and statistics but by using detailed observations and descriptions.
What do you want to describe?
As you get started on your descriptive essay, it's important for you to identify exactly what you want to describe. Often, a descriptive essay will focus on portraying one of the following:
- an experience
Ultimately, whatever you can perceive or experience can be the focus of your descriptive writing.
Why are you writing your descriptive essay?
It's a great creative exercise to sit down and simply describe what you observe. However, when writing a descriptive essay, you often have a particular reason for writing your description. Getting in touch with this reason can help you focus your description and imbue your language with a particular perspective or emotion.
Example: Imagine that you want to write a descriptive essay about your grandfather. You've chosen to write about your grandfather's physical appearance and the way that he interacts with people. However, rather than providing a general description of these aspects, you want to convey your admiration for his strength and kindness. This is your reason for writing the descriptive essay. To achieve this, you might focus one of your paragraphs on describing the roughness of his hands, roughness resulting from the labor of his work throughout his life, but you might also describe how he would hold your hands so gently with his rough hands when having a conversation with you or when taking a walk.
How should you write your description?
If there's one thing you should remember as you write your descriptive essay, it's the famous saying: show don't tell. But what's the difference between showing and telling?
Consider these two simple examples:
I grew tired after dinner. As I leaned back and rested my head against the top of the chair, my eyelids began to feel heavy, and the edges of the empty plate in front of me blurred with the white tablecloth.
The first sentence tells readers that you grew tired after dinner. The second sentence shows readers that you grew tired. The most effective descriptive essays are loaded with such showing because they enable readers to imagine or experience something for themselves.
As you write your descriptive essay, the best way to create a vivid experience for your readers is to focus on the five senses.
When you focus your descriptions on the senses, you provide vivid and specific details that show your readers rather than tell your readers what you are describing.
Quick Tips for Writing Your Descriptive Essay
Writing a descriptive essay can be a rich and rewarding experience, but it can also feel a bit complicated. It's helpful, therefore, to keep a quick checklist of the essential questions to keep in mind as you plan, draft, and revise your essay.
Planning your descriptive essay:
- What or who do you want to describe?
- What is your reason for writing your description?
- What are the particular qualities that you want to focus on?
Drafting your descriptive essay:
- What sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures are important for developing your description?
- Which details can you include to ensure that your readers gain a vivid impression imbued with your emotion or perspective?
Revising your descriptive essay:
- Have you provided enough details and descriptions to enable your readers to gain a complete and vivid perception?
- Have you left out any minor but important details?
- Have you used words that convey your emotion or perspective?
- Are there any unnecessary details in your description?
- Does each paragraph of your essay focus on one aspect of your description?
- Are you paragraphs ordered in the most effective way?
Related Essay-Writing Articles
- How to Write the College Admissions Essay
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- Persuasive Essays
- Writing a Conclusion for an Essay
Descriptive Essay: Your Guide to Writing an Effective One
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A descriptive essay is one of the four main types of essays, alongside narrative, argumentative, and expository essays. Among these, descriptive essays can be particularly challenging because they demand a keen eye for detail and an appreciation for aesthetics. By vividly describing scenes and details, you engage your reader’s senses, making your essay memorable and engaging. In this guide, our essay writers will break down the writing process for you, offering step-by-step instructions, practical examples, and clear definitions to help you excel in your next assignment.
What is a Descriptive Essay?
Descriptive writing aims to vividly portray something through essays, helping readers visualize and feel the scene or object being described. Such essays draw on detailed descriptions to create a clear and impactful image that not only presents the subject but also evokes emotions and memories.
There are three main techniques used in descriptive writing: naming, detailing, and comparing .
Naming identifies the subject and its characteristics, answering questions like 'What is it?' and 'What features does it have?'
Detailing elaborates on these features, providing answers to detailed questions such as 'How many are there?' and 'What is its value?' Techniques like synesthesia and comparisons enhance these descriptions.
Comparing uses similes and metaphors to make descriptions more vivid, linking the subject to familiar concepts.
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What Is the Purpose of a Descriptive Essay?
The purpose of a descriptive essay is multifaceted. Primarily, it allows writers to give readers a vivid impression of a person, place, or event, making the subject come alive through words. By using detailed descriptions, writers can help readers visualize settings and characters as if they were seeing them firsthand.
Additionally, descriptive essays can serve to clarify abstract ideas. By describing these concepts with concrete images and examples, writers make complex ideas easier to understand and more relatable to the reader.
Descriptive essays also aim to make information more memorable. When details are vivid, they are more likely to stick in the reader's mind, enhancing recall and engagement with the text.
Lastly, it can bolster an argument by providing concrete, detailed evidence that supports a point of view. This helps persuade the reader by making the argument more tangible and credible.
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Descriptive Essay Topics
When you're tasked with writing a descriptive essay, you'll usually get a prompt that asks you to describe something. These descriptive essay prompts allow you to explore different settings, time periods, and imaginative scenarios in your essays.
Personal Prompts:
- Describe a favorite childhood memory.
- Describe a treasured family heirloom.
Imaginative Prompts:
- Describe a day in the life of a pirate.
- Describe what it would be like to explore an underwater city.
Historical Prompts:
- Describe the atmosphere of a bustling ancient marketplace.
- Describe the experience of witnessing a significant moment in history, like the moon landing or the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Nature Prompts:
- Describe the sights and sounds of a peaceful forest at dawn.
- Describe the feeling of standing at the edge of a majestic waterfall.
Everyday Prompts:
- Describe the chaos of a busy morning commute in a big city.
- Describe the tranquility of a sunset picnic in the countryside.
If you need topic ideas for other essay genres, consult our guide on narrative essay topics .
How to Write a Descriptive Essay in 8 Steps
Now that you understand the essence and purpose of this type of essay let's explore some fundamental yet valuable tips for writing a descriptive essay.
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Step 1: Select Your Topic
The first step in creating a captivating descriptive essay is choosing the right topic. Start by paying close attention to your surroundings.
- Consider describing a person you know well in your life, like a sibling, a close friend, or a teacher who has made a significant impact on you.
- Alternatively, you could focus on a specific place or object that holds sentimental value to you, such as a favorite vacation spot, a cherished childhood toy, or a meaningful piece of jewelry.
- Another option is to explore a strong emotion that you have experienced, like excitement, nostalgia, or determination.
Avoid using overly technical or jargon-filled language in your topic selection. Instead, aim for simplicity and clarity to ensure that your chosen topic resonates with your audience and allows you to convey your unique perspective effectively.
Step 2: Gather Details
Once you've selected your topic for your descriptive essay, the next step is to gather details that will bring your chosen subject to life on the page. Start by closely observing your subject, whether it's a person, place, object, or emotion. Pay attention to its appearance, characteristics, and any unique features that stand out to you.
For example, if you've chosen to describe your childhood home, take note of its architectural style, color scheme, and any distinctive elements like a front porch or a cozy fireplace. Recall memories associated with the home, such as family gatherings or quiet moments spent reading in your favorite spot.
If your topic is a person, like a close friend or family member, observe their physical appearance, mannerisms, and personality traits. Consider the ways in which they interact with others and the impact they have on your life.
Step 3: Draft an Outline
When structuring your essay, you can organize your paragraphs from top to bottom or near to far, chronologically, or from general to specific. Here's a simple descriptive essay outline from our custom writers to guide you:
Section | Description |
---|---|
Introduction | Provide a brief overview of the topic. Present your thesis statement. |
Body Paragraph 1 | Describe aspect 1 of your topic. Provide supporting details and examples. |
Body Paragraph 2 | Describe aspect 2 of your topic. Provide supporting details and examples. |
Body Paragraph 3 | Describe aspect 3 of your topic. Provide supporting details and examples. |
Conclusion | Summarize the main points discussed. Offer final thoughts or reflections on the topic. |
Step 4: Develop a Thesis Statement
When developing your thesis statement, consider the main points or aspects of your subject that you want to highlight in your essay. Think about the emotions or impressions you want to evoke in the reader and tailor your thesis statement accordingly.
For example, if you're writing about your favorite childhood memory, your thesis statement could be: 'My summers spent at my grandparents' farm were filled with laughter, adventure, and a sense of belonging.'
Or, if you're describing a beautiful sunset, your thesis statement might be: 'The breathtaking colors and serene atmosphere of the sunset over the ocean evoke a sense of peace and wonder.'
Step 5: Craft the Introduction
Start your descriptive essay introduction by hooking the reader with an engaging opening sentence or anecdote related to your topic. This could be a vivid description, a thought-provoking question, or a surprising fact. For example:
- Growing up on my grandparents' farm, each summer brought new adventures and unforgettable memories that still warm my heart to this day.
After hooking the reader, provide some background information or context for your topic. This could include brief details about the setting, time period, or significance of your subject. For instance:
- Nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside, my grandparents' farm was a sanctuary of simple pleasures and cherished traditions.
Finally, end your introduction with your thesis statement, clearly stating the main point of your essay. This ties everything together and gives the reader a roadmap for what to expect in the rest of your essay.
Step 6: Compose the Body Paragraphs
Once you've crafted your introduction, it's time to compose the body paragraphs, where you delve into the details and descriptions that bring your topic to life.
Each body paragraph should focus on a specific aspect or detail of your topic, expanding upon the ideas presented in your thesis statement. Use vivid language, sensory details, and descriptive devices to paint a clear picture for the reader.
For example, if you're writing about summers spent at your grandparents' farm, you could dedicate one body paragraph to describing the sights and sounds of the farm:
- The rolling fields stretched out before me, golden waves of wheat swaying gently in the breeze. The air was filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil.
In another body paragraph, you might explore the adventures and activities that filled your days:
- From sunrise to sunset, there was never a dull moment on the farm. Whether we were exploring the woods, splashing in the creek, or helping with chores, each day brought new excitement and adventure.
Continue with additional body paragraphs, each focusing on a different aspect of your topic and providing rich, detailed descriptions. Be sure to vary your language and sentence structure to keep the reader engaged and interested.
Step 7: Conclude the Essay
The conclusion should bring together all the ideas presented in your essay. Avoid introducing any new information in the conclusion. Instead, focus on evaluating your thoughts and reflections on the topic. End with a strong final sentence that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
For example, if you were writing about summers spent at your grandparents' farm, your conclusion might reflect on the significance of those memories:
- 'As I reminisce about the summers spent amid the rustic charm of my grandparents' farm, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the simple pleasures and cherished moments that shaped my childhood. The laughter echoing through the fields, the adventures awaiting around every corner, and the sense of belonging that enveloped me there will forever hold a special place in my heart.'
Step 8: Refine Your Essay
Once you've finished writing your essay, it's time to refine it for clarity and impact. Start by reading your essay aloud to yourself. Listen for any sentences that sound awkward or unclear. Mark these sentences so you can revise them later.
You can also read your essay aloud to others and ask for their feedback. Invite friends, family members, teachers, or mentors to listen to your essay and share their thoughts. Ask them if there are any parts that are difficult to understand or if they have trouble picturing the subject you're describing.
Be receptive to constructive criticism and feedback. Use it as an opportunity to improve your essay and make it stronger. And if it sounds too demanding right now, you can buy cheap essay to sidestep the hassle and reclaim some much-needed free time.
Descriptive Essay Format
The standard format for a descriptive essay typically includes five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, you can also organize your essay into sections, allowing for flexibility in the length of the body paragraphs.
Introductory Paragraph: This paragraph sets the scene by describing where, when, and to whom the experience occurred. It should include descriptive words to capture the reader's attention.
First Body Paragraph: Here, the writer provides details that allow the reader to visualize the situation. Descriptive language is key in painting a clear picture for the reader.
Second Body Paragraph: More details are provided, with a focus on using descriptive adjectives. Figurative language, such as metaphor (e.g., describing the city as a 'jungle of concrete'), can enhance the imagery.
Third Body Paragraph: The writer continues to appeal to the reader's senses with visually descriptive words. Figurative language, like personification (e.g., describing the wind as a playful dancer), adds depth to the description.
Conclusion: The conclusion alludes to another sense, such as touch or sound, and uses strong words to signify closure. It ends with a powerful concluding sentence to leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Descriptive Essay Examples
In this section, you'll discover essay examples that demonstrate how to captivate your readers' attention effectively. After exploring these examples, you might find yourself tempted to ask, 'Can someone do my homework for me?' - and that's completely understandable! We're here to help you become more confident and articulate communicators through your writing!
3 Additional Tips for Writing
While writing a descriptive essay, your goal is to make your subject come alive for the reader. Unlike more formal essays, you have the freedom to be creative with your descriptions, using figurative language, sensory details, and precise word choices to make your writing memorable.
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Use Figurative Language: Figurative language, like metaphors and similes, adds flair to your descriptions. Instead of sticking to literal descriptions, use comparisons to create unique and memorable imagery.
- For instance, describing a city as a bustling beehive of activity ' or a forest as ' a blanket of whispers ' adds an unexpected twist that captures the reader's attention.
Engage Your Senses: In a descriptive essay, don't just focus on what something looks like; appeal to all the senses. Describe how things smell, sound, feel, and even taste, if applicable. This adds depth and richness to your descriptions, making them more immersive.
- For example, instead of just describing a beach visually, include sensory details like feeling the warm sand between your toes , hearing the rhythmic crash of waves , and t asting the salty sea breeze.
Choose Your Words Carefully: Use effective adjectives, verbs, and nouns to convey your impressions vividly. Avoid clichés and opt for original, precise language that reflects your unique perspective. Take the time to review your sentences and consider if there are better word choices that could enhance your description.
In Wrapping Up
To sum it up, descriptive essays are all about encouraging students like you to explore your surroundings and unleash your creativity by describing scenes in detail with words. When you carefully select and organize these descriptive details, it not only enhances your writing but also sharpens your critical thinking skills. Plus, diving into this expressive writing style allows you to appreciate the beauty of language and feel more connected to written communication. And remember, if you ever need a little boost in your writing journey, our descriptive essay writing service is here to help!
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How To Write A Descriptive Essay?
What is a descriptive essay, what is the purpose of a descriptive essay.
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Daniel Parker
is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.
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is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.
- New samples
- New information on each of the rest sections
Axelrod, R. B. and Cooper, R. C. (2008). The st martin’s guide to writing. (English Edition). New York: Bedford/St Martins
Okono, U. M. (2021). Descriptive essay: An assessment of performance by undergraduates of AkwaIbom State University. Erudite Journal of Linguistics and Languages . https://www.globalacademicstar.com/download/article/descriptive-essay-an-assessment-of-performance-by-undergraduates-of-akwa-ibom-state-university.pdf
Okono. U. M. (2020). “Qualities of a good essay: An assessment of the writings of Nigerian undergraduates.” International Journal on integrated Education. 3: vi.
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How to Write a Descriptive Essay
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This could be something as simple as your favorite flavor of ice cream or as complicated as the politics of 13th century Vienna. Different than a simple description, a descriptive essay allows the writer to really show off both their imagination as well as their writing skills.
What is a Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay is a type of academic writing that asks the writer to fully describe a place, person, situation, event, or thing. They can be simple or they can be very complex depending on the subject matter and audience written for. These types of essays train a writer’s ability to express themselves accurately as well as build compelling sentences and arguments.
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Descriptive Essay Ideas
There is no exhaustive list of things that can be described, but these are some of the most common things you may be asked to write about.
A Location - The goal of writing about a place is to make the reader feel as if they are there. Words, similes, and metaphors that ignite the reader’s imagination are essential. Try and immerse the reader in the sights, smells, and sounds of the place you are describing. Examples could be a city, a view, a particular building like your house, etc.
A Time Period - Similar to writing about a location, the goal is to make the reader lose themselves in the time you are describing. This requires great research to be able to describe physical characteristics as authentically and as well as possible. This could include how you felt a year ago, an ancient time period, or the future.
An Event - The goal of describing an event is to explain a series of interesting circumstances. Typical storytelling elements like describing the plot, setting, and characters are useful, but make sure you focus on the chain of events.
An Emotion - The goal of describing an emotion is to make the reader feel the sentiments of the character you are describing. Metaphors and similes are very useful when trying to evoke an emotion in a reader along with physical descriptions that express the emotion.
A Person - The goal of writing about a person is to make the reader understand something about that person. This includes physical descriptions of what they look like, what kind of clothing they wear, a sense of the physical presence along with their profession, as well as how they behave.
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Descriptive Essay Outline and Structure
Though a descriptive type of essay is quite different from a typical academic paper, it still follows a classic 5 paragraph format. Always follow any directions though, sometimes you may need more or fewer body paragraphs. This is a general structure you should keep in mind for this type of essay.
Introduction
- Introduction/background information
Body Paragraphs
- Topic Sentence
- Sensory Information
- Physical Descriptions
- Transition Sentence
- Summary of the main points
- Restate the thesis
An outline is always a good idea for any kind of writing, but it is particularly useful for this type of essay because it collects your thoughts and makes sure your essay stays on track.
Introduction
- Hook - The sting of salty water, the hypnotic crash of the waves, the breathtaking sunsets, the best vacation spot?
- Background information - Everyone is different and everyone likes different types of things. When it comes to vacations though, there is a place that almost everyone enjoys.
- Thesis - In my opinion, the beach is the best possible vacation spot because of the variety of ways one can enjoy it.
Body Paragraph 1
- Topic Sentence - The beach has many kinds of natural beauty
- Sensory information - The unlimited expanse of the ocean combined with glorious sunrises and sunsets.
- Physical descriptions -The crunch of sand below your bare feet and the crash of waves on your body.
- Transition sentence - There’s more than just natural beauty though, there are physical activities to enjoy as well
Body Paragraph 2
- Topic Sentence - The beach has unlimited activities for physical enjoyment.
- Sensory information - The thrill of battling with the ocean, the joy of falling on the sand, the wind streaming through your hair, and the pleasant tingling of the sun on bare skin.
- Physical descriptions - Water sports like surfing, jet skiing, and the like allow you to exercise in one of the most fun ways possible. Not to mention sports like frisbee, volleyball, beach soccer, and more.
- Transition sentence - If you just want to relax, the beach is perfect for that too!
Body Paragraph 3
- Topic Sentence - The beach is ideal just to relax, destress, and take it easy.
- Sensory information - To relax as you are massaged by either human hands or the sun is a pleasure. Lazing around might be frowned upon, but the beach is the ideal place to spend some time taking care of yourself and letting the stresses of the world melt away.
- Physical description - Whether it’s reading a book, or enjoying a refreshing beverage with umbrellas in it, you can get taken care of on the beach. Building sandcastles, painting, and meditating are other activities easily and freely enjoyed.
- Transition sentence - The beach has so much to offer.
- Summary of the main points - Whether it’s nature, physical exercise, or simple relaxation, the beach can offer all of that and more.
- Restate the thesis - That’s the main reason that a beach is the ideal vacation spot, it allows for diverse ways of having fun.
- Closing statement/Clincher - Think about the last time you went to the beach, don’t you want to go again?
What is the Purpose of a Descriptive Essay?
It should leave the reader with a clear idea of the topic of the essay. The goal is to explain things in a comprehensive and interesting way so that the information stays with the reader. Let’s go into the details of how to accomplish this.
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Writing Process & Descriptive Essay Examples
It may seem challenging to write a successful essay of this type, but if you follow the advice below, it will be a breeze.
How to Start a Descriptive Essay
Making sure you choose the right topic is the first hurdle to cross. A topic for a descriptive essay is vital because it is the main subject you will be writing about. Spend at least 20 minutes brainstorming different topic ideas and make sure you choose a topic that you know well.
Next, create an outline to better structure your thoughts and figure out the pieces of information you need to find out more about. The more time you spend creating a well-researched outline, the better your endpaper is going to be, and you’ll end up spending less time on actually writing the paper. Now you can move on the writing the descriptive essay introduction.
How to Write a Descriptive Essay Thesis
A thesis statement is the main argument you are trying to make in your paper. It is the main point you are trying to describe. A good thesis statement for descriptive essay is particular without being too brief. It should include not only just what the topic is, but also mention why the topic is important.
How to Write Body Paragraphs
You can have as many body paragraphs as you think are necessary to achieve the goal of describing something clearly. This means you could have just one body paragraph, the standard three, or more.
Start every paragraph with a topic sentence that explains what the main purpose of the paragraph is. Next fill in sensory details, describing the emotions before moving on to describing the actual physical details. End each body paragraph with a transition sentence that helps each paragraph flow into the other. Not only does this make your writing stronger, but it also helps you create an immersive experience.
How to Write the Conclusion
Summarize the main points of your essay and make sure that you reiterate the thesis statement. This reminds people of the point of your essay and ensures that when writing, you don’t stray too far from the point.
Descriptive Essay Format
There are 3 main formats of citation types for essays. Though the most common one is MLA, it is possible that you may have to use APA or Chicago Style citations.
MLA stands for Modern Language Association and is used primarily for the arts and humanities. MLA uses in-text parenthetical citation in the format of (Author, Page). The page at the end that contains all the sources is called the Works Cited page. The format of these entries is unique to MLA but is easy to make with a citation generator.
APA stands for American Psychological Association and is used mostly for the sciences and social sciences. APA uses in-text parenthetical citations in the format (Author, Date). The page at the end that contains all the sources is called the References section
Chicago Style is used primarily for Business, History, and the Fine Arts. In-text citation can be either as footnotes or parenthetical citation in the format (Author, Date). The page at the end that contains all the sources is called the Bibliography.
Most descriptive essays will follow the MLA style of citation, but if you need any more help, find a guide on Studyfy.com for more information about citation styles in general.
Descriptive Essay Topics
The topic is crucial, because all the research you do, and the entire paper, will specifically be about describing the topic. Here are some descriptive essay prompts to inspire you!
The person you’ve most admired in your life
A movie scene that made you feel strong emotions
The time period you would travel to if you had a time machine
Why a beach is better than the mountains for a vacation (or vice versa)
The taste of a drink when you are incredibly tired
An author that inspired you
Your favorite cuisine
The best place in the world to be by yourself
The best Christmas morning you’ve ever had
An accent that you really enjoy
A time when you wanted something so much it burned
Describe the day in the life of your favorite celebrity
The joy of escaping into a video game
What dancing means to you
A life philosophy you believe in
The feeling of holding a baby in our arms
The sound of crashing waves
Standing in front of a gorgeous view
A vacation that was meaningful
Why fireworks are magical
The first time you cosplayed
How it feels to listen to music that you hate
The best thing you have ever eaten in your life
What would it be like to live 100 years in the future
Why hearing people laugh is beautiful
A day in the life of your favorite animal
A strange superstition you believe in
The strangest person you’ve ever met
Your favorite tv show
Playing your favorite sport
What it’s like to be in love
Descriptive Essay Tips
Before we end, let’s go over some of the key points of information in this article.
- Use figurative language including metaphors and similes
- Use your senses
- Choose appropriate words
- Show don't tell
- Focus on specific details
- Spend time choosing the right topic
- Create a detailed outline
- Forget about the purpose of the essay
- Submit your first draft
- Make it too complicated
- Ignore your audience
- Ignore any directions
In addition to the information provided in this article, there are various resources available to help with your writing needs. If you are struggling to write your descriptive essay, you can turn to professional writers and editors for assistance. You may consider hiring a research paper writing service or seeking help from dissertation writers .
Additionally, if you need someone to " write my admission essay ", there are various options available. You can hire a writer for a custom writing service or seek help from online tutors and teachers. Furthermore, if you need to write a strong admission essay, there are services available that specialize in providing guidance and assistance with this type of writing.
It is important to note that before submitting any work, it should be proofread and edited thoroughly to ensure its quality. Studyfy offers a range of services to help with this, including professional proofreaders and editors who can check your work for grammatical errors and ensure that it meets academic standards.
In summary, there are various resources available to help with your writing needs, including professional writing services, proofreaders, and editors. By utilizing these resources and following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can write a successful descriptive essay that effectively conveys your ideas and engages your readers.If you are looking for the query " I need someone to write an essay for me ", Studyfy has got you covered
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Descriptive Essay
Descriptive Essay Writing
Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023
How To Write An Impactful Descriptive Essay?
By: Cathy A.
12 min read
Reviewed By: Melisa C.
Published on: Dec 17, 2019
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Wondering how to write an impressive descriptive essay? Writing a descriptive essay is both fun and challenging. You need to describe the main topic in detail and by engaging the five senses of the readers.
Students usually get this type of essay in high school and college. Writing a descriptive essay is different from other essays.
You need to focus on describing a certain person, place, or event.
Luckily for you, the following blog post will provide some helpful tips on how to create an engaging essay.
Continue reading to learn how to write an A-worthy descriptive essay.
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On this Page
What is a Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay is a detailed paper that describes a place, person, situation, object, or emotion. Different people have different points of view and your job is to explain yours in detail.
You may be asked to write a descriptive essay about the beach or forest or about a person or situation. The purpose of this essay is to test the writer’s ability in expressing and explaining their experiences.
Descriptive writing should create a picture in the reader’s mind. You may be required to write a descriptive essay as a high school or college essay assignment.
For a compelling essay, using adjectives and adverbs, details, and figurative language is fundamental. Without proper usage of words, you will not be able to invoke the readers' emotions.
What is the Purpose of a Descriptive Essay?
The purpose of a descriptive essay is to describe a person, place, or personal experience in vivid detail so that the reader can create a picture in his mind.
The descriptive essay is written to get the reader to understand by using descriptive language. It is different from narrative essays, where the writer tells the story about someone else. Usually, it starts with a real-life event and then the content follows the author's imagination.
Descriptive essays are not intended to persuade the reader or show facts and figures to prove something. Descriptive essays are like word paintings that contain personal and descriptive details and these are mostly assigned to students of creative writing.
How to Start a Descriptive Essay
A strong start for your descriptive essay is essential. Analyze your topic from every angle and document the following details:
Analyze the main subjects in detail and observe minute things.
- Start with observing all the possible aspects of the subject.
- Don't just observe the object but also its surroundings.
- Focus on details and features of the subject and develop opinions about them.
- Be thoughtful; this first step will be the basis for the essay.
Physical Settings
Describing the physical settings is a must in a descriptive essay. When describing, keep the following points in mind.
- Focus on the subject's position and observe nearby objects
- Note the time of day and kind of lighting: natural or imitated
- Physical settings: all the basic and decorative elements
- The position and shape of the objects
- Alignment and any other observable information
Physical Features
When describing the physical features of the subject, living or nonliving, consider the following points.
- Living or nonliving; describe the features in detail
- The subject's skin color, texture, smoothness, expression, and age
- The features of inanimate objects in the picture, color, surface, and texture
Create Drama
Storytelling and drama are the life and blood of a good descriptive essay. It turns your essay into an exciting and interesting piece of writing. However, be subtle about adding drama to your sentence structure and add it to complement your story only.
Focus On Your Feelings
Focus on how you feel about the particular topic or person and stick to it. It is easy to get involved when working on the essay. But, focus on your own feelings and write an essay based on them.
Use Of Specific Vocabulary
Vocabulary is important. Select the best words for describing an action or object. Don't always use the first word that comes to mind.
Write slowly and thoughtfully, and use specific words to convey your thoughts.
Psychological Aspects
Writing about a certain situation or behavior of a person focuses on the mental aspects and emotions involved in them.
For Example, describe your emotions when your friend misplaced your notes right before the exam.
You may have had several emotions in that incident. Maybe you were prepared for exams, but this situation put you under pressure and made you feel frustrated and hurt.
Explore those emotions and describe the feelings they aroused. Describe the body language also, if relevant.
Ask Yourself, WHY?
This is the most valuable tip for students. When you are looking at a particular subject, and having difficulty analyzing its aspects, ask yourself "WHY".
- Why is the subject the way it is?
- Why does the person you are describing have such a deep-set and cold eyes?
- Why is the animal so wounded and terrified?
- Why is this particular place famous?
It is a good practice and after some time you will do it naturally. Knowing the why is important if you want to describe your topic properly.
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How To Write A Descriptive Essay?
When you write a descriptive essay, you help your readers visualize an event, a person, or a story. It is written to make your readers feel what you feel about the respective subject.
A descriptive essay seeks to appeal to some or all of the audience’s five senses. Some key things to consider are:
- Discussing your subject thoroughly
- Focusing on details and adding them in your essay
- Sharing your personal feelings and experience about the subject
- Observing and describing all sensory details of your subject
Here are the steps to write a descriptive essay easily.
1- Choose an Engaging and Focused Essay Topic
An important step that all strong descriptive essays share is having a focused topic. Before you make the outline, identify the purpose of your essay and use it to create an appropriate thesis statement.This type of paper does not require much personal opinion from you. Its main goal should be focusing on information that will make a dominant impression in readers' minds instead.
2- Research and Gather Important Details
When writing a descriptive essay, it is important to make sure you include as many details and sensory information as possible. This helps your reader fully understand the images that are being presented in their mind's eye.You can organize these ideas into categories so they're easy for you to access when needed.
3- Create an Outline of Your Essay
Your essays must be organized by having subheadings that are clear and concise. Group your main points into individual body paragraphs, each of which should only cover one idea or topic at a time.
4- Write your Essay’s Introduction
A good introductory paragraph is much like a road map because it provides direction to your readers.
It provides relevant background information before diving into more specific details related to how something works or why something happens. These could include statistics or stories from real-life scenarios.
5- Write the Main Body Section of Your Essay
Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that keeps the reader hooked on what you are saying. Use specific details instead of making generalized statements, and make sure to give examples if necessary.
6- End with a Strong Conclusion
The conclusion of an essay is the final paragraph, and it should summarize all that you have said throughout. It's a good idea to restate the main points and key details from the essay in this section.
It is important so the reader has everything they need for better understanding before ending off on something new.
If necessary be sure not to introduce anything odd or unusual, to avoid any confusion.
7- Proofread and Revise the Essay Carefully
Once you are done writing the essay, proofread and revise it carefully. Make sure that it is free from all kinds of errors.
Descriptive Essay Outline
Like all the other essays, a descriptive essay also follows the usual 5-paragraph essay structure and format.Before starting, it is important to create an outline. Following are the fundamental elements of your descriptive essay outline:
Descriptive Essay Introduction
The introduction sets the footing for the entire essay. Before heading towards the body section, the reader will come across the introduction.
It is the first impression of your work. It is very important to write an engaging introduction so that the readers read the essay till the end.
Start the essay in an easy-to-understand way and language. Provide background information on your topic so they can understand it and its importance.
To make sure the reader feels your emotions and decides to continue reading further, incorporate the following points in your introduction.
The following tips will guide you on how to write a good introduction for a descriptive essay.
- Attract the reader's attention with an interesting fact, phrase, or quote
- Don't bombard them with information
- Go straight to the main pointsInclude enough information to introduce the topic and its significance.
- Summarize the argument and the main topic and craft your thesis statement
Descriptive Essay Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is an integral part of your essay. It focuses on the argument and the writer’s main idea, which is to be discussed in the essay.
This statement also provides the writer with a chance of explaining the purpose and scope of the topic. It is intriguing and engaging.
A thesis statement is written at the end of the introduction, it is mainly a single sentence that describes the essay objective. The thesis statement should act as a guide to the reader on what to expect in the essay body. It is like a table of contents of a book, to the reader on contents you will get an idea of what the book is all about so you get to understand it better.
It is like a table of contents of a book. By reading it, you will get an idea of what the book is all about.
A good thesis should contain the following things:
- Define the essay scope - it should narrow down all the points to clarify its purpose.
- Avoid using common words - you should be creative with your choice of words.
- Create suspense - it should attract the reader to the body paragraphs of the essay.
For further information on how to write a thesis for a descriptive essay, check out the following examples.
- Descriptive essay example about a Place
“Even though monarchy is long gone, Buckingham Palace is here to remind us of the aesthetic beauty of that era.”
- Descriptive essay example about a Person
“One of the characteristics of Spider-Man is his youthfulness, and the fact that he talks to himself more than Hamlet.”
- Descriptive essay example about an Emotion
“For numerous reasons, the dark forest is my greatest fear, though not a fear which is necessarily smart to face.”
Descriptive Essay Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs of the essay come next after the introduction and thesis statement. It is the main part that continues your essay.
Usually, an essay consists of three body paragraphs but you can add more if needed.
Don't add more than one central idea in one paragraph. Fusing different ideas will confuse the reader.
Build your paragraphs according to the thesis and introduction.
- Start each body paragraph with the main sentence
- Use transitions to move between paragraphs smoothly
- Each paragraph should be five to six sentences long
Descriptive Essay Conclusion
The concluding paragraph is the last part of an essay, and probably your last chance to impress your reader.
The last part that the reader can keep in mind is the conclusion, which is as important as the rest of the essay.
To make it interesting and thought-provoking, include the following points:
- Restate the thesis statement
- Summarize the main points
- Add an intriguing closing statement
After writing the conclusion, make a review of your essay, identify the mistakes and maintain a good tone throughout the essay.
Descriptive Essay Format Sample
Here is the descriptive essay format to help you understand how you can write a winning descriptive essay.
DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY FORMAT (PDF)
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Descriptive Essay Topics Ideas
Descriptive essay topics are often related to physical settings, locations, living beings, and objects.
Make sure that your essay includes the five senses, touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing, or at least one of them. It depends on the topic and the kind of feeling that you want to arouse.
Below are some descriptive essay ideas and ways to achieve them.
Living Beings
When you want to write about a person like a family member, consider the following elements:
- Gender, age, complexion, and expressions
- Physical features
- Height, body type, and approximate weight
- Kind of clothes
These details will add depth to the description and your readers will actually see your narrative.
When animals are the subject, you can add the above points plus the following details:
- Species and animal
- Size, weight, color
- Behavior patterns
- Temperament
- Trained or wild?
- Real or fictional?
Inanimate Subjects
Geographic locations and structures.
When your subject is a place or a building, add the following points:
- Research about the place and its historical background
- The color and the building's type
- A famous place or landmark to draw a comparison and inspire interest
Human behavior and psychology is a compelling descriptive essay subject. When writing about it:
- Describe the consequences of a particular behavior
- Discuss the emotional dimension of the topic and how you perceive it personally
Event Or Travel Experience
A travel experience makes a good descriptive essay since you have experienced the event first hand.
Give a detailed description of the place, people at the venue, and the atmosphere of the location.
Idea, Concept, or Occupation
When writing on such topics, focus on how an idea or concept affects society and its different aspects.
Example Descriptive Essay Topics for Students
Choosing a topic for your descriptive essay is quite interesting. You get to choose something that you have an emotional connection with.
When writing a descriptive essay about a person or place, adding their personal traits will be helpful.
Some examples of descriptive essay topics include:
- Compose a detailed descriptive essay about your best friend.
- Describe a fancy place that you have created.
- Describe your dream vacation destination.
- Describe your favorite mall or store.
- Describe your childhood home.
- Descriptive essay about nature.
- Descriptive essay about a place you visited.
- Describe the personality of your Maths teacher.
- Discuss the main characters of your favorite movie.
- Descriptive essay about chocolate.
- Write an essay using unique Words to describe yourself.
- What makes me unique?
- My first love.
Descriptive Essay Examples
Study these descriptive essay examples and sample papers to understand the main idea, structure, and purpose of descriptive essays.
DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY ON MARKET (PDF)
DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE PERSON (PDF)
To help you understand how to write a great descriptive essay, we have a whole blog post dedicated to it. We know that talking about something is one thing and demonstrating it is completely different.
Having a descriptive essay assignment with a short deadline? Looking for someone to do my essay for me ?
5StarEssays.com academic writing professionals are ready to help you. They read the essay details before writing and make sure that they incorporate all the details in it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the features of a descriptive essay.
A descriptive essay provides a perfect opportunity for writers to express their feelings on any subject. Descriptive writing has rich sensory details which appeal to all of your senses.
How do you start a descriptive essay introduction?
The introduction to the descriptive essay should set the scene and introduce the main topic. You can use these sensory details to get a sense of what the essay is all about.
What are the two types of descriptive essays?
There are two types of descriptive essays. The first type deals with people, and the second one is about objects.
What are the elements of a descriptive essay?
Here are the key elements of a descriptive essay.
- Sensory details
- Figurative language
- Central and main theme
- Precise and clear language
- Proper organization of ideas
What makes good descriptive writing?
Good and effective descriptive writing consists of vivid sensory details that appeal to all senses including the sense of sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. Moreover, these essays also explain people’s feelings in writing.
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How to Write a Descriptive Essay
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Step 1: Choose a topic
A descriptive essay will usually focus on a single event, a person, a location or an item. When you write your essay, it is your job to convey your idea about that topic through your description of that topic and the way that you lay things out for your reader. You need to show your reader (not tell them) what you are trying to describe by illustrating a picture in their mind’s eye very carefully.
Your essay needs to be structured in a manner that helps your topic to make sense. If you are describing an event, you will need to write your paragraphs in chronological order. If you are writing about a person or a place you need to order the paragraphs so that you start off in a general manner and then write more specific details later. Your introductory paragraph sets the tone for the rest of the essay, so it needs to set out all of the main ideas that you are going to cover in your essay.
Step 2: Create a statement
The next step is to create a thesis statement. This is a single idea that will be prominent throughout your essay. It not only sets out the purpose of the essay, but regulates the way that the information is conveyed in the writing of that essay. This is an introductory paragraph that sets out your topic framework.
Step 3: Get the senses right
Next, create five labelled columns on a sheet of paper, each one having a different of the five senses. This labelled list will help you to sort out your thoughts as you describe your topic – the taste, sight, touch, smell and sound of your topic can be sketched out among the columns. List out in the columns any sensation or feeling that you associate with the topic that you are writing about. You need to provide full sensory details that help to support the thesis. You can utilize literary tools such as metaphors, similes, personification and descriptive adjectives.
Once you have the columns laid out you can start to fill them with details that help to support your thesis. These should be the most interesting items that you have noted in your columns and will the details that you flesh out into the paragraphs of the body of your essay. Topics are set out in each separate paragraph and a topic sentence begins that paragraph and need to relate to your introductory paragraph and your thesis.
Step 4: Create an outline
The next step is to create an outline listing the details of the discussion of each paragraph. Students in high school are generally asked to write a five paragraph essay while college students are given more freedom with the length of their piece. The standard five paragraph essay has a particular structure including the introductory paragraph with the inclusion of a thesis statement, followed by three body paragraphs which prove that statement.
Step 5: Write the conclusion
Finally, the conclusion paragraph makes a summary of the entirety of your essay. This conclusion also needs to reaffirm your thesis (if necessary). Your conclusion needs to be well written because it is the final thing to be read by your reader and will remain on their mind the longest after they have read the remainder of your essay.
Step 6: Review your essay
It is important to take a break from your writing once you have completed the work. By stepping away from the work for a short time you can clear your mind and take a short rest. You can then take a look at the essay with fresh eyes and view it in much the same way that a person reading it will when they first see the piece.
After you have taken a short break or a walk (or whatever the case may be), read the entire essay again thinking about your reader. You should ask yourself if you were the reader, would the essay make sense to you? Is it easy to read so that anyone can understand what the topic of the essay is? Do any of the paragraphs need to be rewritten because they are confusing and need to be better written to be descriptive?
Your choice of words and language need to convey what you are trying to describe when you talk about a particular topic. The details that you have provided should give your reader enough information that they can form a complete picture. Any details in the essay should help a reader to understand the meaning of the topic from the writer’s point of view.
Read your entire essay over again, out loud this time. Sometimes reading something out loud can help to identify any issues that should be worked out. Read the essay again to a friend or family member and have them give you any criticisms that they might have. Have someone else ready your essay and then ask them if anything needs to be clarified or if they received a clear picture from the details given in the essay.
Step 7: Finish it up
Finally, read your essay again very carefully and check for any grammar, punctuation or spelling errors that are obvious within the essay. If you find any clichés, be sure to delete them, they certainly do not belong in your essay. If there are any parts that are not completely descriptive or don’t make as much sense as you would like them to, rewrite them once again and then follow the proof reading and reading aloud process again to ensure that the final product is exactly as expected. You can never be too thorough when it comes to reading the essay over again and checking for any areas that need to be reworked.
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How To Write A Descriptive Essay?
26 April, 2020
11 minutes read
Author: Tomas White
Descriptive essay is one of the hardest forms of writing. To master descriptive writing, you must be creative and craft a scene that all readers can picture with words alone. This freedom and creativity can make it one of the most rewarding and fun essays to write. It is the backbone of all artful writing like poetry, novels, and even television scripts. We prepared this guide for You to learn all you need to know about descriptive writing. Let's start!
![how do you start a descriptive essay Descriptive Essay](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/14.png)
What is a Descriptive Essay?
The goal of a descriptive essay is simple, choose a subject and describe it. The subject could be anything:
![how do you start a descriptive essay The subject of the essay](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task1-17.png)
A descriptive essay is all about describing the subject in great detail. Being a type of expository writing , it gives you great freedom to paint a picture with your words, shares a once in a lifetime event with the reader or makes them feel something. It is better to choose a descriptive essay topic that has lots of qualities to discuss for example a person might have a more interesting feature to describe than a paper towel. Choose a subject you connect with emotionally or have a personal history with. The best descriptions come from retelling an experience.
The Difference Between Descriptive and Narrative Essays
The main difference between descriptive and narrative essays lies in the structure and purpose of the essay. A descriptive essay is used to describe a subject to present a clear picture of it. As such, it only requires you to describe the item in a logic fashion. A narrative essay’s purpose is to tell a story. As such, it requires a plot and logical progression to an outcome. A person’s face can be the subject of a descriptive essay. But it would be hard to write a narrative piece that follows the person’s face as the central plot of a story.
Showing VS Telling
![how do you start a descriptive essay Show details while describing](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task2-18.png)
A descriptive essay values details over facts. This is also known as showing vs. telling. To show something is to describe using the five senses, how it looks, how it smells, how it tastes, how it feels and how it sounds. Imagine the reader as an alien, who has never experienced the subject for themselves. How would you describe it then?
To give you an understanding of how to differentiate between showing and telling I’ll write an example of a descriptive paper that describes my favorite place.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Description sample](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task3-18.png)
The above example tells you, as it doesn’t evoke any of your senses. It is a senseless description . It’s vague and hard to imagine.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Good example of a Descriptive Essay](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task4-17.png)
This description is more detail and easier to imagine because of the following changes:
- The choice of words like ‘haven’ instead of ‘like’ add a showing element as it is showing in what way I like the library.
- Putting describers before items like ‘brightly colored’ books makes it easier to see.
- And choosing words with more like ‘towering’ instead of ‘tall’ makes the description less full.
- The description of the books shows what they do, not what they are. These are important points to consider when writing a descriptive essay.
A good exercise for descriptive writing and is to read descriptive essay examples and pick out the words that do the four points outlined above. Analyzing other’s descriptive writing will make your own descriptive work stronger. Can you pick out another place in the descriptive essay example above where those four changes occur and what it lends to the description?
Still having problems with your descriptive paper? All you need is to request help from our top-notch essay writing service and our essay writer make it for you !
How to Choose a Descriptive Essay Topic?
When deciding what to highlight about your topic, take a step back and look at what draws you to it. A campfire has bright, flickering colors, a satisfying crackling sound, and a sort of flow as it moves from the bottom to the tip of the flame. Place yourself in proximity to the subject and describe the parts that stimulate your senses the most.
Title Examples of Descriptive Essays
Here are some examples of descriptive essay topics that are fun to write:
![how do you start a descriptive essay Topics for a Descriptive Essay](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task5-9.png)
Pick something you can see right now and think about how you’d describe that.
Related Posts: Argumentative essay topics | Compare&Contrast essay topics
How to Set Up a Proper Description?
Slow down and think about what you want to invoke. Don’t rush into a description or you’ll likely end up with something weaker than you could have. Take your topic aside and write some sentences describing how it charms each sense – the five senses being:
Keep a thesaurus on hand to switch some of the more basic words out. If you can read your paragraph back and vividly imagine the item you’ve described, you’ve done it.
How to write a Descriptive Essay Outline
![how do you start a descriptive essay The plan of writing](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task6-9.png)
Starting your descriptive essay without a plan can lead to a messy and sprawling description. Learning to outline your ideas is just as important as knowing how to write them.
Related Posts: How to write an Essay outline | How to write an Essay introduction
Creating an Introduction for a Descriptive Writing
Once you have chosen the subject to write you need to plan the introduction for your descriptive paper. An introduction needs to include a thesis statement and three features of the thing you are describing. The introduction should start with a thesis statement that states how you feel about your topic. This should then be supported with three qualities defining those feelings.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Examples of a thesis statement](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task7-3.png)
These thesis statements aren’t meant to be complex. All they’re meant to do is to set up your reader for your descriptions. It is important to include three reasons that you can expand on describe in great detail as they will form the paragraphs of your descriptive paper.
Planning and Writing the Body of a Descriptive Essay
Looking at your thesis statement, take those three reasons and break them down into their own paragraphs. Describe hanging out with your friends at the beach, talk about the food you’d eat, the activities you’d participate in. Detail what huskies do when they’re energetic, what shows that they get along with other dogs?
It helps to write about each way you can describe an item on a separate sheet of paper. Use that sheet as your descriptive essay outline. Take each item and write what sense you can use to describe the item in each paragraph.
For example, if you want to talk about eating a popsicle on the beach you could include how cold against your tongue for touch, that it smelt and tasted like raspberries, it was a bright red, and shaped like a rocket for sight, and the sound you made it as you bit on it, or the sound you made as it rocketed into your mouth. Expand this into a paragraph keeping the most vivid description.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Force your reader to imagine objects](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/hmw-blog-image-15.png)
Force your reader to imagine these objects in their head. Help them visualize it, pour your vision into the paper and focus on both the small and the big details. Just don’t go overboard. It’s important to have a few great descriptors rather than a ton of average ones.
When describing an object, go about it in a practical sense. Don’t just throw details on the page, talk about them in order. Describe a mountain from its peak to it’s middle all the way down to its base. You wouldn’t go from the middle to the base to the peak, would you? This way, you’re keeping your reader engaged with the topic.
Concluding a Descriptive Essay
Concluding descriptive writing is easy. All you have to show why the subject you described is important to you. All you have to do is show the reader what you implied. Show why it has meaning, and why they should care.
Descriptive Essay Example
Drafting your essay.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Make sure that your essay responds to these questions](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task9-2.png)
Where the organization comes to fruition. When writing your essay, keep the reader in your head at all times. Constantly as yourself: “Is this vivid enough?” Don’t focus much on grammar, get the content onto the paper.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Once you’ve finished writing your essay, read it back and make sure it responds positively to each of these questions:
- Are these descriptions making my writing visual? Could I make them more vivid?
- Have I used these descriptions to detail my emotions to the reader?
- Do these descriptions convey each of the five senses?
- Have I gone into enough details in each paragraph?
- Are my descriptions in an orderly fashion?
If you believe your essay fits these criteria, then you’re good to go on the content side.
Perfecting the Essay
![how do you start a descriptive essay Double check your essay](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/task10.png)
Read it through a couple more times. Take some time away from it and then come back with a fresh mindset. Correct any grammar issues you see, and double check that it answers all of the questions mentioned above. Once that’s done, you’ll have an essay worthy of an A+ grade.
From Our Writers: Tips on How to Write a Good Descriptive Essay
- Be sensitive. Some writers are scared to show their true selves, but the point of a descriptive essay is to talk about how an object affects your senses and emotions. Keep this in mind during all stages of the essay.
- Put effort into unique descriptions. Don’t settle for standard words, spend some time searching out alternatives to common descriptive words. It will only help the reader envision your thoughts.
- Write about something that you care about. If you choose something you don’t have much personal experience with, you can’t truly write from the heart.
![how do you start a descriptive essay A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death](https://handmadewriting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/6751725-570x570.jpg)
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Descriptive Essay Writing
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Descriptive Essay: Definition, Tips & Examples
Published on: Jun 21, 2023
Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024
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Many writers struggle to effectively convey vivid imagery and captivate readers through their descriptive essays.
The lack of proper guidance and techniques hinders writers from unlocking the full potential of their descriptive writing skills.
In this comprehensive blog, we aim to provide you with valuable insights, expert tips, and proven techniques to help you master descriptive essays.
We will guide you step-by-step, equipping you with the tools to create compelling and captivating essays.
Get prepared to transform your writing as we delve into the magic of descriptive essays.
Let's get started!
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What is a Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay is a type of essay that asks the students to describe something, such as a person, place, incident, emotion, or event. It is a detailed description where the writer is painting a picture in words.
Different people have different thoughts and points of view. A descriptive essay allows you to explain your point of view in your own way. You should give a description of every aspect of the topic so that a reader can feel as if he has personally experienced that.
Two Classic Approaches to the Descriptive Essay
There are two main ways to write a descriptive essay: the personal essay and the formal description. Let's discuss them in detail.
- Personal Essay
The best way to describe an experience using your feelings and responses would be through a personal essay. This work can awaken empathy in readers, but it's important not to make any mistakes or organize poorly.
- Formal Description
Descriptive writing is a great way to show your readers what you're talking about. It resembles an argumentative essay because it has one main goal: communicating key points or describing something in detail.
Features of Descriptive Essay
There are five basic features of a descriptive essay that distinguishes it from other writing types. Let's discuss them in detail.
- Sensory Details - A great descriptive essay appeals to the audience's emotions and forms an association for them. In this essay type, a writer paints a picture with words so they have to be really engaging and appealing to the senses.
- Central Theme - The content of your descriptive essay is shaped according to the central or major theme. Make sure to define the central theme explicitly and focus it on one single point.
- Figurative Language - A key to writing an impactful descriptive essay is to use figurative language throughout the content. Use metaphors, similes, adverbs, and adjectives to describe settings and characters.
- Precise Language - The vocabulary you use for the content should be appropriate and accurate. The language, as well as the tone, should reflect the major theme of the essay vividly.
- Organization of Ideas - Arrange all your ideas and information in a properly structured manner. Make sure that your descriptive writing is based on these elements to ensure its effectiveness and success.
Descriptive Essay Format
All formal writing types, including descriptive papers, require a proper format to be readable and understandable.
Therefore, before starting your essay, you should create an outline of your essay. It will help you organize your essay.
Below is the format of the descriptive essay outline.
|
Descriptive Essay Outline Template
How to Start a Descriptive Essay?
Writing a strong descriptive essay requires a writer to form a strong plan. Following are the steps involved in the pre-writing or planning procedure of a good descriptive essay:
1. Topic Selection
Usually, professors assign the topic for a descriptive essay. But, if you have a choice to select a topic, then you have a great chance to select something which you know a lot about.
Have a look at some popular descriptive essay topics.
Descriptive Essay Topics On Writing About A Person
- Describe your favorite person
- Describe your best friend
- Describe your favorite family member
- Describe your enemy
- Describe someone whom you love the most
- Describe your mother
- Describe your father
- Describe your family
- Describe your favorite brother
- Describe a person whom you idealize
Descriptive Essay Topics About an Event
- Describe your friend's wedding
- Describe your college farewell
- Describe the last Christmas party
- Describe your brother's bachelor party
- Describe your own wedding
- Describe the memorable concert you have attended
- Describe your last convocation
- Describe the best dinner party you have ever attended
- Describe the event you have attended where you were not invited
- Describe your last day at the office
Descriptive Essay Topics About a Place
- Describe your favorite place
- Describe the place you have visited in the summer
- Describe your grandmama's farmhouse
- Describe your hometown
- Describe your favorite college
- Describe your favorite vacation destination
- Describe your favorite tourist spot
- Describe your favorite museum
- Describe your dream house
- Describe a fancy place that you have created
2. Brainstorming
The next step is brainstorming about the selected topic. At this point, think of all the relevant points that exactly describe your topic.
3. Thesis Statement for Descriptive Essay
After the brainstorming session, develop a strong thesis statement . It is a very crucial part of the whole essay because it will be a prominent part of the essay.
How to Write a Descriptive Essay?
When you have drafted a plan for your essay, it is time to execute it effectively. The writing process of your essay will only get simpler if you have taken all the required pre-writing steps.
Follow the below-mentioned steps to finally begin your writing procedure for the descriptive essay:
1. Introduction
An introduction serves as the gateway to your essay, drawing readers into the realm of your ideas. It's the stage where you set the tone and establish the central theme.
Unlike an analytical essay , which dives deep into dissecting and interpreting information, a descriptive essay paints a vivid picture, immersing readers in sensory experiences and intricate details.
In the descriptive essay introduction, we aim to pique curiosity, perhaps by posing a thought-provoking question or igniting a spark of intrigue that beckons readers to journey further into the narrative woven within these pages.
The body part gives you the freedom to write the details about your selected topic. Here you have 3 to 4 paragraphs where you can paint a picture in the reader's mind through vivid language, persuading dialogues, or images.
This part should support your thesis. Describe all the points in detail. The idea should come out at the beginning.
The paragraphs should be interlinked with good transition words . Organize your paragraphs in a way that makes sense.
3. Conclusion
It is the last chance to impress the reader. So, you need to pay all attention to this section. Restate your thesis statement and give a short reminder to the reader what the essay was required to cover. Make a good final statement so that the reader can leave thinking about your essay.
4. Proofreading
Proofread your essay to do a review. You can identify the mistakes and correct your tone. Go through your essay 2 or 3 times so that you can identify all the mistakes and correct them before final submission.
Descriptive Essay Examples
Given below is a visual demonstration of how a descriptive essay typically looks!
![how do you start a descriptive essay Descriptive Essay Example - CollegeEssay.org](https://assets.collegeessay.org/blog/descriptive-essay-writing/mceu-43986224211687350601482.png)
If you're still struggling, check out some more descriptive essay examples given below!
Descriptive Essay Example About a Person
Descriptive Essay Example About an Event
Descriptive Essay Example About a Place
For further information, check out this informative video below.
In conclusion, mastering the art of descriptive essays is within your reach.
By implementing the expert techniques and tips shared in this blog, you can elevate your writing to new heights.
Remember to practice and refine your skills, allowing your creativity to flourish.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
What are the 4 elements of descriptive writing.
The four elements of descriptive writing are:
What are the 2 types of description?
The two types of description are:
- Impressionistic
How many paragraphs is a descriptive essay?
The five-paragraph essay is a classic format that has been used for a descriptive essay. This format includes an introductory paragraph with the inclusion of a thesis statement, followed by three body paragraphs and a conclusion.
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How to write a descriptive essay
Published September 27, 2020. Updated April 21, 2022.
Descriptive Essay Definition
A descriptive essay is a type of paper where the writer describes an experience, person, place, or object (the essay topic) in great detail .
Overview of a Descriptive Essay
A descriptive essay is written in order to have the reader experience a person, place, object, event, or thing just as the writer did. In a descriptive essay, the writer uses several descriptions to communicate what the topic was like to the reader. These descriptions usually relate to the five senses (sight, touch, sound, smell, taste). These essays also use descriptive language, such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and emotive language. A descriptive essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.
This page will cover the following points:
Key takeaways
What is description, five senses, descriptive language, possible topics for a descriptive essay, what is a descriptive essay, parts of an essay.
- Describe your topic using the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste.
- Use descriptive language, such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and emotive language.
- Remember: a descriptive essay is still an essay and should have a thesis or argument that brings your ideas together.
- A descriptive essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
How do you describe someone or something?
My Aunt Tilly wears sundresses with flowers, drinks sweet ice tea, smells like magnolias, and calls everyone ‘darlin.’’
This sentence describes a person. You see what Aunt Tilly wears, you know what she drinks, you have an idea of what she smells and sounds like. All of those descriptions involve the senses.
After finishing that physics exam, I feel like I was put through a wood chipper!
This sentence is comparing one thing – a physics exam – to another thing – being put through a wood chipper. That kind of comparison is called a simile. What does that tell you? Being put through a wood chipper sounds pretty violent: you go in whole and come out in little pieces.
My cat starts demanding to speak to the manager when her dinner is late.
This sentence shows an animal doing a human action: demanding to speak to the manager. This is called personification – when we give human attributes to non-human things (including animals).
All of these are techniques used in descriptive writing.
To help you write a descriptive essay, this guide will:
- walk you through different description techniques
- list some descriptive topics you can write about
- show what a descriptive essay needs in order to be an essay
- take you through the parts of a descriptive essay, with a sample
Ready to dive in?
The five senses are:
Writing what you SEE is the easiest and most common kind of descriptive writing using the five senses. The further down the list you go, the more difficult and less common the description. But the more evocative it is as well, because the reader needs to use more imagination to understand.
Look at the following descriptions about a pair of slippers:
My favorite slippers are brown suede with shearling inside.
When I walk down the hall wearing my favorite slippers, each step whispers “shhh, shhh, shhh.”
My feet feel cuddled by a cloud when I wear them.
My old slippers smell like my sixth-grade gym locker room.
I’m sure my slippers would taste like rancid corn chips.
Each of those descriptions gives you some idea about the slippers. The first description of what they look like is pretty straightforward – and a little boring, isn’t it?
But as you read down the list of descriptions, they become more interesting because the senses they’re using are not as common. What do you imagine about slippers that taste like rancid corn chips?
As you write a descriptive essay, try to work in as many of the five senses as you can.
In addition to using the five senses, you can also use descriptive language.
A simile is a figure of speech comparing two things using the words “like” or “as”:
The crow was cawing, loud as a scream.
The water in the stream was flowing slowly, like an old man out for a stroll.
A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing as another, without using the words “like” or “as”:
The children in the playground were a gaggle of geese, squawking and running everywhere.
Grandma’s cotton candy hair was arranged in an elaborate pouf.
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech giving human qualities to non-human things:
In late winter, the trees cry maple syrup tears.
The baby deer skittered on the frozen pond like a girl just learning to ice skate.
Hyperbole is an overly exaggerated statement:
I hugged him like I wanted to fuse our two bodies into one.
Christmas was three days away, an eternity for young Emily.
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it’s describing:
We walked along the gravel, our shoes crunching down the path.
The bag of cement landed on the ground with a definitive thump.
Emotive language
Emotive language is deliberately using certain words to elicit an emotional response.
Look at these two sentences:
The intimidating coach told us how we were going to execute the next play.
This sentence tells you what happened. If you remove the word “intimidating,” would you feel afraid of that coach? No, you’d have no reason to. There is no emotion attached to that sentence.
The coach barked directions for the next play, stabbing her finger in the air for emphasis.
This sentence, however, shows you what happened. The fact that the coach barked orders gives an impression of harsh, loud words. Stabbing her finger for emphasis also sounds scary. You don’t need the word “intimidating” in this sentence since the words convey that emotion already.
Now that we’ve discussed different techniques for describing, where could you apply them? What kinds of descriptive essays can you write?
Describe a person
- Describe a person who inspires you
- Describe your favorite book character
Describe a place
- Describe your ideal vacation
- Describe your dream home
Describe a situation
- Describe your proudest moment
- Describe a time you felt paralyzed by fear
Describe an event
- Describe your happiest birthday party
- Describe the first time you spoke in public
Describe a behavior
- Describe how you acted during a breakup
- Describe a child having a tantrum
A descriptive essay is definitely an essay, with all of the requirements that any essay has: a topic, organization, flow, information, etc.
While you could just ramble on and on describing a person you love, if your writing doesn’t have a point, if it’s not organized, and if it doesn’t conclude, then it’s not an essay.
Depending on what you’re describing, you can choose different ways to organize your essay. For example, if you’re describing a person, you might want to describe them physically first, then emotionally, intellectually, or psychologically. Start with the outside, and work your way in.
If you’re describing a place, you might want to organize your writing spatially. A room could be described from one side to the other. A town could be described as if you were walking or driving through it.
If you’re describing an event or a situation, you might want to describe it chronologically. First this happened, then this, then that.
Every essay you write will have three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
Think of the organization of an essay like this:
- Intro – Tell your reader what you’re going to write about.
- Body – Write about it.
- Conclusion – Tell them what you wrote about.
Let’s go through each of those parts for a descriptive essay. Each part will include a sample.
Introduction
You want to begin your essay with a hook. A hook is an interesting opening that “catches” your reader’s attention and makes them want to read more. Your hook is usually the first sentence. It doesn’t have to be about what you’re describing – that comes a little later – but it needs to be connected to your topic somehow.
After you’ve hooked the reader, you want to give some context, or background information. Think of each sentence in your intro as a stepping stone. Each sentence brings you closer to your thesis statement.
Once you’ve given some context, write a thesis statement, which tells the reader exactly what they’re going to read about. Think of it like a map to the rest of your essay.
Sample introduction
Can you identify the hook, background information, and thesis statement in this sample?
I grew up in the suburbs, surrounded by formulaic houses on streets laid out in a grid with trees evenly spaced on the sidewalks. As a child of the suburbs, I dreamed of traveling. To where? Basically, anywhere on Earth but there. I wanted to see the world in all its diverse wonder. My dream came true when I turned 20 and got to sail in the Caribbean.
A typical essay will have between one and three body paragraphs, although you can write as many as you need (or as many as your teacher assigns you). Regardless of how many body paragraphs you have, they will all be organized in a similar manner.
Start with a topic sentence to show your reader what is coming up. This is a general sentence that gives an overview of that paragraph. It should also logically connect to the thesis statement.
The substance of a descriptive body paragraph is, of course, the descriptions. Whatever you’re describing, it goes here.
End a body paragraph with a sentence that summarizes what you wrote or that leads into the next paragraph.
Sample body paragraphs
Can you identify the topic sentences in each body paragraph? Can you identify the different kinds of description? Which sentences include description using the five senses? Which use descriptive language like similes, personification, and onomatopoeia?
My family and I flew into the St. Vincent airport and were met by my father’s friend, Jack, who was going to take us around the island on his sailboat. We would be sailing for a week: four adults in a 50-foot schooner. As soon as we exited the airport, my sunglasses fogged up from the heat and humidity. A sheen of perspiration covered my bare arms. I took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of palm trees and hibiscus. Jack drove us out to the marina, where we caught our first glimpse of our new accommodations.
The sailboat was tied up to a pier, floating on water of a color I thought only existed through Instagram filters. The boat itself was rocking gently, like a baby in a bassinet. When I first looked at the vessel, I wondered how four adults would fit into this floating contraption. Once we stepped inside, though, I saw how well organized the space was. There was room for all of us to move about comfortably, even if it was unsettling at first to walk on a floor that was also moving. Jack told us how to untie the lines and off we went, into the Caribbean Sea.
The first day, we sailed partway around the island, then found an anchorage in time for sunset. The sky changed from blue to yellow to orange and pink, and finally to gray. The moon was like a spotlight, creating twinkling sparkles on the water. Our anchorage was next to a small island, a rock covered with trees that came to life as the sun set. An orchestra of sounds erupted from the island, peeps and chirps and whistles filling the salty air around us. We ate dinner in the cockpit, feeling the boat rocking gently with the rising and falling of the swell.
This is how your essay ends and the last impression your reader takes away.
Conclude your essay by reminding the reader of your thesis statement (in the introduction). Then, summarize main points from your essay.
If you want, end with a closing statement: an idea that you want your reader to walk away with.
Sample conclusion
Can you identify the sentence that returns to the thesis statement? Can you identify the summary of the main points? Can you identify a closing statement?
I had wanted something different than my cookie-cutter suburb, and that year, my dream came true. I sailed in the Caribbean, feeling the wind in my hair and the water on my skin; seeing colors I didn’t believe existed; smelling green vegetation; and hearing birds, insects, and frogs living their best lives. I confirmed that travel is something I needed in my life. That sailboat in St. Vincent was just the beginning.
Example descriptive essay on Sailing in St. Vincent’s
If you would like the downloadable version, open the descriptive essay example .
Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.
Published August 19, 2020
By Halina Stolar. Halina has a Master’s degree in teaching and taught English as a Second Language and writing for almost 15 years overseas. She now works as a freelance writer and geeks out over grammar for fun.
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How to Write a Descriptive Essay: Tips and Structure
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Table of contents
- 1 What Is a Descriptive Essay?
- 2 What Is the Purpose of a Descriptive Essay?
- 3 How to Begin a Descriptive Essay?
- 4 Writing the Main Body of a Descriptive Essay
- 5 How to Conclude a Descriptive Essay?
- 6 Descriptive Essay Tips
There is no need to add that descriptive essays are extremely common. These are types of essays you will have to write and write on a regular basis during your education. When it comes to descriptive essay writing, you need to pay close attention to the details and the language you use. But we will share all the facts and details you need to know below. We have all the latest facts, and all the one’s experts will recommend them, and your professors will want to read your papers.
What Is a Descriptive Essay?
In order to understand the features of a descriptive essay and also learn how to write like an expert, you need to know what this type of written essay is. Only then can you understand descriptive writing and focus more on the things you need to include in your sentences. All descriptive essays are used to describe a person, object, place, or something else. However, they may be about explaining an emotion or a feeling you had at a specific time.
This can make them even harder. As always, you will need a perfect descriptive essay outline in order to complete the task well and with the best outcome possible. Your professor may ask you to describe almost anything. It is important to add that you will have to explain it in detail and use vivid language. The goal of such a paper is to enable the reader to create a mental picture of the subject.
To achieve this, a writer must employ colorful language to convey the central essay topic . The writer must also be able to use literary devices such as similes and metaphors to provide sensory details on the subject. At this point, the five major senses (sight, smell. touch, taste, and sound) should come to mind. The writer must, however, avoid providing unnecessary and/or redundant descriptions as this would have the reverse effect of turning readers off. As you may already know, writing a descriptive essay begins with choosing a topic that identifies it as such; to drive home this point, a list of some topics is shown below:
- A short trip to Miami
- A close look at diamonds
- How a telephone works
- My first time in a red district
- The day I had my first child
- Grandma`s wrinkled face
![how do you start a descriptive essay more_shortcode](https://papersowl.com/wp-content/themes/wp-webtech-theme/components/stuck-shortcode/img/img.png)
Choosing a topic is often not where the problem lies, as it is even provided in some cases. The main task before the writer is to show and tell the audience whatever information he wishes to convey. For instance, instead of saying “the room was silent,” the writer could express it as: “The room was such that one could clearly hear the sound of a pin drop.” That is just a simple illustration of how to “show” and not “tell” when writing a descriptive essay. We now turn to examine the basic steps in writing one.
Descriptive essays are aimed to create an image within the reader’s mind. This type of work requires a certain structure and proper usage of ideas. A step by step plan and following the following writing tips will help to fully develop the topic and write me an essay of the best possible quality.
What Is the Purpose of a Descriptive Essay?
The purpose of these papers is obvious. You need to use your language to explain a thing that will help the reader understand it 100%. In other words, a reader must know all about that place, object, or thing you had to describe completely like he saw it or used it. Due to the fact this is one of the hardest things to write, some students opt for a descriptive essay writing service that helps them with the writing and always gets them the grade they want and need.
The subject of your essay will be the main element here, and you need to tell the readers as much information as you can. More details will usually make this paper better and more detailed, hence a better grade. Obviously, you need to understand the topic or have a vivid recollection of the details in order to explain and describe them as well as possible.
How to Begin a Descriptive Essay?
This type of writing process is not as easy as you may believe. There are a few steps you will need to use only to start the writing. Keep in mind that you need to use a descriptive essay format that is provided by the professor or mandated by the school. Once you know this, you need to use the following steps. Yes, there are a few steps you will use only to start the writing process. The actual writing has even more steps, and it is more complicated.
- Select The Topic or What You Want To Describe The first thing you will need to start your writing process is to choose what you will describe. In some cases, you can describe anything you like. In others, you will get the object you need to describe. It is always a better option to choose what you want to describe. It makes the whole process better and easier. At the same time, you will use your own details and specifics that can make the paper much better. Try to understand that you need to know all about the thing you will have to describe. There are a lot of topics in this case scenario. Here are some.
✏️Example:
Describe the most impressive person you know.
- Gather Information The next step is to collect all the information. You will need details about the person, place, sensory details, and so much more. Once you have all of these, categorize them in notes and divide them. Always keep in mind that you can use write my essay for me option and get the paper done within hours. This can be a more appealing choice if you don’t like the topic you must write on. Anyway, using specific categories of information is beneficial. You can have all the details you will need to use, which will make writing better and easier. Don’t forget that this process will take time, so you may need days or weeks to collect all the information you must use.
- Start With The Outline Once you have all the descriptive essay topics and all the details, you will have to make the outline. This is the plan for your writing process. If you use literary tools such as metaphors, you will have to list them here. In general, you will make a list of all the points you will use in your essay. Each paragraph will be planned, and each one will have the claims you want to describe in them. This makes writing much easier and better in the end.
- Write Introduction How to write a descriptive essay introduction? It is the most complicated thing here and the one that can determine the outcome of your paper. At the end of the introduction, you will have to provide a thesis statement. The intro is very important because it can attract your readers to read the whole paper or skip the reading. Hence you can imagine the effort you will need to present here. It is always a great idea to start the first sentence with the hook . This is something that will attract your readers completely and keep them engaged longer.
I watched an aeroplane taking off during the storm that made the sky black and the ground filled with water.
Writing the Main Body of a Descriptive Essay
The body is where the writer conveys much of the information on the subject. In a 5-paragraph essay , this should be the second, third, and fourth paragraphs. Each paragraph is begun with a topic sentence that instantly conveys the main idea of the paragraph. This topic sentence is followed by a thesis sentence. This thesis sentence develops an argument that the paragraph would be centered on. The remaining sentences in the paragraph should be used to do justice to the argument. Most importantly, the final sentence of each paragraph should transition smoothly and beautifully to the next one.
![how do you start a descriptive essay what is descriptive essay](https://papersowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/body-descriptiv_1528707950.png)
For instance, the “hidden” motive for our sample, “Grandma`s wrinkled face” could be to reflect on how sad grandma is; and not necessarily how old she is. Sentences like this could help convey this “hidden” message: “It seems that grandma has been aging faster and faster ever since she lost her husband, her only source of happiness”. A statement such as this should be able to draw the reader’s attention to the emotional state of grandma instead of just dwelling on the “wrinkles”.
How to Conclude a Descriptive Essay?
In a way, a descriptive essay is a story and should have a logical and memorable ending. It, therefore, behooves the writer to use his creative imagination to leave the reader feeling satisfied. There are several ways to bring an essay to an end, but all of them involve summarizing the essay’s main ideas . The first sentence of the final paragraph should give the reader a strong hint that the discussion is drawing to a close. Here are a few hints on how to do this:
- It could also begin with “To summarize…
- Begin with “In conclusion…
- Begin the lead sentence with “Finally…
- The final paragraph could begin as: “In all…
In conclusion, a writer must recognize that the last sentence of any essay is likely what will stay with the reader ; therefore, the writer must craft this sentence as creatively as possible. The best thing that can happen to a writer is for his work to remain alive in the mind of a reader, and writing a beautiful conclusion is one good way to ensure this.
Descriptive Essay Tips
Your paper needs to have a good thesis statement and a detailed outline and present as much information and details as possible. When all of these are present, and you also have writing tips from below, you can expect the best outcome. Descriptive writing will test your patience! A professor can easily tell how much time did you invest into writing and why you liked those descriptive essay topics . Due to all of this, you will need to use the tips we have here. These are essential and can help you more than they may look.
- Start With Brainstorming This type of academic writing will need one thing from you. You need to have the time to brainstorm all the information, details, and ideas you may have. This may sound obvious, but it is essential. Once you have all the ideas and all the details you like, writing will be easier, and you will need more time.Try to do this step when you have the time and when you are relaxed. In other words, try to complete this step when you are motivated to do it and not when you have to do it. Write down the whole list of ideas you may have that are based on the thing you have to describe.
If you want to describe a car, write down, make, model, size, color, performance, and more. Describe each element.
- Use Only Vivid Language This means that the words you must use should touch the imagination of the reader completely and help him see the object or the person as you saw it. You can use strong and special words that will help you with that. For instance, you can use stallion instead of using the word horse. People will hear the word horse countless times per year. But they will hear the word stallion once or twice. This will make them more engaged in your paper and, at the same time, leave a stronger impression on the reader. The goal is to use as many words of this kind as you can. It will make the whole paper firmer, and this is something you will want.
- Concise and Clear Language Is A Must Always choose words that are related to the thing you want to describe and that has a huge role in the paper. This is not a well-known tip, and many students will fail to use it. But, if you are careful and you take the time, you can use all the words of this kind. This will make the whole paper more detailed and more special. It also described the thing much better, and it is easier for a reader to understand it.
- Organize Your Paper All we can say here is that writers must organize the details they want to present to the readers. This means that you need to present one point of view in detail before you move to the next one. In the end, you will present all the main points, but the reader will be able to understand all of them and remember all the details you have provided. Just remember that once you start explaining one element of your paper, explain it completely before you move to the next one.
- Use All Your Senses The thing you will explain must come with appealing to the senses, and you must transfer this to the readers. What this means is that you need to explain how something felt, tasted, smelled, looked, and what you have heard at that time. Believe it or not, using the sense of smell has a huge role here, and it can make a massive difference.
- Leave All Your Readers With Clear Impressions In the end, you need to have a paper that will describe the thing or the object completely so all the readers will feel like they have tested the food you have described, or they have visited that place.
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Descriptive Essay: Definition, Examples & Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay
When you are asked to write an essay , there are many different types to choose from. One such type is the descriptive essay which is favoured by a lot of authors. In this article, we are going to be looking at the descriptive essay in a little more detail such as what they are used for and how you can write a good descriptive essay yourself. We are also going to take a look at an example of a well written descriptive essay and a selection of topics about which you could write.
What Is A Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay is one which is used in order to describe something. These essays can describe anything from a person or place to an item or idea. The idea of the descriptive essay is to give the author a chance to hone their writing skills by way of description. On top of this, the descriptive essay is a great chance for the author to use their creative skills – the more vivid the description, the more the reader can picture clearly what is being talked about. This means that the writer should employ all their skills to paint an image for the audience.
How To Write A Good Descriptive Essay
Now that we have a good understanding of what a descriptive essay is, we are going to take a look at some handy tips for how to write one and the process that should be followed in order to create a convincing descriptive essay.
Choose A Topic
Any essay requires an engaging topic and the descriptive essay is no exception to this rule. When choosing a topic, you should choose something which you have an interest in as this will make you more passionate about your writing. There are a whole host of things you could write about so let’s take a look at some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
- Describe a summer holiday.
- Describe your oldest memory.
- Describe a member of your family .
- Describe a book you have read.
- Describe a movie you have seen.
- Describe an invention.
- Describe a place that means a lot to you.
- Describe your ideal home or room.
- Describe something from your imagination.
- Describe an outfit or an item of clothing.
- Describe a piece of jewellery.
Create An Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is used to lay out the purpose of the essay and should be referred back to at varying points throughout your writing. It should be included in the introduction so that your readers are clear on what the essay is about.
Speak To The Senses
When planning your essay it is important to remember that a descriptive essay should appeal to the senses. When describing your subject you should include how it looks, smells, how things taste, what can be heard and how something feels. It is important to lay out these senses in your essay outline as using these will create a much clearer picture for the reader.
Create Your Essay Outline
An essay outline is used to order your ideas and make rough notes of anything that is to be included in the work. Every essay should be written with the assistance of an essay outline, and it should look something like this:
- Introduction -Include your thesis statement, a hook to grab the attention of the reader (this could be a personal story, anecdote , joke or fact) and a little bit about the purpose of the essay.
- Body 1st paragraph -This section will detail the first point of your essay. In the case of a descriptive essay, you might detail how something looks in the first paragraph. A traditional essay is made up of three body paragraphs and each of these should be outlined too. That being said, there is some leeway when writing an essay and you can write more or less body paragraphs depending on what you need.
- Conclusion -This final part of your essay outline should refer back to the thesis statement and sum up all the ideas which have been presented throughout the essay.
Further Tips For Writing A Descriptive Essay
In order to write a clear, concise and easy to read descriptive essay, there are some more points that you should consider whilst writing. These tips will help you to construct an essay which will be well received and credited.
- Make sure that you take the time to properly brainstorm before you begin writing your descriptive essay. This is important because it will help you to make sure that you include all of your ideas and miss nothing out.
- The language that you use within your essay should be concise and clear, making it easy for the reader to get a grasp of. Whilst you want to use colourful descriptions that easily paint a picture, you do not want to over-complicate the language and therefore make the essay unreadable.
- Consider using synonyms (understandable ones) to make your writing sound more intelligent and creative. These will also add to the descriptive flair of this type of essay.
Example Of A Descriptive Essay
In order to gain a greater understanding of what a well written descriptive essay looks like, we are now going to take a look at an extract from a descriptive essay called ‘Yarn’ written by Kyoko Mori .
Those yellow mittens which I had made in 7th grade home ec had proven that I dreamt in colour. For the section about knitting, we were 1) meant to create a pair of mittens and 2) the hands must be the same size, so when they were held together, none of the stitches would stick out of the thumb, the fingers or from the cuff. Somewhere, in between the making of the 4th and the 5th mitten to meet this requirement, I dreamt that the yellow ball of yarn which was in my bag turned green. It was so bright, it was eclectic, I awoke in the knowledge that, once again, I was doomed for a D in that class.
Descriptive Essay Infographic
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Best Descriptive Essays: Examples & How-to Guide [+ Tips]
A descriptive essay is an academic paper that challenges a school or college student to describe something. It can be a person, a place, an object, a situation—anything an individual can depict in writing. The task is to show your abilities to communicate an experience in an essay format using vivid, illustrative language.
To understand how to write this paper, you’ll need to study some descriptive essay examples for college. Besides, you need to contemplate these aspects:
- how someone or somewhere looks;
- what happens with the person or place;
- what historical record you can add, if at all possible.
Our team has prepared this guide so that you’ll manage to write a famous descriptive essay. Learn how to outline your paper, nail the structure and the thesis statement. See the tips and explanations below, along with descriptive essay samples.
- 🖌️ Why Descriptive?
Research & Prepare
Outline your essay, write descriptively, revise & polish.
- 🖼️ Essay Examples
🖌️ What Makes an Essay Descriptive?
It’s time to make clear what we mean by a descriptive essay . For example, let’s suppose we were asked to write about a sports stadium. Here are two introductions we might come up with:
Example 1: A stadium is a place where sports, concerts, or other events take place. Usually, there will be a field or a stage, which most often will be surrounded completely or partially by a structure where spectators can sit or stand to watch.
Example 2: American sports nuts got what was probably their first sight of Twickenham rugby stadium when the Rugby World Cup Final was played there in 2015. Rugby has been played at Whitton Road in Twickenham since 1907, and the first international match took place three years later in 1910; when no game was scheduled, horses grazed the pitch. What is now the shining steel and glass double-decker West Stand was still, in the 1960s, a car park. Currently one of the world’s most state-of-the-art grounds, Twickenham holds 82,000 people, and it’s no longer horses when rugby is not being played but world-famous bands like U2, The Rolling Stones, and Bon Jovi who fill the place.
The first introduction is excellent for analytical essays as it’s a definition of what a sports stadium is. The second one depicts a specific stadium, and that – that act of describing – is what makes it descriptive.
![how do you start a descriptive essay Virginia Woolf quote.](https://custom-writing.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/virginia-woolf-quote.png)
When you’re writing a descriptive essay, it’s the style of the second example and not the first that you should be striving for. Try to use living, vivid language to draw a picture in words of whatever it is you’re writing about.
🎨 How to Write Good Descriptive Essays
When you’re writing a paper, the standard advice would be:
- Say what you’re going to tell your reader.
- Say what you’ve told your reader.
The same fundamental structure applies to a descriptive essay. Yet, there are numerous nuances that you should keep in mind to produce an outstanding paper. In the following sections, we’ll elaborate on them in detail.
So, you are ready to write your excellent descriptive essay, but you don’t know how to start? Don’t be lost. While writing any kind of paper, start with the research and preparation. Take a look at our tips!
- Consider the topic that you’re working with. Whether it’s assigned or picked by you, make sure you understand it completely. Make sure that it’s a descriptive essay that you’re supposed to write.
- Have a brainstorming session. Jot down some notes on what you think about the matter. Some of them will be useless, but it’s okay: among all the ideas, you’ll find something useful for your paper.
- Do some research. Find out what other people think about the place or event, if possible. Make notes about essential historical facts and people’s opinions.
- Add details. A good descriptive essay should be full of specifics. So, include background information, dates, names, physical characteristics, etc. This trick will help the reader to dive deep into the story and get the idea better.
- Are you going to go with your perspective?
- Are you going to go with other people’s opinions?
- Would the best result for this particular essay come from weighing the options? (So, you’d write, “Some people think this and some people believe in that ).
After all these steps, you’ll have enough material to create your descriptive essay structure.
When you have enough facts and memories, you can move on to the next step – outlining. We highly recommend you create an outline before you start writing an essay. It will help you to structure your ideas logically and coherently.
Your essay outline should include the following elements:
- Introduction . A good introduction should be catchy and concise. Start with the hook—an attention-grabbing element (rhetorical question, joke, statistics, etc.). Then, provide the general background and highlight the issues your essay will cover. End your intro with a clear thesis statement—a sentence that reflects your position.
- Body paragraphs . Each body paragraph should contain only one idea and start from the topic sentence, so the reader knows what to focus on. Make your body paragraphs full of details and specific examples. Don’t be too general because you risk losing the reader’s attention very fast.
- Conclusion . Wrap up your essay by restating the main points and summarizing your key ideas. Don’t include any new facts in the last paragraph. If you suspect that you miss an essential argument, better add it in the body.
Besides having a good structure, the best descriptive essay should be composed of strong and dynamic words. In this section, we will explain how to make your paper illustrative and memorable.
To make your writing descriptive , try the following:
- Choose your POV.
Decide who is the narrator of your story and filter the vocabulary through the narrator’s perspective. For example, you are describing your memories of childhood. Thus, your character is a child. Think how the kid’s perception of the world differs from reality and try to convey the feelings using appropriate words. Note that you can still write in the third person.
- Rely on precise words.
Avoid too abstract terms and general words. Instead, use dynamic vocabulary that precisely conveys your feelings. For example, you might write, “I felt bad.” Let’s make it more specific! How about writing, “I felt exhausted/ horrified/ anxious/ sick/ stressed, etc.”?
- Use figures of speech.
Don’t forget about the wide variety of literary devices! Use comparisons, metaphors, onomatopoeia, or exaggeration. You might say, “my girlfriend has beautiful eyes.” But Shakspeare would say. “My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun” ( Sonnet, 130 ). Strive to be this creative!
- Keep connotations and variations in mind.
Use the richness of the language to improve your creative writing skills. English is full of synonyms and various grammar structures. Take the maximum benefit from them. BUT! Avoid using the word if you are unsure about its meaning.
- Compare and contrast.
Nothing can help to describe things better than comparison. So, deepen your sentences by examining the contrast and similarities between the objects or emotions.
- Implement sensory details.
Do you remember the five basic human senses? They are sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. Rather than just telling the story, try to appeal to the reader’s five senses. This trick will help you to make the audience more engaged in your narrative.
![how do you start a descriptive essay How to describe your experience.](https://custom-writing.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/how-to-describe-your-experience.png)
When you reach the end, you haven’t finished. What you’ve done is to create the first version of your descriptive essay. Professional writers know how vital the first draft is because it isn’t possible to edit a blank page.
To revise and polish your text, follow these steps:
- Check the structure. Your essay has to contain all the fundamental parts (introduction, main body, conclusion). Also, make sure that there are transitions between the key points and topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph.
- Check the balance. All the essay parts should be approximate of the same significance. Keep in mind that each point should have the same number of details and arguments.
- Make sure you explored all the points. Read your introduction, paying extra attention to the thesis statement. Then, look through the entire essay and check whether you discussed every aspect you introduced in the first paragraph.
- Examine your information. Every piece of data and detail has to be valid. Make sure your arguments are logical, and your examples are appropriate. If something seems weak, rewrite it or consider cutting that part down.
- Polish your conclusion. The last paragraph of your essay should correspond to the introduction. Moreover, it should summarize your points and make a final impression on the reader. Make your conclusion memorable and dynamic.
You may go through this revision and rewriting process several times. Or you may become so skilled at writing descriptive essays that you’re good to go after the first revision.
🖼️ Famous Descriptive Essay Examples
Now that we’ve discussed how to write a descriptive essay, we should tell you the last crucial tip. Your chances of composing a perfect paper are low when you don’t check the samples first.
Here, you can find specific descriptive essay examples in these guides:
- Coral Reef Essay :
Do you admire wildlife? Are you fascinated by the divine beauty of the sea and ocean creatures? If you have a task to write about nature, or you can choose the topic yourself, think about composing a descriptive essay about coral reefs!
- Harriet Tubman Essay :
Do you need to talk about an outstanding historical figure? Or you need to compose a descriptive essay about a person? Choose an American political activist Harriet Tubman. Her biography and achievements won’t leave you indifferent!
- Americanism Essay :
Americanism is one of the most common paper topics for college students in the U.S. Has your instructor gave you the assignment to write about the USA identity? Compose a descriptive essay on Americanism!
- Halloween Essay :
Everybody loves holidays! And the teachers like to give the tasks to write about them. If you are wondering what celebration to select, consider choosing Halloween. It offers a bunch of traditions to describe.
Descriptive Essay Topics
- Description of punk culture.
- The beauty of Dresden.
- Give a description of Sweetbay Magnolia ornamental tree.
- Memorable design of Apple Company’s logo.
- Representation of emotions while viewing art or nature.
- Describe the Paricutín volcano .
- Give a description of Diana Krall’s concert at Jazz Festival in San Sebastián.
- Compare the interior and exterior of the Palatine Chapel and St. Michael’s Chapel.
- Discuss the design principles and visual elements of the Baptistery of San Giovanni’s south doors.
- The unusual style of the Graduate House of the University of Toronto.
- The description of the Jewish religious service.
- The magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
- The overview of my dream car .
- Discuss the design of Britam Tower in Nairobi.
- An exceptional scenery of the Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
- Description and analysis of the film The Joker .
- The day I was buying a laptop .
- Give a description of main types of friendship .
- Main holidays in Pakistan and how they are celebrated.
- The historical atmosphere of Ellis Island.
- The unique culture of Cook Island inhabitants.
- Describe the impressions of the picture.
- Describe traditions and culture of the Kootenai Indians.
- What does my dream home look like?
- Discuss the visual elements of Lady Sennuwy statue .
- Balinese wedding ceremonies and traditions.
- Recount your first day at college .
- Describe and analyze Susan Anthony’s life and achievements .
- The unique beauty of the Amazon rainforest .
- The important elements of the Haitian flag.
- Values and specifics of Brazilian culture .
- The magnificence of Shark Valley.
- Describe the activities and personality of Eleanor Roosevelt.
- Describe the writing process.
- The peculiarities of a tapa and it’s role in cultural ceremonies.
- Give the description of the statue of Osiris-Antinous.
- Discuss the Ways of Christmas Sweater Day celebration.
- What impresses you the most in Cézanne’s art.
- Description of Atlantis Paradise Island site .
- Describe the peculiarities of your favorite music.
- Analyze the characteristics of contemporary design in Evolution Queen Wall Bed.
- Movements, symbolism, and transformation of the Chinese Dragon Dance and Lion Dance.
- Describe the falling in love process.
- Narrate about your first try to ride a bicycle .
- Representation of the ancient Greek design: the marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis.
- Discuss the thematic elements of Indian Fire God painting by Frederic Remington.
- The personality and art of Tracey Emin.
- Describe the history of PayPal company.
- Describe the features and historical meaning of the Column of Trajan.
- Overview of the painting Toy Pieta by Scott Avett.
In case these ideas aren’t for you, you can find more descriptive essay topics on our website.
Thanks for visiting our page! Share it with your friends and explore the other articles on our website. We have more useful information for you.
🔗 References
- Descriptive Writing, Organization and Structure: Writing Center, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Examples of How to Write a Good Descriptive Paragraph: Richard Nordquist, ThoughtCo
- How Can I Write More Descriptively: Sweetland Center for Writing, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the University of Michigan
- Revising the Draft: Laura Saltz, the Writing Center at Harvard University
- Descriptive Essays: Purdue Writing Lab, College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University
- Paragraph Development, Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: Research Guides at the University of Southern California
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Developing a clear and organized outline is an essential step in the process of crafting a well-written descriptive essay. By creating an outline, you can effectively structure your thoughts and ensure that your essay follows a logical progression. It serves as a roadmap for your writing, allowing you to focus on the main ideas and supporting ...
The use of literary devices such as personification and metaphor makes the banyan tree in the second example come to life. This is how you can make your writing more vivid, descriptive, and poetic. 2. Use your senses. Sensory descriptors are one of the most important aspects of a descriptive essay.
Descriptive essay example. An example of a short descriptive essay, written in response to the prompt "Describe a place you love to spend time in," is shown below. Hover over different parts of the text to see how a descriptive essay works. On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house.
3. Use sensory details. A key element of a good descriptive essay is a lot of details that focus on the five senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. Put a lot of sensory details into your opening paragraph. Describe how a scene sounds or tastes. Discuss how an object feels or smells.
Best Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay. Outline the essay in sections and create a thesis statement to base the essay on. Then, write a strong introduction and describe the subject matter using creative and vivid adjectives. Use similes, metaphors, and your own emotions to help you bring the topic to life. Part 1.
A descriptive essay's primary goal is to captivate the reader by writing a thorough and vivid explanation of the subject matter, while appealing to their various senses. A list of additional goals is as follows: - Spark feeling and imagination. - Create a vivid experience. - Paint a mental picture. - Pique curiosity.
Descriptive essays teach students the basics of writing and self-expression. Depending on your line of work and your writing goals, you may continue writing descriptive essays well into your professional career. Get 50% off this Labor Day. Get 50% off this Labor Day. Get 50% off this Labor Day. Offer Ends Soon.
A descriptive essay is an essay focused on describing something. That "something" can be anything, such as an event, a place, an experience, an object, or even a person. Descriptive essays aren't exactly the same as other kinds of essays , though you might find yourself using descriptive writing in other essay types to strengthen your ...
This brainstorming will give you the raw material for your descriptive essay. The next step is to create an essay outline. Typically, this will include: An Introduction - An outline of what you will describe and the "thesis" for your essay (i.e., a key theme that will run through your essay and guide your description). For instance, if ...
The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to describe something—object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc. ... make sure that you jot down some ideas before you begin describing it. For instance, if you choose pizza, you might start by writing down a few words: sauce, cheese, crust, pepperoni, sausage ...
A descriptive essay is both expository and creative. When you write a descriptive essay, you use rich diction to make your chosen subject come alive. Your job is to describe in detail a person, place, or thing. You describe things every day of your life. Just think: you tell your friend about the date you had last night in great detail, or you describe how good that bowl of ramen was yesterday ...
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything you need to know about writing descriptive essays, from choosing engaging topics, to using figurative expressions and sensory details, to structuring your essay and avoiding common pitfalls. You will also find examples of effective descriptive essays, practice prompts, and additional ...
As you write your descriptive essay, the best way to create a vivid experience for your readers is to focus on the five senses. sight. sound. smell. touch. taste. When you focus your descriptions on the senses, you provide vivid and specific details that show your readers rather than tell your readers what you are describing.
Step 1: Select Your Topic. The first step in creating a captivating descriptive essay is choosing the right topic. Start by paying close attention to your surroundings. Consider describing a person you know well in your life, like a sibling, a close friend, or a teacher who has made a significant impact on you.
How to Start a Descriptive Essay. Making sure you choose the right topic is the first hurdle to cross. A topic for a descriptive essay is vital because it is the main subject you will be writing about. Spend at least 20 minutes brainstorming different topic ideas and make sure you choose a topic that you know well.
When writing a descriptive essay about a person or place, adding their personal traits will be helpful. Some examples of descriptive essay topics include: Compose a detailed descriptive essay about your best friend. Describe a fancy place that you have created. Describe your dream vacation destination.
Step 3: Get the senses right. Next, create five labelled columns on a sheet of paper, each one having a different of the five senses. This labelled list will help you to sort out your thoughts as you describe your topic - the taste, sight, touch, smell and sound of your topic can be sketched out among the columns.
Descriptive essay is one of the hardest forms of writing. To master descriptive writing, you must be creative and craft a scene that all readers can picture with words alone. This freedom and creativity can make it one of the most rewarding and fun essays to write. It is the backbone of all artful writing like poetry, novels, and even ...
Follow the below-mentioned steps to finally begin your writing procedure for the descriptive essay: 1. Introduction. An introduction serves as the gateway to your essay, drawing readers into the realm of your ideas. It's the stage where you set the tone and establish the central theme.
Key takeaways. Describe your topic using the five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Use descriptive language, such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, and emotive language. Remember: a descriptive essay is still an essay and should have a thesis or argument that brings your ideas together.
For instance, instead of saying "the room was silent," the writer could express it as: "The room was such that one could clearly hear the sound of a pin drop.". That is just a simple illustration of how to "show" and not "tell" when writing a descriptive essay. We now turn to examine the basic steps in writing one.
Introduction -Include your thesis statement, a hook to grab the attention of the reader (this could be a personal story, anecdote, joke or fact) and a little bit about the purpose of the essay. Body 1st paragraph -This section will detail the first point of your essay. In the case of a descriptive essay, you might detail how something looks in ...
Here are two introductions we might come up with: Example: Example 1: A stadium is a place where sports, concerts, or other events take place. Usually, there will be a field or a stage, which most often will be surrounded completely or partially by a structure where spectators can sit or stand to watch. Example:
Descriptive Essay About Myself I find it extremely tough to talk about myself and my personal traits. In order for me to dIscuss who I am in an accurate manner then I must provide some basic background information on myself and talk about the Environment I grew up in. This way people can get a better understanding of why I am the way I am. My Background is so essential In making me myself ...