Descriptive Essay

Descriptive Essay About Food

Caleb S.

Delicious Descriptions: A Guide to Writing a Descriptive Essay About Food

descriptive essay about food

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Writing about food can be a delectable experience. Whether it’s discussing the taste, texture, smell, or presentation of something delicious, descriptive writing about food is an art form.

But how can you describe food in a way that engages the reader and makes them hungry for more? With some tips, your writing can be mouth-watering and make readers want to try out whatever you are describing.

In this guide, you will get tips to write an essay that will tantalize the taste buds of your readers. You will also get to read essay samples that will help you write your essay.

So let's jump right in!

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  • 1. Descriptive Essay - A Quick Overview 
  • 2. Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay About Food
  • 3. Descriptive Essay About Food Examples
  • 4. Descriptive Essay About Food Topics

Descriptive Essay - A Quick Overview 

A descriptive essay focuses on describing the characteristics, features, and appearance of a person, place, or object. This type of writing is often used in essays, articles, and other types of written work.

Descriptive writing requires strong sensory detail and vivid description to create a full picture of the subject matter. It is important to use descriptive language that evokes emotion, imagery, and imagination. 

When writing about food, descriptive language can help readers feel as if they are actually tasting the food.

Watch the following video to learn more about descriptive essay:

Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay About Food

Are you wondering how to write a descriptive essay about food? We've got the answer for you!

Here are some tips to help you create a stunning descriptive essay about food that will make readers savor every word: 

Tip 1: Choose An Interesting and Appetizing Topic

Make sure your topic is something that people can relate to. For instance, you can write an essay on your favorite food, or describe different kinds of foods.

You can also write about a cultural food experience or discuss an unusual ingredient. Whatever topic you choose, try to make it interesting and engaging. 

Tip 2: Use Vivid Language

When writing a descriptive essay on food, use adjectives, metaphors, and similes to make the description come alive. Try describing the texture, smell, flavor, and presentation of the food in detail.

It's also important to incorporate sensory words like “tangy”, “savory” or “sweet.” Use descriptive language to evoke the senses to create an image that readers can visualize and relish.

Tip 3: Include Personal Anecdotes

If you have an interesting anecdote or experience related to your topic, include it in your essay. Readers will be more engaged if they can connect to your narrative.

Including a personal story in your essay can make it more engaging and memorable. Talk about how the food made you feel, why it was special to you, or any sensory experiences associated with it.

Tip 4: Do Some Research

Doing some research about your topic can help you create a well-rounded essay. Look up recipes, food facts, and regional influences to add more detail and depth to your writing.

Research can also help you understand the history behind certain dishes, ingredients, and cultures. This will provide interesting facts for readers that they may have not known about before.

Tip 5: Structure Your Essay

Make sure to organize your essay in a way that makes sense and flows smoothly. You can use a descriptive essay outline for this. Set up the introduction by introducing the topic and explaining why it’s important or interesting.

Then, move into the body of the essay, which should include vivid descriptions of all aspects of food. Finish with a conclusion that ties everything together.

Tip 6: Be Precise and Concise

When writing a descriptive essay about food, it’s important to be as precise and concise as possible. Choose your words carefully and eliminate any unnecessary details that could distract from the main idea.

Also, make sure all of your sentences flow together smoothly to create an effective piece of writing.

Now that you know how to write a descriptive essay about food, let's look at some example essays. Reading examples that effectively use these tips will help you use them in your own essay. 

So read on!

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Descriptive Essay About Food Examples

Check out the following food essay samples. These examples will serve as models for crafting your own amazing essay.

Descriptive Writing About Favorite Food

Descriptive Essay About Fast Food

Descriptive Writing About Food

Descriptive Essay About Food Festival

Descriptive Essay on My Best Food

Descriptive Essay About Chinese Food

Descriptive Essay On Food Street

Descriptive Writing About A Food Court

Descriptive Writing About Junk Food

Short Essay On Food

My Favourite Food Essay 250 Words

You should also read othe r descriptive essay examples i f you want to master descriptive essays.

Descriptive Essay About Food Topics

Here are a few topic ideas that will help you get started.

  • The Perfect Pizza Slice: Describe the ideal pizza slice, including its toppings, crust, and the experience of savoring it.
  • A Gourmet Burger Experience: Write about a gourmet burger you've enjoyed, detailing its ingredients, flavors, and the ambiance of the restaurant.
  • Exploring Street Food: Describe the sensory overload of a bustling street food market, highlighting the various cuisines and vendors.
  • The Art of Sushi Making: Take your readers on a journey into the world of sushi, explaining the ingredients and the skills required to create this delicacy.
  • A Homemade Family Recipe: Share a cherished family recipe and recount the memories associated with it.
  • A Chocolate Lover's Paradise: Describe a visit to a chocolate factory or shop, focusing on the range of chocolates and the experience of tasting them.
  • The Allure of Fine Dining: Write about a fine dining experience, elaborating on the ambiance, service, and the culinary creations that make it special.
  • An Exotic Fruit Adventure: Detail your encounter with an exotic fruit, highlighting its appearance, taste, and any cultural significance.
  • The Charm of a Picnic: Describe a picnic in a scenic location, discussing the food, surroundings, and the joy of outdoor dining.
  • A Culinary Trip Abroad: Share your experience of trying local dishes during your travels, explaining the unique flavors and cultural context.

Try writing your essay on one of these topics or think of a topic by yourself. 

You can also check out other descriptive essay topics to get inspiration.

Wrapping it up,

Writing a descriptive essay about food can be both enjoyable and challenging. With these tips, you can write a delicious and compelling descriptive essay on food that will make readers hungry for more. So grab a pen and paper and get writing! 

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At MyPerfectWords.com, we provide a specialized descriptive essay writing service . So if you want a unique and well-crafted essay, our expert essay writer is here to help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start a descriptive essay about food.

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Start your essay with a hook, which can be an interesting quote or anecdote about the topic. Afterward, start by introducing the topic and explaining why it’s important or interesting.

How would you describe the appearance of food?

You can describe the food’s appearance by including vivid adjectives and phrases. For instance, you can describe the texture of food as “crispy”, “crumbly”, or “smooth”. You can also include words like “juicy” and “succulent” to describe the flavor of food.

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Writing a descriptive essay about food is an enjoyable way to bring the flavors and textures to life. Whether you want to describe your favorite dish or share a memorable culinary experience, descriptive writing about food can transport your readers to a world of delightful sensations. This article will provide you with 10 specific tips to help you write a perfect descriptive essay about food, allowing you to capture the essence of your gastronomic experiences on paper.

Writing a descriptive essay about food is an enjoyable way to bring the flavors and textures to life. Whether you want to describe your favorite dish or share a memorable culinary experience, descriptive writing about food can transport your readers to a world of delightful sensations. This article will provide you with 10 specific tips to help you write a perfect descriptive essay about food, allowing you to capture the essence of your gastronomic experiences on paper.

Crafting Flavors with Words: Mastering Descriptive Writing about Food

When it comes to writing a descriptive essay about food , the goal is to paint a vivid picture with words and bring the flavors and aromas to life for the reader. Whether you are writing a short essay or a longer piece, descriptive writing can make your words come alive and engage the reader’s senses. Here are some tips to help you master the art of descriptive essay writing about food: 

  • Start with an Introduction: Begin your descriptive essay by introducing the topic and capturing the reader’s attention. Clearly state that you will write a descriptive essay about food, and mention that you will be providing examples to make your writing more relatable. 
  • Choose Your Favorite Food : Select your favorite food as the focus of your essay. It could be a dish from your cultural background or simply a meal that you enjoy the most. Writing about something you are passionate about will make your descriptive essay more engaging and authentic. 
  • Describe the Food in Detail : Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of your favorite food. Talk about the appearance, colors, and presentation of the dish. Describe the aroma that fills the air and the textures you can feel when you take a bite. Be specific in your descriptions to make the reader feel like they are experiencing the food themselves. 
  • Highlight the Best Aspects : Focus on the best qualities of the food you are describing. Talk about what makes it stand out and why it is your favorite. Is it the perfect balance of flavors, the unique combination of ingredients, or the way it satisfies your cravings? Highlight these aspects to make your descriptive essay more compelling. 
  • Consider Health and Nutrition : While writing about your favorite food, you can also touch upon the aspect of health and nutrition. Talk about how your favorite food can be a part of a healthy and balanced diet. Share any nutritious elements or benefits that the food offers. This will show a well-rounded perspective on your favorite dish. 
  • Use Examples and Personal Stories : To make your descriptive essay about food more engaging, include examples and personal stories. Share an experience related to the food that left a lasting impression on you. It could be a memorable meal shared with loved ones or a special occasion where the food played a significant role. 
  • Keep the Reader in Mind: Remember that your target audience is the reader, so make your descriptive essay relatable to them. Consider the preferences and tastes of the general audience, including students who might be reading your essay. Keep your language simple and clear to ensure that the reader can easily connect with your writing. 
  • Use Sensory Language : Engage the reader’s senses by using descriptive and sensory language. Capture the flavors, aromas, textures, and visual appeal of the food. For instance, describe the sizzling sound of a juicy steak on the grill or the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread.
  • Provide Context and Background : Give context to the food you are describing by sharing its cultural significance, history, or personal meaning. Explain why it is considered a delicacy or a traditional dish. This adds depth and interest to your essay.
  • Revise and Edit: After completing your descriptive essay, take the time to revise and edit your work. You can use Grammarly to check for any grammar or spelling errors and ensure that your essay flows smoothly. Trim any unnecessary information and make sure that each sentence contributes to the overall descriptive experience. 

Effective Tips to Write a Perfect Descriptive Essay about Food

Writing a perfect descriptive essay about food requires attention to detail, creativity, and effective language use. You can find topic inspiration at different websites. Here are some additional tips to help you craft an ideal academic piece:

  • Create an Outline : Before diving into the writing process, create an outline to organize your thoughts and structure your essay effectively. It will help you stay focused and ensure a coherent flow of ideas.
  • Appeal to Emotions : Connect with your audience by evoking emotions through your descriptive essay. Describe the feelings associated with the food, such as comfort, nostalgia, or excitement. For example, you can depict the warmth and coziness that a bowl of homemade chicken soup brings on a cold winter day.
  • Incorporate Comparative Language : Make your descriptions more vivid by using comparative language. Compare the taste, appearance, or texture of the food to familiar objects or experiences. For instance, you could compare the creaminess of a chocolate mousse to a velvety cloud.

When it comes to academic writing or seeking assistance with any papers, a paper writing service can provide valuable support. Trustworthy essay writing service CustomWritings , for example, offers professional help with various writing tasks. 

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Descriptive Essay about Food

When crafting a descriptive essay about food, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that can undermine the quality and impact of your writing. By avoiding these errors, you can ensure that your essay effectively captures the essence of the culinary experience and engages your readers. Here are some mistakes to steer clear of: 

  • Lack of Specificity : Avoid being vague or general in your descriptions. Be specific in detailing the appearance, flavors, and textures of the food. Instead of saying “the dish was good,” provide concrete details like “the dish was a delectable combination of savory spices, tender meat, and a hint of citrus.” 
  • Overuse of Adjectives: While adjectives are essential for descriptive writing, it’s crucial to strike a balance. Overusing adjectives can make your essay sound exaggerated or lacking credibility. Select the most relevant and impactful adjectives to create a rich description without overwhelming the reader. 
  • Neglecting Structure: A well-structured essay ensures a logical flow of ideas and enhances readability. Avoid haphazardly organizing your essay. Plan an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the food, providing a cohesive and coherent narrative. 
  • Ignoring Proofreading and Editing: Mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and spelling can detract from the overall quality of your essay fast. Failing to proofread and edit your work can leave a negative impression on the reader. Take the time to carefully review your essay, correcting any errors and ensuring clarity and coherence. 
  • Plagiarism: Copying someone else’s work or using unattributed content is a serious offense in academic writing. Plagiarism can result in severe consequences, including academic penalties. Always cite your sources when referencing information or ideas from other authors. 
  • Lack of Research: For a well-rounded descriptive essay, it’s essential to conduct research on the food you are describing. Understand its cultural significance, history, and preparation methods. Incorporate relevant information to provide depth and authenticity to your essay.

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Writing Beginner

How to Describe Good Food in Writing (21 Tips + Examples)

Capturing the essence of a scrumptious meal in words is like painting a beautiful picture with your vocabulary.

Here’s how to describe good food in writing:

Describe good food in writing by using sensory language, highlighting ingredients, emphasizing texture and taste, and evoking emotions. Combine varied adjectives, metaphors, and similes for vivid, enticing descriptions.

Here’s your ultimate guide on how to describe good food in writing.

21 Elements for Describing Good Food in Writing

Three tacos on a wooden plate - How to Describe Good Food in Writing

Table of Contents

We’ll be focusing on several elements that define a remarkable food description:

  • Type of Food
  • Presentation
  • Flavor Spectrum
  • Personal Reaction
  • Cultural Context
  • Memories Evoked
  • Synaesthesia
  • Pairing Combinations
  • Ingredients
  • Cooking Method
  • Food’s History
  • Seasonality
  • Visual Appeal
  • Temperature
  • Emotional Response
  • Time of Day

And now, let’s dig into our 21 tips on describing good food, each served with a fresh example.

1. Identify the Type of Food

Before diving into the description, let your reader know what type of food with which you’re dealing.

Is it a dessert, an appetizer, or a main course? Is it a local dish or a foreign delicacy?

Identifying the food provides a context for the reader and sets the stage for the detailed description.

It prepares the reader for what is to come and enhances their understanding of the food’s role in a meal or event.

Example: The Pad Thai, a staple of Thai cuisine, beckoned enticingly from the center of the table, promising a dance of flavors.

2. Highlight the Ingredients

The ingredients of a dish often determine its flavor profile.

Identifying the ingredients in your description allows your reader to imagine the flavors, even if they’ve never tasted the dish.

It also gives the reader an understanding of the food’s complexity and the effort that goes into preparing it.

Listing the ingredients is not just about naming them, but also about describing their attributes.

Example: The sizzling fajitas were a fiesta of bell peppers, onions, and tender chicken strips, all bathed in a zesty lime marinade.

3. Discuss the Texture

Texture plays a huge role in our enjoyment of food.

It can make the difference between a dish we love and a dish we find unpalatable. Describing the texture—whether crunchy, smooth, chewy, or soft—helps the reader imagine how the food feels in the mouth.

It contributes to the overall sensory experience and can evoke powerful reactions.

Example: The artisanal bread was a delight, its crust crackling satisfyingly under the touch, revealing a soft, airy interior.

4. Describe the Flavor Spectrum

Is the food sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami, or a combination of these tastes?

Describing the flavor spectrum gives your reader a more complete picture of what to expect when tasting the food.

It also reveals the complexity of the dish and the skill that went into balancing the flavors. Remember, a good dish often balances several tastes to create a harmonious whole.

Example: The mango salsa was a playful blend of sweet and tangy, with a hint of spice from the jalapenos.

5. Focus on the Presentation

We eat with our eyes first.

The presentation of the dish can stimulate our appetite and increase our anticipation.

By describing the presentation, you allow the reader to visualize the dish, making it more enticing. This can include the arrangement of the food, the dishware, the garnish, and even the colors in the dish.

Example: The sushi rolls were meticulously arranged in a vibrant rainbow, the pink salmon, the creamy avocado, and the stark white rice creating a feast for the eyes.

6. Convey the Aroma

The aroma of food can trigger powerful memories and emotions.

A certain smell can transport us back to our grandmother’s kitchen or a favorite restaurant. Describing the aroma can make your food writing more engaging and relatable.

It’s not just about identifying the smell but about conveying its intensity and its effect on the eater.

Example: The aroma of the slow-roasted coffee was intoxicating, filling the room with a warm, comforting scent that promised a rich, full-bodied brew.

7. Use Sensory Language

Engage all five senses in your description.

Discuss not only how the food looks, tastes, and smells, but also how it sounds and feels.

Sensory language makes your writing more vivid and engaging. It helps your reader to fully experience the food, even if they can’t taste it.

Example: The caramel popcorn was a sensory delight, the loud crunch, the sweet taste, and the buttery aroma all combining to create an irresistible treat.

8. Share the Cooking Process

The cooking process can add depth to your food description.

Discussing how the food is prepared can reveal the time, skill, and effort that goes into the dish.

It can also explain why the food tastes the way it does.

For instance, a slow-cooked stew might have more intense flavors than a quickly stir-fried dish.

Example: The brisket, slow-cooked over hickory wood for hours, was a testament to patience and skill, its smoky, rich flavors a reward for the wait.

9. Talk About the Temperature

The temperature of the food can influence its taste and texture.

Cold food can be refreshing, while hot food can be comforting. By discussing the temperature, you add another layer to your food description.

It also sets expectations for the reader about how the food should be served and enjoyed.

Example: The chilled gazpacho was a refreshing reprieve from the sweltering summer heat, its coolness amplifying the freshness of the vegetables.

10. Discuss Pairings

Food rarely exists in isolation.

It’s usually paired with other food or drinks, which can enhance or balance its taste.

Discussing pairings allows you to explore these interactions and gives the reader suggestions for how to enjoy the food.

Pairings can also reveal cultural traditions or personal preferences.

Example: The spicy Thai curry was perfectly balanced by the sweet, fragrant jasmine rice, the two dishes creating a harmonious duet.

11. Reflect Cultural Significance

Food is a window into a culture.

It reveals traditions, history, and lifestyle. Reflecting the cultural significance of a dish can give your reader a deeper appreciation of the food.

It’s not just about the food itself, but also about the people who prepare and enjoy it.

This can be particularly relevant when describing ethnic or traditional dishes.

Example: The tagine, a centerpiece of Moroccan cuisine, was a vibrant medley of spices, meat, and vegetables, its slow cooking process a reflection of the country’s unhurried pace of life.

12. Use Comparisons

Comparisons can make your food descriptions more relatable.

By comparing the food to something the reader is familiar with, you make it easier for them to imagine the taste, texture, or aroma.

This can be particularly useful when describing unfamiliar or exotic dishes.

You can use similes or metaphors to make effective comparisons.

Example: The durian, often dubbed the ‘king of fruits’, had a unique taste that was a bizarre blend of sweet custard and pungent onions.

13. Tell a Story

A story can make your food description more engaging.

It adds a personal touch and can evoke emotions. The story could be about how the food was prepared, where it was eaten, or who it was shared with.

This narrative approach can make the food more appealing and memorable.

It makes the reader part of the experience, not just a passive observer.

Example: As we sat around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and crafting gooey s’mores, the simple treat became a symbol of friendship and shared experiences.

14. Evoke Emotions

Food is more than just sustenance—it’s tied to emotions.

A certain dish can bring comfort, joy, nostalgia, or even disappointment. By evoking emotions in your food description, you connect with the reader on a deeper level.

This can make your description more powerful and engaging.

Example: The homemade apple pie, with its sweet, cinnamon-spiced filling and flaky crust, brought a wave of nostalgia, transporting me back to my childhood days at grandma’s house.

15. Play with Language

Don’t be afraid to play with language in your food description.

Use varied adjectives, play with sentence structure, and incorporate figurative language. This can make your description more vibrant and engaging.

It allows you to express your unique voice and creativity.

Example: The burger was a tower of temptation, layers of juicy beef, sharp cheddar, and crisp lettuce sandwiched between two fluffy buns, all conspiring to challenge the eater’s self-control.

16. Show, Don’t Tell

Rather than just telling your reader that the food is delicious, show them why it’s delicious.

Describe the ingredients, the flavors, the presentation, the texture.

This is a more engaging and convincing way to express the food’s appeal. It encourages the reader to reach the same conclusion, rather than simply accepting your opinion.

Example: The artisanal chocolate was a revelation, its rich, dark flavor studded with notes of red berries and a hint of vanilla, its texture smooth and velvety.

17. Describe the Intensity

The intensity of flavors, aromas, or textures can significantly influence the eating experience.

Describing this intensity allows the reader to understand how strong or subtle the food’s characteristics are.

It sets expectations and allows the reader to imagine the sensory experience more accurately.

Example: The wasabi packed a powerful punch, its fiery heat unfurling in the mouth and racing up the nose, a sharp reminder of its presence.

18. Discuss the Freshness

Freshness can greatly influence the quality and taste of food.

Discussing the freshness can give the reader a sense of the food’s quality and appeal. It can also give insights into the food’s preparation.

For instance, fresh seafood at a coastal restaurant can speak volumes about the establishment’s sourcing practices.

Example: The salad was a celebration of freshness, the lettuce crisp and vibrant, the tomatoes juicy and ripe, each ingredient seemingly picked at its prime.

19. Use Sound

The sound of food can enhance the eating experience.

Think of the sizzle of a steak, the crack of a crème brûlée, or the crunch of an apple.

Describing these sounds can make your food writing more dynamic and immersive. It engages another sense and adds depth to the description.

Example: The crackling pork belly lived up to its name, each bite producing a satisfying crunch, an audible testament to its perfectly roasted skin.

20. Touch Upon the Aftertaste

The aftertaste is the flavor that remains in the mouth after swallowing the food.

It can be a subtle echo of the initial taste or a surprise twist.

Describing the aftertaste can add a final note to your food description, leaving the reader with a lasting impression of the dish.

Example: The dark chocolate left a lingering aftertaste, its initial sweetness mellowing into a complex, slightly bitter note that begged for another bite.

21. Evoke the Setting

The setting where the food is enjoyed can influence the eating experience.

Describing this setting—be it a cozy home kitchen, a bustling street market, or a chic high-end restaurant—can add context and atmosphere to your food description.

It can also evoke emotions and associations tied to the place.

Example: The fish tacos tasted even better in the vibrant beachside shack, the salty sea breeze and the sound of crashing waves adding to the feast of flavors.

Here is a video about how to describe good food in writing:

Words to Describe Good Food (30 Words)

When it comes to describing good food, having a well-stocked pantry of words can make your writing more appetizing.

Here are 30 delicious words to savor:

  • Scrumptious
  • Lip-smacking
  • Tantalizing

Phrases to Describe Good Food (30 Phrases)

Now that we’ve whetted your appetite with words, let’s move on to phrases.

Here are 30 phrases to help you describe good food with gusto:

  • Bursting with flavor
  • Melts in your mouth
  • Packs a punch
  • Worth every calorie
  • Heaven on a plate
  • A symphony of flavors
  • A feast for the senses
  • Like a party in your mouth
  • Hits the spot
  • A labor of love
  • Comfort food at its finest
  • Love at first bite
  • Sweet and satisfying
  • A culinary masterpiece
  • As good as it gets
  • Sinfully delicious
  • Irresistibly mouth-watering
  • A flavor explosion
  • Comfort in every bite
  • A tantalizing taste adventure
  • Temptingly tasty
  • Perfectly seasoned
  • Savory and scrumptious
  • Crispy to perfection
  • Unforgettably flavorful
  • Sweet tooth’s delight
  • A treat for the taste buds
  • Delectably decadent
  • So good, it’s sinful
  • A recipe for happiness

With these words and phrases at your disposal, your food writing will leave readers hungry for more.

Tips for Avoiding Common Food Description Clichés

Clichés are phrases that have been overused to the point of losing their original impact.

They can make your food writing sound stale and uninspired.

To avoid them:

  • Try to think outside the box
  • Vary your vocabulary
  • Use your unique sensory experiences and personal reactions

Example of a cliché: The cake was as light as a feather. A fresher take: The cake was so light, it seemed to vanish on my tongue like a sweet, sugary cloud.

Different Styles of Food Writing

Different platforms call for different styles of food writing.

A blog post might be more casual and personal, sharing your experiences, thoughts, and opinions openly.

A novel might weave food descriptions into the narrative, using them to reveal character traits or set the scene. A recipe needs to be clear and precise, focusing on the ingredients and the cooking process.

A restaurant review should be balanced, discussing both the strengths and weaknesses of the food and the dining experience.

Always consider your audience and the purpose of your writing when describing food.

The Art of Writing Negative Food Reviews

Writing negative food reviews is a delicate art.

Here are some tips:

  • Be honest but fair
  • Focus on the food, not the chef or restaurant staff
  • Describe what you didn’t like and why
  • Mention any positive aspects.

Constructive criticism can be helpful for both the restaurant and potential customers.

Example: While the steak was unfortunately overcooked and lacked seasoning, the accompanying garlic mashed potatoes were creamy and full of flavor. The service was excellent, making the overall dining experience quite pleasant despite the main dish’s shortcomings.

How to Write About Food You’ve Never Eaten

Writing about food you’ve never eaten can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.

Research is your best friend here.

Read descriptions and reviews by people who have tried the food. Look at photos to get an idea of the texture and presentation.

Consider the ingredients and cooking methods, and relate them to similar foods you’ve tried.

And finally, take full advantage of your imagination.

Example: While I haven’t had the chance to try the traditional Icelandic dish hákarl (fermented shark), based on my research, it has a strong ammonia-rich smell and a fishy, cheese-like taste that leaves a lingering aftertaste—certainly an acquired taste for the adventurous food lovers.

Final Thoughts: How to Describe Good Food in Writing

One of the best ways to learn how to describe food is to read the menus from luxury restaurants like Le Gavroche in London or Aragawa in Japan.

The more you read, the more you learn.

And the more you learn, the better you become at penning your own food description masterpiece.

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Become a Writer Today

Top 10 Mouthwatering Food Writing Examples That Will Leave You Hungry for More

Discover our guide with mouthwatering food writing examples that will make you want to lick the page as you imagine the tantalizing flavors the writers describe.

Have you ever read something and felt you could taste what the writer described? If so, then you’ve read a great example of food writing. This particular writing style covers many specific genres and voices, but at its heart, it’s about making you want to eat and enjoy your food. But what makes a food writer stand out from other types of authors? What makes one restaurant reviewer a better read than another?

Food writing is unlike other types of copywriting, where you can write how you think. There are many popular articles about eating healthy food . Food writing must make the people who read the work desire to eat the food. It has to leave them with mouths watering and stomachs grumbling.

This type of writing is a very creative nonfiction genre, and if you’re ready to dabble in it, one of the best ways to learn what to do is to look at examples of great food writers. This list will showcase some of the best examples of food writing that you can learn about as you work toward becoming a food writer. You might also be interested in our tips for writing about food .

  • 1. The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher
  • 2. The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
  • 3. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
  • 4. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat
  • 5. Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl
  • 6. How to Cook a Wolf by M.F.K. Fisher
  • 7. Heat by Bill Buford
  • 8. Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton
  • 9. My Life in France by Julia Child
  • 10. Feast: Food to Celebrate Life by Nigella Lawson

Start Reading About Food to Become a Food Writer

1. the art of eating  by m.f.k. fisher.

Book cover of The Art Of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher

The Art of Eating  deserves a top spot on the list because its author, M.F.K. Fisher, was one of the first food writers to be published. This book combines five of her works into one volume:  Serve it Forth, Consider the Oyster, How to Cook a Wolf, The Gastronomical Me  and  An Alphabet of Gourmets . In this book, Fisher uses wit to give her opinion about food, how to best prepare and how to eat it.

Interestingly, even though the book was first published in 1954 and the first work it contains was published in 1937, her descriptive language makes it applicable to modern readers. After all, we all must eat, and Fisher believes we might as well enjoy doing so. Here are some examples of Fisher’s descriptive, witty language as she describes good food.

  • “[Breadmaking is] one of those almost hypnotic businesses, like a dance from some ancient ceremony. It leaves you filled with one of the world’s sweetest smells… there is no chiropractic treatment, no Yoga exercise, no hour of meditation in a music-throbbing chapel that will leave you emptier of bad thoughts than this homely ceremony of making bread.”
  • “You may feel that you have eaten too much…But this pastry is like feathers – it is like snow. It is in fact good for you, a digestive!”
  • “It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we cannot straightly think of one without the others.”

The Art of Eating: 50th Anniversary Edition

  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • M.F.K. Fisher (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 784 Pages - 02/20/2004 (Publication Date) - Harvest (Publisher)

2. The Omnivore’s Dilemma  by Michael Pollan

Book cover of The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

In   The Omnivore’s Dilemma , Michael Pollan investigates the environmental effects of the foods humans consume. He delves into the dilemmas created by the food industry. Pollan opens the book by following a calf from birth to slaughter, exploring everything the animal eats and the overall environmental effect of raising it. Next, he takes his investigative journalism to the organic food world, discovering that going “organic” or “free range” may not be as beneficial as the labels make one think.

Finally, he explores sustainable options, such as multi-species farms with practical cycles that support the growth of multiple types of food or the option to revert to hunter-gatherer style eating. The Omnivore’s Dilemma uses investigative journalism to explore the realities of the food industry. Below are some examples of Pollan’s writing:

  • “The Omnivore’s Dilemma is about the three principal food chains that sustain us today: the industrial, the organic, and the hunter-gatherer. Different as they are, all three food chains are systems for doing more or less the same thing: linking us, through what we eat, to the fertility of the earth and the energy of the sun.”
  • “Except for the salt and a handful of synthetic food additives, every edible item in the supermarket is a link in a food chain that begins with a particular plant growing in a specific patch of soil (or, more seldom, stretch of sea) somewhere on earth.”
  • “You are what you eat, it’s often said, and if that is true, then what we mostly are is corn – or, more precisely, processed corn.”

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

  • Pollan, Michael (Author)
  • 450 Pages - 08/28/2007 (Publication Date) - Penguin (Publisher)

3. Kitchen Confidential  by Anthony Bourdain

Book cover of Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Kitchen Confidential  is a food memoir by Chef Anthony Bourdain. In the book, he explores not only his cooking but also his sordid past. The book is filled with humor and explores some of the tricks of the trade of the world’s most elite chefs. This memoir made Anthony Bourdain a well-known name in the food world long before he created his television shows. Below are examples of Bourdain’s writing:

  • “Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans … are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit.”
  • “Garlic is divine. Avoid at all costs that vile spew you see rotting in oil in screwtop jars. Too lazy to peel fresh? You don’t deserve to eat garlic.”
  • “At the base of my right forefinger is an inch-and-a-half diagonal callus, yellowish-brown in color, where the heels of all the knives I’ve ever owned have rested, the skin softened by constant immersion in water. It distinguishes me immediately as a cook, as someone who’s been on the job a long time. You can feel it when I shake my hand, just as I feel it on others of my profession. It’s a secret sign, a sort of Masonic handshake without the silliness.”

4. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat  by Samin Nosrat

Book cover of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat  is a  New York Times  bestselling book by Samin Nosrat. The work shows the author’s approachable writing style as she discusses how to cook with the style of a calm, clear teacher. This writing style is not surprising because Nosrat is a teacher who has educated some of the world’s top chefs.

The book’s writing style is narrative, even though the author’s teaching people how to cook, and it has over 150 illustrations that help people understand how to implement the techniques she shares. It has 100 essential recipes and variations, making it a modern home chef’s go-to cookbook. Below are examples of  Samin Nosrat’s writing

  • “Let all meats—except for the thinnest cuts—come to room temperature before you cook them. The larger the roast, the earlier you can pull it out of the fridge. A rib roast should sit out for several hours, while a chicken needs only a couple,”
  • “Though we typically turn to sugar to balance out bitter flavors in a sauce or soup, it turns out that salt masks bitterness much more effectively than sugar. See for yourself with a little tonic water, Campari, or grapefruit juice, all of which are both bitter and sweet. Taste a spoonful, then add a pinch of salt and taste again. You’ll be surprised by how much bitterness subsides.”
  • “Beef When solid, it’s called suet. Liquid, it’s called tallow.”

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

  • More than 1 million copies sold * New York Times bestseller * Winner of the James Beard Award and multiple IACP Cookbook Awards * Available as a Netflix series *
  • Hardcover Book
  • Nosrat, Samin (Author)
  • 480 Pages - 04/25/2017 (Publication Date) - Simon and Schuster (Publisher)

5. Tender at the Bone  by Ruth Reichl

Book cover of Tender At The Bone by Ruth Reichl

Another food memoir,  Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table  by Ruth Reichl, recalls what life was like for a culinary legend who grew up in New York City and Connecticut in the 1950s. A master storyteller, Reichl can tell the familiar stories of life as a child and adolescent while tying these tales to the food she was surrounded by at the time. The book takes a linear approach to telling the story of Reichl’s childhood.

In many ways, she found her life defined by food, and through the retelling of the story, she weaves in plenty of humor and some of her favorite food recipes. This book is a  New York Times  bestseller, and reading it shows clearly why the author is one of the top writers for today’s best food magazines and essay columns. Below are examples of   Ruth Reichl’s writing:

  • “We waited, eating resilient, deeply satisfying bread dipped in spicy oil that tasted exactly like fresh olives. Doug reached out and stroked my knee and I had a sudden conscious thought that I was happy.”
  • “I was slowly discovering that if you watched people as they ate, you could find out who they were.”
  • “It was Mac who first made me think about the way food brought people together — and kept them apart.”

Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table (Random House Reader's Circle)

  • Reichl, Ruth (Author)
  • 320 Pages - 05/25/2010 (Publication Date) - Random House Trade Paperbacks (Publisher)

6.  How to Cook a Wolf  by M.F.K. Fisher

Book cover of How To Cook A Wolf by M.F.K. Fisher

At its surface,   How to Cook a Wolf   is a cookbook. Yet it’s much more than that when you look a little closer. This book was published during World War II, and its many tips and tricks are about being resourceful and creative in the kitchen when supplies are scarce. In the book, she gives readers a “chin-up” attitude toward shortages, writing about foods that were available rather than ranting about those that weren’t.

The author believes that food, even when sparse, should still taste good and look appealing, and she provides practical tips on how to do this. The “wolf” in the title is the imaginary wolf at the door in times of scarcity, not a real wolf in someone’s kitchen. Here are some examples of M.F.K. Fisher’s writing:

  • “All men are hungry. They always have been. They must eat, and when they deny themselves the pleasures of carrying out that need, they are cutting off part of their possible fullness, their natural realization of life, whether they are poor or rich.”
  • “And any kitchen idiot would know enough to core the apples.”
  • “I think soup-pots should be made fresh now and then, like people’s minds at the New Year. They should be emptied and scrubbed and started over again, with clean water, a few peppercorns, whatever little scraps are left from yesterday, and then today’s bones and lettuce leaves and cold toast and such. Set at the back of the stove and left to summer, with an occasional stir from the cook, they can make a fine, clear stock for sauces as well as a heartening broth.”

How to Cook a Wolf

  • 224 Pages - 10/01/1988 (Publication Date) - North Point Press (Publisher)

7. Heat  by Bill Buford

Book cover of Heat by Bill Buford

Author  Bill Buford  thought of himself as a decent cook, yet he always wondered what kind of cook he would be if he were working in a professional kitchen. When Mario Batali’s three-star restaurant in New York, Babbo, offered him training, he took it. Buford quickly found himself under the management of Batali, and it was not long before he ended up in an apprenticeship in Italy with some of the top culinary masters in the world.

  Heat  follows him on this journey. It serves as a memoir of the time in the kitchen while also chronicling Buford’s rise to fame in the world of food. The book also explores why food and food writing matters. It stands out among food writing because it shares personal experiences and shows behind-the-scenes looks at the world of food, all with plenty of passion woven in. Below are some examples of Buford’s writing style:

  • “A dish was a failure because it hadn’t been cooked with love. A dish was a success because the love was so obvious. If you’re cooking with love, every plate is a unique event—you never allow yourself to forget that a person is waiting to eat it: your food, made with your hands, arranged with your fingers, tasted with your tongue.”
  • “Cooked fat is delicious. Uncooked fat is not. Why do you stuff a goose or duck? Chefs today don’t know because they don’t learn the basics anymore. You stuff the bird so it cooks more slowly. With the empty cavity, you let in the heat, and the bird is cooked inside and out, and the meat is done before your fat is rendered. Stuff your bird with apple and sage, and the fat is rendered first.”
  • “I found, cooking on the line, that I got a quiet buzz every time I made a plate of food that looked exactly and aesthetically correct and then handed it over the pass to Andy. If, on a busy night, I made, say, fifty good-looking plates, I had fifty little buzz moments, and by the end of service I felt pretty good.”

Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany

  • Buford, Bill (Author)
  • 336 Pages - 06/26/2007 (Publication Date) - Vintage (Publisher)

8. Blood, Bones & Butter  by Gabrielle Hamilton

Book cover of Blood, Bones & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton

Gabrielle Hamilton owns an acclaimed New York restaurant named Prune, and   Blood, Bones & Butter  is her memoir of how she journeyed through various kitchens to land her way in the ranks of the world’s top chefs. The book opens in the rural kitchen of her childhood home, then moves to her time exploring Europe, where she dined with strangers. Finally, she lands in Prune, where she faces many challenges in getting the restaurant off the ground. Throughout the book, she is raw and honest in her storytelling and weaves in many food topics. Below are some examples of Hamilton’s writing style:

  • “It’s hard to cook for kids, and when something doesn’t appeal to them, instead of saying a polite no thank you, they instead break into a giant yuk face and shriek “eewww” right in front of you, as if you had no feelings at all.”
  • “Because so much starving on that trip led to such an enormous amount of time fantasizing about food, each craving became fanatically particular. Hunger was not general, ever, for just something, anything, to eat. My hunger grew so specific I could name every corner and fold of it. Salty, warm, brothy, starchy, fatty, sweet, clean and crunchy, crisp and water, and so on.”
  • “No future graduate-level feminism seminar would ever come within a mile of the force of that first paycheck. The conviction was instant and forever: If I pay my own way, I go my own way.”

Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef

  • Great product!
  • Hamilton, Gabrielle (Author)
  • 320 Pages - 01/24/2012 (Publication Date) - Random House Trade Paperbacks (Publisher)

9. My Life in France  by Julia Child

Book cover of My Life In France by Julia Child

Chef  Julia Child  is known for her cookbook  Mastering the Art of French Cooking  and her television show  The French Chef,  but her book  My Life in France  is more of a memoir exploring her time living in France and what it taught her about French cuisine and cooking. This period spent living in France gave her a passion for cooking and teaching about cooking. It explores the spirit Julia had to embrace as she honed her cooking and writing skills to become one of America’s top cooking personalities. Below are some examples of Julia Child’s writing:

  • “Just speak very loudly and quickly, and state your position with utter conviction, as the French do, and you’ll have a marvelous time!”
  • “Upon reflection, I decided I had three main weaknesses: I was confused (evidenced by a lack of facts, an inability to coordinate my thoughts, and an inability to verbalize my ideas); I had a lack of confidence, which cause me to back down from forcefully stated positions; and I was overly emotional at the expense of careful, ‘scientific’ though. I was thirty-seven years old and still discovering who I was.”
  • “Good French cooking cannot be produced by a zombie cook.”

My Life in France

  • julia child, french school,
  • true life story, strong female personality
  • inspiration
  • Love for life, love for food
  • humor, determination, discovery of one's self, true calling

10. Feast: Food to Celebrate Life  by Nigella Lawson

Book cover of Feast: Food To Celebrate Life by Nigella Lawson

A list of the best food writing examples would not be complete without a cookbook making the ranks, and this one is a great choice. Food essay writer  Nigella Lawson  is known for her columns in well-known print publications, but she also has several bestselling cookbooks to her name, and  Feast: Food to Celebrate Life  is one of them.

In the book, Lawson pulls together step-by-step recipes and tips to pull off holiday celebratory feasts, but the meals are good enough to use year-round. Unlike many cookbooks, it brings plenty of humor into the recipes, and you can tell they’re written by someone who is a self-proclaimed food critic.

Below are examples of Nigella Lawson’s writing:

  • “In which case, take off the foil, and add the golden paneer cubes, warm them through and revel in the glorious Bollywood brightness of the dish.”
  • “Put the oil into a large skillet–one big enough to take all the ingredients later–and while it’s heating up, cut the paneer into 1/2-inch cubes. Tumble half of them into the hot oil, and fry until they are golden, removing to a double thickness of paper towel.”
  • “We use food to mark occasions that are important to us in life.”

Feast: Food to Celebrate Life (Appearance may vary)

  • Lawson, Nigella (Author)
  • 480 Pages - 10/27/2004 (Publication Date) - Hyperion (Publisher)

Whether you’re considering a freelancing career as a food critic or want to learn more about your favorite foods, the best place to start is with these food writing examples. From cookbooks to memoirs to investigative journalism, these examples show that there are many ways to write about food, and you can use a variety of voices to do so too.

This also means there is room for a new voice in the food writing world. Studying them carefully will show you what it takes to write about food, and they may inspire you to find your own food writer’s voice. If you’re a foodie and a writer, consider transforming that into a lucrative career or side gig as a food writer.

Reading to begin writing? Check out our guide to self-publising on Amazon !

descriptive food essay examples

Nicole Harms has been writing professionally since 2006. She specializes in education content and real estate writing but enjoys a wide gamut of topics. Her goal is to connect with the reader in an engaging, but informative way. Her work has been featured on USA Today, and she ghostwrites for many high-profile companies. As a former teacher, she is passionate about both research and grammar, giving her clients the quality they demand in today's online marketing world.

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So you’ve decided to begin your journey as a food content writer but often find yourself struggling to find the right restaurant or food-related words .

If you’re wondering how you can write about food , don’t worry. You’re not alone 🫂

Finding the right words to write even a deliciously descriptive food paragraph can be tricky . And it’s for this purpose that I’ve prepared some useful tips to help you in your journey.

In this article, I will first be sharing some useful tips on how you can come up with your own mouth-watering description of food before sharing some of the most useful words and phrases I’ve personally used in my food description s.

Tips on how to describe delicious food

1) learn from the best.

As with learning every other skill, one of the best ways to start improving is to observe and learn from those who have already achieved success in their respective niches.

Read as many articles as you can from some of the best food blogs out there. Follow and learn from some of the best food writers out there. Take note of the words and phrases they use when describing food .

If you have no point of reference of what is considered good food content, how are you going to set your own writing standards?

2) It’s in the phrase “ descriptive food writing ”

Sometimes, the answer is right before our very eyes 👀

If I were to ask you right now to describe what you are wearing, what would you base your description on? What would you tell me?

Your answer would probably go something like this: I’m wearing a red and white striped shirt 👕, blue jeans 👖, and a pair of brown leather shoes 👞

Now, this is not about what you’re actually wearing. But what you’re basing your description on. You are describing to me what you see .

Check out some of these examples:

Simply describing what you see can help elevate your food writing.

As you can see, the writers of these paragraphs did not use bombastic vocabulary to wow your tastebuds. All they did was describe what they saw . 

This helps readers visualise the dishes and immerses them in the writing.

3) Avoid using disrespectful adjectives to describe food

Food has a very strong cultural and historical significance . 

It is incredibly disrespectful to undermine and disregard how much the dishes of various cuisines mean to different groups of people. Doing so will have severe consequences 😱

A White-owned “clean Chinese food” restaurant in the US had shut its doors after referring to Chinese dishes as “icky” and that they will make you “bloated”. Talk about being disrespectful.

Here are some words that you should never use in your food content writing ❌❌❌

  • Oriental and Occidental
  • Generic location-based adjectives like Asian, Western, Arabic, African (be specific)

Best words and phrases to describe food

1) generic words and phrases.

  • Sumptuous meal
  • Spread of delectable dishes
  • A meal fit for the gods
  • It was a lavish dining experience
  • A gastronomical experience like no other
  • Roasted/cooked/steamed/fried to perfection
  • Added a whole other dimension
  • A delight to eat
  • The steak was an absolute winner for me
  • Grilled to medium rare perfection
  • This dish hit the spot for me

2) Words and phrases to describe taste or flavour

  • Symphony of flavours in my mouth
  • Left a delicate sweet aftertaste
  • Holy trinity of aromatics
  • Flavour that packs a punch
  • Savoury with hints of citrus and spice 

3) Words and phrases to describe texture

  • Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside
  • Melts in your mouth
  • I could see the chocolate filling slowly oozing out as I cut through the layers of crispy, flaky pastry
  • The cake was moist, yet was somehow able to avoid becoming soggy
  • Fluffy as a pillow

Start describing food like a pro!

Putting together a descriptive piece of writing about food shouldn’t give you a headache 😵

Instead, it should stimulate the taste buds.

As the legendary Coldplay once said, “nobody said it was easy”. It takes time and practice to get to a level of finesse where you can easily pull these words and phrases right off the tip of your tongue.

Give it a shot! Use some of the words and phrases I recommended and keep at it. Soon, you’ll become a great food content writer 😋

To learn more about food content writing, check out the tips and tricks shared by WritingWildly! It has one of the best online blogs for writers out there!

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What is a Descriptive Essay? How to Write It (with Examples)

What is a Descriptive Essay? How to Write It (with Examples)

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.

descriptive food essay examples

  • 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

descriptive food essay examples

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

descriptive food essay examples

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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Delicious Writing: Food Writing Examples from Students

by Michael Lydon

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How does writing work? Why is it that if we arrange the graphic symbols we call letters into words, each word containing one, two, three, five or more of these letters, we end up with a group of graphic symbols that may mean something to ourselves or other humans, that communicate an emotion , an idea , a picture , a sound , a smell , a memory , a taste , or a touch ? Like so:

The boy threw a ball to his friend.

Those twenty-seven letters, plus the spaces that define where the words begin, and the period that marks where the sentence ends, communicate a picture of human life that we can easily see and understand. Write the same letters divided by the same spaces but in a different order, and you may get a brief bit of meaningless gobbledeegook:

Eht oyb wrhet a blal ot sih efidnr.

What’s the difference between the two? Simply this: the first means something, the second means nothing. What does mean mean ? Mean means containing and communicating some small aspect of life—like the two children playing catch. The bare meaning of the first sentence—a boy throwing a ball to another child—is thin and flat—but my imagination has no difficulty enriching it by adding details: sunshine and clouds, green grass and leafy trees, a barking dog, a honking car horn.

This is the goal of nearly all writing: to use words to show us what life is truly like. Words can show how writing can capture any aspect of life, but after reading your scrumptious pieces on the joys of eating, I thought, why not, for this column, focus on food, mm, mm yummy-in-the-tummy good food!

Food Writing Examples

Let’s let Kylieinwonderland from New Zealand get us started on the first course:

…a lasagna oozing with cheese and still warm from the oven, freshly picked plums with juice that runs down our chins as we take the first bite, fish and chips wrapped up in paper…

Note the six specific taste words—lasagna, cheese, plums, juice, fish, chips—and the five words that suggest food—oozing, warm, oven, chins, bite—for a total of eleven food-related words out of thirty four.

Fond food memories awaken Daisy’s childhood:

   A colorful salad, artfully arranged on a plate. The feel of sticky bread dough in your hands. The crunch of a chip, perfectly thin that just snaps when you bite it.  The scent of cinnamon wafting through the air. The taste of warm chocolate, as you dig in to a fresh chocolate chip cookie. This is my childhood.

—memories well supported by Daisy’s visual, sound, taste, texture, and smell words:  colorful, sticky, crunch, scent, cinnamon, chocolate, cookie.

Like Daisy’s cookies, food takes HannahC. deep into memories of childhood, in her case drooling over the grilled cheese sandwiches her Dad used to make every Saturday afternoon—she liked them “the cheesier the better”

When I was little, every Saturday afternoon, my Dad would make grilled cheese sandwiches. But at the time I couldn’t say grilled cheese, so I would say “girled cheese sandwiches” But no matter how wrong I pronounced it, my Dad made the best. It was amazing how he timed the bread on the heated side, so perfectly that both sides were equally golden brown and the cheese was the perfect melted point.

Jeylan wants us to taste the spicy gumbos he loved as a boy on a Louisiana shrimp boat:

It’s warm. Not like a soup, but like a bubble bath. Smooth stock runs down my throat and the fragrance of a fisherman’s blazing afternoon in a shrimp boat on the bayou envelops my nose. If you tried gumbo from a Black grandmother, you would know what I mean. With a kitchen cabinet overflowing with Cajun seasonings and spices growing up, I never knew how good I had it.

Lincoln W, from the US, wants us to see and taste crickets as stalwart soldiers in the green revolution:

People often think of crickets as nasty and inedible altogether. This is factually incorrect. Crickets are nutritious and will provide a great source of protein for future generations. Crickets are also easy to cultivate and farm. The most important factor is that they will help us cut back on emissions.

Seba from New Zealand looks back to baking bread as an ancient tradition:

There is an art to making bread. It’s in the flour and the water. It’s in the yeast and the honey. It’s in the push and pull of how you knead the dough, in the waiting for the bread to rise, in the patience required for such a simple skill. It is an art I learned from my mother, and one that she learned from her mother, learned from her mother. One of my earliest memories is baking.

Red Cat from Singapore loves his grandmother’s rich fish stew.

I stared into the gold liquid steaming before me, a fish head sticking out, mouth agape and eyeball barely attached to the socket. I breathed in deeply and the memories flooded back instantly. Images of my grandmother—my Nenek—bringing in a white bowl full of pindang to the dining table materialized before me and I began to dive in. I sifted through the lemongrass and asam and scooped up a chunk of soft red snapper flesh…

Tiff.any remembers learning on her first day in kindergarten that the stuffed grape leaves she loved, her classmates found icky:

“What is that?” I hear a girl from across the table say. I look over to see that she is asking me.   “It smells gross.”   I go to respond when another kid seems to take interest in my lunch too. “Yeah, what is that?” they ask with disgusted faces.   I look at them in partial confusion. It is my first day of kindergarten, sitting in my assigned seat at lunch. How do they not know what grape leaves are?

Let’s look back and see how far writing about food has taken us: to tastes, of course, but also to colors and sounds and touches; to memories of childhood, family, and school; to humor and affection; to love. How did all that happen? By you Write-the-Worlders using words enriched by meaning, by using words that conjure up plain, clear, vivid pictures of human life.

And remember, we did all this with taste words about food. We could fill as many pages using sound words, picture words, touch words, smell words, emotion words.

The next time I sit down at my desk to write something, anything, I’ll remind myself to use words as rich and as packed with tasty meanings as the waffles my mother used to make Saturday mornings, me smearing them with butter, drowning them in golden maple syrup, begging for seconds, and washing them down with tall glasses of home-squeezed orange juice.

About Michael Lydon

Michael Lydon is a writer and musician who lives in New York City. Author of many books, among them Rock Folk , Boogie Lightning , Ray Charles: Man and Music, and Writing and Life . A founding editor of Rolling Stone , Lydon has written for many periodicals as well, the Atlantic Monthly , New York Times , and Village Voice . He is also a songwriter and playwright and, with Ellen Mandel, has composed an opera, Passion in Pigskin. A Yale graduate, Lydon is a member of ASCAP, AFofM local 802, and on the faculty of St. John’s University.

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My Favorite Food Essay

500 words essay on my favorite food.

In order to perform well in life, our body needs energy. We get this energy from the food we eat. Without food, there will be no life. In today’s world, there are so many dishes available worldwide. Food comes in a wide variety all around the world. Dosa, Paneer, Naan, Chapati, Biryani, and more Indian delicacies are available. We are also offered western cuisines such as noodles, pasta, burgers, fries, pizzas and more dominating the food industry. In my favourite food essay, I will tell you about the food I like eating the most.

my favorite food essay

My Favorite Food

As the world is advancing day by day, it is becoming easier to get access to many kinds of food at our doorstep. Every day, we all want to consume great and delicious cuisine. There are many different varieties of food accessible all throughout the world. We all like different foods, however, my personal favourite is burgers. I have eaten many cuisines but my favourite food is definitely a burger. I cannot resist myself when it comes to burgers.

Burgers are one of the most convenient and easiest foods to eat on the fly when we’re in a hurry. We can have a burger at any time of day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or supper, and maybe some fries and a Coke to go with it. Many restaurants are well-known for making their speciality burgers in a particular style. Preparation changes from one establishment to the next. But what exactly makes a burger taste so good? They will taste vary depending on where you go, but they are all built the same. It is made up of a bun, a ground meat patty, and various toppings like cheese, onion slices, lettuce, and other sauces.

They are so soft yet crunchy, fresh and juicy that I love eating them. Even though there are many kinds of burgers, my favourite one is a chicken burger. The chicken patty gives the burger a juicy taste and it tingles my taste buds every time I eat it. I can already smell and taste it in my mouth as soon as I walked inside McDonald’s or any other restaurant that serves chicken burgers. As soon as I take a huge mouthful of it, I forget about any problems or troubles that are going on in the outer world and concentrate my entire concentration just on my chicken burger.

I love eating a burger which is filled with cheese and vegetables . The more vegetables you add, the better it tastes. My personal favourite is lettuce. It gives the burger the right amount of freshness and crunchiness.

I always eat my burger with ketchup. Most importantly, the thing I love about eating burgers is that I get to eat French fries along with them. They work as a great side to the dish and also make my stomach full.

Even though I liked eating a burger from a famous fast food joint, nothing beats the chicken burger my mother makes at home. She prepares everything from scratch, even the burger. Thus, it is extremely fresh and healthy too.

I know and feel that burgers have the great flavour and taste that would make anyone’s stomach pleased after a long day of work. I can tell by the reactions on people’s faces when they order their preferred burger variant. Overall, I don’t believe any other fast food will taste as good as a chicken burger. It’s just difficult to think that something will triumph in the future. As a result, I consider my favourite dish to be the best ever created.

A Great Variety

Perhaps the great thing about burgers is the great variety they offer. It has options for all people, who prefer vegetarian, non-vegetarian and even vegans. Thus, you can select the patty of your burger and dive right in.

There are a large number of burger joints being started in every corner of the city, each serving a variety of their own specialised and self-curated recipes. Burgers that are health-friendly and a go-to with a diet are also being introduced by these newly upcoming burger places. There are a lot many burger cafes that give their customers the choice to create their own burgers by providing them with a choice between patties, fillings, veggies, sauces as well as the number of burger layers they want.

Even though my personal favourite is a chicken burger, I also enjoy eating cheeseburgers and vegetable burgers. For me, all burgers taste delicious. Whenever we go out to eat with friends , I always order a burger.

My friends who do not eat non-vegetarian also eat burgers thanks to the great variety it offers. When we order food at home, we make sure to offer all kinds of burgers from cheeseburgers to chicken burgers, so that we get a taste of everything in our meal. Thus, I love burgers and their great variety makes it better.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of My Favorite Food Essay

Even though my favourite food is a burger, I enjoy other foods as well like Pizza and Pasta. However, I feel when it comes to eating daily, nothing beats homemade food. The food we eat daily is what helps us gain energy. We cannot eat our favourite food daily as it will become boring then, but our staple food is something we enjoy eating on an everyday basis.

FAQ of My Favorite Food Essay

Question 1: Why do we need food?

Answer 1: We need food because it provides nutrients, energy for activity, growth. Similarly, all functions of the body like breathing, digesting food, and keeping warm are made possible because of food. It also helps in keeping our immune system healthy.

Question 2: Should you eat your favourite food all the time?

Answer 2: No, never. Favourite foods are meant to be enjoyed when there is any special occasion, or when you are tired of your regular homemade food. Eating too much of your favourite food will make your taste buds adjust to it and eventually, it will not remain our favourite. Excess of anything is bad and the same goes for our favourite food. Thus, we must eat it occasionally so that it remains our favourite.

Question 3: Is fast food healthy? Should we not consume fast food at all?

Answer 3: Fast food is often high in calories, sodium, and harmful fat, with one meal frequently providing enough for a whole day. It is also deficient in nutrients and nearly devoid of fruit, vegetables, and fibre. That doesn’t mean you should completely avoid fast food. It is feasible to eat fast food without jeopardising your healthy diet. Take advantage of the nutritious side dishes available at many fast-food places. Look for meals that include lean proteins, vegetables, and fibre, and avoid anything that is supersized.

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How to Write a Descriptive Essay on Food

Tantalize your reader with tried-and-true descriptive essay techniques

Descriptive essays are the cornerstone of getting one's point across. There are all kinds of papers out there, but not one of them excels nearly so much at giving readers the impression they've been transported to a picture-perfect representation of your source material. If someone is reading an essay on traveling to the Bahamas, the writer ought to ensure they feel like they're actually there for the duration of the paper. If someone is reading about a dark and dreary day, the writer ought to instill that vibe from the very first sentence.

Food follows the same formula - and it's one of the most fun examples around. After all, who doesn't love food? There's magic in quality culinary writing; it rumbles stomaches and compels people to lick their lips autonomically. What's the secret, you ask? It's capturing the essence of your food item. Your pizza needs to sizzle as it's pulled from the oven. Its cheese needs to bubble up over a crust baked golden brown. It needs to fill the kitchen – if not the entire house – with the aromas of fresh garlic and roma tomatoes. You're not looking to tell your audience there's a pizza in your essay, you're striving to make them think they're in the house with that pizza and they're hungry for it.

The process we've just described is sometimes called "sensory writing." If done well, it triggers in readers the feeling of numerous senses reacting to the cuisine you've described. Popular authors dot their pages with the honey smells of herb roasted duck and the overwhelming scent of pan-seared turnips and onions and they do this because it speaks to people on a highly relatable level. If we know these smells, we're pulled into the story. If you're writing an entire assignment on this sort of thing, do yourself a favor and flip through a few of your favorite books to get a bead on how those authors work their foodstuffs into their tales.

Outline your culinary ambitions

There's plenty else to do in preparation for your paper. After you've conducted your research, create an outline which addresses the various elements comprising your literary chow. Here are some quick tips on what to tackle in the outline stage:

  • How does your food impact the people around it? Kind of a silly sentence, perhaps, but it has merit – the best dishes keep even four-star chefs feeling hungry during prep time.
  • If your paper involves the active consumption of its topical cuisine, you'll want to spend some time on texture and, of course, taste. Is that honey roasted duck as crisp as its cook claims? Does it snap a crunch on its eater's teeth? Is it practically bursting with rosemary and thyme, or is the flavor more delicate and subdued?

Draft yourself up and ask your friends for help

After your outline is complete, type up a rough draft and consult your peers. Friends and family will be glad to check out a couple of pages with so tasty a premise, although if you've done a fine enough job, they may expect you to cook for them. The purpose of this stage is to gather constructive feedback. Ask if they feel you've conveyed a full and rich account of the food in question. Check if they require clarity on the details. The biggest question of all: "do you feel like you were standing right there when you read about my food?" If the answer is a resounding yes, your final paper is going to win hearts and stomaches.

Descriptive Essay Writing

Descriptive Essay Examples

Barbara P

Amazing Descriptive Essay Examples for Your Help

Published on: Jun 21, 2023

Last updated on: Mar 1, 2024

Descriptive Essay Examples

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Descriptive Essay: Definition, Tips & Examples

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Descriptive essays are very commonly assigned essays. This type of essay enhances students' writing skills and allows them to think critically. 

A descriptive essay is often referred to as the parent essay type. Other essays like argumentative essays, narrative essays, and expository essays fall into descriptive essays. Also, this essay helps the student enhance their ability to imagine the whole scene in mind by appealing senses.

It is assigned to high school students and all other students at different academic levels. Students make use of the human senses like touch, smell, etc., to make the descriptive essay more engaging for the readers. 

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Examples make it easy for readers to understand things in a better way. Also, in a descriptive essay, different types of descriptions can be discussed. 

Here are some amazing examples of a descriptive essay to make the concept easier for you. 

Descriptive Essay Example 5 Paragraph

5 paragraphs essay writing format is the most common method of composing an essay. This format has 5 paragraphs in total. The sequence of the paragraphs is as follows;

  • Introduction
  • Body Paragraph 1
  • Body Paragraph 2 
  • Body Paragraph 3
  • Conclusion 

Following is an example of a descriptive essay written using the famous 5 paragraph method. 

5 Paragraph Descriptive Essay

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Descriptive Essay Example About A Person

Descriptive essays are the best option when it comes to describing and writing about a person.  A descriptive essay is written using the five human senses. It helps in creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind and understanding what the writer is trying to convey. 

Here is one of the best descriptive essay examples about a person. Read it thoroughly and try to understand how a good descriptive essay is written on someone’s personality.

Descriptive Essay Example About a Person

Descriptive Essay Example About A Place

If you have visited a good holiday spot or any other place and want to let your friends know about it. A descriptive essay can help you explain every detail and moment you had at that place. 

Here is one of the good descriptive essay examples about a place. Use it as a sample and learn how you can write such an essay. 

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Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 6

Descriptive essays are frequently assigned to school students. This type of essay helps the students enhance their writing skills and helps them see things in a more analytical way.

If you are a 6 grader and looking for a good descriptive essay example, you are in the right place.  

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 7

Here is one of the best descriptive essay examples for grade 7. 

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 8

If you are looking for some amazing descriptive essay examples for grade 8, you have already found one. Look at the given example and see what a well-written descriptive essay looks like. 

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 10

Essay writing is an inevitable part of a student's academic life . No matter your grade, you will get to write some sort of essay at least once. 

Here is an example of a descriptive essay writing for grade10. If you are also a student of this grade, this example might help you to complete your assignment.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 12

If you are a senior student and looking for some essay examples, you are exactly where you should be. 

Use the below-mentioned example and learn how to write a good essay according to the instructions given to you. 

Descriptive Essay Example College

Descriptive essays are a great way to teach students how they can become better writers. Writing a descriptive essay encourages them to see the world more analytically.

Below is an example that will help you and make your writing process easy.

College Descriptive Essay Example

Descriptive Essay Example for University

Descriptive essays are assigned to students at all academic levels. University students are also assigned descriptive essay writing assignments. As they are students of higher educational levels, they are often given a bit of difficult and more descriptive topics. 

See the example below and know what a descriptive essay at the university level looks like. 

Short Descriptive Essay Example

Every time a descriptive essay isn't written in detail. It depends on the topic of how long the essay will be.  

For instance, look at one of the short descriptive essay examples given below. See how the writer has conveyed the concept in a composed way. 

Objective Descriptive Essay Example

When writing an objective description essay, you focus on describing the object without conveying your emotions, feelings, or personal reactions. The writer uses sight, sound, or touch for readers' minds to bring life into pictures that were painted by words.

Here is an example that you can use for your help. 

Narrative and Descriptive Essay Example

A narrative descriptive essay can be a great way to share your experiences with others. It is a story that teaches a lesson you have learned. The following is an example of a perfect narrative descriptive essay to help you get started.

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How to Start a Descriptive Essay? - Example

If you don't know how to start your descriptive essay, check this example and create a perfect one. 

How to Start a Descriptive Essay - Example

Subjective Descriptive Essay Example

It is a common concept that a descriptive essay revolves around one subject. Be it a place, person, event, or any other object you can think of. 

Following is one of the subjective descriptive, easy examples. Use it as a guide to writing an effective descriptive essay yourself. 

Writing a descriptive essay is a time-consuming yet tricky task. It needs some very strong writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Also, this is a type of essay that a student can not avoid and bypass. 

But if you think wisely, work smart, and stay calm, you can get over it easily. Learn how to write a descriptive essay from a short guide given below. 

How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

A writer writes a descriptive essay from their knowledge and imaginative mind. In this essay, the writer describes what he has seen or experienced, or ever heard from someone. For a descriptive essay, it is important to stay focused on one point. Also, the writer should use figurative language so that the reader can imagine the situation in mind. 

The following are some very basic yet important steps that can help you write an amazing descriptive essay easily. 

  • Choose a Topic

For a descriptive essay, you must choose a vast topic to allow you to express yourself freely. Also, make sure that the topic you choose is not overdone. An overdone will not grab the attention of your intended audience. Check out our descriptive essay topics blog for a variety of intriguing topic suggestions.

  • Create a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the essence of any academic writing. When you select the descriptive essay topic, then you create a strong thesis statement for your essay.  

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that explains the whole idea of your essay to the reader. It is stated in the introductory paragraph of the essay. The word choice for creating the thesis statement must be very expressive, composed, and meaningful. Also, use vivid language for the thesis statement.  

  • Collect the Necessary Information

Once you have created the thesis statement and are done writing your essay introduction . Now, it's time to move toward the body paragraphs. 

Collect all necessary information related to your topic. You would be adding this information to your essay to support your thesis statement. Make sure that you collect information from authentic sources. 

To enhance your essay, make use of some adjectives and adverbs. To make your descriptive essay more vivid, try to incorporate sensory details like touch, taste, sight, and smell.

  • Create a Descriptive Essay Outline

An outline is yet another necessary element of your college essay. By reading the descriptive essay outline , the reader feels a sense of logic and a guide for the essay. 

In the outline, you need to write an introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs and end up with a formal conclusion.

Proofreading is a simple procedure in which the writer revises the written essay. This is done in order to rectify the document for any kind of spelling or grammatical mistakes. Thus, proofreading makes high-quality content and gives a professional touch to it. 

You might be uncertain about writing a good enough descriptive essay and impress your teacher. However, it is very common, so you do not need to stress out. 

Hit us up at CollegeEssay.org and get an essay written by our professional descriptive essay writers. Our essay writing service for students aims to help clients in every way possible and ease their stress. Get in touch with our customer support team, and they will take care of all your queries related to your writing. 

You can always enhance your writing skills by leveraging the power of our AI essay writing tools .

Place your order now and let all your stress go away in a blink! 

Barbara P (Literature)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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descriptive food essay examples

Jun 27, 2023

Descriptive Essay Examples: Bring Your Writing to Life with Vivid Descriptions and Engaging Language

Dive into the vibrant world of descriptive writing! Discover how to captivate your audience with rich details and stirring language, creating immersive experiences with your words!

Immerse yourself in the vibrant art of descriptive writing in this comprehensive guide. Throughout this article, we'll explore the intricacies of crafting descriptive essays, offering you useful tips, and showcasing compelling examples.

 You'll learn the essence of sensory details in creating vivid imagery, the structure of a captivating essay, and pointers for picking engaging topics. Our journey will feature rich examples like a description of the Grand Canyon, demystifying the language techniques used.

 So, are you ready to amplify your writing skills and charm your readers with words? Dive right into the world of descriptive essays and let your creativity flow!

Understanding Descriptive Essays

Before we delve into crafting engaging descriptive essays, let's clarify their fundamental purpose. Each essay type serves a unique role, and for descriptive essays, the objective is to paint an elaborate picture using vivid language and sensory details. As a writer, your goal is to transport readers to a particular location, event, or time, allowing them to experience it through their senses.

Among different essay types, each comes with a specific objective. Let's consider a few:

Narrative Essays: These essays recount a story or event. Your goal here is to craft a captivating narrative that keeps your reader engrossed from beginning to end.

Descriptive Essays: The focus of a descriptive essay is to create a vivid mental image for your reader. By using intricate details and expressive language, you invite readers into a sensory experience, making them feel as if they're part of the story.

Expository Essays: In an expository essay, the aim is to clarify or inform. You should present information in a clear, concise manner, educating your reader about a particular topic or issue.

Persuasive Essays: Persuasive essays aim to convince the reader to adopt a certain viewpoint or perform a specific action. Your task here is to utilize evidence and logical reasoning to support your argument, persuading your reader to agree with your stance.

In the context of creative writing, which includes forms like short stories, poetry, novels, and memoirs, descriptive writing serves as an essential tool. Through the use of metaphors, vivid descriptions, and other literary devices, writers can create a powerful impact and engage readers in an imaginative experience.

Whether you are aiming for fiction or non-fiction, creative writing offers a platform to explore your creativity, express your thoughts, ideas, and experiences in an original and unique way. It invites experimentation with styles, genres, and techniques, allowing for the creation of unique literary pieces.

Improving creative writing skills is an ongoing journey, with numerous resources available, including online courses and writing workshops. So, embark on your creative journey, explore your imagination, and unlock your creative potential!

In conclusion, understanding an essay's objective is a crucial step towards successful writing. A clear definition of the essay's purpose guides you to develop a robust thesis statement and structure your arguments effectively, making your essay a compelling read.

The Framework of a Descriptive Essay

Descriptive essays breathe life into words by painting a vivid picture of a person, place, thing, or experience. They employ sensory details and expressive language to make the subject come alive for the reader. Here's a basic yet effective structure you might use when crafting a descriptive essay:

1. Introduction

Your introduction should pique the reader's interest and provide some context for your essay's subject. Begin with an engaging statement about your subject, an intriguing rhetorical question, or an interesting fact to hook your audience. Subsequently, introduce your thesis statement, a clear declaration of the particular aspect or impression of the subject you will be describing.

2. Body Paragraphs

The body of your essay should dive into a detailed description of your subject. Each paragraph should spotlight a unique facet of your subject, using sensory details to paint a vibrant image for the reader. Language techniques such as metaphors, similes, and personification can enhance your descriptions. Depending on your subject and its characteristics, you may want to organize your paragraphs in chronological or spatial order.

3. Conclusion

The conclusion should encapsulate the key points of your essay, leaving a lasting impression on your reader. Restate your thesis statement and offer a brief summary of your main points. Conclude with a striking statement or image that underscores your essay's primary theme.

Bear in mind that this structural blueprint for a descriptive essay is flexible and may require adjustments based on the specific topic or purpose of your essay. Still, this basic outline provides a robust foundation to organize your thoughts and guide your journey in crafting a compelling descriptive essay.

Expanding Your Imagination: Descriptive Essay Writing Inspiration Ideas

Crafting a remarkable descriptive essay involves bringing a scene to life with your words. This immersive style of writing can be applied to a variety of topics. Here are some areas you might want to explore:

1. Recalling Cherished Memories

Our minds are vaults of experiences just waiting to be unraveled. Dive into your childhood memories and bring forth a moment that left an indelible mark on you. Remember to describe the environment, your emotions, people around you, and why this memory has remained so vivid over the years.

2. Exploring Unfamiliar Territories

Have you always dreamt about a certain place but never had the chance to visit? This is your opportunity to transport your readers to this location using your imagination. Research, craft an image, and explore this place in your mind, then share it with your audience.

3. The Magic of the Seasons

Every season carries its unique charm. Pick your favorite season and describe its essence. Use sensory details to communicate the change in the atmosphere, the transformation in the landscape, and how these alterations make you feel.

4. Delving into Personal Relationships

Consider a person who has made a significant impact on your life. It could be a family member, a friend, or even a celebrity. Describe them and explain why they are so influential. Discuss their characteristics, their words, actions, or ideas that have inspired you.

5. Relishing in the Gastronomic Delights

Food can elicit powerful memories and emotions. Describe your favorite dish or a memorable meal in great detail. Use descriptive language to convey its flavors, textures, and aromas, and share why it holds a special place in your heart.

6. Reimagining Historical Events

Historical events offer rich ground for descriptive essays. Choose an event that interests you and imagine you're a part of it. Describe the environment, the people, their emotions, and the atmosphere during this event.

Remember, the key to writing a compelling descriptive essay is to paint a vibrant picture using your words. By carefully selecting your subject and using detailed, sensory language, you can create a narrative that captivates your readers and provides them an experience to remember. Be creative, have fun with your writing, and let your imagination roam free.

Descriptive Essay Examples

Example essay 1: "my favorite place" .

My favorite place in the world is my grandparents' farm in the countryside. As I walk down the dirt road that leads to the farmhouse, I am greeted by the sweet smell of hay and the sound of crickets chirping in the distance. The rolling hills that surround the farm are covered in lush green grass and dotted with wildflowers of every color. The old wooden barn and weathered farmhouse are a testament to the many years of hard work and love that my grandparents have put into this land. I can't help but feel a sense of peace and belonging when I am here, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the memories of my family.

Example Essay 2: "The Haunted House" 

As I stepped through the creaky gate and onto the overgrown path that led to the abandoned mansion, I felt a chill run down my spine. The house's ivy-covered walls and broken windows loomed over me like a giant beast waiting to pounce. The air was thick with the scent of decay and mold, and the sound of rustling leaves and distant whispers made me feel as if I was not alone. As I explored the dark and eerie interior of the house, I couldn't help but feel as if I was stepping into a nightmare. The peeling wallpaper and rotting floorboards added to the sense of dread, and the only light came from the occasional flash of lightning that illuminated the shadows. I left the haunted house feeling as if I had been transported to another world, a world of darkness and fear.

Example Essay 3: "A Day at the Beach" 

The sun was blazing down on the white sand and turquoise waters of the beach as I settled onto my towel and let the warm breeze wash over me. The sound of crashing waves and seagulls filled the air, and the salty smell of the ocean mingled with the sweet scent of coconut oil and sunscreen. The water was crystal clear, and I could see schools of brightly colored fish darting in and out of the waves. As the day wore on, I built sandcastles with my nieces and nephews, went for a swim in the cool water, and soaked up the sun until my skin was golden brown. As the sun began to set and the sky turned fiery orange and pink, I knew that this was a day I would never forget.

Example Essay 4: "The City at Night" 

The city comes alive at night, its streets bathed in the glow of neon lights and the hum of activity. The air is filled with the scent of roasted peanuts and hot dogs, and the sound of honking horns and chatter of people fills your ears. The towering skyscrapers loom above you, casting long shadows that stretch across the sidewalks. The city never sleeps, and you feel alive in its energy and vibrancy.

Example Essay 5: "My First Love" 

The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew I was in love. Her eyes were like pools of emerald green, and her smile was like sunshine on a cloudy day. Her voice was soft and musical, and I could listen to her talk for hours. We spent every moment we could together, exploring the city, watching movies, and talking about everything and nothing at all. Even now, years later, I can still feel the warmth of her hand in mine and the thrill of our first kiss.

Example Essay 6: "A Winter Wonderland" 

As I stepped outside into the winter wonderland, I was struck by the beauty of the snow-covered landscape. The trees were draped in a blanket of white, and the snow sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. The air was cold and crisp, and my breath formed puffs of steam as I exhaled. I bundled up in my warmest coat and gloves and set out to explore the snowy wonderland, feeling like a child again.

Example Essay 7: "The Perfect Day" 

The perfect day for me is one where the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the world is filled with endless possibilities. I wake up early and savor a cup of hot coffee as I watch the sunrise from my front porch. Then, I spend the day exploring the great outdoors, hiking in the mountains, swimming in a crystal-clear lake, and soaking up the beauty of nature. In the evening, I enjoy a delicious meal with my loved ones, and we laugh and share stories until the stars come out.

Example Essay 8: "A Magical Place" 

As I stepped through the door of the tiny bookstore, I felt as if I had been transported to a magical world. The shelves were lined with books of every size and color, and the air was thick with the scent of old paper and ink. The cozy armchairs and crackling fireplace invited me to curl up with a good book and get lost in a story. I spent hours exploring the aisles and discovering hidden treasures, feeling as if I had found a secret portal to another world.

Example Essay 9: "The Taste of Home" 

The taste of my grandmother's cooking is something that will always hold a special place in my heart. Her homemade apple pie was the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, with a buttery crust that melted in my mouth. Her hearty beef stew warmed my soul on cold winter nights, and her homemade bread was the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Every bite was infused with love and care, and I can still taste the flavors of my childhood in every dish she made.

Example Essay 10: "The Seashore"

 As I walked along the sandy shore, the sound of crashing waves filled my ears and the salty ocean air tickled my nose. The sun beat down on my skin, warming me from the inside out. I closed my eyes and listened to the seagulls calling overhead and the laughter of children playing in the distance. The water lapped at my toes, sending chills up my spine. It was the perfect day at the beach, and I never wanted it to end.

Example Essay 11: "The Concert" 

The roar of the crowd and the pulsing beat of the music filled the arena, making my heart race with excitement. The lights flashed in time with the music, casting the performers in a rainbow of colors. The lead singer's voice soared through the air, and I felt as if I were transported to another world. The energy was electric, and I couldn't help but dance along with the crowd, lost in the music.

Example Essay 12: "Autumn Leaves" 

The trees were ablaze with color, their leaves a riot of red, orange, and gold. The air was crisp and cool, and the sound of rustling leaves echoed through the quiet streets. The smell of wood smoke and pumpkin spice filled the air, and I felt a sense of peace and contentment wash over me. As I walked through the park, I kicked up piles of leaves and marveled at the beauty of the season.

Example Essay 13: "The Old House" 

The old house was a thing of beauty, its weathered exterior and ivy-covered walls telling the story of years gone by. As I stepped inside, the creaking floorboards and musty smell of old books greeted me, transporting me back in time. The rooms were filled with antique furniture and intricate wallpaper, and the sunlight streaming through the dusty windows cast a warm glow over everything. I felt as if I were a character in a novel, exploring the secrets of this forgotten place.

Example Essay 14: "The First Snowfall" 

As I looked out the window, I saw the first snowflakes of the season drifting down from the sky. The world outside was transformed, the trees and buildings dusted with a layer of pristine white. The air was cold and crisp, and the sound of snow crunching underfoot was a satisfying crunch. I couldn't help but smile as I stepped outside, feeling the snowflakes land on my cheeks and melt against my skin.

Example Essay 15: "The Mountain" 

As I hiked up the mountain, the air grew cooler and the scenery became more breathtaking with every step. The rugged landscape was dotted with trees and boulders, and the sound of rushing water filled the air. I paused to catch my breath and took in the panoramic view of the valley below, feeling small and insignificant in the face of such natural beauty. It was a humbling experience, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to witness it.

Example Essay 16: "The Market"

 The market was a cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells. The vendors called out their wares in a dozen different languages, and the smell of spices and fresh produce mingled in the air. I wandered through the crowded stalls, admiring the handmade crafts and sampling the local delicacies. It was a feast for the senses, and I couldn't help but be swept up in the energy of it all.

Example Essay 17: "The Sunrise" 

As the sun rose over the horizon, the sky was painted with hues of pink, orange, and gold. The world was quiet, and the only sound was the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore. I watched in awe as the sun slowly crept higher into the sky, casting its warm glow over everything in its path. It was a peaceful moment, and I felt a sense of renewal and hope for the day ahead.

Remember, when writing a descriptive essay, it's important to use sensory details to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. These examples demonstrate how descriptive language can help to bring a place, experience, feeling, or season to life. Use these examples as inspiration for your writing and experiment with different techniques to find your unique style.

In conclusion, the art of crafting a compelling descriptive essay lies in harnessing sensory details and vivid language to immerse readers in your narrative. Constant practice and experimentation with various literary techniques will help refine your unique style.

To further boost your writing skills, consider leveraging the power of AI tools like Jenni.ai . This advanced writing assistant provides features such as AI Autocomplete, In-text Citations, and Paraphrase & Rewrite, effectively enhancing your writing process. With global acclaim, Jenni.ai accelerates your writing speed and caters to a broad spectrum of writing needs.

In essence, combining your creativity with potent AI assistance can elevate your writing quality, efficiency, and overall experience, ultimately taking your descriptive essay skills to the next level.

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Descriptive Essay

Descriptive Essay Examples

Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Descriptive Essay Examples - 8 Examples To Help You Write Better

By: Cathy A.

10 min read

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Dec 31, 2019

Descriptive Essay Examples

Do you need some good descriptive essay samples to understand how these essays work? We are here to help you write a descriptive essay with remarkable success!

So stay with us to learn the basics with the help of some great descriptive essay examples.

Descriptive Essay Examples

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What is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay describes and gives sensory details about a person, place, event, or thing in an in-depth and detailed manner. It is different from writing a narrative essay.

The aim of descriptive essay writing is to make the reader feel and see a certain thing, place, or person from your perspective. Your readers may have different points of view about the topic, your job is to make them see what you feel and believe.

These types of descriptions are often found in the literature; novels and dramas, where the writer constricts the whole scene through his or her words. 

Ever noticed how you feel like actually seeing the character from a novel in your mind? Or a place? This is the power of a descriptive narrative.

What is the Aim of Descriptive Writing? 

The sole aim of a descriptive essay writer is to draw a realistic and actual picture in front of the reader. These essays are a part of high school and college level and students. 

Teachers give this type of descriptive writing task to students for developing the students’ skills of describing and explaining something in a detailed manner.

This skill is quite helpful in professional life as the students will know how to analyze something in detail and by considering its different angles.

While writing a descriptive essay can be a fun and enriching experience. Describing your emotions and feelings and dealing with a sensitive topic can be a challenging and daunting task. However, with practice, you can do it successfully.

Good Descriptive Essay Examples

It is not an easy task to write a descriptive essay at first attempt. This is why many students turn to the examples of a descriptive essay to understand its structure and content.

Samples and examples are great to help the students understand how to write certain types of essays. Every essay and assignment is different and, therefore, to score well, you need to be mindful of the content that you add to them.

Effective descriptive essay writing is more about describing different aspects and traits of the chosen subject and the type of feelings they inspire. Commonly, these types of essays describe a particular person, an event, a place, or an emotion with the aim to make the reader feel your way.

Descriptive essay example for grade 6

Descriptive essay example college

Descriptive essay example for university

Don’t give up! Continue reading to explore more amazing examples

Descriptive Essay Example about a Person

Writing about a person is probably the first choice of many students. They like to describe their parents, especially siblings, best friends, and teachers in their essays. However, when you choose to write about a person, it is better that you write about someone who you know.

Descriptive Essay Example about a Person (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example about an Event

As humans, we come across a number of events and happenings. From casual friends get together to very formal weddings and parties, each one of us has something to talk about.

The descriptive essays about events describe the event, how the writer felt about it along the surrounding details.

Just like we say, a descriptive essay ‘describes’ the topic. In the case of descriptive essay examples about an event, the details will include the kind of event, the level of excitement of the writer, the surroundings, and an overall feeling.

Descriptive Essay Example about an Event (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example About a Place

Describing a place that you visited in your summer holidays is quite an enjoyable experience. It is like you are visiting the same place again and having the same feelings.

When describing your favorite place in an essay, use vivid language. You can describe the details like the weather of the place, the main place that you visited, the kind of feeling you had.

Descriptive Essay Example about a Place (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example about Emotions

Describing emotions and feelings is difficult.

Memories, emotions, and feelings are abstract and, therefore, explaining them is not easy. They cannot be explained independently, as you can explain a place or event.

A descriptive essay about emotions includes an event and the feelings associated with it. These could be feelings of sadness, anxiousness, confusion, surprise, and happiness.

Whatever emotions you describe, you can use related adjectives and adverbs to describe them.

Descriptive Essay Example about Emotions (PDF)

Descriptive Essay Example About a Visit

A visit to a doctor, a visit to a zoo, and your first visit to a museum, all make excellent descriptive essay topics.

If you go somewhere for the first time, it is natural to have a plethora of feelings and emotions. These could be feelings of joy and even fear.

Descriptive Essay Example about a Visit (PDF)

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Descriptive Essay Outline

Like every essay sample, a descriptive essay has an outline and format. The essay follows the traditional essay structure and includes:

1. An Introductory Paragraph

The first paragraph of an essay is the introduction and it usually sets the mood for the entire essay.

A good descriptive essay has a strong opening. It introduces the reader to the main topic and what the essay will be about. However, these details are brief and introduce the main topic only.

Some students think that adding more details in this section will add value to their work. Wrong. It will only minimize their chances of expanding the topic in the main paragraphs and leave them with fewer details.

2. Thesis Statement

A thesis statement tells the reader about the thesis question, based on the topic, and the writer’s claim and main argument. It is written after the introduction and before the main paragraphs.

A thesis statement is written at the end of the introduction, it is mainly a single sentence that describes the essay objective.

3. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs take more than half of the entire essay and include all the main claims and arguments of the essay. Generally, it has three paragraphs but depends on the topic and its scope. Some topics may not have much to write about while others may have a wide scope and material.

However, if you feel that your topic does not have much room for expansion, do not try to drag it. It will only ruin its essence and overall feel.

4. Conclusion

A solid closing means a solid essay.

Some students think that because it is a closing paragraph, it requires less focus and is less important. But it is not the case. A clumsy conclusion will leave a bad impression and all your hard work may go to waste.

But, a conclusion is also not a place for new ideas. Stay brief and to the point.

To learn more about descriptive essay structure, you can watch this helpful video

Now that you know the basic outline, you can learn how to write a descriptive essay by visiting our blog and working with those tips and tricks.

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Descriptive Essay Topics 

Got inspired by the examples and looking to write your own essay? So select the topic of your choice from the list below and write a tempting essay…

  • The street I love to walk around  in
  •  Exploring the beauty of nature
  • The pleasing sounds of rain 
  • The most meaningful experience I had in college
  • Exploring a hidden gem in my hometown 
  • My favorite book character 
  • A day spent in my dream destination 
  • Memories of various festivals I have celebrated  
  • My favorite food that always brings back memories
  • These are some
  • The beauty of the rising sun in winter

Choosing a Topic for your Essay

Choosing a topic for your descriptive essay can be difficult and challenging. The reason is there are so many things to write about like

  • Relationships
  • Favorite place
  • Experiences
  • Things 
  • Scenarios and many more.

All of these subjects make great descriptive essay topics. Some quick tips to help you choose a great descriptive essay topic include:

  • Choose a topic that interests you
  • Choose a topic with a good scope
  • Choose something that inspires you emotionally
  • Choose a topic that appeals to all five or at least one to two senses
  • Choose the topic according to your audience
  • Choose a topic that is interesting and will keep your readers glued and engaged

For interesting essay topics and ideas, visit our blog and get 100+ descriptive essay topics to choose from.

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Elements of a Great Descriptive Essay

Great essays are based on elements relevant to the main topic and explain it in detail. Just like other types of essays, descriptive essays are specifically based on describing the main topic. You can do this by using figurative language and words that appeal to the five senses like touch, taste, sight, etc. of the readers.

Some core elements include:

  • Choosing a specific subject:

Choosing the right and appealing subject is essential for a good descriptive essay. Research and make a list of the topics that interest you and see which one you could use for your essay. make sure that you know how to work on that topic before finalizing it.

  • Select the Details:

You cannot write about everything. No matter how many details there are, you have to choose the most dominant ones and stick to them closely.

  • Organize the Details:

Once you have chosen the details and organize them in chronological order. This step is especially important if you are talking about an event because then you have to add details related to the event.

  • Use Descriptive Language:

Descriptive and figurative language is a must if you want to draw a clear picture in front of your readers. Adjectives and adverbs, similes and metaphors, and comparisons are some techniques that you could use to compose your descriptive essay.

  • Use Appropriate Language:

Relevant language will help you in presenting the information in a coherent and simple manner. The topic of your essay will decide the kind of language that you will use in your essay.

  • Do Not Drag the Essay:

Dragging the essay will do no good for your essay. Writing an engaging essay is essential for successful descriptive essay writing. Coherent, relevant, and engaging facts will add credibility and a natural flair to your essay.

Not sure if you could write an impressive and engaging descriptive essay? 

5StarEssays.com is here to help you write an essay . With us, you get high-quality, affordable, and timely help. Our quality assurance is rigid and we make sure all the spelling and grammar checking is done before final submission.

Get in touch with us today and order your essay. Or give our AI essay typer a try to get an essay generated within just 90 seconds!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many paragraphs are in a descriptive essay.

Like any other essay, a descriptive essay also must have at least five paragraphs. The number of paragraphs could increase, based on the scope and need of the topic.

How can I write a good descriptive essay?

Writing a good descriptive essay requires vivid and detailed descriptions, creating an experience for the reader. To do this, it’s important to use clear language that creates images in the reader’s mind. 

Additionally, using sensory details can help engage the reader and make them feel as if they are partaking in the experience described. 

What are some examples of things you could describe in a descriptive essay?

Examples of things you could describe in a descriptive essay include a location, person, object, or event. Each of these should be explored in detail to help the reader form an accurate mental image.

Cathy A.

Finance Essay, Education

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

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descriptive food essay examples

Food Writing So Good You Can Taste It by Dianne Jacob

dianne-jacob

Dianne Jacob

  • 22 December 2021

American author Dianne Jacob’s book, Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Blogs, Reviews, Memoir, and More, is an essential reference book for food writers and food bloggers that has won two international awards from the Cordon D’Or and the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. In this piece from the Writing.ie archives, we asked Dianne what the essential ingredients for successful food writing are.

Most food writing is about eating, so your challenge is to express yourself without resorting to cliché or an endless string of adjectives. The successful food writing techniques and practices listed below give you endless ways to describe a dish or the experience of eating. Once you discover a few simple rules of the craft, you’ll feel more confident immediately. So whether you’re looking to get started, improve your skills, or expand the writing you’re already doing, put down your spatula, pull up a chair, and let’s get cooking.

Step 1. Cook up a sensuous feast.

What makes food writing different from other forms of writing is its focus on the senses and the pleasure and enjoyment that ensues. You want readers to see the colors of a ripe peach, feel its fuzzy down, smell its ripeness, hear the tearing crunch when biting into it, and taste its tangy flesh. While it’s easy to focus on taste, when combined with smell, the two senses can produce emotions, feelings of nostalgia, and involuntary memories.

This response has a name. It’s called the Proustian effect, for Marcel Proust’s wistful passage about eating a madeleine in his novel, Swann’s Way: “But when from a long-distant past nothing subsists, after the people are dead, after the things are broken and scattered, taste and smell alone, more fragile but more enduring, more unsubstantial, more persistent, more faithful, remain poised a long time, like souls, remembering, waiting, hoping, admit the ruins of all the rest; and bear unflinchingly, in the tiny and almost impalpable drop of their essence, the vast structure or recollection.”

Translation: If you remember the punch in the gut you experienced when tasting or smelling a food that takes you back to childhood, that’s what Proust means. It’s harder to communicate this effect so viscerally in writing, but it’s not necessary. He’s saying that using your senses to access food is evocative. Your goal is to transport readers to a place and time, to experience a scent or taste for themselves. That’s better than just reading about how you experienced it, which is not nearly as satisfying, and creates distance between you and them.

Here’s an example from M.F.K. Fisher, one of food writing’s most revered icons: “The first thing I remember tasting and then wanting to taste again is the grayish-pink fuzz my grandmother skimmed from a spitting kettle of strawberry jam. I suppose I was about four.” At first you may feel repelled by the notion of tasting “fuzz.” But you’re also intrigued, and transported to a kitchen from long ago, perhaps your own memory standing in for hers.

Some writers think the least important sense is sound. But consider how it enlivens the experience in Alan Richman’s essay, “The Great Texas Barbecue Secret:” Because the meat is seldom pricked during cooking, the fat accumulates, sizzling and bubbling. Slice, and the drama unfolds. Think of a bursting water pipe. Better yet, imagine a Brahman bull exploding from the gate at a rodeo.”

It might sound overdone, but you’ve got to give Richman credit for imaginative writing about what could otherwise be a dull topic. He is, after all, describing what happens when he cuts into a sausage. Yet Richman excels at translating his excitement onto the page, and has won more than a dozen national awards for his essays in magazines such as  GQ , where he is a contributing writer.

descriptive food essay examples

Look back at Richman’s description of the sausage. See any adjectives? I don’t. Adjectives, however, are the crack of food writing. You might be tempted to use several to describe, say, the pork tenderloin with pears and shallots you devoured at a restaurant last night. But in truth, adjectives weaken writing and cause reader fatigue.

Take note of what else happened during the meal. You want to get across your pleasure and enjoyment by telling a story about the people at the next table, rather than sentence after sentence of description. Or try Richman’s technique of using metaphor, the art of referring to something (a sausage) as something it is not (a water pipe or a Brahman bull).

You might start out with strings of adjectives in an early draft. That’s normal. Examine them all and see what happens if you select only one. You’ll find that your sentence becomes more powerful when pared back to the essence of the dish.

What if the only adjective you allowed yourself, to describe the pear, was “silky?” It reads better than “the brown buttery silky pear.” After so many adjectives, readers get confused. They have to parse all those descriptors and try to imagine what the pear tastes like, deciding which adjective is most important. “Silky,” on the other hand, gives them one clear and concise word. Less is more, when it comes to adjectives.

Step 3. Describe the dish with specifics.

Just as it’s best to be judicious with adjectives, you’ll also a huge improvement in your writing when using specific language. People who read my blog and book know that one of my pet peeves is the word “delicious.” It’s a vague way to describe what you’re eating, and tells the reader nothing, other than you really liked it. Other words in this category are “tasty” and “yummy.” Most of the time you can just edit these words out of your drafts and you’ll have a more solid piece of writing immediately.

Look for vague or general words in your draft and replace them with more specific ones, such as “kitchen” for “room.” Even when it comes to adjectives, “salty” or “velvety” gives the reader a better idea than “delicious.”

Step 4. Stir well with action verbs.

Another way to keep food writing from becoming a string of description is to go for action, just as Richman did. He didn’t focus on how the sausage tasted, but on what happened when he cut into it. If you slow down and describe what’s happening as you consume food, you create a mini movie in readers’ minds.

Here’s how authors Jane and Michael Stern describe slicing into a piece of apple pie: “The crust is as crunchy as a butter cookie, so brittle that it cracks audibly when you press it with your fork; grains of cinnamon sugar bounce off the surface as it shatters.” They’ve slowed down the action so you can picture what happens when the fork cuts into the pie. Action verbs like cracks, press, bounce, and shatters go a long way towards painting a vivid picture. The authors haven’t described how the apple pie tastes yet, but I’ll bet you’re salivating.

Step 4. Spice up the sauce with a few similes.

Since describing food is a big part of food writing, you need as many tools as possible to get the job done. Similes compare two unlike things, using “like” or “as.” They’re fun and imaginative, giving you the chance to insert images that might seem a little incongruous, but work well anyway.

Here’s an example from  New York Times  dining editor Pete Wells: “First we’ll get the grill going hotter than a blacksmith’s forge…as usual, the tongs won’t be long enough to keep my hands from scorching like bare feet on the beach parking lot.”

You might not know how hot a blacksmith’s forge gets, or even what the heck a forge is. It doesn’t matter. You understand that the forge is red hot, and that’s all Well needs to make his point. Similarly, you might not think of bare feet on a beach parking lot when grilling meat. But suddenly, you’ve got a pleasant if slightly painful memory. A simple story about grilling becomes an evocative look at a fun part a summer everyone can relate to, a little piece of our collective past.

Similes are a little different than metaphors I mentioned in Step 2. Similes compare two things (burning bare feet and grilling), as opposed to referring to the object directly as something else. In the Richman example, he says a cut sausage is a bursting water pipe, as opposed to saying it’s “like” a bursting water pipe. The pipe is the metaphor for the sausage.

No matter which technique you employ from this list, and no matter which medium you choose to tell your story, food writing is similar to other kinds of narrative writing. It focuses on evocative storytelling and context, rather than on exactly how the spaghetti sauce tasted. While that’s certainly part of the story, it’s more important to evoke an emotional response in the reader by making them imagine a bucking bull or a hot day at the beach. Think of food writing as a type of cooking: you try a little of this a little of that, and soon you have a dish. By consistently driving your story forward with the techniques I’ve outlined, you’ll find creative new ways to express your thoughts about food, and cook up an audience that can’t wait to read more.

Choose Your Style of Food Writing

Food writing is not just the provenance of national magazines like  Bon Appetit,  nor limited to the cookbook department of bookstores. It’s everywhere, appearing in thousands of blogs and websites, newspaper and magazine features, e-newsletters, recipe databases, and fiction writing.

Food writing also takes many shapes, including

  • Memoir and personal essay
  • Restaurant reviewing
  • Recipe writing
  • Food history
  • Food politics
  • Profiles of chefs and farmers
  • Travel writing and guides
  • Food reference
  • Cookbook reviews.

Where might you start? Many writers want to capture their own experiences, and for that, blogs are an easy place to get published. Plus, you can experiment with any of the forms mentioned above on a blog.

Recipe Writing That Works

Recipes are a form of technical writing because of the exacting way they are written. They have four parts: the title, the headnote, the ingredients list, and the method, which explains how to make the dish.

You start in the kitchen, making a dish more than once to get the best flavor and texture combinations. Keep notes by the stove about measurements and amounts, techniques, and any other details critical to the dish’s success, then write up your recipe when you’re certain of its success.

Here are a few fail-proof rules to observe:

  • Start with a descriptive, enticing title. Classic Strawberry Shortcake, for example, tells readers exactly what they’ll get: a rich biscuit with saucy fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
  • Draw readers in with the headnote. Tell a personal story about how you made your first omelette, explain the perfect balance of flavors in a fruity ice cream, the history of your mother-in-law’s potato salad, or the no-fail technique you use for roasted asparagus.
  • List ingredients in the order used. Your recipe might feature lamb chops, but if the first thing you do is heat olive oil in a skillet, that’s where to start.
  • Do the prep in your ingredients list. The French call it  mise en place . Get all your ingredients chopped, measured and ready to go before firing up the stovetop. Use the method to explain what to do with 1 onion, sliced; or ½ cup chopped parsley.
  • Test and retest your recipe to make sure it works. Make sure you’re not writing in shorthand, skipping a step, or leaving out an ingredient.

(c) Diane Jacob

Diane Jacob is the American author of the award-winning Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Blogs, Reviews, Memoir and More. She is also the co-author of the cookbook Grilled Pizzas & Piadinas, and blogs on food writing at www.diannej.com/blog.

This article first appeared in  WritersDigest.com  magazine.

For more than 15 years, writing coach, editor, and blogger Dianne Jacob has taught food lovers how to take their passion from the plate to the page. Now, Jacob has revised and updated her award-winning guide. Whether you’ve been writing for years or are just starting out, Will Write for Food offers what you need to know to succeed and thrive, including:- A new chapter dedicated to making an income from food writing- Updated information about self-publishing and cookbook production- Tips on creating and sustaining an irresistible blog with gorgeous photos- The keys to successful freelancing and reviewing- Advice from award-winning writers, editors, and agents- Engaging, fun writing exercises to get the juices flowing.

Dianne’s book is a very popular reference book for food writers and food bloggers. It has won two international awards from the Cordon D’Or and the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Order your copy online here .

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Descriptive Essay for University

Descriptive essay generator for university.

descriptive food essay examples

One of the riveting things in people’s minds is how it processes something. When different individuals see the same thing in front of them, their brains operate their thoughts differently. What’s beautiful for some might appear the opposite for others. That’s how you’re going to discuss a subject in a descriptive essay. Express your subjective perspectives by learning how to compose your descriptive essay for university.

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What Is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay is a type of academic essay wherein the writer will provide a detailed description of a place, person, experience, emotion, or a particular process. It is the kind of essay wherein the writer can approach it by providing information basing on his or her subjective perception. Universities often give this assignment to the students to let them enhance their essay writing skills.

How to Write a Detailed Descriptive Essay For University

Whenever people ask you about your favorite food or place, you can easily picture them in your mind. Sometimes, because of how vivid your imagination is, it can even make you hungry. Others would even claim to feel nostalgic. Capture that emotion into text and transfer it on a piece of paper.

1. Immerse Yourself In Your Topic

The moment your professors give you the assignment, they also often give you a topic. In contrast, some teachers give you the freedom to choose one on your own. Either way, you need to conduct descriptive research and study it deliberately. You can’t provide a complete description of something unless you know a lot about it. 

2. Construct an Outline

You can start this step by searching for blank outline templates online. The next thing to do is to note what you want to include in your essay. One helpful tip is to know what your five senses tell you about the subject. Pay attention to how it looks, the way it smells, its smoothness, and other details you can get from your sensory organs. Describe it in your college essay outline .

3. Organize Your Description

Now that you already have a guide, you should organize your thoughts in a way that makes sense. Decide on the flow of your essay in each of your descriptive paragraphs . To help you with it, you can construct a flow chart . This method will help you determine how to arrange your ideas.

4. Incorporate Vivid Language

The main goal of your descriptive writing is to let the readers feel, see, or perceive things the way you do. When you describe a particular beach as your favorite place, ensure to write it vividly. To do this, you can incorporate figurative languages that would help you express your emotions better.

What are the differences between a narrative essay and a descriptive essay?

In the practice of article writing , professors may give you the assignment to write numerous types of essays. These kinds include a narrative essay and a descriptive essay. Despite that, they have a glaring difference in their purposes. Narrative writing aims to tell a story, while the latter’s goal is to provide a detailed description of something.

What are good topics for a descriptive essay for university?

Interesting topics for a descriptive essay are a lot similar to the things you write in your journal. You can write about your favorite food, a person you like, a place you find scary, and an artwork. If it interests you, you can also include things or issues on your campus that college students find interesting.

How do you start a descriptive essay?

Start your descriptive writing by writing a short descriptive paragraph as your introduction. The first sentence you should compose is your hook. The purpose of this segment is to compel and attract readers to your article. In the end part of this paragraph, you should write your thesis statement. In this part, you should briefly give people an idea of what you would discuss in your material.

People go out of their way to submit college application resumes , for the sake of securing their names on the students’ list. The reason is that universities are a place to hone and improve your skills for the career of your choice. That said, as most industries require numerous formal letter writing, they also practice your skills by letting you write essays. Start practicing yours by composing an impressive descriptive essay for university.

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The Changing Meaning and Implications of “Retarded”

This essay about the term “retarded” traces its historical evolution from a clinical descriptor to a derogatory slur. Initially used in medical contexts to describe intellectual disabilities, it gradually acquired negative connotations, reflecting societal shifts and advocacy for more respectful language. While contemporary discourse favors terms like “intellectual disability,” “retarded” persists as a hurtful epithet. Advocacy campaigns aim to raise awareness and promote inclusive language practices, recognizing the power of words to shape perceptions and uphold dignity. The essay underscores the importance of linguistic sensitivity in fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society.

How it works

The term “retarded” holds a lengthy and intricate narrative, originally entrenched in medical jargon but presently acknowledged as derogatory and hurtful. Historically, “retarded” served as a clinical descriptor for individuals grappling with intellectual disabilities, with phrases such as “mentally retarded” crafted to convey descriptive rather than disparaging connotations. Nonetheless, as linguistic norms and societal perspectives evolved, so did the connotation and usage of this term.

During the early 20th century, medical practitioners utilized “retarded” to classify and diagnose intellectual disabilities within a broader taxonomy.

Analogous to terms like “idiot,” “imbecile,” and “moron,” which also originated within medical spheres but gradually devolved into insults, “retarded” underwent a comparable metamorphosis. Over time, it transitioned from a clinically employed term to one increasingly synonymous with stigma and prejudice. This evolution mirrored broader societal shifts and the realization that individuals with intellectual disabilities merit reverence and esteem.

In contemporary parlance, “retarded” has largely been supplanted in medical, educational, and societal discourses by phrases like “intellectual disability” or “developmental delay.” Advocacy collectives spearheaded this transition, advocating for language that prioritizes the individual over the disability, reflecting a broader movement toward person-first linguistic practices, which aim to affirm the humanity and individuality of persons grappling with disabilities.

Notwithstanding these endeavors, “retarded” persists colloquially as a pejorative epithet. In everyday dialogue, it is frequently wielded to denigrate individuals or entities perceived as foolish, incompetent, or inferior. Such usage perpetuates injurious stereotypes and contributes to the disenfranchisement of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Consequently, campaigns such as “Spread the Word to End the Word,” spearheaded by Special Olympics and Best Buddies, endeavor to heighten awareness regarding the ramifications of employing “retarded” as an insult and to advocate for the adoption of more respectful terminology.

The transformation of language norms transcends mere lexical oversight; it is about nurturing a more inclusive societal fabric. The impetus to forsake terms like “retarded” underscores an acknowledgment that language molds perceptions and can fortify prejudices. By selecting respectful language, we affirm the intrinsic dignity of all individuals and acknowledge their entitlement to be defined by their merits rather than their adversities.

Nevertheless, navigating this linguistic transition can prove daunting, particularly when entrenched terminologies permeate educational, legal, or societal frameworks. However, sustained endeavors by advocates and professionals to espouse accurate, affirming language are instrumental in reshaping the broader cultural ethos toward a more empathetic comprehension of disability.

In summation, the term “retarded” serves as a poignant reminder of language’s evolutionary trajectory and its capacity to imbibe new connotations contingent upon societal attitudes and biases. Its progression from a clinical descriptor to a disparaging slur underscores the significance of employing respectful language that reveres the dignity of all individuals. By cognizing the impact of our words, we can contribute to the construction of a society that is more embracing and inclusive of those who cogitate and apprehend the world through diverse perspectives.

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COMMENTS

  1. Write A Descriptive Essay About Food With Tips & Examples

    Tip 2: Use Vivid Language. When writing a descriptive essay on food, use adjectives, metaphors, and similes to make the description come alive. Try describing the texture, smell, flavor, and presentation of the food in detail. It's also important to incorporate sensory words like "tangy", "savory" or "sweet.".

  2. Descriptive Essay On My Favourite Food: Detailed Guide

    A descriptive essay about food is an example of a written piece that vividly describes the taste, appearance, and aroma of various types of cuisine. The school cafeteria is a comfortable area that provides meals to the students on a daily basis. It offers multiple tables and chairs for the students to sit at, and there are metal lockers ...

  3. Descriptive Essay Sample on My Favorite Food

    A descriptive essay about food should leave the reader with some positive emotions - either eager to go eat something or at least feel satisfied with reading your essay. So, use a joke, a call to action, or any sincere commentary on your feelings about the described food.

  4. 10 Tips to Write a Descriptive Essay about Food

    Start with an Introduction: Begin your descriptive essay by introducing the topic and capturing the reader's attention. Clearly state that you will write a descriptive essay about food, and mention that you will be providing examples to make your writing more relatable. Choose Your Favorite Food: Select your favorite food as the focus of your ...

  5. How to Describe Good Food in Writing (21 Tips + Examples)

    Example: The sizzling fajitas were a fiesta of bell peppers, onions, and tender chicken strips, all bathed in a zesty lime marinade. 3. Discuss the Texture. Texture plays a huge role in our enjoyment of food. It can make the difference between a dish we love and a dish we find unpalatable.

  6. Essays About Food: Top 5 Examples and 6 Writing Prompts

    5 Top Essay Examples. 1. Food Essay by Evelin Tapia. "Food has so many things in them such as calories and fat. Eating healthy is important for everyone to live a healthy life. You can eat it, but eating it daily is bad for you stay healthy and eat the right foods. Deep fried foods hurt your health in many ways.

  7. 10 Mouthwatering Food Writing Examples

    1. The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher Book cover of The Art Of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher. The Art of Eating deserves a top spot on the list because its author, M.F.K. Fisher, was one of the first food writers to be published.This book combines five of her works into one volume: Serve it Forth, Consider the Oyster, How to Cook a Wolf, The Gastronomical Me and An Alphabet of Gourmets.

  8. How To Describe Food In Writing: Best Words To Describe Food

    3) Words and phrases to describe texture. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Melts in your mouth. I could see the chocolate filling slowly oozing out as I cut through the layers of crispy, flaky pastry. Crumbly. delicate. The cake was moist, yet was somehow able to avoid becoming soggy. Fluffy as a pillow.

  9. 5 Intriguing Essays about Food: Examples, Ideas, and More!

    Here are our Top 5 Essay Examples and Ideas about Food: 1. Importance of Food in Nutrition Essay. Introduction. Food plays a major part in human existence and health. It provides us humans with the energy we need to survive and grow. Consuming a balanced diet every day is a fantastic way to live a healthy life.

  10. What is a Descriptive Essay? How to Write It (with Examples)

    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.

  11. Food Adjectives: 4 Tips for Describing Food in Writing

    See why leading organizations rely on MasterClass for learning & development. Whether you want to articulate the strong aftertaste of a marinated dish or a dessert's creamy texture, this list of food adjectives will provide many ideas to help you describe your meals.

  12. How to Write a Descriptive Essay

    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. Descriptive essay example. On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house.

  13. Delicious Writing: Food Writing Examples from Students

    Food Writing Examples. Let's let Kylieinwonderland from New Zealand get us started on the first course: …a lasagna oozing with cheese and still warm from the oven, freshly picked plums with juice that runs down our chins as we take the first bite, fish and chips wrapped up in paper…. Note the six specific taste words—lasagna, cheese ...

  14. My Favorite Food Essay for Students and Children

    500 Words Essay On My Favorite Food. In order to perform well in life, our body needs energy. We get this energy from the food we eat. Without food, there will be no life. In today's world, there are so many dishes available worldwide. Food comes in a wide variety all around the world. Dosa, Paneer, Naan, Chapati, Biryani, and more Indian ...

  15. Food Descriptive Essays 101: Cooking Top Grades

    If someone is reading an essay on traveling to the Bahamas, the writer ought to ensure they feel like they're actually there for the duration of the paper. If someone is reading about a dark and dreary day, the writer ought to instill that vibe from the very first sentence. Food follows the same formula - and it's one of the most fun examples ...

  16. How to Write a Descriptive Essay (2021 Edition)

    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 ...

  17. 15 Good Descriptive Essay Examples for All Students

    Descriptive Essay Example 5 Paragraph. 5 paragraphs essay writing format is the most common method of composing an essay. This format has 5 paragraphs in total. The sequence of the paragraphs is as follows; Introduction. Body Paragraph 1. Body Paragraph 2. Body Paragraph 3. Conclusion.

  18. Descriptive Essay Examples: Bring Your Writing to Life with Vivid

    5. Relishing in the Gastronomic Delights. Food can elicit powerful memories and emotions. Describe your favorite dish or a memorable meal in great detail. Use descriptive language to convey its flavors, textures, and aromas, and share why it holds a special place in your heart. 6.

  19. Guide to a Perfect Descriptive Essay [Examples & Outline Included]

    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.

  20. Free Descriptive Essay Examples For Your Help

    Like every essay sample, a descriptive essay has an outline and format. The essay follows the traditional essay structure and includes: 1. An Introductory Paragraph. The first paragraph of an essay is the introduction and it usually sets the mood for the entire essay. A good descriptive essay has a strong opening.

  21. Food and Nutrition Importance: [Essay Example], 505 words

    In conclusion, the importance of food and nutrition cannot be overstated. Their impact on physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life is significant. It is crucial to prioritize food and nutrition in order to achieve optimal health and well-being. By making informed food choices and ensuring a balanced diet, individuals can ...

  22. Food Writing So Good You Can Taste It by Dianne Jacob

    Step 1. Cook up a sensuous feast. What makes food writing different from other forms of writing is its focus on the senses and the pleasure and enjoyment that ensues. You want readers to see the colors of a ripe peach, feel its fuzzy down, smell its ripeness, hear the tearing crunch when biting into it, and taste its tangy flesh. While it's ...

  23. Descriptive Essay for University

    Decide on the flow of your essay in each of your descriptive paragraphs. To help you with it, you can construct a flow chart. This method will help you determine how to arrange your ideas. 4. Incorporate Vivid Language. The main goal of your descriptive writing is to let the readers feel, see, or perceive things the way you do.

  24. The Changing Meaning and Implications of "Retarded"

    Historically, "retarded" served as a clinical descriptor for individuals grappling with intellectual disabilities, with phrases such as "mentally retarded" crafted to convey descriptive rather than disparaging connotations. Nonetheless, as linguistic norms and societal perspectives evolved, so did the connotation and usage of this term.