Writing Descriptive

Essays

What, exactly, is a
Descriptive Essay?
A descriptive essay is simply
an essay that describes
something or someone by
appealing to the readers
senses: sight, sound, touch,
smell, and taste.

Steps to writing an effective

Descriptive Essay:
1. Select a subject - Observation is the key
to writing a good description. For example, if
you are writing about a place, go there and
take notes on the sights, sounds, and smells.
A descriptive essay paints a picture for the
reader, using descriptive devices and the
senses.

2. Create a thesis statement A thesis

statement is simply a sentence that tells the

reader what you are going to be talking about
throughout the entire essay

. Youre thesis statement should never begin with

phrases like, I am going to be talking about. . .

 Since this is a descriptive essay, create a

thesis that informs the reader of who or what

you will be describing.
Ex: My bedroom is an ocean sanctuary
Ex: My family vacation to Disney World was a
magical week of fun, laughter, and sun-filled
happiness.

3. Select dominant details

Make sure you are only writing about things

that specifically support your thesis.

For example, if your thesis statement is talking
about your sun-filled trip to the beach, dont
bore the reader with meaningless details about
your swimsuit. . . You should be describing the
beach itself, and perhaps some of the events
that took place there (e.g. building a
sandcastle, boogie-boarding, parasailing, etc.)

4. Use descriptive words do not use vague

words or generalities (such as good, nice, bad,

or even beautiful).
. Think about it. . . Which sounds better?

I ate a good dinner.

Or
I devoured a steaming hot, cheese-filled pepperoni
pizza for dinner.
See the difference?

5. Provide sensory detail

Smells that are in the air (the aroma of freshly

brewed coffee)
Sounds (traffic, honking horns, waves crashing)
Sights (The sun scattered tiny diamonds across
dew-covered grass as it peeked out from
beyond the horizon.)
Touch (The texture of the adobe huts walls
resembled coarse sandpaper.)
- Taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, tart (Giant
goose bumps formed on my tongue when I
accidently bit into a sliver of lemon.)

6. Draw a logical conclusion - The conclusion

may also use descriptive words; however, make
certain the conclusion is logical and relevant.

Now lets practice!

On a blank sheet of paper, look at the following
images.
Write down things you might hear, see, taste,
smell, or feel/touch if you were in these
pictures
After you have compiled a brief list of sensory
details, write a descriptive sentence about
each picture.

The Narrative Essay

A narrative essay is a story written about a

personal experience.
Writing a narrative essay provides an

opportunity to get to know and understand

yourself better.
Narratives provide human interest, spark our

curiosity, and draw us close to the storyteller.

In addition, narratives can

Create a sense of shared history
Provide entertainment
Provide insight

Traits of a Narrative Essay

Usually written in first person I
Usually rely on concrete, sensory details to

convey their point

Usually include these story conventions: plot,

setting, characters, climax, ending

ALWAYS make a point. You dont tell a story

just for the sake of tellingyour story must

make a point.

Show dont Tell

What does show dont tell mean?
Good writing tends to draw an image in the

readers mind instead of just telling the reader

what to think or believe.

Heres a sentence that tells.

Mr. Bobweave was a fat, ungrateful old

man.
That gets the information across, but it is

BORING.

A sentence that shows

Mr. Bobweave heaved himself out of the chair.

As his feet spread under his apple-like frame

and his arthritic knees popped and cracked in
objection, he pounded the floor with his cane
while cursing that dreadful girl who was late
again with his coffee.
The writer didnt tell Mr. Bobweave was fat, he

showed it by saying his apple-like frame.

How can you show your ideas?

Use metaphors and similes:
She landed under the window like a falling leaf.
Use quoted language: bits of conversation can

enliven your writing.

Know when to quit: If you think your readers

would like a little more, write the little bit more

and then delete it.